0 comments/ 6862 views/ 8 favorites Evening with El Diablo By: midnightblacklight There are parallels with some of these characters with real life people. Purely for entertainment purposes only. ***** I believed in God but my faith was not standard, not something that most would expect me to have. With what I did, I really couldn't look to the Good Book for answers and I couldn't now especially when I had thoughts of corrupting His favorite Son. Not actually mind you. Just a side thought. Just a consideration. People called him the Sander-child as if to say he's Jesus himself made whole in the flesh again. Heavy Roman profile, corded muscled arms that didn't belong on a traditional quarterback but a comic book character, clean cut with a 5 o'clock shadow that said, "I'm not lazy, I was just working so hard and forgot to shave." Always smiling, always happy. Carey Sander showed up in the world of professional football with a cardboard suitcase, the Good Word, and a work ethic that'd put coal miners to shame. He threw his body on the alter of the field like a lamb to slaughter and some people even said to the media it self by being so naive, so congenial. But on the field? He was a Righteous and Angry Son-Righteous about his ability, Angry at his doubters. Off the gridiron played the "aw schucks" Southern Boy routine better than even my brother and I to the aggravation of most people. Sometimes I kind of want him to stub his toe and swear so loudly people turn around and wonder, "Was that seriously Carey Sander?" But he wouldn't but he'd probably say, "Ow!" and then mutter something under his breath, keeping his good boy image intact. So with what I was about to do I wasn't expecting anything but it was my duty to let him know about the lion's den that he was going to be staring at this season. "Carey, what are you doing?" I asked, watching with a raised eyebrow as he cleaned out his locker. He flinched but stood up and shrugged. "Ah, well Mr. Williams, you're here now so I'm pretty sure I'm going to be traded soon," Carey said sadly. "Jacksonville, Miami, I don't know. I do know that the owner doesn't want me here." He looked so morose, so sad, that I did the only thing I knew I could-I stepped over the bench and hugged him, Carey hugging me back half out of reflex but finally did out of sadness. 'He's only 24, oh hell. This could destroy him, his self esteem...but I doubt it. What did they say he had? 'Faith Based Amnesia'? I wonder if it would work this time.' "I know it hurts, I didn't really expected to get cut either. Fourteen years of my life, gone. It can happen to anyone," I replied softly. Damn it, he smelled like soap and fabric softener-clean, pure. I wondered if I was truly a horrible person for the thought that flashed across my mind and shook my head to clear it. As for being cut was true. I was sad, sure but more than anything, quaking mad. 'We'll see how good I am-when I take the team that *I* built and tear it apart pass by fucking pass until I destroy it down until the very foundation,' I mentally snarled. Carey smiled at my soothing words, pulling back. "Mr. Williams, you're a legend. I understand that I have to go," he said honestly before his features got hard, almost rage filled, just for an instant. Then the look was gone, replaced by something that faintly showed remorse at the reaction and I smiled. That fire was there, just like any other quarterback. Maybe he'd be fine. Maybe. Probably not though. "You want to prove the owner wrong, don't you?" "Not wrong just-I thought I proved I belonged last year but..." he sighed and shrugged. "I don't know. It's always an uphill battle when you're not a normal quarterback. I do know he'll love you more than me, respect you more than me. Good enough to marry his daughter, not good enough to lead his football team-that's what he said right?" Sitting on the bench next to his box full of his clothes and extra earphones for his iPod, I tried to find a way to say what needed to be said. "Carey, it isn't...you're not a traditional QB. You have a following you didn't ask for but one you don't rightly disdain because they love you and what would be the point? I throw a few bad passes and people will be howling for you which is fine. It wouldn't hurt my ego," I laughed. "I would understand-you're this city's favorite Son, I am the Interloper, your skill set is far different than mine. "But John, the owner...he's a bit different. He hates quarterback controversy and you bring that. Not your fault, not anything you've done, but you two couldn't co-exist anyway...or rather he couldn't co-exist with you. This was his town. You took it. Now it's his again. See what I'm saying? For the record, if you do go, it won't be because I said you have to. I want you to study, to learn under me, not ship you off to Siberia." The other quarterback sat next to me heavily. "Jealousy is a sin, one he should know better than anyone. You have to be selfless to run a football team. He did it for years. And I know I'd learn a lot from you-I just hope I have the chance." "Selfless to run a team as quarterback. Selfish to run it from a business prospective. It's a game, an ugly game, but a game never the less." Carey went to crack his knuckles and stopped, snorting. "These games people play-like a few other quarterbacks asked me did I play "The Game". When I said, "What's that?" they just laughed and said they figured not because of who I am," he mused. "I guess they meant this. I'm not good at it at all. I don't think I could be." 'I'm going to have to wrangle a few kids by the neck,' I sighed and stood, pulling a small composition book out of my back pocket. "The Game...You got a year reprieve because you didn't start the season off new and well, just like he said you're you. But other quarterbacks are going to ask about "The Game" and there's all you need to know in there. If you're confused and want to talk about it more or...whatever then the front office will tell you where I am." I tossed the book to him and he caught it, confused. "Thank you, Mr. Williams," he blinked. "Just 'Richard'. My father is 'Mr. Williams'. Happy reading." - I pulled at my tie in the hotel room, rubbing the bridge of my nose and kicking off my shoes. I was starting to hate press conferences; the way I had to say the same goddamn thing six different ways got on my nerves after a decade and a half and I was more than happy to let the owner talk out of his ass. 