Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:01:34 -0500
From: Odin <belsport09@gmail.com>
Subject: Second Shot Chapter 22 Apology Not Accepted

Disclaimer: Story characters belong to the author, any resemblances to real
people are entirely coincidental.

Content Advisory: Adult situations, language, sexual references

Copyright, 2010, Quonus10

I hope you enjoy it. Please comment to: belsport09@gmail.com


22. Chapter 22: Apology Not Accepted

Checking the time on his phone, Jason left the Java Shack, coffee in hand.
Darryl would laugh at him for drinking coffee on a hot August day, but then
Darryl wasn't waiting for Peter to finish working before he could eat.

"Jason!"  Hearing his name, he froze.  It couldn't be him, he thought.

Rather than look, he decided to keep walking.  Maybe he would get the hint.

"Jase, stop."  The voice was closer now.

"What do you want?"  Jason didn't try to be civil.

"C'mon Jase," Jordan jogged over, refusing to look at his ex-friend.  "I
just want to talk."

"Seems to me you did more than enough talking last winter."  Jason's heart
was thumping so hard he thought he heard it.  "We really have nothing to
say to each other."

"Jason, we've been friends since we were five."  If Jordan thought this was
going to help, he was wrong.

"Yeah, don't remind me how fucking stupid I was for fifteen years."  Jason
never wanted to punch someone as much as he wanted to hit Jordan.  "No one
I want as a friend would ever do what you did to me.  Too bad it didn't
work out as you planned."

"What's that supposed to mean?"   Jason obviously struck a nerve as Jordan
glared at him.

Rolling his eyes, Jason almost walked away.  Instead he said, "Please, do
you think I don't know why you outed me?  Sorry, but my real friends didn't
react the way you hoped.  They are still my friends, my REAL friends.  If
you wanted me to feel alone and isolated, you failed."

Staring at him, Jason realized what Jordan wanted.  He wanted to beat the
smug look off his ex friend's face.

"That wasn't what I wanted Jason.  I only . . . ."

"Yes it is, you lying piece of crap."  Jason had almost six months to stew
about how his one time best friend tried to ruin his life.  "Just like you
always do, you tried to make yourself look good at someone else's expense.
Only this time it didn't work out how you planned did it?  Everyone stopped
talking to you instead of me."

He didn't need Jordan to admit it was true, Jason could see it in his
face.  It wasn't just Darryl and Wendy who avoided Jordan, all their joint
friends, with one exception, took his side over Jordan's.

"Jason." Gone was the arrogant attitude Jordan displayed when he showed
up.  Maybe he thought Jason would buy his schtick and now that he wasn't,
Jordan needed a new angle.  "I know sorry isn't going to be good enough,
but . . . ."

Jason's laugh caused him to stop.  "Are you kidding me?  You're sorry?
Please."

Shaking his head, Jason started to walk away.

"Really Jase."  Jordan put his hand on Jason's shoulder.

Jason flinched at the touch, nearly dropping his coffee as he cocked his
left fist and turned around.  Jordan jumped back, both hands raised in
defense.

"Whoa, Jase, I just want to talk."  His shock made him almost believable.

"What's there to talk about?"  Jason wiped the coffee off his wrist and
arm.  "Seems to me the time is past for that wouldn't you say?"

"I know I was wrong, really I do."  Jordan tried to maintain eye contact
this time.  "I just felt I was losing my best friend to . . . that guy."

"Losing me?"  Jason couldn't believe what he heard.  "Peter wasn't taking
me from my friends.  In case you missed it, the night you attacked him, we
were hanging out with my friends."

He was shaking so hard, he spilled coffee on his hand again.  "Fuck!"

Checking first to see if anyone was nearby, Jason tossed the barely touched
cup across his body onto the grass.

Jordan's eye went from the cup back to Jason.  "I didn't say what I felt
was rational, only that is how I was thinking at the time.  We used to be
tight Jase, then suddenly we stopped speaking.  The only thing that changed
was him."

"He has a name; it's Peter."  Jason's mood was only getting worse.

"Sorry."  The apology at least sounded sincere.  "When you screamed at me
with your fists all balled up, I was mad, really mad, but I know what I did
after that was wrong.  What I am saying is I over reacted; completely over
reacted.  I was hoping for a chance to fix things between us."

"Why?"  Jason stared at him, squinting his eyes slightly.  "Why do you want
that?"

"We've been best friends forever, it feels weird not talking anymore."
Jordan continued to avoid eye contact.  "I am really sorry, Jase."

