The weekend was approaching fast, and Sean couldn't wait for Sunday. Sunday meant football all day and night, and that was a slice of heaven. The thought made Sean smile because this weekend was the start of the NFL season. Finally! It felt like it took forever to come around.
Sean Adams was content to watch to watch the games at home, but the best times were had in the company of like-minded football junkies like himself. Only problem is, all of the like-minded friends Sean could think of seem to be out of town this weekend.
One name came to Sean's mind, but the name made him hesitate—Tony Ryan. Tony was as big a football fanatic as he was. Both of them were in a fantasy football league together and he was sure Tony played in a flag football league, too. Tony would certainly burn an entire Sunday watching the games. But Tony long had an admiring eye for Sean and although respectful in his advances, he wasn't shy about letting Sean know his interest.
Tony's gay. Sean was straight. With just the two of them watching football all day, Sean was worried he would be the target of Tony's sly, yet persistent flirtations. Not the best way to experience the opening weekend of the NFL season, Sean thought. Maybe he'd order just order a pizza and enjoy the games by himself on Sunday. Not his preferred option, but it would do. Sean picked up his tablet to check his e-mail and take a quick look at his fantasy football team—now that it was on his mind. Sean went to fantasy football league website first, curious to find out who his first week opponent would be. Oddly enough, it was Tony's team. What an Interesting coincidence.
He flipped over to his e-mail. First message up was from...Tony Ryan:
From: Tony Ryan
To: Football Peeps
09/06/2012 8:32 PM, Eastern Standard Time
Subject: Sunday Funday
To one and all—
If you're ready and willing, I'm hosting at my place in honor of the NFL season. Come one, come all and satiate your football hunger. Let's celebrate the return of the great game by watching it all day and night this Sunday : )
The flat-screen is big enough to make us feel like we're in the stadiums, the food will be tasty, and there will be plenty of adult beverages to force you to call in sick from work on Monday.
Let me know if you're interested. All you need to bring is yourself. I have everything else.
-Tony
Hmm. He was playing against Tony week one, and now this e-mail. Two signs in quick succession. Maybe Tony's place is the place to be on Sunday. And with other people there to share the experience, it may even deflect some of the usual attention Tony would show him. Yeah, Sean decided. He would go to Tony's on Sunday and enjoy the games there.
It was a quick two days to Sunday, but they couldn't have been fast enough for Sean. He was itching to watch the pre-game shows building up to the 1pm games. Several of Tony's friends responded to his invitation and we're coming. Sean was relieved for the company. The more, the merrier in his mind. Tony invited his guests to come early. He sure understands the minds of football fans, doesn't he! So by 10:30, Sean was out the door on his way to Tony's place across town. It was Sunday and Sean always dressed causal on Sundays, but he was extra cautious because of Tony's wandering eye. Tony often commented Sean's muscular legs and his "tight hockey butt", as Tony called it. Thankfully, the fall weather made sweats and sneakers a perfect outfit today. He could cover his assets in Tony's presence without looking odd.
Sean was the first guest to arrive. Tony's pleasantly surprised smile upon opening the door told him that much. Tony was barefoot in just gym shorts and a muscle tee. Truth be told, Tony earned the right to show off the results of his conditioning. He was well-toned physical specimen with a barrel chest and formidable biceps. He looked every bit the part of the Tight End position he played in his flag-football league.
"You're the first one here, but I have the pregame shows up," Tony said as he greeted Sean inside. He headed back to the kitchen. A delicious blend of French toast and Bacon perfumed the air, enticing his taste buds and reminding his stomach he was indeed hungry.
"You want some brunch?" Tony asked from the kitchen. The guy's a mind-reader.
"Yeah, thanks." Sean took a seat on the long sofa, right in front of the huge flat-screen TV. Tony came into the living room--plate and two beers in hand--just as Sean took notice of Tony's open MacBook with the fantasy football website set on the game tracker page for their matchup.
"You gonna to lose to me today," Tony quipped, pointing at the laptop, confidence in his wide smile. "My team's too tough for you!" Sean took the plate and nodded sarcastically at his declaration.
"I guess we'll see about that, buddy!" Sean responded with a laugh, taking a bite of bacon.
With the subject of football to talk about, Tony and Sean got along like best friends. The expected awkwardness of being alone with Tony in his apartment wasn't a concern. He didn't flirt with him at all. Tony was simply a football fan enjoying the first week of games with a like-minded bud. A few people cancelled last minute and a few more called Tony to say they would be late. He seemed to have no worries about the no-shows and latecomers. The 1pm games started and Sean was still his only guest. So engrossed in the games and all things football, it wasn't until halftime that either Sean or Tony wondered where the other guests were. All the same, neither guy seemed to care. Both of them downed several bottles of beer and were feeling pretty good. Sean was starting to think he had found a weekly football buddy for the season in Tony. He was also starting to feel a slight buzz from the beer. Tony was well on his way to inebriation as well.
As the second half of the games began, it was still just Sean and Tony viewing the games. And out of the corner of his eye, Sean began to notice Tony's body show what he thought was frustration over his expected guests standing him up. After all, he footed the food and booze bill. Bailing on Tony was a shit thing for his friends to do last minute, Sean thought. He was definitely the good guy for showing up, but he felt bad for the host nevertheless. Sean and Tony continued to enjoy the games together—flipping through channels to witness as much as they could while checking the fantasy stats on the laptop. Their fantasy teams were in a tight battle.