'You've never liked the guy,' I mused. 'Respected, sure. But like? He's a snake and a half and a self centered bastard. But this-I can take this team, run it how I want and have it work because he is a snake and a half and a self centered bastard. He's the only person around willing to sacrifice a probable virgin and risk the ire of a city to win a championship.' When I started to yank off my socks, I heard a knock at the door and stopped, padding over to pull it open. We both were startled and Carey almost took a step back. "Uh, Mr. Williams, I can come back tomorrow if you're-" he started but I waved him in. "'Richard' remember? Or Rich. Whatever you'd like," I assured the younger man. "And I was just getting out of this monkey suit. I've never liked them but supposedly they're required for non-post game press conferences." Purposely I turned my back to Carey, letting him know that I trusted him and was willing to be somewhat vulnerable while I untied my tie. "Anything on your mind?" I could hear him shift as I laid the tie on the bed and pulled off my jacket. "I...well...is this true?" he asked innocently. "Most of you are married and-well-" "Not everyone has the strength you do, Carey," I shrugged, hanging the blazer next to my bed. "Sometimes we seek solace in our own kind-how many people know the pressure we face?" Finally, I turned to face him. His expression was a riot of fear, confusion, curiosity and I tried to appear as non-threatening as possible. "How many people know what it's like to make millions, to be watched by millions, just because we can throw a little inflatable ball around? It's the pressure of a nation and also knowing that half the nation wants you fail while the rest wants you to succeed. There's all of that and then there's just us, your brothers, on the road. Feeling each loss as deeply as you. Feeling each win like it's a drug." As I talked, I walked closer until I was only about six inches away. Carey was 6'3 to my 6'5 but it almost felt like a foot with how frightened he was. I leaned close to whisper in his ear. "Some of us do this. Most of us are bi-sexual but even some would deny that charge, using the line, "we're not in relationships, it isn't that." We take what this is...and accept it," I whispered. The occasional player did have that moral quandary but I didn't. I was too old for delusions and had been doing this too long to lie to myself. I was GM, the Game Master. It was my job for me to take care of all of the quarterbacks and make sure all of them Played fair. Football was also my job and as most people knew I took my jobs seriously. "It's not a Game I expect you to play. There's a space open for you on the Non-Members column." The Game was relatively simple-each quarterback from each team declared their intention before a game via coded text message. Win and you dictated the terms of the...extra curricular activities. Lose and well, you were at the respectable mercy of the victor. Some had obligations like religion or family or just had enough pride that they wouldn't play. I figured Carey would be like a few others and put God before any unspoken obligation considering how open he was about his faith. The rest had their own reasons for playing or not, ones that no one questioned but only acknowledged. Rookies and first year quarterbacks were off limits because they very rarely lasted that long. The less people knew about this, the better. As for my brother and I, well...it was fun. What else could I say? I didn't Bet often though. More often than not, I simply asked for Tribute to be paid to a charity rather than risk my defense shitting the bed. I bottomed for no quarterback in the Game. And if you wanted me... Come and fine me. "Who-I mean, this was decided by...has this been around?" "Since the Merger so 1970. Even your ex-boss knew about it, was the 'Game Master' at some point just like me, making sure everyone played by the Rules. I chew just enough butter that people...listen to me with little protest," I muttered quietly, pulling back. "I felt you should know, felt it would be better coming from someone like me. Someone I feel you can trust. You'll share a city with my brother and he'll help you, protect you when I can't. David's going to adopt you and make sure no one pressures you because he wants to help. And because I told him to. There's benefits to being an older brother. I didn't want you to go but that wasn't my choice." Carey took a shaky breath but didn't move away and I arched an eyebrow. Maybe he was having a 'come to Jesus moment' or maybe he decided to face his fears like Moses in the desert. Either way, I was impressed with his resolve. "Why?" he asked. It was one word but it was loaded. "Because," I sighed and almost touched his beard but stopped. "I feel guilty I'm taking this team away from you. I wanted you to be my back up so you could learn, not shipped off. Because people are giving you unrealistic expectations and anytime you meet them, they set the bar even higher. "He won't go in the first round. He won't start. He won't have a winning record. He can't win a playoff game." The list goes on. It's honestly not fair. I had the same done to me when I was a rookie-it's frustrating and even a bit infuriating." I dropped my hand and started to walk away when his voice, barely audible stopped me. "Are those the only reasons, Richard?" "Those are ninety nine of the reasons out of one hundred," I admitted, looking over my shoulder. "You wouldn't play this Game. I know it. You're still a virgin apparently. I may be dumb but I'm not stupid." For the first time, I saw him annoyed and it made me smirk. "Just because I am doesn't mean I've never thought about sex," he scoffed before dropping his head. "I...well...forget it. Thank you Mister-Richard. For letting me know. I appreciate it." I saw a shot. It was a slim one, it was one I was probably reading wrong but I was going to take it. "You were going to say something else," I probed, turning back around. "You can, nothing leaves this room, you know that. It's in the Rules. 