Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:23:25 -0800
From: Charles Wolfe <c.sportswolfe@gmail.com>
Subject: The Ultimate Man- Redemption Chapter 16

And now the epic conclusion to the bitter game against ASU... This will be
a great chapter.

=====================================================================

	It was hard watching Fullerton play and with me being forced to sit
on the sidelines. I had really enjoyed playing alongside Kyle and, in a
weird way, felt more connected to him that way. We had played so well and
then all of a sudden Victoria pulled me out. Standing with Bryan and Zach,
we all did our best to cheer on Fullerton but it was futile.

	It was like watching a boulder repeatedly get smashed by water; I
felt helpless to intervene and stop ASU from beating Victoria's team. They
fought hard against Arizona but as the time began to tick over the second
half, the tide was beginning to overwhelm them. Those of us on the
sidelines that were watching did our best to keep the motivation up but
when the two minute mark came around and it was 4-6 Arizona's lead we knew
it was over.

	While there had been games were a lot of points could be scored in
lesser time, Arizona was too good and too dirty of a team to beat. Even
with all the travel and pick calls being shouted, they still somehow
managed to get the disk to where they needed it. I am not going to lie, I
was pissed. Even more, so were the rest of the teams. Not only had the rest
of my team put ASU at the top of our list but Irvine had done so as well,
taking notes on what they needed to do to beat them.

	When the game was over, it was a close score but not much had
changed. The points had only been shifted one more up, a firm loss of
5-7. While we all didn't want Fullerton to lose to ASU, their defeat was
bittersweet. They had, for the first time in a long time, played as a team
and held their ground. With Kyle back on the team, their moral had been
lifted a lot, his constant encouragement a boost to the players.

	Walking off the field though, I could tell all of his encouraging
was a show. With his eyes spewing anger and disappointment, he walked up to
me and told me flat out, in the coldest tone possible, "Make sure you beat
their asses." Glaring to ASU as they walked off the field, steam was almost
blowing out his ears as he vented.

	Resting my hand on his shoulder, I rub it and firmly reply, "I
will. WE will." I look to my team as they all stand in front of us, as if
to protect us from Arizona State. Victoria called her team together so they
could talk things over so I let Kyle go and I walked over to Pike. He
didn't show worry on his face, instead determination and strength of mind I
had not seen out of him lately. Everything had always seemed a little easy
for Long Beach but we now had a battle on our hands.

	As ASU walked past us, the tall green eyed freak sneered at me,
specifically, and grunted out "You're next." I wanted to beat him right
there but right as I took a step forward, Pike and Bryan put their hands on
my shoulders, making for an effective stopping power.

	Our first game of the day was only a half hour away, and I was
looking forward to competing. I needed to get out my stress and by playing,
I could work through what needed to be done come our bout with ASU. The
opposing team was a new team, though they had a name behind them: CSU
Fresno. They were apparently really good a few years ago but ever since
their leaders all graduated, it had been dead.

	The new round of players had played well against us but they didn't
stand a chance. As we played them we soon realized that we were going to
win overall. They had little skill as a team and their cohesion, unlike
ours, was all off. During our game, Fullerton and Irvine were over watching
us as well, cheering us on. On the other side of the field though it was
silent, a demented plot was being hatched out.

	ASU decided to drop by our game and watch us, and like we had done
to them, take notes. We were going against them right after this game so
the sooner it ended the better. The game ended up being a slaughter, us
leading 10 to 3 over Fresno. I kind of felt bad for the team but did give
them credit. If kept up for the coming years, they could possibly make for
a great team.

	With our spirits uplifted we shook hands with Fresno and
regrouped. As Pike called us in, the team captain of ASU entered into our
fray, the nerve of him annoying most of us. Sticking out his hand, he
looked to Pike with a devious smile, "Congrats on the win. You up for the
game in 15 minutes?"

	Given our win, we all wanted to enjoy it longer. Plus many of us
were tired from working out and needed a longer rest. As objections began
to pile up, Pike responded. Pike did his best to smile, trying hard not to
show absolute displeasure with how the player had just tried to interrupt
our bliss. Sticking out his hand to shake back, Pike very brazenly
shrugged, "Sure, sounds great. Bring your A game." There was a slight sneer
to his smile, but not enough to give him away.

	The ASU captain, completely off guard with Pike's nonchalant
demeanor, stood there stunned. This was not the expectation he was
expecting, nor us, but after a few seconds we all got our second surge of
energy. Rallying behind Pike we all moved into a semi-circle, focusing our
attention onto the captain. With a hard swallow, he simply turned around
and walked off, doing his best to hold his head high.

