Alec had heard Joel being invited to dinner. He’d also heard him accept. But somehow the message was garbled in his mind. He didn’t hear ‘dinner’ as much as he heard ‘sleepover’.
His dad and Joel were still talking, his dad wondering how Joel had come up with such a complicated three-team trade that accomplished what trades of this nature all tried to do but often failed at: being fair and productive for all three teams. Joel seemed much less nervous and was speaking with a lot more confidence than Alec had heard before. He marveled at the precocious acuity Joel was showing. Alec had known he was smart; he hadn’t realized just how smart. This made him feel even closer to Joel.
While those two were chatting, Alec received a text. He wasn’t part of what his dad and Joel were discussing, so he opened his phone and looked at the text. It was so surprising, he had to read it twice.
It said Tanner really wanted to meet Joel and to see Alec again, and he had a great way to do it. Amtrak ran several trains between Portland and Seattle. It was a three-and-a-half hour trip, but was from downtown stations on both ends, and King Street Station in Seattle was close to the Mariners’ stadium; flying into SeaTac is much less convenient.
He wrote that the Angels were playing Seattle two days from then, and he wanted Alec and Joel to come to the games. He’d have them either share a hotel room with him or get a separate room for them. He’d pay for everything; the entire cost would be nothing to him, and he really wanted to see them both.
He hoped Alec would text him back, agreeing to the trip, and if so, they’d work out the details.
While Alec had been absorbed in the text, his dad had finished lunch, bade both him and Joel goodbye and left without Alec noticing. Joel was still finishing his lunch but grinning at Alec as he ate.
Alec looked up. “What?”
“Your dad is really neat. Much more open and friendly than I expected. So easy to talk to.”
“Yeah, I’m really lucky. I didn’t even see him leave the table. Too involved in this text I just got from your brother.”
“What’s it say?”
“He wants to meet you, wants us to come up to Seattle. He’ll be there and will arrange and pay for travel expenses and the hotel and get us game tickets. He says we should take the train.”
“Can we? I’d love to do that! I’ve thought about it and changed my mind. I do want to see him!”
“Your dad will be okay with this?”
“Sure. He wants me to expand my horizons. He says I’m not adventurous enough. Well, I never have been, and if I’d be going alone, I’d probably chicken out, but going with you, I can do that. It’ll be great. Can we? Please?”
“I don’t see why not. I have my clubhouse job to worry about, but the Otters aren’t back till the day after the first Angels-Mariners game. Tanner wants us there for three days, but I can only be there for his first one. I think we can do this if we are there for one game, one night, and then come back.”
“Your dad will let you go?”
“We’ll see, but I’d be surprised if he says no. Now, what about dinner tonight?”
“What about it? I’m looking forward to it.”
“I was thinking about after dinner. What I’d love is if you could stay. A sleepover.”
Joel looked at him and slowly blushed. He didn’t say anything, just blushed.
“Hey, you must be as horny as I am. And you were as excited about being boyfriends as I was. This is our chance to move ahead a little. If it scares you, well, I’m nervous, too, but I really want this. I won’t push you, though. If you’re not ready, I’ll wait.”
“No, I think I’m ready. I know I want to. I do! It just seems to be happening all of a sudden.”
“You have the rest of the day to get used to the idea.”
Joel grinned. “Yeah, and I will. Exciting, huh?”
“You’d better believe it!”
««« »»»
Alec had a decision to make. He hadn’t made it yet because he didn’t know what to do. He needed to tell his dad that Joel was Tanner’s brother. He needed to do that when asking permission to go to Seattle. But he also was still thinking about whether to talk to him about the tell Tanner had when pitching.
But when should he inform Tanner of that? He knew he’d been putting off doing it. The time had never seemed right before, but he realized he was avoiding it because he wasn’t sure the best way to do it or what effect it might have. Would Tanner be upset that he hadn’t told him when he first noticed it? What reason could he give him for not told him already?
The problem was complicated. And Alec remained uncertain. He did know that the longer he waited, the more possible it was that Tanner would react badly.
