2015 Top Ten Gay Romance

Hat Trick Overtime: Summer Camp by Jeff Adams-5

Mid-season playoffs were outstanding. Our cabin came in second in a finals game that went into a shoot out. We lost in the fifth round and Alex and I, and frankly the team, were okay with that. We’d played a strong, cohesive game. Alex and I made some notes on things to work on before the end of session playoffs, which would start in about 10 days. We were going to have to work hard because there were targets on our backs now that it was known how good we were.

Alex and I were happy that Leo’s team came in first. If we had to lose, at least it was to a friend. Sergei’s team, on the other hand were, eliminated in their first game. I felt bad for his players, but not for him.

We capped off our second place win by taking our players down to the lake for after dinner free time. Everyone had voted to hang out, swim, relax and take in some early evening sun. I was in the water with a number of our guys playing Frisbee. It was a beautiful afternoon. The cool clear water provided a nice contrast to the warmth in the air. It would’ve been nice just to float on the surface, but it was fun playing something besides hockey with the guys, too.

Alex relaxed on shore talking with some other coaches and campers. As I admired the evening sun shimmering on his bare chest, the Frisbee sailed right past me. It was a good thing we didn’t play hockey with any skin exposed, I’d never do anything right.

“Sorry,” I said, scooping the disc out of the water and throwing it back into play.

“You know, you’re always telling us to focus,” said Roger, one of our goalies, as he made a catch. “That wasn’t a very good example.”

“You see him undressed all the time, you know,” Ty chimed in. “You don’t have to stare right now.”

“Don’t give him a hard time,” Dylan said. “If my girlfriend were sitting up there with a bikini on, I’d sure be staring at her rather than playing some silly game.”

Just as Dylan finished talking, I made a sneaky interception off of one of his teammates. “How’s that for focus?” I raised the Frisbee in the air triumphantly before sending it soaring over everyone to someone on my team.

“Show off,” Ty said.

We played until the guys were worn out, which was still a couple hours before lights out. I was surprised they lasted that long after playing three intense games. Alex and I hung out behind the group as we made our way back to the cabin.

“You know, you need to not look so hot all the time. I got called out for a lack of focus because I was paying too much attention too you.”

“Ha,” he said, with a wicked grin. “You should be able to ignore me when you need to.”

I laughed. “Not possible.”

Most of the guys hit the showers after being in the lake, while others, including Dylan, used a ball to work on passing in front of the cabin. Alex headed for the showers, too, so one of us would be here when the cabin started its evening rituals. Someone played music inside, but not so loud as to bother anyone.

I sat on the stairs watching the passing game, coaching and offering tips as needed. I fought the urge to join them. Alex and I played with them sometimes in our end-of-day scrimmages but mostly we wanted them to work with each other, and just take tips from us. I allowed myself to stretch out on the stairs, watch the game and enjoy watching evening descend on the camp.

Dylan was looking good passing with his cabin mates. His face would occasionally cloud over when he did something he knew wasn’t quite right. I saw it in the game earlier, too. He wasn’t verbalizing as much when he was frustrated with himself. It seemed more internal now.

The line at the shower cabin got shorter as most of our guys returned. Alex came back from the staff facility as well. The boys passing out front took their cue from the returning traffic that they needed to get a move on if they wanted to wash the lake off. Alex sat on the stairs next to me, fully dressed in t-shirt, shorts and sandals, but still running a towel through his hair. We sat quiet for a while, watching the traffic go by, often waving at people.

“It was a good day,” he said, leaning his head against my shoulder. “Our team kicked ass.”

“Yeah. It was great. I knew we’d do good, but I didn’t expect we’d land in second. I really want us to take the final cup,” I said. “These guys deserve it. I don’t think we could ask for a group that works harder.”

“We’re gonna see some of these guys as Wolverines, I bet.”

“Would not be surprised.” I stood up. “I’ll leave everyone in your charge and go get showered.” Alex stood up, too, and came in the cabin with me. “Try to encourage the guys to sleep. It’s been a long day, but we’ve got to hit it tomorrow.”

“Our cabin isn’t exactly known for going to sleep on time,” he said. “But, I’ll see what I can do.”

He was right about that. The guys were chatterboxes, either dissecting the plays of the day, telling jokes, sometimes even a ghost story. We let it go on until Alex and I needed the peace and quiet to fall asleep. After three tough games and the lake time, sleep was going to be extra important.

I grabbed my shower stuff and headed out the door as Dylan and Ty returned.

“Are you coming from or going to the shower?” Dylan asked, as Ty headed inside.

“Going. Why? What’s up?”

“I can catch you later,” he said.

“We can talk when I get back. I won’t be long.”

“All right. See you in a few.” He went on inside as I went to the showers.