'Silence among all'." "I...man," Carey whispered, subconsciously substituting the 'Jesus Christ' or the 'fuck' than anyone else would've said. I wondered if he'd swear during sex but the answer was more than likely no, that'd he have far too much control. I had to admire that. The younger man looked down, embarrassed and took a deep breath. "Perhaps-maybe-" Carey started and then stopped, covering his face with his hands. "What am I doing? I'm not supposed to be doing this. I'm not-this isn't me." "But you're still standing here," I said gently, tugging on his wrists so he looked at me, eyes slightly bloodshot. "I won't be upset with what you do, I expect nothing from you. You can walk away just as easily as stay. You can talk to me, confide in me or go home." At my touch, he jumped and I let go. "It's alright, you're acting like a skiddish horse." At the statement, he chuckled, sniffing. "Irony, all things considered," he said, citing team logos before turning completely serious again. "Who...I mean, your first? In this Game?" His curiosity was profound and I thought for a moment. "The incumbent on my team introduced me to The Game. He was an unforgiving asshole-barely knew the Rules and I had agreed to things I didn't even know I agreed to. We were on the same team but he figured he was better equipped than the current GM at the time." "But I mean, your first?" I paused and took a chance. "My brother, then my wife," I said simply and waved a hand. "Before you give me a look, there are somethings, some ways that siblings are connected that can't be duplicated. I love my brother as a brother, not as a lover but we can come together as them. And then separate and be brothers again, with our relationship intact as it should be. As far my wife, I can't get men pregnant so she could care less. If anything, she finds it amusing. So does David's wife. Understand?" Carey looked back down, big hands making a fist before relaxing again. If pushed to violence, I had height on him, probably was a little faster but considering I was still in rehab for my neck, that was it. He was stronger than a mule on steroids and would beat me bloody if I wasn't careful. But I don't think he wanted to, not right now. Because the only thing he wanted to beat was himself and his quickly disappearing will. "I...maybe I do. Not really," he whispered, eyes closed. "I can't do this. I'm sorry. Lord, forgive him and myself for what we should do and won't." I nodded and started to say, "I've made my peace-" when a kiss cut me off. It was cautious, timid and I only gave what was given, not touching him otherwise so I didn't scare him. 'Hell, maybe our choir boy is a little more bent than he even knew,' I thought, amused. When I pulled back just a fraction of an inch, I whispered, "Are you sure about this?" If Carey wasn't and left, I was going to have a long and personal session with myself after he was gone but if he was... "No. No-my whole life has been turned upside down in twenty four hours," he said, almost crying but too proud to. "But Richard, I don't care, I just need something, someone and I don't know what to do-" "Shhh, it's be ok," I interrupted, putting a finger under his chin. "However, do nothing you won't regret, I don't want to do that to you. I don't want to be a ghost that haunts you the rest of your life." He snorted, giving me a half smile and looked away. "I'm a Christian, I'll be full of guilt," Carey admitted. "I just need a moment. I'll ask God why later because He'll have an explanation that I can't find for all of this." Carefully, he put his hand on my waist, hesitating and I realized, 'Wait, all that virgin talk isn't just for show. Oh Rich, what are you doing? There is special place for you in hell if you do this. Send him home.' I didn't respond to him or the voice in my head, I only kissed him again, making my intentions perfectly clear. I had to take this slow. I was going to have to walk him like a horse to water when the horse had never seen water before and only knew the concept of walking towards it much less drinking. To my surprise, even if Carey's hands were unsure, his lips weren't and I realized that even though he was abstinent, that didn't mean celibate which was a point in my favor. I guided Carey until he hit the wall, not wanting to trap him on the bed and at the very least give him some semblance of control by standing. My hands finally settled on his hips, moving up his sides and under his white t-shirt making him gasp when I hit skin and break our kiss. "I-" "Want me to stop?" I breathed, frozen. In the name of all that is holy, if you're this big of a tease... "N-no, I-how are you this calm?" he stammered and I had to smile and push against him to show that sure, I may be calm but I was no where near disinterested. Judging by the hard poke in my hip I figured that he was far from not interested either. "This is not the first time for me," I reminded him, still stroking his sides. "And I have to block out tens of thousands of screaming people every Sunday for sixteen weeks for almsot half your life. But I don't intend on doing anything to hurt you. Say stop and I will." I tried to give him every out possible so he didn't wake up in the morning and feel that I forced his hand...and maybe giving myself a little morning insurance too so I didn't feel like I possessed an unwilling victim. Carey looked at me, surprised. "You would, wouldn't you?" "Of course." "That...didn't seem like you." I scoffed. "I'm an asshole, not a bastard even though they look the same. There's a fine line I never cross-I'll come close but never cross it and never have. There's a reason I'm in charge." He blinked, frowned a bit and then gave a half shrug before he started to un-button my shirt from the bottom up. "I'm not sure what to do, only that I'll try my best. It's all I've ever done. It's all I can do. For some people, that's not enough but I hope it is for you," Carey said quietly, focused. "Whatever you decide is enough for me," I said carefully. 'You worried about this kid but he'll be fine, no matter where he goes,' I thought, kissing his neck, finally hearing him make a noise that wasn't pained or laced with self-loathing. My hands moved higher up his back, feeling Carey's muscles flex and move. If I was a thoroughbred-carefully created in an almost laboratory way with my father's quarterbacking genetics and teaching, tall and lanky with only just enough muscle to do my job-he was a draft horse; all power, all muscle that could knot into a concentrated force that would plow through just about anything. I would win the race but he'd drag all the people trying to stop him to the finish line even if at the end of it all he would have to be put down on the track. When I pulled his shirt over his head he seemed to freeze for a moment before kissing me hard enough to make me snort in surprise. Carey pawed at the rest of my dress shirt, hands shaking too hard to finish the rest of the buttons and simply tore at them, sending the last three popping off. "I'll pay for a new one," he whispered, pulling the shirt over my shoulders. "Don't care," I replied, digging my nails into his ribs, almost growling before stopping. 