He thought that many things were possible involving that piece of information. He knew something important, but it involved many people, many naunces. He knew he couldn’t keep it in his back pocket much longer. He had to decide what to do, and there was no one to advise him.
Mr. Rafferty had both boys meet him at his car at five o’clock and drove them to a butcher’s shop on the way home. He selected three three-inch prime filets mignon. Alec gulped. The cost seemed outrageous. The butcher saw his reaction and said, “Wait till you taste them,” and laughed encouragingly.
At dinner, Mr. Rafferty asked Joel about himself, and while that was a subject Joel hated talking about, he did with Alec’s help. Mr. Rafferty, an excellent judge of character and well able to get people comfortable enough to talk—both qualities important to his job—eased Joel through it painlessly. Then he asked Joel his opinion of a couple of players, putting him even further at ease. Alec was frequently impressed, seeing him deal with people, and he was witnessing it again at the table.
When Mr. Rafferty asked Joel how he’d met Alec, Joel blushed, wishing with all his might that he’d stop doing that. Alec jumped in and explained about the school-supported picnic he’d been invited to without mentioning it was a GSA function. He told how he’d met Joel there, and how they’d clicked. That gave him the opportunity he’d been awaiting.
“Joel looked so familiar, and he saw I was confused and asked why. I said he reminded me of Tanner Simmons. That’s when he said he was his brother.”
“His brother?” Mr. Rafferty asked, shocked. “Are you Joel Simmons?”
Joel nodded.
Mr. Rafferty looked like he wanted to say more, but he saw Joel’s demeanor and turned to look at Alec instead. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I wanted you to meet Joel first. You did, but only a couple of hours ago, and you’ve monopolized his attention ever since. This was really my first opportunity.”
His dad gave him a look, but Alec chose to ignore it and rushed on. “It doesn’t make any difference, really; Joel doesn’t really know Tanner; he hasn’t spoken to him in five years. There was a divorce and separate custody. But I had to tell you who he was now because Tanner wants to meet him and has invited the two of us to come to Seattle for the next Mariners-Angels series. It’s in two days. I want your permission to go.”
“But I’d be happier if it was just for one game. I’ll bet Joel’s dad would like that better, too. One game, come back the next day, sure. Uh, well, when I get an opportunity, I’ll think about it.”
Grrrr!! Alec hated it when his father got sarcastic with him; he was getting him back for his own ‘first opportunity’ remark. “Dad! We need to know now! Tanner has arrangements to make! Oh, and while you’re thinking about it—” Alec tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice, saying that, but wasn’t 100% successful “—I’ve invited Joel for a sleepover tonight.”
“And you’re not asking for permission for that?” Mr. Rafferty was about as successful as Alec had been restraining the sarcasm.
“No, I don’t need to. Dad, come on. Joel doesn’t know how you and I are together. He doesn’t kid much with his dad. He’ll think you’re serious. And he’ll shut down.”
“Okay, okay, I know when I’m licked. Of course you can go to Seattle for one day. And a sleepover? No problem at all.”
To Alec’s surprise, Joel spoke up. “Mr. Rafferty, Alec and I are boyfriends. We just decided on that this morning. I wanted you to know that, and that I’m gay, too, before we have a sleepover. You might have objections, knowing this. I didn’t want you to be blindsided.”
“Joel, that makes me very happy. Alec has wanted someone in his life for some time now. It appears to me he found a someone who’s perfect for him: you.”
After dinner, they all helped wash and put away the plates and debris. Then, in the family room, Alec sent a text back to Tanner asking him to set everything up, but they could only be there for one game, not the entire series. While he was texting Tanner, Joel was calling his father and telling him what they had planned and where he’d be spending the night. Then they both spent some time talking with Mr. Rafferty. Alec was pleased but not surprised how much his dad was able to draw Joel out.
When it was time to go up to bed—rather early, but boys will be boys, and both had been getting more restless as time had passed—they said their goodnights and climbed the stairs to Alex’s bedroom.
