Not in the NFL

“Well, that does it, Roger. The Mustangs are in the playoffs, taking the wildcard spot in their division with this win over the Cyclones.”

“Yes, Ed. The Mustangs’ quarterback, Adam Davis, pulled off a miracle win passing for two touchdowns and an incredible two-point conversion in the last three minutes of play to beat the defending Super Bowl champions 29–28.”

“The Cyclones are leading their division, so, despite the loss, these two teams will likely meet again in the playoffs. There’s only one week left of regular season play.”

“If that works out, it should really be a good game with what happened here today.”

“Ed, let’s join the post game interview with Adam.”

The scene shifted from the game announcers to the post game interview set where Adam Davis was about to begin answering questions about the game from the press.

“Adam,” a reporter called out from the audience, “that was a pretty gutsy call on the two-point conversion. Why not go for a sure PAT and tie the game and let it go into overtime?”

“Well,” handsome, red haired, soft-spoken, Adam Davis replied. “I don’t much like going into overtime. The team that wins the coin toss usually wins the game, especially when they have a field goal kicker like the Cyclones have. He hits fifty yard plus field goals all the time. So I figured we had a fifty-fifty chance at winning the toss. We’ve made seventy percent of our two point tries. That gave us better odds. So I took the chance.”

Another reporter called out, “Wanna comment on Brendan Fletcher? He was on you like a magnet on steel the whole game: three sacks and intercepted you twice.”

Adam shook his head, laughing. “Brendan’s a great linebacker. He really had my number today. Lucky for me he was expecting a pass on the conversion when I decided to run the ball in myself…he wasn’t anywhere near me.”

“With both the Mustangs and the Cyclones in the playoffs, you’ll probably be facing each other again. Any comment?”

“Bring it on, Brendan. Bring it on,” Adam said, smiling and winking into the camera.

1

The party was in full swing. Adam usually gave a party after a game, win or lose. While the whole team was invited, it was generally understood Adam gave these parties to thank his offensive line and receivers. He knew without their efforts his reputation as a superstar QB would be erased. He lived or died on their play. He knew that a quarterback not in the good graces of his offensive line could easily be sabotaged with just a missed block here or there. So, despite the facts that his line had let him be sacked, hurried and hit several times and that his receivers had dropped passes and missed routes, a win this big was reason enough to celebrate even in light of such errors.

The penthouse suite of the Mustangs’ hotel was rocking: loud music, full service bar and rowdy, happy football players were making for an intense celebration. The team’s cheerleading squad had not attended this away game, so there were fewer than the usual number of female companions for the men. Some of them had found ‘dates’ among the team’s groupies that seemed to turn up at every game no matter which city they played in.

Adam was glad his girlfriend, Brenda, had not come on this trip. He was getting tired of her anyway and her constant pressing him for a commitment of some sort. Without her here he was feeling a sense of freedom.

Adam was leaning against the bar talking with Dean, his go-to receiver, discussing some of his missed passes when there was a commotion in the large living room near the door.

“Hey, man!” he heard one guy call out.

“What the fuck. You got some nerve crashin’ our party,” another could be heard, laughing as he said it.

Adam turned to see Brendan Fletcher making his way into the crowd. There was a general camaraderie in the NFL. Most of the players were friends with each other, had even played together in college, and the protests at the presence of a player from the opposing team at the celebration were mainly good natured and carried no real animosity.

The teasing and taunting continued as Brendan made his way through the men and their dates. He came up to the bar and held out his hand to Adam.

“Heard what you said in that post game show,” he said smiling, his perfect white teeth gleaming in the bar light. “Can’t wait to bring it on.” He squeezed the hand Adam had placed in his.

Adam was taken aback, but before he could say anything Brendan added, “Just wanted to congratulate you on a great game. You really showed what you were made of today,” he said. His voice carried genuine warmth.

“Thanks, Brendan,” Adam responded, feeling the strength in his grip. “You played a good game yourself. Almost single-handedly dismantled my game plan.”

Brendan smiled. “Yeah, but you got me in those last two minutes. And that run for the two-pointer. Shit, totally caught me by surprise. I was sure you were looking to pass to Dean.” He turned and smiled in the receiver’s direction.

Adam realized they were still holding hands. He self-consciously let go of Brendan, who turned and took up the conversation with Dean. Feeling a bit uneasy for reasons he couldn’t fully put into words, Adam left the two to their discussion and made his way through the revelers, accepting their congratulations and thanks while at the same time giving his own back to the men.

Adam made his way to the john, went in and took a piss. Standing in front of the mirror, he splashed a little cool water on his face. The door opened behind him and Brendan walked in, locked the door and proceeded to the toilet where he unzipped his pants, took out his dick and began to urinate.

“Thanks for the privacy,” Adam said.