'Rich, have some control, you jackass,' I scolded myself. 'This isn't one of the normal guys. Careful.' Carey noticed that I froze and he looked at me, eyes glassy, shaking his head. Evening with El Diablo Ch. 02 There are parallels with some of these characters with real life people. Purely for entertainment purposes only. ************************ I waited until "Sanders-mania" died down before I called him and even then I was apprehensive. It wasn't like I was afraid but more or less worried how exactly this was supposed to be handled. Richard was the Game Master, not me. 'I'm not my brother. Obviously. Damnit.' Oh sure, we had enough in common. We both could put a football in a one foot by one foot space from 40 yards away and we both had pretty strong personalities but he was...brighter. More flamboyant. I was subtlety-reserved, that guy you didn't know was there until I say something in a zinger. I only was that way because of the city and how it was living here. Richard didn't have to worry about ending up on the back page because I put my shoes on the wrong foot. I did. His previous cities were small towns in comparison. For the record, yes I did put on my shoes backwards once. Luckily it was my cleats and I was at practice. I'm not the most coordinated guy in the world. 'Rich thinks I'm a calming element. Hell, if he got to him first, that doesn't mean anything-Carey obviously doesn't need a "calming element",' I snorted but finally dialed, putting my feet up on the coffee table. The phone only rang twice. "Hello?" "Hey Carey, it's David," I said simply. "Just wanted to check in, see how you were settling down." I could practically see him paling on the other end of the phone and suppressed a sigh. Ok, maybe I was going to have to be a calming element. "I-well, good Mr. Williams," he stuttered. "How's...everything?" My wife Lisa stood in the doorway and glared. "I know you're on the phone but get your feet off the table," she said. "Your mother taught you better than that." I laughed but took my feet down, giving her an innocent look. "What feet?" She threw her hands up in the air in mock exasperation but disappeared, leaving me to my phone conversation. "Just goofing off with the lady of the house," I replied. "And "Dave", come on. Mr. Williams is my dad. Or "David" if you're feeling Biblical which I figure is most of the time." To that, he laughed and I knew he relaxed a bit. "I can do "David". Your brother said the same thing actually about calling him Mr. Williams. I..." Carey said quietly. "I'm still looking for a place to live-I was wondering if you knew of some?" "We can discuss this over dinner," I offered until I realized it sounded like an order and added an, "If you'd like. I'll text you the directions to some place I'm pretty sure no one will follow you to. Cameras love you more than you know." There was a bit of a hesitation before I got a, "Sure. I'll be there." After I hung up I was left to wonder what exactly did my big brother do to Carey Sanders. And if I could do the same. Or if I even had any business doing so. - I worked out enough that I could eat whatever I wanted, which included much to my family's chagrin cold Spaghetti-Os and Oreos before every game I've ever played. I'd never be ripped in a sense-defined yes, ripped, no-and at six foot four, two hundred and twenty pounds was the heaviest I had ever been after being forced in the off-season to lift weights by my quarterback coach. To most people I looked skinny and awkward from far of way or on TV but I usually got in person the, "Whoa, you're kind of big." Seeing as I lined up against guys that were close to outweighing me by almost a hundred pounds, of course I looked skinny in comparison. Italian food was an honest vice and a tiny place about five miles outside of the suburbs was my favorite. The owner knew me, knew I brought other players here to chat so he gave me the back room as per usual, leaving only one menu since I always ordered the same thing: spaghetti. I was easy to please. Well, sort of. "David, who am I looking for?" the owner asked and I smiled. "Christ, the Football Redeemer," I said smirking. The older man laughed, nodded in understanding and went out front to guide what Richard called "our little wayward lamb" back to where I was sitting. I wore a suit, minus the tie, black with a light blue shirt that was undone at the top, trying to appear casual but also wanting to look like I gave a damn which I did. The only thing that mildly annoyed me was the fact that my hair was getting long enough that it was starting to curl on the ends. Ugh. It was only a few minutes before the owner knocked on the door and walked in, followed by a confused and slightly apprehensive Carey Sanders. "Carey, glad you could make it," I smiled, standing up to shake his hand. Even if he was nervous, he kept a brave face, smiling in return and giving me a firm grip. His own suit was light brown, a blue/gray tie that matched his eyes but his beard was still there, only a little more than a five o'clock shadow. "I-sorry I'm late," he apologized, sitting down. "I, well, was looking for something to wear since most of my stuff is still in Denver." I waved it off. "Not a problem-you look fine. Look at the menu, we'll talk over food." Damn, I was starting to sound exactly like Richard. Not good. 'You don't give orders Mr. Easy Going, not that dismissively,' I reminded myself. 