As I walk in most of the team seems to be there, along with two girls. What?
Their heads snap in my direction as it seems my arrival interrupted a heated conversation between Collin and them. Interesting, I think I'm about to become the new topic of conversation. They share a look with each other and drag Collin into the kitchen I'm guessing.
***************
Collins pov (before Ian gets there)
Friday's are my favorite, not just because of the weekend, but because team bonding. I really enjoy hanging out with the guys off the field because even though we all met through soccer were still just as close outside of soccer. I'll admit it's hard to balance friendliness and responsibility as team captain because you can really like the guys but you still have to make some tough calls. This year has definitely been better though. There was finally just this understanding between us all. Everyone realized how it was easier to share the responsibility as a team and not just rely on a few guys to carry all of the weight on their shoulders. Now the team not only functions better but moral is up as well. Everyone's less hard on each other and practices are more fun. We couldn't let the newbie start of easy though. It took awhile to get where we are today, it wasn't easy for any of us, and it just wouldn't be fair for blondie to miss out. I don't want someone who thinks they can just switch over without any adjustments. If he's willing to put in the work I'll be willing to help him with adjusting.
Another thing I like about team bonding is getting to see my girls. No I'm not a tool with two girlfriends, I'm a tool with two girl friends. I don't get to see either of them throughout the school day and lunchtime and briefly before practice just isn't enough. Breanna and Olivia have been my best friends since kindergarten and have been with me through it all. How could a guy be longtime friends with two beautiful girls and never have dated either of them? Well they've always been the annoyingly lovable sisters I've never had (so I would never think of them that way) and haHA I'm gay. I had some difficulties with certain friendships after I came out but my relationship with them only grew stronger. After so many of my so called "friends" decided they didn't want to be friends with the gay guy it helped me realize how lucky I was to have two true friends vs. tons of fake friendships. Quality not quantity. And Breanna and Olivia are still stuck with me! Because they are our biggest fans and cheer us on at almost every single game the rest of the guys on the team are super close with them too. That's why they're at team bonding, they're practically part of the team anyways.
I'm hesitant about having Ian at team bonding. Everyone else knows him well except for Olivia Breanna and I. They have no classes with him and I sit with my girls at lunch and usually meet up with the guys towards the end of lunch, however, I've avoided their table recently because of Blondie. I should probably start going there again, but that can wait until Monday. I have classes with Ian but we don't really talk. I think that he thinks I hate him, so hopefully after today things will get more comfortable.
Teammates start arriving but Breanna and Olivia came home with me straight after school to help set up a few things so we're sitting on the couch as Cameron and Luke come in through the garage.
"Hey can you go get some pizza from Bizzaros?" I yell right as they walk in.
"What we just got here?!"
"Yeah and you're the first guys here and I have to stay because it's my house " I tell them
"Why can't Breanna and Olivia do it?"
"Because apparently they want to interrogate me about something" the girls nod eagerly and kick Cameron and Luke out. On our way home they said they wanted to ask me about Ian, but I don't have to give the guys that much detail.
"So are you going to ask me questions before or after the next person arrives, because people are definitely on their way." They ignore my slight sarcasm and sit down again.
"What does he look like?!" They ask in unison, which is always frightening
"You haven't seen him yet?" I'm surprised because these two are like freaky little spies and always have an eye open for cute guys.
"You think he's cute??"
"Wait what? Did I say that out loud?"
"Yes you just said that out loud" Olivia says
"Now um ANSWER!!!" Breanna starts bouncing up and down and both girls get all excited and move closer
"I think he thinks I hate him, he might even hate me." I say thinking back to the practices.
"Why would he hate you?" Olivia asks
"Yeah what did you do?" Breanna adds
"I mean I made him run a lot and when I'm not telling him what to do I'm avoiding him."
"Of all punishments you chose running? Running is awful!" Olivia laughs
"Are you purposefully working on his endurance? You sneaky bastard, if you wanted a fit bedmate I know this really athletic guy at the gym he just keeps going an--" I cut her off before she can say anymore
"BREANNA" Olivia and I say in unison this time but Olivia bursts out laughing and I just sit their with my mouth hanging open.
