Love or the NFL

Chapter 4-2

Sunday evening, Mark and Frank were in their dorm room. They had just started rehearsing the play, wondering what would happen if the guy who was to play the fourth magi never showed up. It would be hard to figure out how Frank could be both orphaned shepherd and mighty king. Things were looking grim. If worse came to worse, Mark would have to direct and play the part. They worried Dr. Klein wouldn’t permit that.

Mark shook his head. “You know what I think?”

“No, what?”

“I bet someone signed up as a joke. Somebody not even in a drama class. Probably some stupid jock, thinkin’ it would be hilarious.”

Frank frowned. “There you go again, putting down jocks. They’re not all dumb and mean-spirited.”

There was a knock on their door. As Mark made his way to answer it, he said over his shoulder, “You only say that because you think Billingsly is a saint.”

Mark opened the door. Over Mark’s shoulder, Frank saw Bill standing in the doorway. Frank’s breath caught in his throat. Mark looked as if he’d been paralyzed.

“Hi, I’m Bill Billingsly. Dr. Klein gave me your room number. I’m in this play with you guys. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get together, but I’m on the football team, and with practices and away games I miss class a lot and—-”

Bill didn’t get any further in his explanation for his absences from rehearsals. Frank had gotten up, walked to the door, and stood behind Mark, who still stood open-mouthed, staring at the man who filled the entry.

“Uh, Frodo?” Bill said, an astonished yet worried expression on his handsome face.

Frank shrugged. “Yeah, it’s me, in the flesh,” he said sheepishly.

“I…I had no idea that you were the Frank in Dr. Klein’s note. I’m really sorry I haven’t been able to connect.”

Frank could imagine what Bill was going through, struggling not only to explain why he hadn’t met for play practice, but also wondering about Frank’s seeing him f*****g Dennis , and if Frank had said anything to his roommate.

“Come on in,” Frank said as casually as he could, images of a naked Bill engaged in s*x trying to force themselves to the forefront of his mind. “We were just getting started running lines.”

Mark overcame his shock. “Yeah, come on in. I’m Mark. I guess you already know Frank. Uh—glad you finally made it. We were gettin’ worried.” Mark stepped aside to let Bill into the room. Bill’s sheer size made the room seem to shrink around them.

“Yeah, well, I’m really sorry. I hope it didn’t put you guys in too much of a bind.”

“So, uh, will you be able to come practice with us? I know you must be pretty busy,” Mark asked. There was an edge of sarcasm in his voice.

“I’ll do my best. I’m really sorry,” Bill said again.

“Well, we might as well get started then…now that you’re here. We’ve got some catching up to do.”

Mark began to rearrange furniture so they could work on blocking, now that Bill had joined them. As he did, he was explaining that they’d have to find time to rehearse with the other cast members.

It gave Frank the chance to whisper to Bill, “I didn’t say anything. Dennis isn’t acting strange at gymnastics workouts. So it’s cool. No worries.”

“You called me Frodo, so I don’t think he knew it was me. He doesn’t know me very well anyway.”

Bill visibly relaxed. “Thanks, I owe you,” he whispered back.

The makeshift stage arranged, Mark turned to the pair and began an explanation of the play. “The storyline is that there was supposed to be this fourth king and—”

“I know,” Bill interrupted. He pulled a copy of the script from his back pocket. “I’ve read the play, and because I knew I was putting you at a disadvantage by not rehearsing with you, I’ve memorized my part. I’m playing King Saradin, right? Not the orphaned shepherd boy?”

“No, that’d be me,” Frank said.

Frank could see the twinkle in Bill’s eyes. Frank knew Bill was reassured his secret was safe and was trying to lighten the moment by his comment. Mark had turned to Frank, looking amazed. Frank gave him a knowing look, as if to say, Still think he’s just a dumb, egotistical jerk?

“By the way, who’s playing the beggar, the widow, and the farmer?” Bill asked.

Mark gave him that information, and they began.

The rehearsal went extremely well. Bill not only had totally memorized his part, but he proved to be a decent actor as well. As it turned out, The Fourth Magi was an excellent choice. The sheer size contrast between Frank and Bill made for an extremely believable pairing of the two as the king and orphaned boy. Mark was ecstatic. “You guys are perfect for this. Bill, you’re great. It’s hard to believe that—”

“A dumb, macho jock would be interested in acting?” Bill said in a teasing voice.

“Well, no…I…”

Frank cleared his throat.

Mark blushed. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Not all football players are as dumb as they look. Unfortunately, some are,” Bill said, and they all laughed.