"Whatever, I don't believe you."  Jason didn't try to hide his contempt.
"The only thing you're sorry about is that it didn't work.  I'm still happy
and you realized that most of your friends were really my friends who
tolerated you because I asked them to."

He knew he should have left it at that and gone home, but he finally had a
chance to tell Jordan what he really wanted.  "You know, I always defended
you, always.  When people talked smack about you, I stood up for you.  If
they didn't want you along, I made sure you were included.  No matter what
other people told me about you, I always told them they were wrong; that
they didn't know the real Jordan like I did.  God I was so stupid."

Jordan stood quietly listening to Jason talk about the hurt he felt.

For the first time since it happened, Jason felt himself get emotional.
How could his best friend betray him like that?

"All I can keep saying is I'm sorry."  His voice was soft, but this time he
looked up.

Trying to stay calm, Jason met the eyes and for a moment thought he saw
genuine remorse.  That look took some of the sting out of his pain, but
didn't change his feelings.

"Listen Jordan," his voice remained steady.  "What you did was
unforgivable.  You were supposed to be my best friend, my best fucking
friend.  Whose best friend does what you did to me?  Forget that betrayal,
the worst thing is you destroyed my relationship with my mother.  Nothing
you say will fix that; nothing.  I understand you say you're sorry and
maybe one day I'll believe it, but I can't make this any clearer; you and I
will never be friends again."

He walked off, not looking back.  What was left to say?  Did Jordan really
think they could be friends again or was this all a show?  Despite how
sincere he acted, Jason couldn't shake the feeling it was an act.  Jordan
wanted something; something more than being friends again.

Six months after the fact, Jason acutely felt the sting of Jordan's
betrayal.  At the time he was too worried about what would happen next to
feel the pain of the knife Jordan stabbed in their friendship.  Between his
mother's reaction, the need to deal with the team, trying to be on guard
for people bashing him, he was too busy to fully process Jordan's
actions.

After the initial panic waned, he threw himself into his relationship with
Peter.  Free from hiding, they used their new freedom to enjoy being a
couple.  Again Jordan's treachery wasn't on his mind.  Today it was hitting
him like a sledge hammer.

Checking the time again, he realized it was still more than two hours
before Peter would be finished.  Darryl had a date and Wendy wasn't back at
school yet.  Fuck, fuck and double fuck.  Passing a bench, he sat down with
a thud.  Closing his eyes, he tried to squeeze the images of Jordan, then
and today, form his mind.  When that didn't work, he leaned forward putting
his elbows his knees so he could rest his head on his hands.

All he saw were the times he defended Jordan to Darryl and their other
friends followed by the image of a disgusted Jordan screaming, `You're a
Faggot too?'  That betrayal hurt worse than how foolish he felt for not
seeing the true Jordan.

"Jason?"  He picked his head up when he heard his name called.

Standing alone, book-bag over his left shoulder and a soda in his right
hand was one of his teammates.

"Hey, Blake."  Jason twisted the kinks from his neck.  "What are you up
to?"

"Heading back to the dorm," he eyed Jason carefully.  "You okay?"

"Um," Jason looked at his feet, rubbing his eyes.  "Yeah, fine.  I'm
waiting for Peter to get done work so we can have dinner."

"Ah, that explains why you weren't at dinner with most of the team."

"Yeah."  He looked up to see his teammate staring intently at him.

"You don't look okay."  Blake sat down on the bench.  "What happened?"

"How offended would you be if I said, `piss off?'"  Jason tried to smile,
but it didn't last long.

"I won't push you, but I'm here if you want to talk about it."  Blake gave
him a reassuring smile that made Jason laugh.

"How did we go from me watching out for you to you making sure I'm okay?"
Jason tapped him on the shoulder with his fist.

Blake grinned before punching him back.  "Sometimes even the captain needs
someone to talk to."

Taking a deep breath, Jason nodded.  "Do you like coffee?"

"Coffee?"

Standing up Jason smirked.  "Yeah, coffee."  When Blake didn't answer he
said, "Never mind, just walk to the Java Shack with me and I'll tell you
what happened.  I threw my coffee away before I drank it and now I need a
new one."

"Need it eh?"  Blake winked at him.

"More than you know."     ****


"C'mon Jase, cheer up."  Peter reached across the table and grabbed his
hand.

"Sorry, Pete, I really didn't mean to ruin dinner."  Jason forced himself
to smile.  "I just can't believe the fucking balls Jordan has to ask me to
forgive him."

