Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 08:11:39 -0700
From: Charles Wolfe <c.sportswolfe@gmail.com>
Subject: The Ultimate Man Challenge Chapter 19

Hey everyone, sorry if I haven't gotten to your emails yet. I hope you all
are staying cool during this summer as I know it's been kinda hot in parts
of the country/world. Take care and stay well.

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

	With everything that had happened at the beginning of the
Thanksgiving Break, the latter part of it seemed to fly by. When Black
Friday came around, Kyle and I avoided them like the plague. Neither of us
saw any point in rushing out to get gifts when it would have just been
easier on Cyber Monday. So we did what we had been doing for the last few
days- we went to the beach.

	It had been a while since I had practiced my trick shots so we
brought along a Frisbee to toss around. Subconsciously I was also doing
this to please Pike, the fact that I knew he was going to push us hard for
our last tournament before the break. Warming up with the simple forehand
and backhand tosses, Kyle and I bantered about, discussing our classes and
how the university life was going.

	Switching to a different throw, I practiced the hammer, placing my
fingers into a flick position but throwing it over my head. It wobbled a
little but completed its trajectory to Kyle. Kyle repeated the throw but it
didn't flatten out as much as it should have, ending up turning into a
knife. Instead of clapping my hands horizontally like we are supposed to, I
clapped vertically, catching the disk a few inches above the ground.
Repeating the process, with one foot planted, I took a step with the other
and threw, this time with more velocity. The disk didn't wobble this time,
instead arching into the beautiful hammer it was supposed to be.

	Changing throws, I shifted my hold into a thumber, gripping the
topside of the disk with my fingers and the inside with my thumb. I had to
work hard to toss the disk, putting in extra effort when I flicked my
wrist. This throw verged on horrific. Not only was it way off but the disk
teetered in the air, unsure of which way it wanted to balance out. Kyle
made a great effort to try and catch it but it was futile as it landed 15
feet from where he was running. Grimacing at the blunder, I wait for Kyle
to shake off the sand and then toss it back to me. He repeats my throw but
with much more perfection. Trying the throw again, I aimed the disk at Kyle
and attempted to keep the Frisbee flat. It flew a little better this time,
though it was still a little wobbly.

	We went about these throws for the next hour or so, then moved on
to do other stuff like relax in the sand or walk the promenade. We didn't
have much time left before school started up again so we wanted to enjoy
what time we did have. Haley slowly began to grow on me and vice versa, the
two of us beginning to trust each other more.

	Sunday rolled around and like when I went to Sacramento, I was kind
of bummed to leave Kyle's house. Driving back through the freeways, Kyle
did his best to avoid the traffic but as was to be expected, we hit a few
pockets here and there. Pulling outside my dorm around 6, Kyle parked the
car and paused for a second. "This is it. The final few weeks before winter
break and then our semester abroad. I'm kinda nervous."

	Grabbing my bag from the backseat, I lean over to kiss him softly
and murmur, "It's the final countdown. Duh nah nah nah, Duh na na na
na. Sorry I couldn't resist." Stepping out of the car, I look at Kyle
smiling.

	Kyle rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "You're such a spaz. I
love you." I close the door and watch as he starts to drive off. Heading
into my dorm, I noticed that it was more lively than usual, the aura of
returning student and high hopes of the upcoming break, even though this
one hadn't completely finished. Entering into my room, I wasn't at all
surprised to see that Bryan and Zach weren't around, with any luck they
would return tomorrow morning right as their classes start.

	Falling onto my bed, I start to doze off, the long break a drag on
me. After sleeping for an hour or so, I got up and tried to be productive,
looking for things to do for my classes. Feeling my phone vibrate in my
pocket, I pulled it out thinking, hoping it was Kyle. 'Please give me
something to do.' I thought desperately as I looked at the text.

	It was from Parker. Shaking my head, I wondered what he
wanted. "Hey I'm in Long Beach. Wanna hang out?"

	Disgusted he would want to hang with me, I quickly shot back "No."
Simple, straightforward, and hopefully to the point.

	Apparently it wasn't as he texted back less than a minute
later. "Too late, I'm outside."

	What the fuck? I moved away from my phone as if it were toxic and
moved to my window. Sure as the shit he was, Parker stood outside my hall,
his body illuminated by a lamppost. Furious he would even THINK of showing
up here, I grabbed my phone and stormed out of my room. Bursting out of my
hall into the bitter night, I snip out at him, grabbing his
attention. "What are you doing here?"

	Parker looked over to me and then cooed annoyingly, "I wanted to
hang out with you. Come on it'll be fun." He started to take a step towards
me but I backed up to keep an equal distance from him.

	"Go home Parker." I commanded, tired of having to deal with his
annoying advances. Earlier on it might have been cute or adorable but this
was just pathetic. Turning around, I start to head towards the door.

	Parker cried out right as I approached the entrance. "So I came all
the way down here for nothing? Don't leave me hanging like this." That was
the most desperate guilt trip I had ever heard, and the whine from his
voice didn't help his cause too much.

