Love At Last (An Edelmandola Fanfiction)

Chapter Seven

I am so sorry that this took so long. I promise that I will update a lot more after hell (school) is done. I really hope that you guys like this chapter. I really enjoyed writing it ^.^ It's relatively hard for me to write this kind of stuff, (toward end of chapter) so I really hope you enjoy it! Thank you all for being so patient. I appreciate it!

Julian's PoV

The next couple weeks of the season were tough. They were the ones leading up to the playoffs and we were a game behind Denver for the number 1 seed. We played them in week 17 for our last game. With them having a record of 14-1, it was imperative that we beat them and win the tie-breaker with a record of 14-2 at the end of the season. The only two losses came at the beginning of the season during week one and two. They were against San Diego and Atlanta. They were the two top teams all throughout the season, but the Chargers dropped right at the end, leaving way for us and Denver. We all know how much New England hates whatever team Peyton Manning is playing for. Peyton is always just so cocky when it comes to the pre-game stuff, warm ups; just everything about that man was horrible.
I had overheard a conversation between Tom and Peyton when we were out on the field before the game.
"Hey Peyton."
"Brady." Peyton had spoken with his usual monotonous tone.
"Good luck today."
"It should be a good game if you keep your end of the challenge up."
"My end? You're the one that needs to keep up, old man," Tom remarked, even though he was only a year younger. Rob got up from doing stretches and put a hand on Tom's shoulder.
"It's not worth it man."
"Yeah Tom. Listen to your boy-toy and get on with your day."
Tom was angry now. "What the hell did you just say?"
Rob gave Peyton a death stare while pulling a seething Tom Brady away from his potential celebrity deathmatch opponent. I'm pretty sure Peyton didn't know about Tom and Rob's relationship, but if he did, then I'm sure that he would have thrown that in Tom's face too.
As they walked back towards the bench, Tom spoke, gritting through his teeth.
"Oh man. I really want to punch him now."
"It's fine. Just take it out during the game. Throw me a touchdown and I'll walk over to him and give him the ball. A gift from you to me, to him." Rob said this through a smirk on his face.
"Ha, yeah. I wonder what he'd say."
"He'll probably be like, 'Get that fuckin' thing away from me you douchebag,' I'll just shrug my shoulders and say, 'your loss man.'" He did an absolutely fantastic voice impression of a douchebaggy Peyton Manning. It made Tom laugh. Rob always had a gift for those kinds of things, making people laugh.
They eventually walked out from within an earshot and I was left to stretch with only a couple players left on the field. I looked around to my left and found a couple cornerbacks, including Revis and Browner. I twisted my body to the right and found Chandler and Vince also doing stretches. God. I had learned so much from Vince over the years. We may have spent them on the opposite sides of the field, but his leadership in the locker room was unsurpassed. It was such a shame that he was going to be a free agent this year. Knowing the Patriots and how they work, it's most likely that he won't be coming back either. It's going to be sad seeing him go, and even worse, seeing him in another team's jersey. He could retire, I suppose, but I think that he'll want to keep playing to be perfectly honest.
"Good for him," I say under my breath so that no one hears me. Goodbyes are never fun. This I know all too well to be true. I remember, all too well, the day the Junior died. He was such a great player and even a better teammate. I only played with him for a short year, but even in that time, he made a great impression on me. What drove him to the point of leaving us all is beyond our comprehension. Money doesn't always make us happy. That's why I am willing to stay in New England. It's because I love my teammates and I also don't want to be known for being that player who only does it for the money.
The game eventually started and they got the ball first. Fortunately, Devin caught the ball for an interception and cashed it in for a touchdown. After that, we weren't on the field until there was only 6 minutes left in the 1st quarter. We fumbled it on our first play of the second drive. In all that time, Manning and the Mile High Offense amounted two touchdowns run in by C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. We all got to halftime without any differences until an eventual and inevitable fallout. During the halftime break, Tom kept his distance from Peyton, but that didn't keep Peyton from approaching Tom. I once again was within earshot of the conversation, focusing on it instead of replays.
"Wha'd I tell ya! We're up boy!" Peyton said in a playful, but very sarcastic, voice.
"First, don't ever address me as 'boy' again, Manning. Second, leave me the hell alone and shut the fuck up. I don't have time for your bullshit."
"Oh it's all fun and games, Tommy."
"I said shut the fuck up Peyton. What part of that didn't you hear?"
"You're an ass, Tom."
"You know what Peyton? I'm done with your shit. You come in here, to our house, thinking that this is going to be the easiest game of the year. Well you know what? We will beat your sorry-ass and get the number one seed. You can count on that, douchebag."
"May I remind you who is winning right now?" Peyton had a smile on his face now and I could tell Tom was pissed.
"The only score that matters is the one in the end. You should know that by now."