Pointing a finger toward Peter, he quickly added, "He is up to something,
I'm sure of it."

Peter laughed, "You give him too much credit, Jason."

"No, I don't."  Jason shook his head even as his eyes looked far away.  "He
wants something and it's not to be friends again."

Peter silently rubbed Jason's hand as the Harvest Moon staff cleared away
the last plates.  They were seated in `their' booth, but even that couldn't
get Jason to forget about what happened earlier.  Sighing, he put his other
hand over Peter's.

"Enough of him."  This time his smile came naturally.  "We should get home
so I can tuck you in.  Tomorrow is your tournament.  You need your rest."

"Tuck rhymes with something else we could do together."  Peter raised both
eyebrows suggestively.

"Um, what happened to no sex the night before your meet?"  Jason felt blood
rush where he didn't need it to go if they were getting up in a minute.

"I don't see what the harm is in my kicking back and letting you do all the
work?"

Unable to hold it back, Jason started laughing at how serious Peter tried
to look.  "Should we check with Mister Lee first?

"You can call him if you want, but I can't promise how cordial he'll be in
the morning if you wake him up."  If Peter were nervous, Jason couldn't
tell from his behavior.

"Hmm," he tried to play along.  "Anything that will hurt your performance
I'll avoid."

Their waiter smiled at Peter, his eyes lingering too long, before he put
the check down.  "Thanks again for coming in guys."

Jason felt a twinge of jealousy.  He knew it was irrational, Peter wasn't
encouraging it, but he still wanted to tell the waiter to back off.
Grabbing the case with the bill, he watched Peter's reaction.

"Oh no," Peter pulled out his wallet.  "We agreed to split this."

"That was before the waiter started flirting with you."  Jason put down his
card, closing the leather top.  "I'm leaving the tip, just in case you
thought you might be overly generous."

Peter stared at him for a moment before shaking his head with a smirk.
"You're jealous."

"Damn straight . . . err . . . gay . . . YES!"  Why hide it, he thought.
"I think I'm allowed to be jealous."

"It's so cute."  Peter looked pleased.  "I didn't think you got jealous."

"Why wouldn't I be?"  Jason knew they were going to end up in another self
esteem discussion.

"Well, I mean I know I'm a great catch," Peter said sarcastically. "But you
always say you're fine with everyone eyeing me because you enjoyed seeing
them envy you."

"Okay, I lied."  Jason tried to hide his annoyance.  Peter didn't deserve
his pithy attitude.  "From now on, it's eyes off my man."

Raising both eyebrows Peter looked down at Jason.  "Your man?  When did you
get so possessive?"

"Not sure, but I am so get used to it."  Jason inserted a hint of humor in
his voice despite how serious he was about this.

Their waiter returned, Peter made a point not to look up.  Instead he
reached across to rub Jason's hand.  "You know I love only you, Jase."

"Course I do."  He handed the check to the waiter, keeping his eyes on
Peter.  "Thanks."

Squeezing the hand he held, Peter said.  "You bet.  Now you know how I feel
when we go out."

"Sorry."  Watching someone flirt with Peter sucked.  "It never bothered me
when it happens at a gay bar.  Not sure why I got so jealous."

"Feel free to be possessive."  Peter winked to go with his smile.  "Yours
are the only stares I welcome."

The arrival of the credit slip prevented Jason from answering.  This time
the waiter glanced at both of them.  "Have a great night guys."

"Thanks," Jason mumbled as he walked away.  Scribbling a tip on the receipt
before signing it, he put the pen down to find Peter looking at him.

"What?"  He asked when Peter didn't smile.

"Are you sure you're okay?"  Peter nodded for the exit.

"Sorry, Pete," he needed shake off the day's events.  "I don't mean to
bring you down."

"He really upset you, didn't he?"  Peter grabbed Jason before he could walk
passed.

Looking around nervously, Jason almost pulled his hand back.  "I never
really dealt with it.  Jordan's attempt to be friends again just doesn't
feel right.  It feels like he's trying to play me; he must think I'm so
stupid I'll buy his shit."

"Bye, Annette."  Peter released Jason's hand when they reached the host
stand.

"Thanks for coming in sweetie."  She gave Peter a hug before turning to
Jason.  "Why so glum?"

Jason shrugged at her, but managed a smile.  "Bad day, but it got better
around dinner time."