	Prepping for our game against ASU was a real test of mental
strength. Having already gone against them already, I was looking forward
to my rematch. And this time I was not going to sit it out. Stretching with
the team, we all conversed about who needs to go where and when to do
what. Fullerton was still off to the side doing their team chat and ASU was
at the end of the field playing in the sand.

	Moving up to grab some water, I was surprised by the unexpected
visitation of Michael and Skyler. I was not expecting them to be here
today, figuring they would want to do something alone for their spring
break. Michael spoke first as I drank from my jug, "Hey congrats on the
win. Also, good luck on the next game."

	Taking a break from rehydrating, I smile, "Thanks. And yea we will
need it. We need to beat these assholes." Right as I spat out that word, it
dawned on me that neither Michael nor Skyler had any idea of what had
happened last night. Their surprised expressions over my distaste for ASU
exemplified their confusion. Explaining myself, "Kyle and I were attacked
by them this morning. Fullerton just lost against them. Long Beach won't."

	Michael suddenly looked very conflicted, unsure of what to
say. "I'm glad you two are ok. Just know Chris, I don't trust Kyle, not in
the slightest." I wanted to tell Michael so much but this was neither the
time nor place. Plus I have a feeling he would be very against it.

	Moving onto the field, Pike called out the starting seven. I was
lucky to make the starting seven, even when Pike knew my emotions were
running a little high. ASU had the unfortunate chance to lose the toss up,
thus allowing Pike to choose to receive the disk instead of tossing it
off. Lining up on the sand, tensions were soaring. We knew that we were the
top dogs and that there was a good chance that we would win but ASU had
that fire in them, the kind that no matter how far down they were they'd
still fight back.

	Receiving the disk, we all formed up into our stack, me taking the
number 2 position behind Bryan. As we waited for Pike to bring the disk
back in, green eyes came up to mark me. Seeing him again made my blood
boil, his mere presence angering me. He was a really tall motherfucker, the
moron towering over me as we waited for the disk to be played. With his
sneer looking down at me, I tried to ignore him but couldn't. "So we beat
your boyfriend. It's your turn now queer."

	Zach, standing right behind me, took a step forward to intervene
but I waved him off. "It's ok Zach, he's harmless. Couldn't even defend
himself this morning when I started fighting back. And let's see him try
and beat us." At that moment, I cut forward, and then reverse the motion,
running down the sand field. There was no way that he could stay with me,
even with his long legs. During my escape, Pike had passed the disk to
Bryan, whom in turn saw my breakaway and lobbed the disk downfield to me.

	Catching it in the end zone was the most rewarding thing ever,
especially when I saw the douchebag's face. Smirking at him, I mockingly
displayed the disk as my team came walking toward me. Allowing Pike to toss
it off, I line up with Bryan and Zach. We had discussed that we were going
to run a zone before the game so when Pike threw it off, down the three of
us ran.

	I stood near the back as Bryan covered the disk. Counting down in
my head, I hit 9 right as the short and stocky player moved to pivot a
toss. Bryan threw his leg out right as the disk was released and managed to
smack it down. With a scornful tone, he mutters out, "That was for my BEST
friend."

	As we all ran off, Rachel moved to pick up the disk. She was the
closest one to the disk, and with her skill set, she had the know how to
make the play work out. Cutting down the field, the three of us lead all
the defensive players with us, their hurried scurry trying to keep up with
us. Making a fake back towards Rachel we lead all our marks away from the
zone and, before they could react, Terry blows through us and runs into the
empty area.

	With a simple flick, Rachel sends the disk downfield, landing it
right into Terry's open hands. It could not have been any more perfect. Off
to the side, the supporting teams go wild. It was one of those plays that,
when watched, show you how much fun Ultimate Frisbee could be. It seemed
almost too good to be true.

      Walking up to the line, I high five my teammates and ecstatically cry
out, "That's how we do it!" It was so nice to see ASU walk off again, our
lead of two points making for a very great start. Even though we had just
finished with a previous game, none of us were tired, instead our two wins
pumping us up even more.

      Sarah threw the disk this time, landing it almost near their line. We
all tried our best to get to them before it could be moved up more but,
before we could react, they all flooded past us then cut forward. Leaving a
solo player in the end zone, he was all alone with our confusion, our main
team all rushing forward to catch back up to their players. It was a simple
bullet toss to the end zone, the player catching it before we could even
shout out "UP!"

      As we walked towards our side, a subtle but noted "Fuck Yea!" echoed
out, a sign of their enjoyment on the point. Pulling us in before ASU could
throw to us, Pike gave a mini team huddle. "OK guys. Let's hold this
lead. This is our point and I know you all can do it. We are ranked higher
than them so let's show them why we are better."

