After The Snap

by Peyton Miller

  They won the coin toss and he took the field after the initial kickoff. Words were flung his way but he ignored them. Will snapped the ball to him and he stepped back two steps before spying Wayne in the open. Just before he let the ball loose he was sacked from the left side.

  “That’s right you fucking faggot, stay down,” the guy who hit him yelled in his face.

  Seth stood and brushed off his pants. His offensive lineman, Gus, came over, his eyes wide.

  “Fuck, I swear I tried to stop him.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Gus. It’s okay. Really.”

  Will approached and grabbed his shoulder. “Say something.”

  Seth knew just what to say. He moved to stand right behind Will, placing his hand on Will’s back. Seth sucked in a breath and called out, “Let’s kick some ass. Fifty-nine bolt.”

  Will snapped the ball to him and Seth ran back three steps before finding Wayne just where he was supposed to be. He threw the ball in a perfect arc. Wayne didn’t disappoint either. He watched the referees throw up their hands a second after Wayne cross the line, waltzing into the end zone. They’d scored right after a devastating sack. He felt that he’d proved he could play.

  Once the special team took the field and he was on the sideline drinking some water, Gus, Thomas, and Edmond came over.

  “I’m sorry about that,” Gus said.

  “We really didn’t mean to let that guy through. I swear we’ll take care of them next time.” Thomas tapped him on the shoulder as he spoke.

  His anger dissipated. They hadn’t turned on him. “It’s okay guys. Really, it’s good.”

  “Next play, we’re not letting anything through,” Edmond said.

  Seth laughed and stuck out his fist for bumps. “Guys, it happens. We’ll all play harder next go round.”

  He had about five minutes on the sidelines before he was called back in. The ball was deep in the other territory and he had a long way to go to score. First, Pete carried the ball forty yards. It was an amazing play and they gained a lot of the field back. Then he passed the ball to Ben. Finally, when they were only thirty-seven yards from scoring he passed the ball to Wayne. It went sailing over the heads of the other team straight into Wayne’s arms. They scored again.

  Seth noticed that the boos that were yelled when he’d first come onto the field were absent, instead people were cheering. Wayne ran up to him and hugged him close, slapping his butt as he yelled something unintelligible.

  The rest of the game continued almost the same way. The Broncos caught on that Wayne was his go to guy, but that didn’t stop his team from scoring. At the end of the fourth, they were ahead by fifty-one points and the Broncos had the ball. He would be lying to say he wasn’t praying for a shutout. It looked close for a little while. He thought for sure Denver was going to score, but they couldn’t connect and ended up dumping the ball one too many times.

  He had possession again with only fifty seconds left on the clock. Safe and steady was the key. He almost ran out the play clock but did a hand off to Adrian. The next play, he ran the clock down, then Will snapped the ball and he passed to Wayne who ran to the sidelines to avoid being hit.

  The third play Will snapped quickly and he just took a knee and the game was over. The Chargers had won. He hadn’t let the rumors distract him.

  The head coach for the Broncos came and found him. “Mr. Mercer, good game.”

  Seth shook his hand then found that many of the players from the other team were there to shake his hand. The outpouring of support was amazing. He wondered what was going on until one of the guys from Denver pulled him close.

  “Channing took advantage of me when I was in Florida. We don’t believe his lies. There’s enough of us who will spread the truth. You don’t have to worry about trying to defend yourself, there’s enough of us to help you tell the real truth.”

  After that player left his side, Seth was pulled along to the tunnel exiting the stadium. He was almost at the locker room when he saw two men standing in the hall. One was Justin the other he swore was Colby, but how the hell did Colby get here? Then Colby smiled and Seth knew he wasn’t imagining things.

  Tears burned the back of his eyes and he moved straight to Colby and pulled him into a hug. He didn’t care that the rest of the team saw, he was going to hug and kiss his man. Somehow, the team manager had kept the reporters away but that wouldn’t last. Seth ended the kiss and stepped back, his eyes searching Colby’s.

  “You played great.”