He put his hand on Peter's back, trying to forget Jordan and his antics.

Annette gave him a hug as well.  "That's the spirit.  Now you two run along
and have fun."  She winked as she waved them out the door.

Still light out when they left the restaurant, Jason noticed more than a
few people milling about.  Scanning the crowd he caught himself wondering
if they would run into Jordan.  They never ran into him, so why was he
worried tonight?

"Feel like getting coffee?"  Peter's voice broke his concentration.  "My
treat since you got dinner."

Not wanting to be out, Jason almost said, `no' before he realized Peter was
trying to cheer him up.  "Sure, sounds great."

He managed a thin smile.  Peter must have noticed how forced it was.
"Cheer up.  You won't run into him for at least the next two days."

Remembering they were going away got a real smile.  "True."

"So what's up between you and this Blake kid?"  Jason filled him in at
dinner about Blake's offer to listen.  "First he calls you a fag, then he
comes out to you, now he wants to console you.  Sounds like he might have a
thing for you."

"Would suck for him if he did."  Jason finally managed to get out of his
funk.  "Not only am I taken, he's not my type."

"Sure," Peter laughed.  His mood told Jason he was not serious.  "What's
not to like; he's cute, smart, a soccer stud?  I mean those are all things
I look for in a man."

"Hmm, sounds to me that I better watch myself.  You have my replacement all
picked out."

"Sweetie, no one can replace you."  In front of whoever was watching, Peter
planted a kiss on Jason's cheek.

Despite his best effort, Jason still froze for a second.  Two girls walked
passed them smiling.  "How cute," one of them said.

"Thanks."  Peter smirked at them, slightly embarrassed as they continued
toward the coffee shop.  "Sorry Jase, I know PDA's still freak you out a
bit."

Realizing Peter regretted the kiss, Jason leaned over and returned the
favor.  "That doesn't mean I don't like it."

The Java Shack was packed when they arrived, which was fine by Jason.  He
wanted to go home and Peter needed to get some rest.  Ordering their drinks
to go, they were about to leave when Jason heard his name.  Matt, seated
with a female wearing a Graydon Field Hockey shirt, waved them over.

Matt introduced his new girl friend Mary then invited them to grab some
chairs.  Not wanting to interrupt, Jason was about to decline when Mary
insisted.  Peter didn't objection so they found two chairs.

"Matt tells me I have you to thanks for the free weekend."  Her smile was
genuine as she patted Jason's hand.

"Um . . . not sure that is completely accurate."  Embarrassed by the
attention, Jason turned to Matt and Peter.

"Sure it is, Jase," Matt cut in.  "You wanted to see your man compete so
you got us all a day off."

Now he was really embarrassed.  "Everyone else ran laps for this."

"Only after you started it."  Matt didn't let him off the hook.  "Even
Darryl didn't run that first day."

"Can we talk about something else?"  Jason, wanting to get the conversation
off himself, turned away from his teammate.  "How's field hockey practice
going?"

The four talked for a few minutes before Jason decided it was time to
leave.  Two was company four was an entourage.  He also wanted to get
home.  Between waiting for Peter and talking to Blake, Jason never made it
home after his run in with Jordan.

Jason held out the keys when they got to his car.   "Do you mind driving?"

"Um, sure."

He missed the look Peter gave him as he got in the passenger seat.  It was
bad enough Jordan wanted him to forgive and forget, but now he ruined
Jason's evening out with Peter.

"Sorry, Pete, I didn't mean to spoil our night."  Why did he let Jordan
affect him like this?  "I shouldn't let him get to me like this.  Guess I'm
just stupid."

Peter gently turned Jason's head.  "Jase, you're not stupid.  You're upset
because you're not like him.  Being friends with someone means you're there
for them when they need you; not betraying them.  Jordan acting as if what
he did was no big deal shows how different you two are.  To him, friends
are disposable.  He tosses them away when he doesn't need them anymore."

"Exactly why I think he's up to something."  It was a feeling he couldn't
shake.  Even if he overlooked things, Jason still knew Jordan well enough
to know what he was like.

"Which is why you need to forget about him."  Peter didn't let Jason derail
him.  "How about we go home, take a warm shower together then go to sleep?"

The image of what Peter suggested brought a smile to Jason's face.  When
Peter responded in kind, Jason forgot Jordan and whatever he wanted.  Why
look back when his future  looked so much better.