	Reaching through my wallet for my key card, I barked out, "Fuck off
Parker." The sooner I got in the better. I wanted nothing to do with him. I
just realized I didn't know what he was wearing. All I knew was that he was
right behind me and still trying for my attention.

	Then he hit my nerve. "Screw you Chris. I see how it is. I thought
we were friends."

	Friends? FRIENDS? Oh fuck no. That died out a long time
ago. Turning around with a fire in my eyes, I rush up to him, forcing HIM
to take a few steps back. "NO SCREW YOURSELF! You've got some nerve showing
up here acting all innocent. I thought for a moment you were a decent guy
but you're a grade A douchebag. Kyle warned me about you but I wanted to
see if you had any good in you. You can rot in hell for all I care." Having
said all I wanted to, though to be honest I could have said more, I turned
back and went to the door, leaving him stunned. Right as I opened it I saw
he was going to open his mouth so I shot him down some more. "Not used to
getting turned down? Well newsflash, you just lost. HARD!"

	Damn it felt good to leave him in the cold like that. Slamming the
door behind me, I didn't look back as I walked up my stairs to my
room. Shuddering as I looked at my phone, I went through and started to
delete any connection to the guy; his phone number, his texts,
anything. That night I slept so well, my dreams consisting of Kyle and I
relaxing on the beach alone.

*****

	It was the final week of November and Pike was pushing us hard. Our
last tournament was this upcoming weekend so he wanted us set and prepped
for the major battle that was about to unfold. We all knew it was coming
and we did our best to stay in mentally fit as well. Breaking us from our
usual partners, he mixed and matched the players with those that they
normally didn't play with.

	Mine was Hanson and my battle was against Bryan and Rachel. They
were a great pair, the two of them working well on their trick shots and
flick throws. I made Hanson cover Bryan as I covered Rachel, knowing he
wasn't ready for her level of experience. I wasn't ready either but I did
my best to read her, calculating her jabs left and cuts right.

	As the week progressed, so did the intensity of the workouts,
adding stress to my system. I was beginning to get the end of the semester
burnout, the itch to just be free and relax. Finals were being discussed in
classes and professors that were nice to us gave us our projects to work
on, them not choosing to be the horror story of professors giving the
projects a week before the semester ends. This was just three weeks before
the semester ends. Adding further excitement was the fact that my study
abroad trip was just over the horizon, the lure of England calling out to
me in a seductive English accent.

	When Thursday came around, I was burnt out. It had been a long week
and I was ready to relax and just sleep. I knew Friday would be a restless
night so I needed to take this chance while I could. Crashing into my bed
at 8, I welcomed the coma that was starting to envelope me. Instead I was
cut off by the ring of my phone. Not even looking to see who it was, I
reached over for it and groggily answered, "Hello?"

	My eardrums were almost blasted out as Kyle barked into the phone,
"How the hell did Parker get my number?! The little ass-wipe just called me
telling me to stay away from you. What the hell did you do Chris?!" Kyle's
voice vibrated the speakers of my phone, echoing all over my room.

	Shooting straight out of my bed, I didn't back down from the fight,
instead challenging him for more information. "What the hell did he say to
you? I told the little prick I was done with him. He wanted to hang out on
Sunday but I was tired of his bull." Moving to my computer, an alarm goes
off in my head as to where he might have seen Kyle's number. Opening
Facebook, I log out of my account and then type in Kyle's username. Sure as
shit his contact information popped up. "Kyle he got your number from
Facebook. You need to lock it down completely." Moving to mine, I type in
my username and find the same problem. "Fuck."

	I could hear Kyle typing furiously into his computer, the anger
hitting each key as if it were Parker's face. "He's been cyber stalking us
Chris. This is unacceptable. I feel so violated." He was on the verge of
breaking down, his emotions trying to figure out fight or flight, anger or
cry.

	Locking mine down, I look up Parkers account and see he is no
smarter than us, all of his contact information out in the open. Even
better the moron gave away what hall he lived in. "So lets do something
about it." I had probably been stalked for a while now but unlike Kyle who
felt violated, I felt pissed. Even still I was not so much pissed at Parker
for coming after me, I was furious he went after my boyfriend. It is one
thing to try and hurt me but when you go after the people I love and care
about, that crosses the line.

	Grabbing my keys, I answer Kyle's upcoming "what?" with a quick
response. "I'm coming to get you. I want to make sure you are alright. Then
I am going to Parker and I am going to force him to stop."

	Kyle's tone changed when he heard that, becoming stronger. "I'll be
ready."

*****

	Arriving at Kyle's dorm, I didn't even have the chance to get out
and check on him. He was waiting by the curb, a heavy leather jacket on
adding to his intimidation. What normally would have looked very sexy on
him was actually very imposing, the black hide giving a menacing
appearance.

	Sheepishly saying "Hi," I pull out of the lot and start to head
towards Fullerton. The ride over was silent, both of us lost in our
thoughts. Being that it was now nearing 9pm in almost December, the
freeways were flowing smoothly, very little traffic interrupting our
journey. As I approached Fullerton, I pulled off to the side and put the
car in neutral. Kyle gave me a questioned look. "Kyle, before we get there,
please don't do anything rash. I am just as mad as you are but that doesn't
give us the right to hurt him."