I was appreciative there was a separate shower for the staff and coaches. All the coaches had shower duty a few times a week to make sure no one got too rambunctious. The camper’s shower often reminded me of the Flacons’ shower, or the Wolverines’ for that matter if we were feeling particularly energetic. As I’ve gotten older though, I understood how good a hot, peaceful shower can be.

One shower was running as I entered. This was a typical campground facility with a small entry way that had hooks for clothes, towels and shower stuff. The larger room had six shower heads. You could easily see around the room because, while there were half walls between shower heads there were no curtains or doors.

Unfortunately, Sergei was here. He was soaped up and jerking off as I entered. It’d been more than a week since Alex’s run in with him. We managed to stay cordial and professional, but we avoided him whenever possible.

“Simon, we never hang out,” he said in his slight Russian accent. “Join me.”

“Seriously?” I hoped my voice conveyed the annoyance I felt.

“What’s a harmless jerk off between friends?”

“You know I’ve got a boyfriend, why would I jerk off with you?”

He slowly stroked his c**k, making sure I saw how long it was. Yes, he was a good looking guy, but this wasn’t going to happen.

“Because we’re all pent up around here? Because you must be horny with your boyfriend nearby and not being able to do anything with him? Because maybe you want to sample some other c**k? Take your pick.”

With him in a center stall, I couldn’t get too far away, so I took the one next to him so I didn’t have him in my line of sight. The half-wall provided some privacy. I got the water going, thankful for the strong hot streams running over me.

“Damn it, come on.” I turned around to find him standing right outside my stall, still pulling his hard on. “I just want a shower,” I said, refusing to make eye contact.

“What about getting you guys together if I can’t have you separately?”

“Not gonna happen. Neither of us is interested.”

“How do you know Alex isn’t?”

I started soaping, trying to get on about my business. Thankfully my c**k behaved. I mean, a naked guy in front of me, stroking can make it difficult to avoid getting aroused. Being pissed off certainly made it easier to keep it down.

“I know what you did in the pantry. We talk, you know.” He reached out with his free hand and tried to grab my d**k. Luckily I saw it coming and knocked it away. “f**k off, man. Take a hint.”

The door to the shower cabin opened and closed. Someone had very good timing.

“Maybe later then,” Sergei said before he darted back into his stall. “It can’t hurt to keep trying.”

Kieran walked in just then and took the middle stall on the other side. “Hey Simon, Sergei. How goes it? Simon, congrats on coaching second place. That was a helluva game.”

“Thanks, man,” I said, making sure to remove all traces of anger from my voice. “And congrats to you and Leo. It hurt a little less losing to a friend.”

“We plan to come out swinging for the finals to defend the win,” Kieran said. “And, Sergei, you better whip your guys into shape, and soon. Last place, ouch.”

“Don’t worry about us. We’ve got a plan,” he said. If Sergei was still playing with himself, Kieran didn’t let on.

I finished my shower in record time. As much as I enjoyed the shower, and talking to Kieran, I didn’t want to be around here any longer than I had to.

“Okay guys, I’m outta here. Have a good night.” I quickly dried off in the entry way, got dressed and headed back to the cabin.

This must’ve been exactly what Alex felt like after Sergei ambushed him. f**k, the guy was annoying. Was he like that with everybody? Thinking he could f**k around with whoever he wanted.

My brain was running wild. It was going to be a long couple weeks if he was going to continue stalking us. Talking to Alex about it would have to wait. Dylan was on the porch bench, waiting for me. I put all my counselor skills to work, setting my issues aside so I could focus on him. He sat cross legged on the bench, wearing only his sleep pants. He stopped reading on his phone as I approached.

“Hey, Dylan, you didn’t have to wait out here, I would’ve gotten you.”

“No worries,” he said, putting his phone down next to him. “It’s a nice night, and I wanted to talk to you away from the other guys.”

“Okay. What’s on your mind?” I threw my towel over the porch railing and spun one of the other benches around so I could face him while we talked.

“Was it okay what I said while we were playing Frisbee?”

I thought back. Nothing that happened at the lake stuck in my head as an issue. “Which part?” I finally had to ask.

“Well, I guess I mean what all of us said. Giving you a hard time about staring at Alex and missing the catch.”

I laughed. “That? You guys were completely right to call me out.”

He looked relieved. “Good, I wasn’t sure. I mean you’re our coach and all. And I didn’t want you to think we were calling you out cause your gay or anything, especially since I mentioned my girlfriend.”

“Nope,” I said, placing a hand on his shoulder to further assure him. “I got what I deserved. If anyone had said something inappropriate, I would’ve called it out on the spot. It was all in good fun, and, frankly, wasn’t off the mark either. I’ll let you in on a not so well kept secret. I stare at him way too often. Getting called out on it no longer surprises me. Our teammates back home can be much more relentless.”

Dylan smiled and nodded. “Cool.”