"Sounds good to me."    *****


Opening the door to their room, Jason felt a twinge of annoyance.  Left to
his own choices, he would have booked them a room at a better hotel.
Traveling with Peter's family meant they were not free to stay wherever
Jason wanted.  At least their room was not adjoining Amanda and Erin's.

Not that they were going to spend the night having wild sex.  Peter had the
semifinals and hopefully the championship match tomorrow.  Tonight would be
about resting.  In fact, avoiding any nocturnal activities was a popular
theme for the evening.  First Mister Lee, then Peter's mom and finally Erin
all reminded them to avoid being physical; though Erin was more blunt,
telling them point blank, `Don't have sex tonight.'

Despite being called a non-smoking room, it was evident prior guests
disobeyed that rule. Sitting on the end of the bed while Peter got ready,
Jason failed to convince himself this place wasn't so bad.   Tired, worn
and shabby were adjectives he used when he sent Darryl a text.

God, he was such a snob.  Who cared where they stayed?  Being here for
Peter was what mattered.  For one night he needed to think of someone other
than himself.

Leaning back, he stared at the ceiling.  Peter did all the work, so what
was he exhausted?  All he did was watch from the bleachers with Amanda and
Erin.  That and make a fool of himself cheering when Peter won the last
match.  Why didn't anyone tell him not to cheer until after the competitors
bowed?

Coming to competitions for more than a decade, Mrs. Gregory knew many of
the other parents who were in attendance.  Throughout the day Amanda would
either stop to greet someone she knew or have others stop while they were
seated.  Each time, after exchanging pleasantries, Jason's presence became
obvious.  The first time it happened he froze, unsure what Peter's family
expected him to say.  Without skipping a beat, Amanda introduced him as
Peter's boyfriend.

Doing his best to be polite, he noted those who were friendly and those who
were not.  While Peter's sexuality was not a secret, neither was it
announced before his matches.  Those who knew before hand either didn't
care or didn't come around.  According to Amanda, the shocked reactions
were from those who didn't know before.

Jason sat through countless matches - soccer, baseball, basketball,
whatever - but this was so different.  Watching Peter, alone, with no one
to rely on but himself, made Jason nervous and proud.  Here was the source
of Peter's mental toughness and self reliance.  This is where Peter learned
to be strong enough to weather anything life threw at him.  Out there, in
front of the crowd, there was no one to pass off to, no one to pick him up
if he made a mistake.  He couldn't take a breather knowing there was
someone else who was covering.

Peter sailed through the preliminary matches, winning easily.  Huddled with
Mister Lee between matches, Jason could see the two deep in conversation,
with the teacher demonstrating something for his student.

Occasionally Peter would look up and give a small wave or a smile.  Jason
wanted to believe it was just for him, but he knew how much Peter's family
supported him.  Long before Jason, Erin and his mom were there.

Unfortunately the luck of the draw left Peter with a very difficult quarter
final opponent.  Like Peter, the other competitor was highly ranked.  Both
realistically could have medaled, but the bracket meant one went on while
the other went home.  Happily Peter won without hurting himself.

"What are you smiling about?"  Jason opened his eyes to find Peter standing
at the foot of the bed.

"Thinking about your last match."

"Seth is a tough opponent."  Wearing just a towel, Peter crawled next to
his boyfriend.  "I felt bad he didn't make the medal round.  He's easily
good enough to make the championship match."

Jason rose onto his elbow, running a hand over Peter's back.  "So is the
guy who beat him."

Before Peter could answer, Jason scooted over until he was straddling
Peter's butt.

"Um, didn't you hear everyone say, `no sex' tonight?"  Aside from his
question, Peter didn't try to make Jason move over.

"Actually, I've been reading up on massage techniques."  Jason ran his
hands up Peter's spine, pushing outward with his palms.  "But if you want
me to stop, I can move over."

Despite suggesting he would get up, Jason continued to apply what he read
to ease Peter's tension.  From the soft moan Peter let out, Jason figured
he was doing something right.  Resisting the urge to get up, get naked,
then remove the towel that separated him from Peter's butt, he stayed where
he was, working the tired muscles beneath his hands.

When his hands started to tire he bent forward, softly kissing the smooth
skin of Peter's back.  Moving slowly up Peter's body, Jason stopped when he
reached the neck.  Knowing they were dangerously close to doing more than
going to sleep, Jason rolled over.

"That felt so good."  Peter turned on his side to face Jason.  "Who have
you been practicing on that you suddenly learned how to give a decent
massage?"

