“Fuck off.”
“You didn’t see this coming? Dude, there is no one else qualified to run the team. For fuck’s sake,”
“Language!” Both Prib’s and Phia’s moms correct in unison.
“You’ve been running the team for years. Everyone looks to you for guidance. Heacock was head coach in name only. We are who we are because of you.” He taps his finger against Brandon’s chest as my boyfriend stands stock-still. “You are the soul of our football team.” Prib looks at me with a “get a load of this guy” expression and I drop my head to snicker, not wanting to tease Brandon. He is quite oblivious, though. Like I said, a once-in-a-lifetime human being.
“Congratulations, Beiler.” Phia says softly from her spot on a nearby couch.
“Congrats, Interim Head Coach Beiler.” Prib’s dad pats Brandon on the shoulder. Everyone offers their congratulations and support. And a little later, I lead a stunned and nearly catatonic Brandon Beiler to his car. At the last second, I help him into the passenger’s seat and take the driver’s. I adjust the mirrors and seat, then buckle up.
We’re about 45 minutes into our trip home when he finally snaps out of it. “I’M HEAD COACH! Interim, sorry. Interim Head Coach.” I laugh and continue driving as he rambles on about the unexpected honor, the humbling of their trust, and what he plans to do now that he’s actually in charge. He’s careful to correct himself or include “interim” as he speaks. I bite my lip and don’t correct him. He’ll realize soon enough, he isn’t interim shit. He IS the new head coach. It’s not temporary. The university loves Brandon, the players, the faculty, front office staff, janitors, everyone loves Brandon Beiler.
No one as much as me.
He glances around when I put the car in Park in his driveway. Laughing, he leans across the console and kisses me sweetly. “Sorry, I talked the whole way home.”
“I like your voice.” I tell him, getting out of the car and heading up to his front porch. Inside the foyer, I toe off my shoes, grab his hand once he’s done the same, and lead him into his bedroom. Next to his bed, I stand on my toes, wind my arms around his neck and press my lips to his. I glide my tongue across the seam of his lips, and groan when I taste him on my tongue. “Make love to me, Head Coach Beiler.”
“Interim,” he reminds me, as if it is an automatic response now.
“Ain’t nothing temporary about you and me.” He growls, diving back into my mouth with enthusiasm. We undress frantically, but when he lays me back on the bed, our frenzied movements slow. He takes his time opening me up, sucking my dick as he fingers me until I’m writhing beneath him, begging for his cock.
I hiss as he slowly slides inside me. Both of us moan when he bottoms out. It is a steady climb, deep, powerful, desperate. Affectionate and tender. Heartbreakingly worshipful. He pulls me apart and as we reach our peaks, our releases snap me backtogether. The warmth of his cum leaches into the rest of my body, heating me up like a cozy blanket.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m sorry I almost ruined this. Us.” I shut him up with my mouth, nipping at his bottom lip before I pull back. Cupping his face, I force him to look me in the eyes.
“This is the last time we will discuss it. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours. It’s that simple.” I kiss him again. “Love doesn’t have to be complicated.” He nods, then buries his face in my neck, his weight deliciously pressing me into the mattress, surrounding me with his love.
“I’m afraid there’s more to come.” I run my hands up and down his sweaty back, waiting for him to continue. “It’s a feeling, a certainty in my gut. Phia’s attack isn’t the last this team and organization will face this season.”
I take a deep breath and let his words wash over me. A chill runs down my spine. I don’t think he’s wrong. I cinch my legs around his waist; my arms linked behind his neck. Whispering in his ear, I vow, “You won’t ever be alone, Brandon. You won’t deal with any of it on your own, I’m with you. I love you.”
Brandon 13.
“This is a fucking shit show! Of epic proportions!” I slam the door to my office shut behind us, resting my head against the cool wood. Oscar presses himself against my back, his cheek resting on my spine, his arms around my waist. He holds me tight, his calm breathing reassuring as my heart begins to settle.
“What the fuck is wrong with people?!?”
“We don’t have enough time to answer that question.” He replies drily, making me snort.
“He’s ok? He’s not harmed?” I shake my head, stand up and turn around to hug him properly. I sigh into his hair, holding onto him for dear life. I fear by this point, he’s my literal lifeline. The season ain’t even over! Good God, what else could this team endure?
“They found him at a hotel. He’s unharmed and well fed, according to Ty.” Earlier today, after today’s game, Lyndell, the team’s towel boy and honorary member of the team, was jumped in the corridors of the stadium, along with his brother’s girlfriend, Edee. She fended them off and Lyndell took off running. While the police sorted out the perpetrators, everyone else was looking for Lyndell. I got notice a few minutes ago that Lyndell was finally found. I dragged Oscar into my office because I needed a minute to process and he’s my emotional support human.
“They’ve been through so God damn much…and Lyndell is like sunshine in human form. Why would anyone hurt him?”
Oscar shrugs. “Why does anyone do what they do? We’ll never know and even if we did, it wouldn’t make sense to us because we aren’t psychopaths.” I tug him with me, sit down on my little couch and pull him into my lap. We snuggle for several minutes, just breathing each other in and letting touch soothe us.
“I’m not sure if you know a faculty member…he’s Phia’s thesis advisor, oddly enough, Elias Gillison.”
“I do. We’ve met a few times at university luncheons and such. Nice guy.”
“He is. His whole family is, actually. Anyway, his brother is a middle school guidance counselor a few hours away from here. He reached out to Elias 6 years ago, wanting to speak to someone involved with the football team. Heacock couldn’t be bothered, but I was intrigued. Turns out, he wanted to discuss Tyrone Wicawiil, a high school quarterback who was already on my radar.”
“How serendipitous.” I kiss the tip of his nose; he scrunches it with a roll of his eyes.
“When I tell you Ty is a talented athlete, it is a vast understatement. He’s the whole package, strength, dedication, resilience, and drive. On the advice of this boy’s middle school guidance counselor, I drove to meet him, and I was blown away. He was living in squalor, abject poverty. Dad was in and out of the picture, raised by his grandmother who had passed away, and caring for his older intellectually disabled brother, and bouncing between the shit hole his dad paid for and Gillison’s brother’s house. What was most impressive was his demeanor, his attitude. He didn’t let circumstances dictate his life; he bent the world to his wants and needs. He needed to play football toget a full ride. He needed that college education to secure his future as a pro player or provide him with the tools needed to secure a good job. All of this to care for his brother. He never saw Lyndell as a burden, a responsibility. To this day, he considers Lyndell a blessing, a gift, and it is one he cherishes with every ounce of his being.” I laugh, leaning back on the couch, moaning when it brings Oscar’s tight little ass closer to my cock. “I nearly lost my job in pursuit of securing Ty a position on our team. Heacock and I almost came to blows. I wouldn’t back down. Ty was the future of this university. I was only thinking of his arm, but life soon humbled several of us. I got him set up with a full ride scholarship, a two-bedroom apartment covered under the housing stipend, and a little extra for food and utilities. And the summer after his freshman year, he and Lyndell were in an accident and could have lost it all. But Lilly saw the same thing I did. Ty was our future; we just needed to adjust our perspective. She and I fought with the school board, donors, and Heacock. He became the mascot, Lyndell thrived in our Good Works program, and they have become synonymous with this university. A part of the institution, as integral as each brick in its foundation.”