The three men went down to the cafeteria for a snack. Bill’s presence caused quite a stir in the freshman dorm. Word spread that he was there. Before long it was crowded as if it were dinner time rather than almost midnight. Bill was gracious and gave his attention to all who wanted it. He did it with a normalcy that put everyone at ease. He was just another student having some kickback time in the dorm, not some superstar jock, stuck on himself.

“I better get going,” Bill finally said. “I have an early class tomorrow and practice in the afternoon.”

They got up. “Frodo…I mean Frank, could I talk to you for a minute?” Bill said goodnight to Mark, and he and Frank went outside. They walked a ways down one of the sidewalks that wound around the dorms. Bill was quiet for some time, then without looking at Frank said, “I’m really sorry about the other night.”

“It’s okay,” Frank replied. “Like I said upstairs, it’s cool. I didn’t say anything to anyone.”

Bill turned to Frank. “I really appreciate that, you have no idea how much.”

“I think I kinda do,” Frank said, thinking of his minister father.

Bill walked to a nearby bench and sat down. He indicated Frank should sit as well.

After a few seconds, Bill said, “It’s really tough being a football player and…gay. Things are changing but not really in the world of sports. Oh, they give some lip service to being accepting, but the reality is if you’re gay—you’re through. Especially baseball and football—the bastions of macho.”

Bill paused for a moment then added, “So, you see how really grateful I am that you’re okay with keeping my secret. I’ve got a chance to go pro, but not if I’m outed.”

“Aren’t you afraid Dennis will talk?”

“Yes. But I have to trust him. He says he won’t. But you never know.”

“Then why take that chance?” Frank asked, his affection for Bill igniting concern for the man.

Bill shook his head. “I know. That part of me is the dumb jock.”

Then he looked intently at Frank. “Gay guys have needs, too, and sometimes they let their d***s do the thinking, just like you straight guys.”

Frank wanted to tell Bill right there why he understood what the man was going through, but he hesitated, and Bill went on.

“So, I took a chance. Dennis isn’t out either. At least he tells me he isn’t. So I think I can depend on him. I hope I can anyway. We’ve been doing this for a couple years now, and he’s kept it a secret. Maybe someday I’ll be able to just be myself, but for now I can’t. I’m so glad you understand. Look, I better say good night. It’s getting late.” Bill stood up.

Frank stood, too. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. Shoot.”

“Why do you call me Frodo?”

“Aw, geez. I hope my calling you that doesn’t make you feel bad, because I sure don’t mean it to.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m just curious. I actually kinda like it.”

Bill smiled. “Well, I’m a literature major, emphasis on British writers. Tolkien is my favorite. Ever read his stuff?”

“Yeah, I have. The books are a little tough to get through though. The movies were easier to understand.”

Bill nodded. “Well, I’m not sure J.R.R. would be pleased with the films, but they did make a lot of people read his books who might not have. Anyway, you know about Frodo then?”

“Sure—hobbit and main character of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.”

“Hero of The Lord of the Rings, and my favorite character of all time—so brave, so vulnerable. When I saw you, I thought of him.”

“Why?”

“Well, and please don’t take offense, your size and…”

“My furry feet? Hobbits have furry feet.”

“Do you have furry feet?” Bill asked, smile widening.

“Not really. Don’t have much fur anywhere actually.”

“Okay, so no furry feet, but there’s just something about you that makes me think, Frodo. I hope you don’t mind.”

Frank smiled. “No, I don’t mind at all.”

Just then the Burton Bell Tower clock chimed one.

“I’ve enjoyed being with you. It’s great to have someone I can be honest with. I hate to say it, but I really have to go,” Bill said.

Frank nodded.

“Good night then. See you at our next rehearsal, Frank.”

“You can call me Frodo if you want.”

“You got it, Frodo. Uh—” Bill looked around to make sure they were alone. “Would you mind if I gave you a hug?”

Frank nearly leapt into Bill’s arms. “No, that’d be okay with me,” he said, his heart jolting into high gear.

Bill walked back into the shadows and opened his arms. Frank stepped into them, his head nestled in the groove between Bill’s firm chest muscles. He could feel the swell of Bill’s c**k press against his belly. Frank felt his d**k hardening, but somehow he didn’t care. If that gave away his feelings for Bill, so be it.

They stood for a few seconds, then broke apart. Bill looked down into Frank’s eyes. For a moment, it looked to Frank like Bill might bend down and kiss him. He hoped so. But Bill merely said, “Good night, Frodo,” in a tone that was almost tender.

“Good night, Strider,” Frank said, using the name of Frodo’s protector from the Tolkien novels.

Bill shook his head slowly, smiling deeply. “Frodo, I think we’re gonna become very good friends.”

Bill walked away. Frank watched him go. Frodo’s heart was humming as he watched Strider disappear into the darkness.