'But you do say things and expect them to be done. That's the problem with being a quarterback; you're in that mode even when you don't intend to be. Turn it off for a minute and just see what Carey wants.' The young player scanned quickly and picked lasagna, rolling a glass of water in between his massive hands. "You're nervous," I said simply and he looked down, taking a deep breath. So much for 'turning it off'. "Well," Carey started and then looked around, searching for someone else that could overhear him. "We're alone. I pay quite well for that. The Game requires silence, full stop. No pictures, no recordings." He nodded, sighing. "I-with your brother-I didn't mean for it to happen like that. I just..." "Needed something? Comfort? Someone to talk to? A few moments to forget?" I surmised, swallowing wine which I offered a glass. Carey hesitated for a moment but gave a little shrug as if to say, "Why not?" and I poured him some. "I guess. All of that. I've accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and none of my faith could save me," he replied sadly and drank a bit of expensive Blood to give his hands something to do. 'Oh hell, guilt. What keeps Christians devout,' I remembered, leaning back. "Only He knows what you need, right? Sometimes it's not a matter of repressing but a matter of experience. If you believe your future is pre-determined-that no one knows the Day or Hour of the Return but Him-then you can't be upset. If it happened then He knew about it." "God gave us free will and I...abused that." I crossed my arms. "Who did you hurt Carey? Not Richard. He was quite...pleased with you. I can see why," I explained and there must have been something in my look that gave him reason to blush. "Your relationship with God? Something that you can easily fix with Him being omnipotent, being a forgiving God that even murderers can find redemption in? You're hurting yourself in the name of absolution in hopes of redemption. Personally, I don't think you need it-redemption I mean-but only you and your Man Upstairs can decide that." Carey frowned, unsure. My words were conflicting with decades of religion which was something that I was not expecting. 'There shouldn't even be a conflict. Something was already there then,' I realized. 'Some form of doubt. Our choir boy might sing a half step lower than he realizes and all it took was Richard being, well, Richard.' "I-I shouldn't have done that though but..." "But what?" He couldn't look me in the eye and instead seemed very interested in his fork. "I would probably do it again," he confessed before rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I-you don't understand how confusing this is for me. I'm not gay-" I had to laugh at that and poked him with my shoe under the table so he'd finally look at me. "And neither am I. Just in this job, things happen; stress, pressure, all of it can push a man to want to take an hour to himself. Only the people around us can know what that's like so this is a...brotherhood. We comfort each other and if that involves going to their bed then, well, you go if you'd like. No strings attached. No obligations. And you can always say no." Our food arrived at the table and the waitress quickly disappeared after setting the plates down in front of us. I finished my wine and started to eat, watching Carey properly and carefully cut and eat his lasagna. "I understand, sort of," he said softly. "But what now?" "Well that's up to you. After all, you look like you can punch through a brick wall. I'm not pushing you." Carey did the last thing I expected; he smiled. "I've only punched one once," he admitted. "But thank you for giving me space. I'll do my best, it's-" he stopped and chuckled. "Same thing I said to Richard. 'I'll do my best, it's all I've ever done.' Except I said it in a...completely different situation. You're different than him. The same but different." Snickering, I reached for another piece of bread. "Sure, just rub it in," I scoffed before turning serious. "I am Richard's brother after all. We share things but I'm always going to be a bit more...I don't want to say 'passive' but 'observant' will work. "Lazy analogy: Richard's a pretty direct hunter. He goes out as is, no safety vest, no camo, nothing. Why? Because who's going to challenge him? And as for what Richard's hunting...he knows it'll come to him. Oh sure, there might be a couple of new faces but he'll be direct, forthright before he even catches anything. You'll know he's after you." I broke the bread stick in half and offered Carey a piece. He took it automatically, eyes never leaving my face and I toyed with my half, thinking of how to phrase what I was thinking. Considering for a moment, I leaned forward, elbows on the table so we were about ten inches apart. "Me? I'll sit and wait in a nice spot. I'll study all of you and if you decide that walking into where I am is a good idea then so be it. But chasing, the hunt...it's never been my style. But I'm just as happy and thorough as Richard when I catch something." He didn't move, wouldn't move, like I just spotted him in the grass and the best thing to do would be to sit still and hope that they'll just walk on by. Nothing to see here. Move along. "How come you've never...you could by the rules right?" Carey managed to say, taking slow, even breaths. I wasn't in the habit of seducing anyone-I was more likely to try and hit my head on the door frame or something-but I decided that perhaps I was bringing more pressure than I intended and sat up straight. "I could but I told you Carey, it's not my style. You're a back up now. That means no one has a right to make you play the Game. Once you start, you can elect to every game, bow out or simply throw your name in the Non-Members column. Any disputes, you can bring to Richard since he's the Game Master but like the Commissioner, his rulings are final." "Could-I mean, can I just say I Trust only certain people? I saw that in the book Richard gave me," Carey said before hanging his head. "Crap. Can you just...forget I said that?" "I can pretend to," I shrugged. "But yes and still be in the Non-Member's column once you reach an agreement with your Trustees. You read it correctly." Finally taking a bite of the bread I gave him, Carey took a deep breath. "May I...have time to think about all of this, David?" I give him an honest smile. "All the time in the world as a matter of fact." - I didn't push Carey even though I was unsure if my brother would have let the matter rest. I gave him a few people to call and he found a nice two bedroom house ten miles away from the stadium for him and the dog. There wasn't enough time for me to think too much about it-OTAs were starting and my main focus were the new rookies I now had to train...and torment. Being nice, I only hid their underwear in the ceiling after I finished working out and pulled off my t-shirt on the way to the shower. I barely noticed someone out the corner of my eye and turned to see Carey fresh out the opposing team's gym. Sometimes there were benefits to sharing the same stadium. "Uh, hi?" he ventured. "I was wondering if I could, um, look at some tape with you if you have the time?" He was trying hard, very hard not to look at me half naked and sweaty but he was failing. 