"Ha!"  Jason wasn't sure how serious Peter was when he didn't see a smile.
"Didn't you know?  I'm now the team masseur; I get to paw everyone on the
team naked - except Darryl, that would be gross."

Peter reached out to touch Jason's face.  "Did you really buy a book just
to learn how to do this?"

"Yup."  Looking at Peter's bare chest, it was killing him not to reach
over, push him back and pull the towel off.  Instead he jumped off the bed,
heading for the bathroom.  "All the times you massaged me after practice or
a run, I figured I owed it to you to at least try to learn."

Finishing quickly, he found Peter asleep, still in his towel.

"Peter?"  Gently he rubbed his shoulder.  "C'mon, let's get you ready for
bed."

Half asleep still, Peter reach down, pulled the towel off and dropped it on
the floor.  "Okay, I'm ready."

This was going to be a difficult night, Jason thought.  Hanging the towel
on a hook, he removed the rest of his clothes.  Peter was asleep again, or
at least pretending, when Jason crawled over, with his back to his sleeping
boyfriend.

Pulling the sheet over them, he felt Peter reach for him.  "Love you,
Jase.  Thanks so much for being here."

Unable to resist, he twisted around for a quick kiss before shutting the
lights.  "I love you too."    *****

Having the second match of the day, Peter spent time speaking to his mentor
and relaxing.  Sitting around waiting for Peter's match left Jason bored.
Amanda and to a lesser extent Erin, spend much of the morning speaking to
other families they knew.  Jason wanted to go for a run, but they checked
out before coming to the venue.  Instead he engaged in a text-a-thon with
Darryl, Wendy and some of his teammates.

The first semifinal match was a grueling, hard fought affair.  By contrast,
Peter cruised to victory, having less trouble than with his previous
match.  A little payback perhaps for a difficult quarterfinal Jason
thought.  When it was over, Jason looked at Erin before he cheered, not
wanting a repeat of yesterday's faux pas.

Understanding why Peter remained apart between matches didn't make Jason
any less disappointed.  Sure he wanted Peter to stay focused, but Jason
also want to share this time with him.  Now he knew how everyone felt
coming to his games.

Even though the outcome didn't affect Peter's bout, Jason paid close
attention to the third place match.  Peter's opponent from his last match
seemed to have the upper hand for most of the contest.  In itself that
wasn't a good indicator of what Peter could expect, but it didn't hurt
either.

By the time the winner was decided, the cheering ended and the championship
match announced, Jason felt like he did before his own games.  He couldn't
remember being this nervous watching someone else compete.  Then again, he
never watched his boyfriend compete before.

Just as the match got underway, he felt someone grab his left hand.  Amanda
was squeezing both his and Erin's hand with an anxious look on her face.
Watching hundred of matches before did not quell her nerves.

"Thank you for being here, Jason."  She never took her eyes from the mats.
"Peter told me what you did to get the day off.  It meant a lot to him to
have you here, but to do all that meant even more."

"Me too, Jason."  Erin reached over to put her hand on top of his.
"Peter's a great guy.  Not just because he's my brother, but because he
really is a good person.  Unlike mom, I met some of the jerks he dated.  It
means a lot to me that you make him so happy.  Even if I can't call you a
hottie any more."

Embarrassed by the attention, Jason was grateful she made him laugh.
"Thanks.  I'm trying, but I don't always get it right like he does."

"Trying is what makes it right dear."  Amanda's smile reminded him of
happier days when his mother looked at him the same way.  "Sometimes it
really is the thought that counts."

Everyone's attention was drawn to the mats as the match was announced.
Jason watched Peter walk out for his introduction.  The audience cheered
for both participants for making it to the championship round.  It appeared
for a moment Peter looked up them and smiled, but it was so brief Jason
might have imagined it.

When he sat down, Amanda locked his hand in a vise grip.  Her eyes never
left her son's match.  The pressure vacillated depending on the progress of
the match.  Even when Peter was doing well, her hold would tighten, easing
up only when the pair separated.

Still frustrated by how a match was scored, Jason watched for signals he
understood.  So far he knew Peter scored points, but his opponent had not.
This would have him on the edge of the bleachers, except Amanda was still
squeezing his hand like she was willing Peter her strength.

When the official raised his hand, both she and Erin let out a scream
before hugging each other.  Shaking his hand to get the feeling back, Jason
watched Peter face his opponent, bow to different people, then hug Mister
Lee.

"Jason!"  Amanda waved at him as she left the stands.