  “Why are you here?” Seth asked.

  “Justin called me.”

  “I thought it would be best if he was here, but it looks like you’re handling this very well.”

  “Colby, God, I love you.”

  The first of the reporters were rushing down the hall and Seth grabbed Colby and pulled him into the locker room. “I don’t really want them photographing you yet.”

  “Seth, I’m here to give you support. I’ll help with whatever you need however you need it. Shower, get dressed, talk to whoever you need to and then we’ll talk.”

  “I’m scared,” Seth whispered.

  “Babe, I’ll be here for you if you need me. I don’t want you to be afraid. We’ll take care of this. Trust me, everything will be fine.”

  Seth nodded and stripped before heading to the showers. He washed quickly and was back at his locker, pulling on his underwear when he saw Wayne chatting with Colby.

  “Wayne, what are you telling him?”

  “All of your dirty little secrets,” Wayne shot back.

  “I’m an open book. Colby knows everything there is to know about me.”

  Colby chuckled and shot him a heated glance. He was getting hot but there wasn’t anything he could do about it here. They were flying back to San Diego tonight and he freaking hoped Colby would be able to make it back to California.

  “Colby, how are you getting home?”

  “Justin has a flight scheduled for us.”

  “Oh, do you need—”

  “It’s private. We’re fine on time,” Colby said.

  Seth glanced around, seeing a few sideways looks being shot his way. The guys were curious about Colby. Hell, he would be too. The man was very sexy and cute. Maddox came over and shook Colby’s hand.

  “I’m Jeffery Maddox, Seth’s offensive coach. I’ve been working with him since the day he arrived. I’m a little disappointed that he didn’t tell us about you.”

  Colby shot Seth a quick glance. “Hi Jeffery, it’s nice to meet you. We have been taking things slowly. His parents didn’t even know about me until Christmas.”

  “Okay, then he gets a pass. My wife and I would like to have you two over for dinner one night soon,” Maddox said.

  “Thank you, sir. We would love to have dinner with you and your wife,” Colby replied. Seth was surprised that Maddox was inviting him and Colby to dine with his family.

  “You have a few reporters that want to talk to you, Mercer,” Maddox said.

  Seth sighed. “I’m not ready.”

  “Come on, I’ll go over there with you,” Colby said.

  Seth’s gaze met Colby’s and he nodded. “Okay, as long as you stay in the back. I don’t want them attacking you.”

  “Seth, you’re the best man I’ve ever known. You haven’t done anything wrong and I would be happy to stand by your side, but I understand. Not yet, eventually we’ll make a united front, but this is about football tonight, not us.”

  Seth calmed and wished they were alone. Colby was the best man he’d ever met and this just proved it once again. He wished he could pull Colby in for a quick kiss, instead he gulped in a huge breath and approached the area where the reporters were doing interviews. They abandoned their current task and clamored to get his attention. Seth lifted his hands and didn’t say a word. He saw Blaine in the group, which meant Channing was probably close by, or Blaine had taken a very late flight and was operating on almost zero sleep.

  Colby had stepped ar
ound behind the reporters and gave him a wink. He relaxed a bit. Colby supported him and that was all that mattered.

  “Quiet,” Coach Louis called out. “If you want to hear what Mr. Mercer has to say you’ll shut it. Seth, it’s yours.”

  “I will talk about tonight’s game, that’s all. If you have any questions about football, the game, or our next game, feel free to ask.”

  “Is it true, did you take advantage of your old coach, Channing Harris?” Blaine asked.

  Seth narrowed his eyes and squeezed his lips. He wasn’t going to talk about Channing. No way.

  “Come on, man, give us something,” Blaine whined. “You screwed him over, just admit it. You are one of those spoiled brats who thinks you should get everything handed to you.”

  “Excuse me?” Colby said and Seth froze. A few of the reporters turned around but quickly dismissed Colby because he wasn’t a player or coach. They must have thought he was a nobody by the attitude they threw at him.

  Seth was relieved that they weren’t going after Colby. He didn’t want his lover caught in the middle of this. But Colby wasn’t finished with them yet.