'Ok, he must be seriously hard up because I'm pretty much translucent and feel like I missed gym class since High School,' I thought. I tended to be, in my opinion awkward looking at best. I had a few good features but on the whole I was an odd mix of things, pasty, lanky, and tall. People seemed to like the tall thing. That's about it. "Sure. Right now is fine?" Pure panic. I have to say it was all very adorable. "I thought you were going to shower? I mean, you were heading that way." "You need to shower too. But, looking at tape is exhausting work," I countered, shoving back on my shirt and asking him to follow me. "My team's room, I'm pretty sure your's is occupied." Dutifully he followed and I hit the light outside the door that said to the rest of my team, "David @ Work: Enter at your own risk." Even Coach didn't come in unless he really needed to when that light was on and the only I remember him doing so was when my wife was in labor. When I closed the door behind us, Carey looked around in the low light. Barely a few computer screens were lit, making everything look gray, long tables and chairs that were bolted to the floor and usually full of my receivers sat empty. "I gather this isn't about film?" I said. "No, well, one day, maybe? I'd like to see how you see stuff, how different it is from me," he asked honestly and I smiled, hitching a hip on a table. "Of course." "Thank you. I...thought about what we talked about. Over dinner I mean," Carey said, fidgeting. "I really-I only trust you and Richard that much. I just wanted to say that. Even though I shouldn't because this is-" I arched an eyebrow. "Me? I haven't done much," I pointed out. "You didn't push, only talked to me and...treated me like a normal person," he replied, sitting on the table next to me. "I haven't had that a lot recently. I don't feel like this is some sort of challenge for you. That it is what you say it is. Your brother said he wanted to help me forget and he did. You said you wanted to help me and you have. You've been honest and it's only fair that I'm honest with you." "The truth will set you free?" I proposed and used the hem of my shirt to wipe my face. 'Careful, David,' I reminded myself. 'Careful and quiet.' "Thank you, for that trust. That is something no one can buy." Carey looked down at his sneakers and I felt a smile come across my face. Against my better judgement, I reached over and put a finger under his chin, making him look at me. "My brother was the first to touch you, right?" "In...that way," he managed to say. He started to reach for me but stopped, unsure. I hopped off the table and walked so I was in between his knees, tilting my head to kiss him but paused, thinking, 'This is a bad idea. David, what are you-stop this. Send the kid back to the gym or to the other film room-' "You can tell me no, I won't be mad," I murmured. "I want you but I'd never hurt you." So much for my brain trying to talk me out of anything. To my mild shock, he kissed me instead, gasping in surprise when I purred. My brother must have been incredibly not-Richard-like with him which didn't surprise me. He knew when to take in the claws and when to tear someone apart and most of the time I was a victim of the latter rather than the former. I was used to him and his heavy hands after seventeen years. I moved fast-Richard may have had him in a hotel room but we were at work. I pulled his shirt over his head, dropping it to the floor. "I would take my time, Carey-you deserve it," I whispered, tracing my fingers up his bicep. "All of you deserves it but I have to be quick. Maybe later I can show you exactly how I would like to treat you." I didn't even know if there would be a later; for some reason in these situation, I seemed to just open my mouth and let whatever tumble out of it. There was a pun there. I did my best to ignore it I still smirked a bit. My brain was a sarcastic asshole. Carey shuddered but nodded, hands reaching for my shorts. I grabbed his hand and kissed it, putting it on my hip. "No, no. Later, just like I said. You saw how my brother does things now it's my turn." Carey started to say something but I bit his collar bone-hard-and he finally moaned, digging his nails into my side. "So loud," I chuckled, kissing the red skin. "You wouldn't want to get caught, now would you?" "N-no..." he stammered. "I wonder what scares you more-the wrath of God, me, Richard, or someone finding out?" He looked guilty, blinking slowly. "Can I say all of them?" Carey asked innocently and I smiled. "You can say anything. As a matter of fact I encourage it," I murmured against his neck. I had a, "We're all created in His image," half thought when I kissed his throat, feeling his pulse jump. He was built like a tank, more lineman than quarterback and I suppressed the idea that I could take him here and now and damn the consequences. 'Bad David, think and not with your dick. For once,' I scolded myself. I reached down the front of the dark green shorts he wore, finding that to my surprise he wasn't wearing compression shorts. "Dangerous not to protect yourself. Especially with all of this. Or was this on purpose?" Gasping, Carey choked on a sob. "I didn't intentionally," he replied and leaned his forehead against mine. "Breathe, trust him, bless me." It came out a whisper and I knew he was praying for himself and for me. I just touched the side of his face and kissed him, quietly, carefully, attempting to say, "Trust me. Don't be scared," without words. I pulled Carey's erection free, stroking him experimentally and I felt the rest of him tense up, a small whimper betraying his neediness and fear. "Should I stop?" I asked, freezing in place. "No! I mean-" he looked at me wide eyed, searching for something, anything to anchor him. 'Richard must have just straight bulldozed him, grabbed him and didn't let go,' I realized taking a deep breath. 