"Whose team has the better record? That's right crybaby. Mine. We are going to win today and there's nothing you can do about it. We are going to get the number one seed and you guys will be the sorry-asses coming to Denver, assuming you even get that far."
"I'll whip your ass if I ever see you out in public alone."
"Why don't you just do it now since you're so confident you can?"
Tom just about lunged at Peyton. I quickly sprang off the bench and went to calm Tom down and save him from being ejected. "Man. It ain't worth it. Don't listen to him."
"Aww. Well if it isn't shortstuff."
"Fuck off, Peyton."
"What are you going to do? Fight me?"
"I'm too good for that. Now go away before I send Chandler on your slow, sorry ass."
"What's he gonna do? Flick me?"
"Chan 95!" I yelled over to him. He was watching game film, kind of like what I should be doing.
"Wha'd up Minitro..." He trailed off of his sentence when he saw Peyton. He then stood up straight and looked him in the eye. He was just as tall as Peyton, but he also had about 40 pounds on him. Being a DB, he also could run twice as fast. "What do you want?" He gave him the "ultimate bitchface" only he could do.
"Just talking to your wimpy QB about how he's gonna lose today." He didn't have the slightest quiver in his voice what-so-ever. Chandler stepped another foot closer now and said with an annoyed tone in his voice.
"Get the fuck back to your own sideline. I would watch your neck out there on the field. It would be a real shame if it were to re-injure itself." He gave Peyton a smile and then crossed his arms, smile disappearing. Peyton also gave Chandler a smile, but on the way back to his side of the field, he spat on ours.
"Don't worry," he said, turning to Tom and uncrossing his arms. "He'll be the one going home with an L today. I'll make sure of it, even if it's the last thing I do." He then walked away and went back to watching game film, even more engaged than before. I could obviously see that Tom was more shaken up now, but there was also this fire inside him that told me that he wasn't going to give up. He wasn't going to lose. Not now, not today, not ever, to Peyton.
He was going to be alright.
Third quarter and most of fourth was a complete disaster. They scored two touchdowns. We only managed a field goal. The score was now 10-28. I could almost hear the laughter from the other side of the field. With 5 minutes left to go, we all drove down the field, capped by a touchdown catch by Danny. I ran over to him and gave him a great big hug. I knew not to get too personal, though, because we still were on the field.
I looked straight into his eyes and smiled. "We've got a game to win Amenbrola!" I yelled.
"Damn straight!" He yelled right back at me.
It was up to the defense now. When it mattered most, with 3 minutes left to go, Kyle Arrington came up with a big interception and got it down to the 6-yard line. Tom gave it to Legarrette and he punched it in.
"Fourteen down and another 4 to go!" I heard A-Dob yell when I got back to the sideline. He may have been injured, but that wasn't going to stop him from encouraging the team. 45 seconds left on the clock. They had gone three and out and we got the ball back. Despite being on our own 13-yard line to begin because of my mistakes on the punt return, Tom led us down to the 8-yard line in 35 seconds. Only 10 seconds remain. Nine. Eight. Seven. We had one snap and Tom had the ball. Scanning left. Scanning right. I was covered by Quentin Jammer. I faked a route around him and became completely open. Tom threw the ball to me and I caught it with about an inch of space left for me to put me feet down without leaving the end zone. It had to be reviewed, but it was good. Screams roared up from the benches on our sideline. They cleared and everyone ran up to me, patting me on the back and lifting me into the air. I looked all around for Danny, but I couldn't find him. There were massive crowds of people flooding on to the field, and it was impossible to even see anything beyond a couple rows. The first person who got to me was Sugar Shane.
"MINITRON YOU ARE THE MAN! THE MAN!" All I could hear was solid yelling. Next was Tom.
"THAT WAS UNBELIEVEABLE!"
"YOU HAD AN AMAZING THROW MAN!"
"NO IT WAS ALL YOU! GUESS WHAT!"
"WHAT?!"
"WHERE IS THAT MANNING BITCH NOW?" I couldn't help but smile. Then it was Chandler, who had ran over towards me at full speed.
"AYEEE MAN THIS IS SO UNREAL!"
"I KNOW! CAN EVEN BELIEVE I CAUGHT IT!"
"YOU ARE DOPE MAN!"
"TAKE THAT! FUCK YOU MANNING!" We both just smiled. Then, there he was. All the noise and people just seemed to disappear. I ran up to him and gave him a big hug. Tears started running down my face.
"I'm sorry I wasn't the first one over here after your touchdown. I heard about the whole thing with Peyton earlier and I just had to go and see his reaction."
"Was it worth it?"
"Oh hell yes." I then grabbed him and gave him a hug. I didn't let him go for a good 3 minutes.