He unfolded from his position, but I spoke before he fully stood up. “Can I ask you something, now?”

He shrugged. “Sure.” He didn’t sit on his legs again, but he leaned back against the wall.

“How are you feeling about your game?”

“Better,” he said. “I made some stupid plays today, some passes that really sucked. But I made some good plays, too.”

“I’d say that’s pretty accurate. But it’s not quite what I asked. How are you feeling? How in your head are you about this?”

“It’s still frustrating, but I’m trying to do what you said and not let it bother me. I can see, especially since we talked, that my game has improved the past couple weeks.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re working on the head part. I see you talking to yourself on the bench a lot now and I wanted to make sure you weren’t just beating yourself up quietly.”

“So you’re spying on me now?” He asked with a hint of sarcasm and a smirk for good measure.

“We’re spying on all of you. We have to so we send you all back as better players.”

“I’d say you’re doing a good job of it.”

“Get him!” came a shout from inside.

“I’ll take all of you!” Alex yelled back followed by some sort of a wail.

Dylan and I shot questioning looks at each other as there were more grunts and shouts coming from inside.

“What the hell?” I asked, standing up.

Dylan followed close behind me as I went into the cabin. Alex was trying to fend off a dozen guys attacking with pillows. Behind the primary attackers, another group threw dropped pillows back into the melee. The fight was happening at the far end of the cabin, in the center aisle between the bunks. Alex was surrounded on two sides by pillow throwers, and also boxed in by the bunks.

Initially I was speechless. It was hysterical watching these guys gang up on Alex and seeing him trying everything possible to beat them back with only a couple pillows. No one seemed to notice when Dylan and I came in, at least not until Alex looked our direction after getting hit in the head

“You gonna help?” Alex called to me, as he hit a couple guys in the face.

I weighed my options. I loved pillow fights. This one was a little lopsided though and would be even if I joined. Of course, if I let Alex fail alone, he might make me regret it later.

“You kinda have to,” Dylan added, as if sensing my dilemma.

“Yeah,” I said to Dylan, grabbing the pillows off our beds.

I gave my best version of a barbaric yawp and headed into battle. Coming from behind I was able to take a couple people by surprise, before a group split off the main gang to attack me. I pushed my way in and managed to get next to Alex.

“Divide and conquer,” he cried.

“Yup,” I said.

We took two steps into the group and turned so we were back to back. The new fortified attack began. I slung pillows left and right and struck people and Alex did the same, managing to push some of the kids back, at least for a few seconds.

Just as things started going our way I was knocked in the head by an airborne pillow coming from somewhere outside the main group. I looked around as I kept up the frontal assault and saw Dylan, lobbing pillows from the outer fringes. They hit Alex and me with extraordinary precision.

I threw one of my pillows back at Dylan, but one of the main battlers knocked it out of the air. I kneeled quickly and grabbed another pillow near my feet. There was all kinds of laughing and yelling. I couldn’t imagine what this must have sounded like from the other cabins.

“It’s nine o’clock,” came the voice over the p.a. system, “and time for lights out. Have a good night everyone.”

We had a great crew. As soon as the announcement finished, all the pillow craziness ended. Ty and several guys from the front line fist bumped each other.

“You think you guys won that?” Alex said, sounding incredulous. “If anything it was a draw.”

“You called in reinforcements,” Ty said, standing face to face with Alex.

They were nearly the same height, but Alex looked the dominant here as he had more bulk in the shoulders and chest. No doubt because Alex was five years older and had all the extra conditioning that went with those years.

“You ended up with aerial support,” Alex countered.

They stared at each other. I looked at each of them, surprised by the intensity on their faces.

“Fine, draw,” Ty finally relented. It was clear he didn’t want to. Ty extended a fist and Alex bumped it.

“Wise choice,” Alex said with an evil grin, “otherwise there might have been a hundred suicide drills tomorrow.”

“Okay, guys,” I said, “let’s get settled so it at least looks like we’ve gone to bed.”

Everyone reclaimed their pillows and moved to their bunks, keeping the chatter down. I turned off the main cabin lights, leaving just some night lights that helped everyone navigate in the dark.

“Talk to you outside for a minute?” I asked Alex once we had our beds squared away.

He nodded and followed me outside. We took up what had become our usual spot on the stairs.

“Sergei made a move on me in the showers,” I said, quietly since we were sitting just a few feet from the open door.

“That…” Alex swallowed the words and took a deep breath. “I don’t like him f*****g with us.”

“We’re almost done here. He hasn’t messed with you since the pantry. Let’s assume this was my time, so he’ll be done with us.”

“Is it wrong not reporting him?”

I shrugged. “If there were any signs he was messing with the campers, I’d report him in a second. He’s screwing around with the adults and this adult doesn’t feel like dealing with it.”