'Alright David, remember, slow and steady.' "You invoked Trust. That means I have to Trust you back," I assured him. "So relax and let me know when to stop, ok?" "I-I can do that." Carey needed to stop thinking and stop thinking soon or else he was going to never going to climax and I was going to go insane. I moved my hand slightly faster, finally getting a groan that was more lust than guilt. He reached out with both hands, timidly sliding his fingertips under my shirt before toying with the waistband of my shorts. Maybe he did have an idea of what he was doing and he pulsed in my hand when I moaned, his body at least liking the fact that he could give me some pleasure even if his brain hadn't caught up yet. Carey put his head on my shoulder, his breath searing hot and I ran my free hand through his short dark hair. Whatever he wanted from me, he was fighting it every step of the way but every man had his limits. And despite his control, our altar boy was quickly approaching his. I felt Carey's body go limp and then tense, doing his best to stop any sound by biting his lip until it bled. It didn't work-he made an almost pained noise as he came in the palm of my hand, his nails digging into the skin of my hips, finally letting a low groan out that while audible, I didn't chastise him for. Evening with El Diablo Ch. 02 I couldn't stop the half self-satisfied purr that crawled out of my throat but opted instead to just hold the other quarterback close until we both calmed down. "Shhh Carey, it's alright," I whispered in his ear. I had to give some sort of props to Richard for not asking anything more than what he knew the young man could give. 'That's why he's the Game Master and I'm not,' I reasoned. 'Jesus Christ, I'd tear him apart right now if I could even though that's the last thing I should do. The very. Last. Thing.' Finally I pulled away, watching him blink slowly, sleepily. "Thanks," Carey whispered. "I would-I mean, if we weren't-" "Not yet," I assured him, looking down at my hand that was covered in semen. "Though you make that hard. As well as other things." My own erection was raging and gym shorts did nothing to hide that fact. Damn it, I was either going to have to masturbate or will it away which was going to cause the most painful set of blue balls I've ever had. Damn it. The sacrifices we make. Carey pulled up his shorts and stood, shakily, rubbing his face before he reached down to grab his shirt. "Is it...does it always feel like that?" he asked innocently. "When Richard did...it was-this too-it's kind of overwhelming. Like I'm being snapped in half, like I can't breathe." I smirked, grabbing one of the small towels that a receiver left behind and gave a shot at wiping my hand off. This stuff gets everywhere. "It's called an 'orgasm' and it's supposed to do that. Good ones anyway. Some flow, feel like water, some hit you like a truck filled with bricks," I explained, balling the towel and sitting it on the table next to me. "Either way, it's a few seconds of amazing. Now I'm actually going to watch film to lose my erection and not scare the staff. You standing shirtless and sweaty is not conducive to that at all. Shoo." To that, he gave a little laugh, pulling on his shirt. "Sorry. But still, thank you. I've never...you know...with another person." Turning on a monitor, I raised an eyebrow at him, shaking my head. As if I didn't know that and as if it wasn't hard to tell. My daughter's children's books were harder to read. "I didn't think so but you're welcome. Now, tapes. Go on. I'm pretty sure we'll talk later." Evening with El Diablo "I've never had special treatment before, I don't expect it now," he said, almost guilty. "I...just help me forget, if only for a few minutes." Smirking, I shrugged off the rest of my shirt, reaching for his jeans. "I think my attention lasts for longer than a few minutes," I promised. I bit his shoulder-not hard, just a momentary flash of teeth against skin-and Carey sagged against the wall, a quiet moan betraying any doubt in my mind that he might not want any of this at the moment. My hands for their size were quick and had undone and zipped down the well worn pair of blue jeans that were honestly worn through from use, not bought that way before he could recover and further distract me. I was surprised that Carey reached for my dress pants and belt on his own accord with no prodding from me what so ever even if he stopped a few times, unsure. Maybe he didn't know the finer parts of the dance but I was pretty sure he had at least seen enough people dance to help him along. "You know what you're doing, Carey. Just go with what you know; you've probably seen enough porn," I assured him. To my surprise, he chuckled. "Richard, I've only seen porn twice in my life, once by accident and the other time...well there were no men involved," Carey admitted. "I'm flying blind." He sure knew how to make me wince without intending to. I felt like a dragon eating a virgin so I didn't destroy a town only this time the virgin in grief was asking for it. I began to ask him if he was still sure about all of this when he reached past my boxers and wrapped his fingers around my cock, knowing probably it would shut me up. His plan worked-I gripped his ribs so hard that I was sure he'd have bruises in the morning, remembering somehow not to say something blasphemous and instead settled on moaning. "Not too...blind," I hissed and licked the hollow of his throat. Only with my brother was I truly aggressive, teeth, nails, and bruises because we pretty much fought. Neither of us liked to lose, no matter how good it felt; I guess it came with the territory of competing against each other since he was born. But with Carey, I decided to keep the claws in until I figured out what he liked and what he didn't. I shouldn't be surprised that he wore briefs; after all, he's an All American Boy-but what I was surprised to find is that we were close in size, just I was a bit thicker and heavier. Didn't stop me from giving him an appreciative tug and muttering, "Well Carey Sander, you're full of surprises, aren't you?" He gasped, loudly, the rest of his body frozen as it tried to figure out-and if you'll excuse the irony of the statement-what the hell was going on. "I-oh good Lord," Carey stammered, almost doubling over and I fought to catch him. He was only fifteen pounds bigger but he was still heavy and I coaxed him to lean back against the wall instead of me. It was about then I decided that I was going to be too busy leading my him through the desert to find something of my own out of this. 