Confused, he checked on Peter.  Mister Lee was still congratulating him,
but Peter's eyes were locked on Jason.  His mentor followed Peter's eyes
and smiled.

"Jason!  Move it!"  Erin's terse hand movement told him to hurry.

Fighting his way through the crowd, Jason understood the urgency; everyone
in the stands was making their way to the floor.  Separated from Erin and
Amanda, he watched as people tried to get closer for the ceremony.  There
was no way he could make it to the front.

"Jason!"  He heard Peter's voice, but couldn't see him.  How could he lose
Peter and his family in so short a time?  Frustrated, he realized he was so
far back he wouldn't be able to see the ceremony.

"Jason!"  This time it was closer.  Trying to find the source, he finally
caught a glimpse of Peter pushing through the crowd.  What they wouldn't do
for Jason, they were almost obliged to do for the tournament champion.
Reaching out, Peter grabbed Jason's hand, pulling him with him back toward
the dais.

Peter didn't let go as he pushed, cajole and all but threatened his way
back toward the front.  "Don't lose him this time, Mom."  He said, letting
go of Jason's hand.  Mister Lee stood a few feet away, shaking his head,
but maintaining a smile.

"Honestly, Jason."  Amanda's voice forced him to stop staring at his
boyfriend.  "When I told you to come with us, you need to listen."

Only paying partial attention, Jason only heard he upset Pete's mom.  She
was shaking her head when he looked at her, then she and Erin began
giggling.

"Jason, dear, I'm teasing."  She patted his cheek affectionately.  "You
looked so worried when you turned around.  Everything is fine, we can watch
from here."

Relieved, he searched to find Peter.  It took a bit of effort, but he
located Peter and the other winners standing with their coaches.  Various
officials were milling around, sorting out things before they could start
the ceremony.

Twice Peter made eye contact, smiling only after he found Jason.  It felt
good knowing Peter wanted to be sure he was there.  Reliving the urgency
Peter displayed hunting him down to drag him forward, Jason found it hard
to just stand there.  He wanted to run up to the staging area, hoist Peter
off his feet and kiss him deeply.

Blinking, he cast about to see if anyone noticed who he was staring at.
This was Peter's moment.  Jason needed to be sure to keep his emotions in
check so he didn't ruin this for Peter.  No one should leave the tournament
with any thought other than Peter Gregory proved himself the top
competitor.

A huge grin threatened to become a permanent fixture on his face as the
four finalists were brought out.  His boyfriend was standing on the top
step waiting to receive his gold medal.  Jason wanted to scream his name,
hooting for the crowd.  Instead he moved closer to Erin and Amanda.

When the fourth and third place winners were given their medals, Jason
wondered if he could cheer when Peter got his?  Should he act like he was
just a family friend?  Amanda slipped her arm around his.

"It's so good you're here, Jason."  She smiled, pulling him closer like she
knew him forever.  It was a bittersweet moment.  At this moment he felt
closer to his boyfriend's mother, someone he only met three times, than he
did to his own mother.  Amanda treated him like her own child.  Coupled
with the intense feelings he had for Peter, her including him in her family
threatened to overwhelm him emotionally.

An official called Peter's name, snapping Jason's attention back to the
Dais.  Peter won a state championship before, but he looked as happy
winning this tournament as Jason ever saw him.  The medal was barely around
his neck when his eyes locked on Jason and he mouthed `I love you.'

He knew he turned red, but consoled himself knowing almost everyone who saw
it would think Peter was talking to his mother.  Amanda probably though it
was meant for her.

"That was for you, Jason."  She squeezed his arm.  Jason was sure he turned
even redder knowing he was busted.  He knew it was for him, but he didn't
want Pete's mom to know.

"C'mon."  She pulled him by the arm.  Jason knew she wasn't going to lose
him again.

Peter stood with his teacher, ready to photographed with his medal and
trophy.  There were several shots the tournament wanted, some of just
Peter, others of him with teacher.  When the professionals moved on to the
other winners, the family started taking theirs.

Mister Lee obliged and took many of the pictures, but then they began
passing the camera around, so there could be shots of everyone with
everyone else.  Finally, when Jason thought they covered all possible
pairings, Peter grabbed him around the shoulder.

"Smile, Jase."  Peter planted a kiss on Jason's lips that surprised him
with its intensity.

Conscious of the people who were turning, Jason froze.  What was Peter
doing?  "Pete, people are watching."

