The aftermath of a Ravens vs. Steelers NFL game is very hectic, to say the least. The rivalry between the fans of both teams can turn vicious at times. I can't count how often I have seen fights break out among fans in parking lots, bars and in the stadium.
We had just left the stadium and walked to a nearby bar to join in on the after parties; the Ravens had won, for the second time this season, against the Steelers. The bar was packed with people in Baltimore jerseys, my friend Katie and I included. I had on my black #87 jersey with the name "Logan" on the back. Colby Logan was the number one tight end in the NFL this season and by far my favorite player on the team.
I sidled up to the bar and ordered Bud Lights for both myself and Katie and then we walked over to the dance floor. There were a few Steelers fans interspersed throughout the crowd and about six of them were women on the dance floor. I began to dance with Katie, shaking our asses to the remix of the song "Black and Yellow"... except for in Baltimore, the song was called "Black and Purple".
We had been dancing for a while when we heard cheers erupting from the crowd closer to the door. Confused, I stood on my tiptoes to see what the chaos was over, and my heart skipped a beat in my chest. Walking through the doors were none other than, Ray Rice, Ed Reed, Joe Flacco and Colby Logan.
"Oh my GOD!" Katie squealed when she caught sight of them. "Let's go try to get their autographs" she said and I eagerly agreed.
Nothing would make me happier than having Colby Logan's signature on my jersey. We elbowed our way through the crowd laughing as we saw a few dejected Steelers fan walking out of the door.
There was already a swarm of people asking for autographs so we decided to wait for a bit and grab another beer before attempting to get our own signatures. I pressed through the crowd and walked up to the completely empty bar. Everyone had rushed towards the players.
"I'll take two Bud Lights please" I told the bartender who nodded.
"Make that three," came a deep voice from behind me. "And put 'em on my tab, Barney".
Confused, I spun around and came face to face with none other than Colby Logan. I gasped involuntarily and a slow smile slid over his face. There was a crowd of girls climbing the walls behind him, trying to get his attention but he was looking directly at me.
He reached out to take the three bottles, handing one to both Katie and I. "Nice jersey" he said and I smiled.
"Oh this old thing?" I said plucking it away from my body and shrugging. "Just an old rag I found hidden in the bottom of the closet".
I tried to keep from laughing out loud. Colby's eyes lit up and he busted out laughing at my comment.
"Nice, I like that," he said softly before holding out his empty hand. "I'm Colby," he said and I gratefully shook his hand, introducing myself as Erin and my friend Katie.
"I'm pleased to meet you both," he replied before making a gesture to Ray Rice, who came up to us, introducing himself as well.
My head was swimming. I couldn't believe I was sitting here chatting idly with Colby Logan and Ray Rice. Ray seemed to have taken an interest in Katie who was flirting shamelessly with him.
"Look, we were just coming in here to pick up some food from the kitchen, then heading back to my apartment. Uh, would you like to join?" Colby asked me.
I couldn't believe my ears. I heard Katie graciously accept an offer much like Colby's from Ray.
"I, uh, I mean sure, I'd love to," I stammered, blushing when I couldn't form the sentence properly. Colby chuckled softly.
"Barney, is the food ready?" he yelled over the crowd's noise. Barney nodded and disappeared into the back.
People were still pushing in trying to get autographs, which Colby signed politely. Five pizzas appeared on the bar behind us and Colby tossed a fifty dollar bill down before picking them up and gesturing for me to follow. We were also followed by Katie and Ray, as well as Ed and Joe who we had been introduced to as well.
We left out a back door and it was almost eerily quiet, the difference between the noisy bar and the deserted parking lot was extreme. Colby nodded towards a huge black Chevy Silverado and we headed that way. After placing the pizzas carefully on the floorboard in the middle of the front seat Colby held out a hand to me.
"Sorry, you'll have to sit with your legs to one side, we weren't planning on having extras joining us," he said with a wink and I blushed again.
I reached up to steady myself in order to climb in the huge truck before I felt two large hands wrap around my waist and lift me easily up. I scooted from the driver's seat to the middle just as Joe climbed into the passenger seat. Colby then climbed into the driver's seat as Katie Ed and Ray piled into the back seat. My thigh brushed Colby's as he got in due to my position, in order to avoid stepping on the pizza.
Soon we were on our way back to Colby's apartment and I was breathless with anticipation. What was it going to be like? I couldn't imagine what tonight had in store.
"Hey dude," Ray said from the back seat, "Why don't you drop Katie and I off at my place on your way?"
I turned and looked at Katie who grinned and gave me a thumbs up. Laughing I turned back around.
"Well if you're gonna do that then you might as well drop Ed and I off at Lewis' house too" Joe said.
My mind began to race. That would leave only Colby and me alone in his apartment. Shivers of anticipation ran through my body at the thought.
"If that's what y'all want," Colby replied easily.
He looked utterly relaxed, one arm draped across the steering wheel, the other casually across the back of the seat where he was lightly playing with my hair, which was dark brown with bright purple highlights in it.
Fifteen minutes the truck had cleared out. I hesitated, wondering if I should move over to the passenger seat or stay where I was, which is where I wanted to be. Before pulling off, Colby turned to face me in the dim cab.
"Look if you don't want to go back to the apartment alone, I understand," he said quietly.
I was impressed by his chivalry. I shook my head no.
"I don't mind a bit," I said with a small smile, and he grinned back before tugging lightly on my hair and turning to put the truck back in gear.
He answered my seating question by putting his arm around my shoulder and tugging me close to him. His fingers lightly traced intricate circles on the side of my neck as he drove, sending shivers down my body and causing goosebumps to form. My hand rested lightly on his thigh, which was encased in jeans. I could feel the hardness of the muscle there as he moved, pressing the gas and brakes.
"So do you live in Baltimore?" he asked quietly, breaking the silence.
I shook my head no.
"Actually I live on the eastern shore," I replied and he glanced my way. "These big cities just can't quite cut it for me," I shrugged. "I prefer open fields and woods to buildings".