'But you'll like it,' I reminded myself, still feeling him flex in my hands. 'Power means that much to you, you know that.' "I gather you liked that," I whispered, pushing his hands away from me even though a part of me ached to make him let go. "Don't you worry about that. Relax. Don't think." Tugging his jeans and underwear further down, I kissed his chest and neck before grabbing his hand and squeezing it to say, "I know, I'm here, calm down," when I thought he would hyperventilate from panic. Carey took a deep breath and looked at me but still had the gaze of a condemned man. "I'm trying," he said shakily but his eyes got wide when I knelt. "No! Richard, no you can't do that, I'll-" "Climax assisted for once in your life?" I smirked, stroking him firmly. "What was that about letting go?" My brother would get a laugh at what I was doing right now; I only went down on him when I lost some bet or I wanted to surprise the hell out of him but doing it just for the sake of it? Wasn't my style. But I was going to have to pacify my fellow quarterback before I could even think about anything else. I licked the tip of his cock, smirking when he shuddered and attempted to hide it. Carey looked away, panting, trying everything to not look down and see just exactly I was doing but I pulled away, kissing away a drop of pre-cum. "Are you fighting me, Carey?" I asked in a low voice. "I-I no," he stammered and I squeezed him, not hard enough to hurt but hard enough to let him know I could hurt him. "I don't like being lied to," I rumbled, voice deepening in warning. I, too could be a righteous and angry God but I was far more Old Testament than the heavily devout and muscled man that leaned against the wall. For good or for evil-more than likely evil all things considered-I was good at what I did. He finally looked down at me, gasping and nodding frantically, hands grabbing his thighs for lack of a better place to put them. "I'm sorry, I-" Carey started but I sucked the end of him carefully, seeing his eyes flutter shut. "Richard, I don't know what to do." To that I had to honestly smile and kiss the knuckles of his hands that were pale from gripping so hard. "Enjoy everything I am giving you," I whispered honestly, giving him a hungry once over. "Because I am definitely enjoying everything you are giving me." He took a shuddering breath, more pre-cum flowing over my fingers, his body covered in a light sheen of sweat. Those wonderful arms flexed and moved as Carey tried to hold his concentration and failed, broad chest heaving as he tried to breathe. 'This boy-no, man, he's gorgeous and barely has any idea,' I thought fleetingly when he looked down again. "I'm not...doing much," Carey swallowed. "No, but it's more than I ever expected," I answered honestly and swallowed him slowly, carefully, all the way. He finally let out a deep and proper moan, one that sounded guilty for enjoying what I was doing to him. I felt him touch my shoulder-barely a ghost of a touch really-before pulling away like he felt hot coals. That made me chuckle. Touching me made it real, made his desire real and that was the last thing he wanted. But the first thing he wanted was me not to stop and who was I to defy the Unspoken Word of a Favorite Son? Even then, there was a growl rumbling low in my throat, one of possession and dominance. I wanted this man and I shouldn't. I wanted to watch the thick muscles of his back move under my hands. I wanted to bury myself deep in his body and make him scream and beg for things he never thought about, couldn't think about because of his faith until he couldn't do anything else. My name leaving his lips, barely loud enough to be heard drew me out of my thoughts and I looked up at Carey who finally gave in. There was barely a slice of blue-hazel left in his pupils and he gasped. "Shi-" the other quarterback whispered before blinking almost in shock. "S-Sorry, didn't mean to swear-oh wow, that feels...amazing." I wanted to laugh at that. As if I'd be offended; I probably swore more in a day than Carey did in a year. I didn't bother to pull back and let him know that fact, only kept going, watching his abs flex, sweat making his body slick. Every time I could feel Carey coming close to finishing, I pulled back until I finally got what I wanted: "Please Richard," he begged, tossing his head back. "Please just let me..." My erection pulsed, wanting nothing more than to assist him in his quest but I ignored it. If I ever got him alone again, his words were an ace that I had: "Remember, you begged for me and meant every word of it. Remember you would've rather walked into hell than have me stop," I could say. I only sped up, breathing calmly out of my nose and holding his hips to keep him from unconsciously thrusting so I didn't choke. Flexing my tongue under the head of his cock, I heard Carey yell then freeze before he finally climaxed, pulsing hard enough to make me snort to keep from choking. 'See, this is what happens when you don't masturbate on a regular basis,' I thought, amused. 'You turn into a fire hose.' It was still easier for me to swallow than find somewhere to spit because I was still trying to hold Carey up as the last of his orgasm faded. 'Tastes like bleach but I can't worry about that now. Damn, he's shorter but he's built like a brick shit house.' "I, Richard...what about," he started to babble and I let go of him with my mouth, standing, taking a deep breath. "Shhh," I assured him, kissing his neck but at the same time pulling up his pants and underwear. "It's ok." His clothes wouldn't be too wet; I had been told that I gave 'refined' blow jobs. Really I just hated clean up and would rather bask in after glow than deal with spit and semen everywhere. His eyes were trying hard to focus on me and he swayed as I zipped him up. "But you-I should-" "You should lay down," I ordered, guiding him to the bed and making him lay down. "Sleep, Carey. Not for three days but sleep. I'll wake you in a bit." He looked briefly like he would argue but didn't have the energy to and fell asleep, mouth slightly open. "Sleep and get ready to ask for forgiveness because I know you will," I whispered, a smile forming not of my own accord. I stepped away and went to the next room, snagging my cell phone. I had a few calls to make before he woke up.