  Colby stepped closer to the reporters, his mouth twisted in a menacing scowl. “Mr. Mercer will give a full statement tomorrow and not before. So back off. We’re done.”

  Seth followed Colby around the corner and into the area that held the toilet stalls. “Holy shit, that was ballsy,” Seth said.

  Wayne stepped into the area and wrapped his arm around Colby’s shoulder. “Damn, you are feisty. That was awesome.”

  Colby’s cheeks turned red and his lips curved up in a huge smile. “Seth brings it out in me.”

  “Thank you, babe.”

  “Do you think they know I’m your boyfriend?” Colby asked.

  “Not yet. They will soon though. And you’re not my boyfriend, you’re my fiancé.”

  “Whoa, you two are getting married?”

  “Yeah, we are,” Colby said.

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” Seth shook Wayne’s hand and then turned to Colby. “We’ll be headed to the airport soon.”

  Colby pulled out his phone. “Justin just texted me. We’re leaving now.”

  “I’ll see you at home.” Seth liked the idea of Colby and home.

  Colby pressed his lips together and Seth could tell that he wanted a kiss, but neither of them moved closer. It was awkward standing in the locker room with his male fiancé. He’d not really adjusted to sharing the news that he was gay and also engaged to Colby.

  “I’ll be up waiting for you.” Colby nodded and stepped out of the room into the main part of the locker room.

  Seth followed and watched as he walked past the reporters who were headed out. Blaine turned to stare at Colby. His eyes shot back to Seth and went wide. Panic raced through Seth as Blaine moved to leave but two guys from the defensive line blocked his path. It was comical to watch Blaine try to follow after Colby with Jimmy and Davey standing in his way. What he liked most was that Blaine was dwarfed by the two big guys and there wasn’t any way he was going to be able to follow Colby. When Blaine finally did get past, Davey and Jimmy turned to face Seth and both started laughing.

  He may have a lot of work to recover from what Channing did, but his teammates supported him. That made Seth feel amazing.

  The flight home was uneventful and by some miracle the reporters had not started camping around his condo. Maybe if he had freaked out or if he had lost the game there might have been more interest, but he was thrilled for the break from their circus. Colby was home already and when Seth opened the door Colby tugged him in and planted a kiss on his lips before the door closed.

  All thoughts of food and going to sleep were shattered as lust pumped hot. He dropped his bag and turned Colby so his back was against the door. Colby opened for him, allowing Seth to explore his mouth, tasting something sweet and something that was all Colby.

  Seth grabbed both of Colby’s wrists and lifted his arms above his head, stretching Colby out. He pulled out of the kiss and looked down, taking in all of Colby.

  “Fuck, you’re so freaking sexy but you have on way too many clothes.” Seth pressed their mouths together again and slid his tongue against Colby’s in an erotic dance.

  Colby rocked his hips forward and Seth went wild as desire pumped through his body. He pulled out of the kiss and began tugging at the tie around his neck. “Strip.” His voice was gravelly and thick with lust.

  “I need you.” Colby tugged off his shirt and lowered his pants as Seth kicked off his shoes and tugged at his shirt, pulling it over his head.

  “So fucking sexy. I’ve got to have you now.”

  Both of them were naked when he next pressed Colby against the wall, sighing as his skin came in contact with Colby’s. He touched and tasted, kissing and licking as he ground his hips against his lover.

  “Bed, now,” Seth demanded.

  They moved quickly, Colby flinging the covers low before moving to the center of their mattress. He stretched out on top of Colby and lifted up on his elbows, staring down into his lover’s eyes. Thick emotions passed between them. He’d not been prepared to feel this deeply about anyone and his throat closed up. Colby’s gentle touch of his fingers against Seth’s cheeks made him lose it even more. He had the best partner in the world.

  “How did I get so lucky?”

  “I’m the lucky one,” Colby whispered.

  “No, I think I am. You’re perfect for me.”