After that, I let him go and eventually walked back to the locker rooms to get changed and leave. There was was a huge celebration when we finally got back. Champaign was being splashed everywhere and the floor was a gigantic slip and slide for everyone. Island was on the floor along with Fonzie, BFell, Stevan (who was injured), Jimmy, Jamie and of course, Gronk. I was jumping up and down, hugging each of the guys as I made my way across the room to where Coach was waiting. He patted me on the back and handed over our AFC Championship trophy. I raised it up and everyone started cheering again. I made look over towards Island. He got up off the floor and started walking towards me, watching his step with each one he took. I then handed him the trophy and said, "This is for you. Must finally be nice to actually hold your own. We couldn't have it without your help. You mean so much to everyone on this team and I'm glad you are finally on the winning side of the rivalry." He then raised it up and once again, everyone cheered.
The party finally started to die down and people started heading for home. We got out of the stadium a little after dark. It was a quiet ride back because of the exhausting day. Danny's head was on my shoulder almost the entire ride back to my house. He sat in the passenger seat looking out the window, watching the scenery flash by with each second, only stopping at red lights and stop signs. He was content and pretty worn out from the game today. I almost felt the need to just keep driving and not stop until we ran out of gas, but I decided against it and drove home. When we got there, I turned off the car and just sat there, watching Danny. He wasn't asleep, but he did have his eyes shut. God I loved this man so much. I kissed him on the top of his head, making him look up at me. I smiled.
"Hey."
"Hey." He smiled back at me.
"Ready to go in?"
"Do I still get to have your shoulder?"
"Of course."
"Can I have more than that?" I could feel my face turn a slight red.
"I'll think about it." I smiled at him. "But first let's get inside."
We then both got out of the car and headed towards the steps. I grabbed his hand and we both walked up and to the door. We proceeded inside and up the stairs to my bedroom. We both walked in and I closed the door behind me. As soon as I turned around, I felt a forceful shove on my shoulders. I was pinned against the wall now. My heart was racing as he put his soft, warm lips on mine. I pushed back, grabbing his hair with my hands and pulled. He thrusted his hips into mine, shoving me back into the wall. He pulled his lips away from mine and said, "Have you thought it over yet?"
''As a matter of fact I have."
"And?" I paused for a moment, smiling all the while.
"Hell yes." I then shoved him off of me and onto the bed. He laid there, not getting up while I walked over to the edge of the bed where I had shoved him. I got up on the bed and straddled him, sitting on his thighs. I started with his sides, moving my hands up them and under his shirt. His skin was so soft and his stomach so muscular. I eventually slid his t-shirt up and off his body. I lowered my body down and began kissing him long and slow, moving my hands along his neck with every second that passed. His hands gripped my back, tugging at my shirt. I then fully laid down on him, our bodies pressed up against each other. Danny flipped us both over and then began to straddle me like I did him, but he didn't go for my shirt first. He put his hands on my stomach and started working his way down. Finding my belt buckle in the dark, he began to undo it. He began to pull it out from each loophole. It was pitch black so I could not see his face, but his hands had enough expression in themselves that I did not need to. He now moved his hands to the button and zipper on my jeans. I layed there, balling the blanket that was on the bed into my hands. His touch was so delicate, but also demanding and strong. He has them both undone now, pulling them down without hurry. Before he could get them below my hips, I pulled on his shoulders and made him come down to me. I wrapped my arms around him as he pressed his lips against mine. I wanted to feel and touch every inch of his body. I wanted to know everything by heart, not misplacing a thing. The room was getting hotter and hotter by the second and there was absolutely nothing I was going to do about it. I was completely focused on Danny; his body, the way he moves, his heartbeat, everything he does is just incredible. There is nothing more interesting than him. He is still on top of me, but now is back up and sitting on my thighs. He is pulling my shirt off up and over my head. I now sit up, still holding onto him. I sit on his lap, feeling the skin to skin contact on our bare chests. Reaching around him, I place my hands on his lower back. I then work my way up as he continues to kiss me. His arms are around my neck, fingers interlaced. I bit his lower lip and he grabbed my butt and slip his hands into my jean pockets. I lost my balance and fell back onto the bed. Danny then began to resume what he had been doing earlier. He started pulling my pants down again got them to my knees. I kicked them the rest of the way off and on onto onto the floor. Now, only in my boxers, I reached for his pants and started undoing them. I tore them off of him because my heart was racing and I could not hold on any longer.
There we were, both vulnerable and completely open. I got under the covers and pulled him with me. Hearts now beating faster and faster, I got to feel him. He was so muscular and big; perfect from head to toe. I got to steal so many kisses it should have been a crime.
By the end of the night, which came out to be around 3am, we were exhausted and just laid there. It was a really nice feeling, taking a break. I looked at the clock one last time before I fell asleep; it was 4:12am. I lay with my head on his chest, just listening to him breathe in and out, almost on queue. He lay with his hand on my head, stroking my hair. Absolutely nothing was planned for tomorrow and that was exactly how I wanted it to be.