“I’m really excited,” Joel said, “but really nervous, too. This is all so new, and I’ve always been kinda scared of new.”
“I’m excited, too, but Joel, we’re going to learn how this works together, and I have such strong feelings for you, you don’t need to worry about anything at all. We’ll both be careful, and I’ll want you to be liking it as much as possible. You might feel the same feelings. Anyway, I want this so badly, and I think you probably do, too.”
Joel smiled at him. “I do. I’m already hard, and we haven’t even started yet.”
“We should probably shower first. We were running around all morning. I’m sure I don’t stink at all, but I’m not so sure about you.”
Joel laughed. “I can read you like a book. You don’t want to shower because of any stench! That’s not the reason. You’re a hound dog, Alec, and you just want to get me into the shower naked with water sluicing all over my body and have your way with your hands and eyes.”
“Well, maybe. The idea of us in the shower together is certainly appealing. Let’s do it.”
Alec began stripping as he made his way to the bathroom to get the water running so it’d be warm when they were ready.
He came back to the bedroom just in time to see Joel dropping his underwear. He hadn’t been lying about being aroused, and Alec stopped and stared in wonder. The boy was perfect. Fair skin, unblemished, neither chubby nor bony, just a nice nesting of blondish pubes. They were a bit darker than the sandy-brown hair on his head and in his pits. He was lightly muscled and, overall, the picture of a teen boy that should be in the magazines teen girls pored over. Maybe dressed a little better, but he’d sure sell more magazines pictured as he was.
Joel saw Alec staring and started to blush, then said, “Hey, this isn’t a strip show. Get with the program.”
All that Alec had left to remove were his boxer briefs. He did so, then posed for Joel’s turn to stare.
“You’re gorgeous,” he said.
“You, too. Let’s get wet.”
Alec led the way, adjusted the water temperature, and stepped into the shower. It was a large stall shower with plenty of room for both of them.
They washed each other. Their middle parts became very clean, and then it became awkward because they’d moved to where they were standing facing each other, very close together. Alec put his arms around Joel, and the hugging seemed to magically become a moving event with each boy sliding around against the other. The sliding went from erotic to frantic, and finally, they needed to rinse off again, both of them breathing very heavily as they did so and holding on tight so neither would collapse.
They dried each other off and went to bed. They were 15, and so ready, even after their adventure in the shower. Joel might have been timid and shy about new adventures, but he seemed to get into the activities with as much relish as Alec did.
Alec was beyond himself in emotional wonderland; Joel was the same. Everything they did was new and exciting, and because for each it was with a boy he was head over heels in love with, it was even more intense.
They used their hands and tongues, fingers and lips, and then engaged inn more whole-body rubbing because once Alec was holding Joel, he didn’t want to let go, so firmly that Joel ended up laughing. Alec was intrigued by Joel’s smell. He was giving off a scent as he frolicked with Alec, and it was heady and enticing. He began sniffing in earnest, and Joel could do nothing but laugh.
When they had climbed the mountain again, had reached the summit and were both exhausted, Alec spooned Joel, wrapping his arm around his chest, pulling him close. Alec loved the protective feelings he was having. Soon, however, Joel wriggled away, pushed Alec over so he was on his back, and then, lying on his side, laid his head on Alec’s chest, his arm across Alec’s upper body. He murmured, “This is better,” and in minutes, with a sexy wiggle or two just because he could, he was fast asleep.
««« »»»
They rode to the stadium with Mr. Rafferty the next morning. It pissed Alec off that his dad asked Joel his opinion of a couple of players in the league, and Joel spent all his time discussing it and paying no attention at all to Alec. Whose boyfriend was Joel, anyway?! Alec was about to make a sarcastic remark about it but realized before doing so that it would make him look small. Jealousy was an ugly emotion. Also, the better Hubbard liked Joel, the better it would be for Alec, who’d be spending the rest of the day mostly with Joel; no need to feel jealous of a short car ride. He should instead be proud of his boyfriend’s ability to meet his father on his own terms.