"So?"  Peter shrugged as he scanned the crowd.  "Who cares?  I won, I
should be able to kiss who I want.  My whole life I wanted to win a
tournament and share it with the person I love.  If they want to stare,
smile wider."

Before he could say anything, Jason noticed Amanda and Mister Lee setting
up for pictures of the two of them.

Realizing this was Peter's world, Jason tried his best to relax.  Just
before the pictures were taken, Peter leaned closer.  "Think about all the
fun we're going to have when we get home, that should help you smile."

Jason's face broke into a wide grin.  Why should he care if people gawked.
Several pictures later, he leaned over and whispered, "I love you."

Peter surprised him by turning his head and planting a kiss on Jason's
lips.  "I love you too, Soccer Boy.  Now let's get home so we can really
celebrate."

***********

The satisfaction of hearing the whistle did nothing to remove the taste of
dirt in Jason's mouth.  Brushing off the biggest clumps of mud covering him
after being tripped, he jumped to his feet.  Noting the spot, he frowned;
another five yards and it would have been a penalty kick.

"Ten yards, Ref."  He called out.  Placing the ball while the referee set
the defender's wall, he saw Matt coming toward him.  Good, he wanted a
crack at scoring and Matt had a wicked bend in his kicks.

The defender guarding the near post allowed him to set up without the fear
of being offsides.  Making eye contact with Matt, Jason let him know he
knew what to do next.  The hardest part was not giving it away to soon.

Time seemed suspended as he waited for the whistle and the kick.  Too early
and he would get ambushed, too late and the keeper would get a hand on the
ball.  Matt's shot better be on target, because from the way he was being
jostled, this play was going to hurt.

When the referee was satisfied everyone was in place, he gave Matt
permission to shoot.  Breaking away from the path the ball took to start,
Jason confused his defender just enough to create some space.  Eric and
Carlos followed the script, drawing defenders with them as they made for
the spot the ball seemed like it would go.

Shouts rang out as the keeper realized the spin on the ball pushed it left,
even as almost everyone broke right.  Using the free space he created,
Jason got up just ahead of the defender marking him.  The goalie lurched,
trying to stop his momentum to the right.  Just as he broke left, Jason
headed the ball toward the right corner.

Two defenders converged on him from opposite sides, knocking him back into
the mud.  When the home crowd cheered, he knew he scored.  Darryl yanked
him up, right before his teammates mobbed him.

Breaking from the pile he scanned the sideline, finding a shirtless Peter
standing on the bleacher waving his shirt over head.  Jason knew he better
not stare too long, but was saved from any embarrassing problems when Matt
grabbed him from behind.

"That was fuckin' awesome, Jase!"  Again Jason found himself on the ground,
surrounded by his teammates.

Darryl lead a stepped up defense of their goal, keeping their opponents
from getting a clean shot for the last 30 minutes.  The offense continued
to press the attack whenever possible, hoping for an insurance goal, which
Eric almost got with ten minutes to go.  Only an acrobatic move by the
goalie kept Graydon from going up two goals.

Jogging back to the side lines after the teams shook hands, Jason notice
Peter and Wendy working their way to the side lines.  He made sure they
understood he had about one minute once  the coach stopped talking before
he had to run to the field house to be in time for the meeting.

Packed and ready to run, he made his way toward the fence that separated
the field from the stands.  Dropping his bag, he vaulted the fence, using
his right hand for support.

"Ew, Jason, you're covered in mud."  Wendy took a step back when he tried
to hug her.

"That just gives me an excuse to toss him in the shower."  Peter wiped a
chunk of mud off his neck.

Jason peeled off his sweaty jersey and used it to wipe off as much mud as
he could.  He was rewarded for his efforts with a kiss.  "We need a
picture, Jase.  Wendy said she would take it."

"Pete, I'm filthy."

"So?"  Peter put his arm around Jason's neck and pulled him in close.
"Take a few Wendy."

Snapping off several pictures, Jason got one last kiss.

"Jase," Darryl called his name from the bench.  "Let's go or we're running
laps."

"See ya soon, Pete."  Jason almost left, but remembered Wendy.
"Bye. Wendy, you sure you won't let me hug you?"

"Go, Mud Boy or I'm going to hurt you if you get dirt on this sweater."
She swatted at him as he inched closer.

"JASE! C'MON!"

Darryl's angry voice spurred Jason into a sprint.  This time they didn't
hold back, knowing Coach Slewman was dying to catch them being late.  Today
wasn't going to be that day if they could help it.