"Hey, Jeff, where ya been?" Joe asked as Jeff hurried across the street. He glanced at his watch.
"Sorry, Joe, can't talk now, or I'll be late," Jeff answered as he scurried toward his rendezvous with Noah.
"Late for what? You don't do sports," Joe protested.
"It's for Noah. I'll explain later."
"Okay, but don't be a stranger, Jeff!" Joe called out as Jeff picked up his pace.
Noah was standing there naked and glaring at Jeff, when he arrived.
He growled, "You're late."
"Hey, I've got a whole minute to spare," Jeff protested. He had made a habit of being early, and in Noah's
mind that had become the new "on time."
"Whatever, I've got a big match, so get out of your stuff quick," he ordered.
Noah ran with Jeff under his clothing. He had time before the match, but he wanted to get there early. It
was important to him. He was sweating like a pig when he got to the gym. He quickly stripped down to his
singlet. He was so focused on the upcoming match with Henrique Perez that he completely tuned out Jeff's
thoughts. It was like he was just wearing a singlet not his buddy.
Henrique was nationally ranked and until last month was in a higher weight class. His father had married
Noah's mom, so they were step brothers. Henrique was everything Jeff was not. He picked on smaller Noah,
which was why Noah had gone to live with his father. Noah's mom seemed happy to abandon Noah for Henrique.
She was devoted to his father. Henrique had lost nearly 20lbs to get into the lower weight class just so he
could beat Noah.
The first round, Henrique won handily. Before the second bout began, Noah's father showed up talking on his
cell phone. Jeff's mind was shouting at Noah, and it finally registered. Jeff was saying, "Noah, Henrique's
opening is his left shoulder - go for it!" Noah surprised Henrique by lunging for his left shoulder and
pinned him. He won. But when he looked up, he saw his father had his back to the match and was focused on his
phone call.
"Tell, ya what, No-way," Henrique whispered as he brushed against his step brother, "I'll bet you my singlet
against yours on the third and deciding bout. I'm going to win this match, and go home with your singlet as my
new cum rag."
"Oh, yeah? You're on," growled Noah betting his friend without a second thought.
No! thought Jeff.
Huh, oh, yeah, sorry about that Jeff. Henrique just makes me so mad. Don't worry, I won't lose you. I'm going
to beat that S O B.
Jeff hoped so. The ref ordered them into the ring. The match would be decided this bout. Noah hoped his
father was watching, but he didn't dare look in case he wasn't. Henrique grinned evilly and hissed, "Sucker's
bet. I let you win the last round."
"Yeah, right. You're not going to psyche me out," Noah replied. But Jeff could hear the doubt creeping into
Noah's thoughts. He needed to get Noah focused again.
You can do it, Noah! He's a wind bag. He'd never let you beat him on purpose ever! You beat him last time.
You'll beat him this time and you'll take home his singlet.