He was going to make a phone call in the time he had but then realized he’d made a mistake doing that the day before. He decided to wait till he could talk to Joel alone before making the call.
When they got to Willamette Stadium, Mr. Rafferty offered to show Joel his office. Alec looked at him closely; he had the thought that his dad was playing with him, that he knew he was pissing Alec off and was enjoying it. He still needed to make his phone call, but he needed to talk to Joel first. Easy enough to do both, though.
“I’ll send him up in a minute, Dad. I need to ask him something first. Won’t take long.”
His dad gave him an enigmatic smile, neither confirming nor repudiating Alec’s thought. He merely said okay and left the two boys alone.
Alec told Joel what he had in mind. “We’re going to play touch football again with Kevin today. I want to invite someone else; you may know him. It’s Trevor, Annie’s boyfriend. Two-on-two is a much more interesting game. I’ll make sure he understands our rules.
“You got upset when I didn’t check with you before adding Kevin, and I didn’t want to make that mistake again. So are you okay with this? I promise it’ll be a more exciting game this way than yesterday’s, and it’ll involve more thinking. You like thinking!”
Joel gave him a look, an uneasy one, then said, “If you want to do it, it’s okay. I trust you.”
Alec smiled at him. “If you don’t like it, we won’t do it again. But I’m sure you’ll have a ball. Now, just follow the signs to Dad’s office. The woman standing guard on his door is Mrs. Gonzales. She won’t be standing, of course. She’s great. Very nice. Just tell her who you are and she’ll let you in. When you’re done, come down to the field. If you need help, Mrs. Gonzales can give you directions.”
When he’d left, Alec called Trevor. Trevor loved the idea of playing touch football, but said, “I have no way to get there. But I’d sure like to come if I could.”
“I’ll call Cal, my designated ride. He’ll pick you up and bring you. Be ready for him. The players’ gate won’t be open yet, so come to the Admin gate and talk to Hank there; he’s the team’s Cerberus.” Alec smiled; he was pretty sure Trevor would have no idea what that meant. “He’ll be expecting you and will tell you where to go. Oh, and when you’re here, act like you’ve never met Joel and don’t know anything about him. Joel’s very concerned about people knowing he’s gay, and even though he knows you know, even though you know that he and I are together now, it’s better if it isn’t mentioned at all.”
Trevor agreed; it was half an hour later when he showed up. Joel, Kevin and Alec were out on the field tossing the ball around. Trevor joined them, and Alec introduced him, told both boys that Trevor was the team’s batboy, although he expected that Kevin already knew that. Alec explained the rules: two-on-two, only one man could rush the QB, touch football only, no blocking. They’d start with Joel and Alec against Kevin and Trevor. They’d change around so eventually so each two-on-two matchup was used.
Joel saw why Alec had wanted to add a fourth player. Strategy was involved now, and the game was much more nuanced. There were many ways to run an offense now—and a defense, too. For instance, with only one man rushing the QB, while the other offensive player stayed on the other side of the line of scrimmage, the man rushing was facing two men, and with them standing several yards apart, either of them could lob a lateral to the other. So, either offensive player could then go out for a pass after lateraling, and that meant the defensive man not rushing the QB had to be able to cover whichever man going out for a pass; he had to move back and forth when the lateral was thrown to be in position to do that. The rusher had to run back and forth between the boys doing the lateraling. And that was only one of the ways to run the offense.
The group quickly discovered that Joel was the fastest player on the field. He could outrun any pass defender, catch passes and outrun the defense. He could do the same on running plays if the defensive man was out of position. Alec was an accurate passer, and Joel rarely dropped a pass.
As a team, Alec and Joel were much better than Kevin and Trevor, and they soon had to break up the pair. The other pairings were much more even, which made the games more fun.
Joel had to agree that Alec had been right. Two-on-two was much better than two-on-one. He was having more fun than he could ever remember.
Posted 2 April 2025