  Colby spread his legs and Seth sighed, loving how his man felt under him. He needed to be inside Colby. Seth went up on his knees and Colby lifted his legs, hooking his arms under his knees. Heat flashed through Seth as he stared down at the beautiful sight. He spit on his hand and smoothed the wetness over his dick before spitting on Colby’s ass. Colby flexed and pure lust slid through Seth.

  He lined up and pushed forward, growling as he filled Colby. It felt amazingly magnificent as he slid in deeper. Colby took his breath away. The feel of heat and skin mixed with the love he felt for his man, caused him to gasp just to catch his breath.

  “Seth,” Colby groaned as he threw his head back and arched up.

  He needed to get closer. Seth dipped low and pulled Colby’s knees close together as he held them between his arms that were propped on the bed. He slid his arms under Colby’s back to grasp his shoulders, but he needed to be even closer. He moved his hands so they were holding the sides of Colby’s head as he pressed their foreheads together.

  Colby whimpered as they rocked together. Their gazes locked and in that one moment, Seth knew he had found the best man in the whole world. He wanted this to last, wanted to stay inside Colby, holding on forever, never having to leave this circle of love. His orgasm took over and he lifted up, grabbing one of Colby’s legs, holding it over his shoulder as he pumped his orgasm into Colby, crying out his name over and over again.

  When Seth could open his eyes he saw Colby wiping cum off his chest with one finger, then lifting it for Seth. He greedily sucked it in, tasting Colby as the thick liquid spread on his tongue. Their eye contact didn’t break as he slid out and lowered, his tongue flattening against Colby’s skin as he licked, cleaning Colby’s chest.

  Colby pulled him up and plastered his lips to Seth’s. He realized in that moment he didn’t want to wait to get married. He needed it to happen now.

  “Colby,” Seth said when the kiss ended. “I can’t live without you. Marry me.”

  “I’m never leaving you. We can get married this spring, during your break.”

  “No, today.”

  Colby pushed at his shoulder and sat up, kneeling on the bed. Seth had never been more sure of anything in his life. “I love you and I want you, but is today really the best day? What about the—”

  “No, nothing else matters. You’re the only thing that matters in my life. Seriously, lets just go down to the court house and get a license. We’ll find someone to marry us.”

  “Wh
at do you need to do to get married here?”

  “I don’t know, but we can find out.”

  Colby stood and reached out his hand. Seth followed Colby to the bathroom and flipped on the water for the shower.

  “Babe, how about we look into it. If there’s a waiting period, I don’t want you getting disappointed. We can plan to get married in the next few weeks.”

  “Then once the season is over, we’ll go somewhere fun?”

  “Yes. I’ll go wherever you want when it’s time to celebrate.”

  Seth pulled Colby close and kissed his forehead. “Why are you so good to me?”

  “I love you. You, Seth Mercer, I love you and always will.”

  They showered and Colby followed him into the kitchen where he consumed an epic sandwich and a slice of apple pie. When they fell into bed an hour later he held Colby tight, never letting go throughout the night. This was where he belonged. Channing may have tried to cause problems, but nothing would hurt his relationship with Colby.

  The next morning, he woke to his phone vibrating. They’d slept late. He picked up the device and saw that Justin had called. He dialed him right back.

  “Justin, what’s up?”

  “One of the investigative reporters started digging and found the arrest record for Channing. He didn’t sleep with an eighteen-year-old, the kid was seventeen.”

  Seth blew out a breath. “No shit? That’s terrible.”

  “Yes, well it’s good for you. Sympathy is turning your way.”

  Seth sat up and groaned as he made it to his feet. “Sucks for the kid. Do you have a statement made up for me?”

  “I’ll email you what I have. Once you approve it, I’ll have Kristen send it to all of the outlets.”

  “Express my sympathy for the kid and the others who have been taken advantage of by Channing.”

  “Okay, rest some today. I’ll be over in a couple of hours.”

  “Justin, thank you for all you’ve done. You’re a good guy. I really appreciate you bringing Colby to Denver. It was great to see him at the end of such an emotional game.”