      Never had I seen our team work so well. When we caught the disk
again, we seemed to flow like a well oiled machine. Everyone knew their
cutting positions. Each player knew when they were supposed to be near the
disk and when to cut out and clear a throwing lane. Our resolve to beat
ASU, as well as hold our lead, had shifted the mentality of Long Beach. We
had a mission and we were going to stick with it.

      Like a role reversal of Fullerton versus ASU, I felt so great to
slowly chip away at their bravado, stripping away their cockiness to show
how bad of a team they actually were. As the points began to pile up, my
team took note of who their star players were and how they operated in the
face of defeat.

      We won. It was not too unexpected given our situation but damn it
felt fucking good. The official score was 8 to 5, enough of a lead to say
that it was not close for a rematch. Hugging my team happily, we all lined
up to shake hands with the opposition. When I met my attackers I took
pleasure in putting a hard vice grip on and looking in their eyes. I wanted
to mock them on their loss but I was better than that; our win was enough
to rub it in their faces.

      Walking towards our rest area, I began to look around for my water. I
hadn't taken any breaks during the game, one of few that had the will to
stay in the entire time. Right as I found it, I was jumped from behind. His
hug was recognizable, the wrapping of his fingers around my chest warm and
familiar. "Congratulations!"

      Turning to look my aggressor in the eyes, his mouth connected with
mine before I could refuse. Kyle moved his hands up from my waist to my
neck, holding it firm as he embraces me. Eyes wide, I stand there stunned
before caving in, kissing him back. The others didn't seem to care too much
but I knew that, as ASU passed us, a few of them were disgusted with it.

      I didn't care though, the gesture amusing and amazing me enough to
leave me speechless. Kyle let go and stood back, then hugged me again,
"Thank you for beating them. I would kiss your team but they might not take
it the same." We both chuckled as we stood there, the bliss of the win
hanging in the air.

      Moving with Kyle down the line to talk with Fullerton, I slipped my
fingers in to his, interlacing them and curling my fist to his. It was a
short lived gesture as I caught sight of Michael. And Michael caught sight
of me, with Kyle, holding hands. The smile on his face dropped enough for
me to notice and what was going to be a happy gesture turned into a very
statuette expression. The smile was still slightly genuine though its
luster had diminished a little.

      Skyler was absent, probably doing something else so when Michael came
up to us, it felt very awkward. Looking directly at me, he commented,
"Congratulations on the win Chris." Looking to Kyle, he extended his hand,
"I don't think we have had the pleasure of meeting. I'm Michael."

      I could tell that Kyle had suddenly become very uncomfortable, the
extension of his hand to shake very cautioned. "Nice to meet you Michael,
I'm Kyle." Michael instantly gripped Kyle's hand, causing a slight wince
before Kyle fought back, gripping just as hard, if not harder since Michael
let go first.

      "I know." Michael commented frostily. Turning to me, he asked very
forcefully, "Chris, can I talk with you for a minute?" Looking at Kyle, I
had a feeling I knew where this was going. Doing my best to give an "I'm
sorry" gesture, I step to the side with Michael as Kyle moves towards his
team. Facing Kyle, I wanted to keep an eye on him to know where he was
going.

      When Kyle was out of earshot, Michael tore into me. "What the hell
are you doing?! You can't possibly trust him again Chris, really?!" Michael
turns and motions at Kyle, also glaring at him in the process. Kyle caught
Michael's glare and, very noticeably, shriveled into his team.

      Pulling Michael back to me, I grab his shoulder and force him to look
at me. "Are you jealous??" I asked accusingly. "I think I can handle Kyle
alright Michael. Thank you for your concern."

      Michael took a step back stunned. "What? No I am not jealous." He
almost said it with a sense of irritation. Calming himself down because he
knew he had stepped to far, Michael took my shoulders and commanded to me,
"I don't trust him and I don't want him hurting you again Chris."

      Normally I would have been happy that Michael was protecting me but
for some reason I was not at the moment. He was destroying my harmony that
I was having with Kyle. Sighing heavily, I respond, "Thank you Michael for
watching over me. It does mean a lot to me."

      Michael didn't have any more to say, instead turning to take me back
to Kyle. Kyle, stepping away from his team, rejoining Michael and I. Before
moving to find Skyler, Michael peered deep into Kyle's soul and warned him,
"If you so much as hurt Chris in any way, I will DESTROY you." With that,
Michael walked away. Kyle, very shaken, moved his hand to mine, gripping it
with a force not previously there. He now had to get the approval of a
friend to be with me.

=====================================================================

Ok guys, I am taking a short break for Thanksgiving but my next chapter
will be posted early next week. I have about 5 more chapters before this
series will be over but the ending (as I have it planned out) will be huge
and something that has been missing the entire time (short of a few
occasions).

I hope you enjoyed this. Let me know what you thought, especially with
Michael at the end. :-D