	Speaking in a soft but firm voice, Kyle looked out the window then
to me, "I told you he was trouble. I wish you had seen it when I did. I
want to be disappointed in you but I think he might have still come after
us. Talking with him though... It only aggrevated things."

	"Yea I am to blame. I just didn't want to think he was bad." I
shifted back into drive and continued on our way, entering to where the
dorms were on campus. Thankfully since it was after 7, parking was not
enforced so I parked in the first spot I found. Moving through the small
courtyard, we approached his hall and as a student came out we went in. We
weren't wearing our university shirts, it probably being best that this
didn't get back to our respective schools. He was smart to live on a higher
floor, making us traverse throughout the hall to get to him. Occasionally a
student would pass us but they didn't do anything about it, instead
thinking we were just another student of the campus.

	After asking around Parker's floor for his room, Kyle and I were
lucky enough to have a student direct us to the right room. Arriving
outside his door, I put my ear against it to hear if there was any activity
inside. There was. Flashing a thumbs up to Kyle, I moved back as he knocked
on the door.

	The look on Parker's face as he opened the door was one of shock,
then complete fear. Trying to shut the door quickly, I jammed my foot to
stop it as Kyle forced it open. Stepping back into his room Parker started
to open his mouth to scream for help. Kyle quickly stopped him quickly by
lashing out his hand and grabbing his throat and squeezing tightly. "You
utter one peep and I will report you for stalking. Do you understand?" I
was caught off guard by the motion but at this point didn't care too much
for Parker's well being to step in.

	Parker nodded his head as Kyle unclenched his fingers. The fear
turned to anger as Parker tried to go on the defensive. "You've got some
nerve coming here and threatening me."

	I slammed the door behind me and took a step forward, "We've got
nerve? You're the one in the hot seat, cyber stalking us and threatening
Kyle." His room was small and cramped, a typical dorm room. The fact that
there were three guys all standing up at the same time made it hard to
navigate. Parker was lucky his roommate was out at the moment as this would
have been very awkward for him.

	Parker sneered at us as he retorted, "You've got no proof."

	"Really? I'm willing to bet if we searched your computer, there
would be plenty of links to our profiles. You're not as smart as you think
you are. But we are. We're smarter, stronger, and faster in every way." I
nodded at his computer then to his smart-phone to emphasize the logging
history. Then I looked at him deep and hard, the anger radiating off my
skin.

	Kyle then took a step forward to reinstate his dominancy over
Parker, trying his best to make the cretin cower. "You WILL leave us alone
or so help me I will get a restraining order against you." He clenched his
fist, growing more frustrated with each moment we stayed here.

	Parker scoffed at the threat, pissing Kyle off more. "Fine, I'll
leave the two of you alone. But you can't stop me from playing Frisbee. And
I'll revile in the pleasure of making it a horrible experience for you."
The spite in his voice was my last straw.

	I moved forward to try and punch him but Kyle quickly turned and
grabbed my shoulders, holding me back. Glaring at Parker he challenged, "No
but we will beat you."

	Parker just wouldn't let up. Every time he opened his mouth I tried
feverishly to bypass Kyle to close it with a good
knuckle-sandwich. Laughing stupidly, Parker took a step forward and met
Kyle's challenge, "We've beaten you twice. Maybe a third time will force
you and your pathetic team to realize how bad you actually are."

	Through all my anger, I was actually kind of impressed with how
calm Kyle was. He was maintaining his emotional control a whole lot better
than I was. Granted the flames were spewing out of his eyes and his words
were laced with acid but his form was tall and firm, not eratic as I had
become. Calming myself down a little, I took a step back to breathe.

	Well... Kyle was calm. But not anymore. He grabbed Parker on his
throat again but this time shoved him against the wall right next to the
window. Exerting his strength he started to lift Parker off the ground, or
at least to the point where the tips of his toes were barely touching the
ground. "Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. YOU WILL NOT
GET A THIRD CHANCE TO FOOL US. This is not a challenge. This is not a
threat. This is a promise- WE WILL BEAT YOU."  I had heard that cold dark
tone before but it was such a long time it took me a second to comprehend
it. It was the same tone he had when we got into our epic fight, though
this time I was not on the receiving end of it. Shivers slithered down my
back as I saw Parker's eyes go wide with the comprehension of the situation
he was finally in.

	Kyle lowered him slowly, though not decreasing his grip a single
bit. Once Parker was completely on the ground, Kyle released his grip and
turned towards me, "Let's go." I didn't need any further enticement since
our work here was done. As I opened the door, I noticed the hall was
abnormally quiet, a whole lot quieter than when we arrived. Getting one
last look at Parker, I saw him slowly slide down the wall; his plans and
dreams crumbling down with him too.

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

Finally we see Parker getting taken care of. How sweet it felt. But is this
the last of him?