Offsides (Blue Mountain University #5)
1. One
One
Seth Miller
Lockers slam around me as my teammates change into their uniforms. It’s the first day of practice for the season, but most of the guys did soccer camp during the summer. It hasn’t been long, but there’s one face I can’t help but focus on. Tyler Avery glances my way, meeting my eyes for a moment before he turns toward his locker and shoves his bag inside. There’s something cute about the way Avery is always looking to one up me. I just don’t think it means the same thing to him. As far as I know, Avery is straight as an arrow.
Even before I realized I was bi, I’ve had a friendly rivalry thing going with Avery. We’ve both been playing soccer since we were young. It started with playing on opposing teams when we were five to being on the same team in high school and now college. Even though we’re teammates, we can’t help pushing each other. It’s mostly harmless.
I close my locker and brush past Avery as our teammates make their way out of the room. “Have a good break?” I ask. He turns around and fixes his glare at me. I know he’s annoyed with me for asking, but it doesn’t stop my dick from twitching. Avery’s shirt is off, and my eyes take in his chest and abs. It’s tempting to run my fingers over his chest hair and play with his nipples, but I keep my hands to myself. That’d only piss Avery off more.
It’s almost not fair how attractive he is. He’s like the poster boy next door type, toned muscles without looking too ripped, dirty blonde hair parted off center with a fade on the sides. That little happy trail from his belly button that dips into his shorts … Focus, Seth.
“It was good, right up until now.” He pulls his shirt on and slams the locker shut.
He’s still as pissy as normal. I jog to catch up with him as we make our way to the soccer field. I vaguely notice a few new freshmen, but most of the team are guys I already know.
For the first few practices of the season, Coach likes to pair us up so the new members can get used to the way we do things. I get matched up with a freshman I met over the summer that plays defense. He follows me through the motions, copying my movements as we do drills. For the most part, my eyes are still on Avery. He’s working with Ian Walsh and a new guy I don’t know. It’s weird to see the two of them without Ethan Rowe, but he graduated last year.
Avery shifts his foot forward to kick the ball, and his shorts tighten around his ass. A dirty thought runs through my head of what it would feel like to get a handful of Avery’s butt. My foot catches on an uneven patch of grass. It’s only my quick reflexes that keep me upright as I stumble.
“You okay?” Asher Koch asks as his hand grabs my shoulder to steady me. He’s another new face; he joined the team part of the way through the summer. Conveniently, he’s also dating another one of my teammates. It’s a shame because the blonde is good looking, and I wouldn’t have minded having a bit of fun with him. Hayden Bennett glances over, watching the interaction between me and his boyfriend, but I shrug him off.
“I’m fine. Just got distracted.”
I manage to keep my focus on the ball and off Avery’s ass for the rest of practice, but just barely. By the time we finish up, I’m tired, but the day is just beginning. I still have to get through classes before I can relax.
I toss my bag on my bed and wipe the sweat from my forehead. For early September, it still feels like summer. I strip off my shirt, not caring that my door is still open. Living in an athletic frat house, it’s not uncommon for us to see each other in all states of undress. Most of the guys just don’t care. Honestly, I’m not sure how I didn’t realize I’m bi earlier. It probably had something to do with being in sports from a young age. I got used to locker room antics and politely looking away without really thinking about it.
It’s only after two guys on my soccer team came out last year that I thought about it. Why limit myself to only hooking up with chicks? One night, I found myself flirting with a guy at a party, and I just went for it. I haven’t bothered to officially come out or anything, but I’m not exactly the dating type either. Didn’t see the point in announcing anything to my team or my frat brothers when it isn’t serious. Honestly, I don’t see what the big deal is to begin with.
“Hey Seth.” A rap on my door frame follows the voice. I turn to see the frat VP, Spencer, standing in the hall. “We’re planning a back-to-school party. You want to help out? I’m thinking we’ll do it in a few weeks, give us time to set everything up.”
“Sounds good,” I agree. Just like that, my chill time is gone. Between soccer and school, I already have enough on my plate, but at least this is something fun. “Who else is on planning?” I ask as I follow Spencer to the dining room. The table is one of the few spots with decent space to hold a large group of us.
There are already a few guys seated around the table. The majority of my brothers play sports, but I’m the only soccer player at the moment. There’s a good chunk of football players, some wrestlers, even a few guys on the swim team. I lock eyes with Dean as he sits down across the table from me. He gives me an obvious once over before raising an eyebrow. Maybe I should’ve grabbed a shirt, but I can’t say the attention bothers me. I wink his way before giving Spencer my attention. With any luck, we can hash out these details in an hour or so. Maybe it won’t be too late by the time I finish my homework, and I’ll still get a chance to relax and watch a show or something. It’s only the beginning of the semester, but part of me is already dreading waking up tomorrow and repeating it all over again.
To make matters worse, I signed on for some tutoring hours to make a little extra cash. I need to check in at the library this week and make sure everything is set up for them to assign me any students that might need help. I’m already looking forward to the party. After a few weeks of all this, I’m going to need something to take the edge off. Maybe if I’m lucky, I can even find someone to hook up with and take my mind off Avery for a night. A guy can hope.