Whenever he played he felt free, gone were the voices trying to drown him, Emerson had peace, a surreal feeling that didn’t come easy to him. Although Emerson had joined the sport in freshman year to please his father, Emerson soon came to realize that nothing he ever did would earn his father trust and had found solace in it.

His father had not always been bitter toward his second son. John shared a special bound with Emerson from a young age, spoiled him more than his other sons, took him to games and showered him with love. John had been Emerson’s best friend, but it all took a turn when Emerson turned twelve and a boy had put his lips on Emerson at a school event.

John had been livid that his son didn’t push the other boy away but had rather return the gesture.

Emerson did not remember much of what happened after that but had found himself at home crying while his father scream at him about how what had transpired was wrong and dirty.

The days that followed had been the same, smiles turning into sneers, getting shunned and looked down on by his father, Every little thing he did seem to be wrong. His friends had been filtered through and Emerson wasn’t allowed to bring any one home with the exception of Mason and female friends.

Emerson stood at 6.2 ft tall, thick and lustrous midnight hair framed his face, his eyes were the combination of brown, green and gold tones that had a captivating aura, thick dark brows added to his rounded face. Emerson was built was as a giant.

The atmosphere was electric with the stadium packed with fans cheering on their respective teams. The energy on the field was palpable as the players were fully focused on the task at hand and determine to give their best for their various teams.

As the game began Emerson felt adrenaline pumping through his veins he was fully immersed in the moment with every sense heightened as he took in the sound, sight and smell of the game. The crunching of tackles, the thud of the ball hitting the ground and the roar of the crowd all added to the intensity of the experience.

This was Emerson’s domain.

The game was brought to an end with the final blow of the whistle, cheeks erupted through the stadium. Emerson’s team had won. While other players hugged and congratulated each other, Mason walked over to Emerson and gave him a pat on his shoulder.

“Good job today.”

“Yeah.” Emerson nodded “I could say the same for you, nice catch by the way.”

Mason had been the one to earn their wining point with a touch down.

“For a second there, I thought you were gonna go down with the ball.” Two members of the opposite team were closing in on Emerson, he knew he could not avoid the tackle so he did what he knew best and delivered a nice throw to Mason.

Emerson chuckled “Yeah?”

“Yeah, when that guy tackled you I was sure it was game over, I wasn’t expecting that at all.”

“You’re gonna be at the party at Jeremy right?” Mason asked taking off his helmet as they saunter towards the locker rooms.

Emerson grimace “Maso—”

“Please, Please, please…you need be there, besides you’re my ride.”

Emerson sigh.

“And why would I give you a ride?”

“Cause am your best friend and you love me.” Mason said, blinking seductively up at Emerson.

“Those...” Emerson said gesturing in a circular manner around Mason’s face. “Are not working.”

“Oh come on, they work on everyone.”

“Well, I guess am excluded.”

As they walked passed the bleachers Mason spotted Emma and directed Emerson gaze on her direction.

“Plan on asking her out any time soon?” Mason asked getting a negative respond from Emerson.

“Seriously, I thought we have been through this.”

“So you’re telling me, little Emerson there.” Mason pointed down at Emerson’s groin. “Don’t wanna do the do with pretty Emma over there.” Mason stated, not taking notice that Emma’s group saw the lewd hand gesture he made.

“Mason!” Emerson bristled, shoving his friend hand away. “Stop it…Do you only ever think about sex?”

“Of course, am a horny teenager…beside she came to watch you play.” He answered swinging his arm across Emerson neck pulling him down to his height.

Emerson rolled his eyes. “Half the school is here, M.”

“So…? Same shit. You think she gonna be at the party?”

“I don’t know… why?”

“You’re gonna ask her?”

“No!...give it a rest.” Emerson sighed.

“If you don’t ask her, I will.”

“Maso—"

A smirk formed on Mason’s lips, he raised his hand facing Emma’s group. “Hey!” He called.

Emerson groaned loudly.

“Emma… right?” He asked jogging over to the bleachers. Emerson watched petrified as Mason pointed at him while talking to Emma.

Felling eyes on him, Emerson soon spotted William with a much smaller guy standing along with Emma.

William stared at Emerson and Emerson noticed this wasn’t like the other times they had meet and held gaze, this was more intense, raw even, the look in William’s eyes unsettled Emerson to the core.

Unable to keep up with the intensity of William stare, Emerson turned around and quicken his pace, practically running.

He could make out Mason calling for him in the distance but paid no mind as he practically ran off the field to the lockers room.