"What?! I've heard he's an attractive guy, and I think the only conflict between the two of you is pure sexual tension, which can be easily relieved if you just g----" I cut her off again
"Nope, no, nope not happening, absolutely not! This guy thinks I'm a dick and it's probably best it just stays that way at this point."
"No way! You are going to be nice to him and see where it gets you." Olivia says
"You can only keep up the "Captain Dick" act for so long Collin don't you want to have fun at practices?"
"Yeah Collin I don't think pretending to be mean is going to help out in the long run, the other guys are nice to him and it sounds like he's doing great." Olivia adds
"Okay alright I'll try to be nicer, but if he even tries slacking off!"
"Yeah okay Collin"
************
Most of the team has arrived and Cameron and Luke brought back the pizza
"Why couldn't we have gotten it delivered?" Cameron asks
"Because it's cheaper this way, and I know how much you love the cashier."
"Okay she gave me her number one time! I'm sure she does it to all of her customers! I admire the fact that such an old lady is still trying to get in the game!"
"Dude she's ancient"
"Cheese gets better with age right?"
I return to my spot on the couch next to the girls who where talking with Nevins but ended the conversation as they saw me approaching. Nevins walked away to go get some pizza.
"What was that about?"
"We where just asking him about Ian"
"Great now he probably thinks you're interested."
"What? Afraid of competition?" Breanna laughs
"No worries, Collin we know you called dibs" Olivia smiled
"What?! I never did that I'm not even attracte---"
The door opens and in comes Abe followed by Ian
The girls quickly look to see what's drawn my attention.
It only takes a couple seconds for them to telepathically communicate to each other and drag (kidnap really) me into the kitchen.
They turn to everyone else munching on pizza and manage to swiftly make them all leave. Impressive.
"What were you saying about not being attracted to him? He is the definition of attractive! I've never seen a more satisfying human being in my entire life" Breanna whisper-screams.
"Honestly I might die right now. That was an angel right? The one that's taking me to heaven because I am DEAD"
"Imagine the amount of girls he's had to turn down" says Olivia
"Imagine the heartbreak of so many girls!"
"What are you guys talking about?" I ask genuinely confused
"Well he's gay isn't he?" Olivia says
"What? No he's not gay, well j haven't exactly asked but No there's no way-"
"To know until you've tried" Breanna winks.
"Why do you guys think he's gay?"
"Well I was definitely right about the sexual tension" Breanna says
"And did you see the way he looked at you?! And how he looked at us?" Olivia asked
"Did I see jealousy in his eyes or was that just his burning passion for Collin"
"You guys are ridiculous"
"I know what we have to do"
"Agreed"
"Collin," Olivia says "send him in."
*****************
After several minutes of arguing I decided it would be best to emerge from the kitchen and be a good host, Breanna and Olivia stay behind.
I walked out and everyone was doing their own thing so I approached Abe and Ian.
I usually avert my gaze from Ian and ignore him but now I just can't stop looking. The girls were right, he really is gorgeous. I've noticed it before but only from a distance, and if I was close I was yelling at him about something, which unfortunately kept me from seeing the whole picture (more like masterpiece but whatever). From afar he's attractive for sure, but up close? Perfection.
"Uh hi Collin?" Abe clears his throat.
Did I actually just publicly check out Ian? I front of not one, but two people?! Oh dear.
"Ah yes hi, everyone else has already had some pizza but you might want to get some while it's hot"
This is unbelievable I am blushing?! And of course my idiot brain just had to emphasize the word hot as I redirected my attention to Ian. Of course.
"I'm good for now, big lunch" Abe said
I looked to Ian
"I think I'll go get some...thanks Collin" the confusion was evident in his voice. Why is Collin acting like a regular human being???
Ian entered the kitchen and my attention turned back to Abe.
"I can't believe it" Abe laughs
"What?" I ask
"You practically eye raped him for ten minutes! Good thing I stepped in when I did! If it lasted any longer someone would've definitely creamed their pants."
