Page 138 of Men in Shorts

It wasn’t completely a joke. Nothing had ever scared Colin like the sight of Andrew’s pale, clammy face at Wednesday night’s party.

He returned his attention to the touchline, where Warriors left back Katie Heath was preparing the throw-in, lifting the ball behind her head and scanning her options. She had a notoriously powerful throw, and the wind was behind her, so Colin drew back, hoping to turn her pass into an instant shot.

Instead Katie hurled it even farther, to where Evan was waiting just outside the penalty area. He chested it down, then dragged it away from the defender using his right instep, pivoting on his left leg to get free.

Colin moved into the box, calling for a pass. His own shooting angle wasn’t ideal, but he hoped to draw the other center-back toward him, thus giving Evan a clearer shot.

The plan worked. The defender was on Colin in an instant, leaving his keeper the only obstacle between Evan and the goal.

There came a loud, leathery thump, followed by a pale blur as the ball streaked past Colin into the net’s near corner.

“YAAASSS!” With a surge of joy nearly as electric as when he scored himself, Colin darted up behind Evan as the midfielder jogged toward the touchline to celebrate. He grabbed Evan’s shoulders and leaped onto his back, curling an arm around his neck to latch on.

Evan stopped short, his body a tense coil.

Colin let go instantly. “Sorry, mate.” He stepped back, a weird instinct telling him he’d nearly provoked a violent reaction.

Evan gave a brisk, almost spastic shake of the head. “No bother.” Then he turned to wave to the cheering crowd as a whooping Katie and Duncan swarmed him from either side, which didn’t seem to freak him out like being tackled from behind.

As they headed back for the kickoff, Evan patted Colin’s shoulder. “Great work. In my mind you get the unofficial assist, and not just for drawing that defender away. You won us the throw-in to begin with.”

Colin shrugged, though inside he was beaming. “I was trying to get past that fullback, but he was too fast.”

“His pace is blinding. But rather than try and force your will on the game, you did what you could to give us a chance to score.”

Colin wrinkled his nose at Evan’s impromptu lecture. “Okay, but this doesnae mean I’m growing up.”

Ahead of them, the referee blew his whistle, looking toward the benches. Colin turned to see Shona removing her bright yellow pinny, ready to come on as a substitute. The fourth official raised the board showing Shona’s number next to Colin’s.

“That’s me done.” Colin glanced at the game clock. He’d lasted nearly seventy minutes.Not bad.It was odd not to feel disappointed at leaving the game early. Normally he’d be obsessing over what he could’ve done with more time.

As Colin approached the bench, Charlotte and the substitutes surrounded him with hugs and back slaps. He sat down with a groan of relief and satisfaction, then hurried to put on his jacket to fend off the chill he’d barely felt out on the pitch.

Finally he turned to look up at Andrew in the stands. His boyfriend’s face was smooth and calm as he watched the match, but his hands were furiously twisting the belt of his long black coat.

Charlotte leaned down to whisper, “Away and sit with him before your neck freezes in that position.”

Colin stared at his manager. “The rules say I cannae do that unless I’m red-carded. You love rules.”

“I love rules enough to break them for a good cause.” She smacked his thigh with her clipboard. “On you go!”

In less than ten seconds Colin was standing beside a very surprised Andrew.

“What’s wrong?” Andrew scanned him as he slid over to make room.

“Nothing.” Colin took his hand and held it between his own to warm it. “You forget your gloves?”

“Yes. But I don’t need them now,” he said with a soft smile.

“Brilliant shift, mate,” John said as they sat down to watch the final twenty minutes. “Must feel good to play at home again.”

Colin nodded, thinking of the last time he’d played here, in mid-September. The space felt different now, and not just because the temperature was twenty degrees colder.

Andrew nestled against him. “Mmm, you positively reek,” he purred.

“Thanks.” He kissed Andrew’s forehead. “You’re not embarrassed I came up here to be with you?”

“I might have been before. I might’ve worried about looking pathetic.” He tugged his coat tighter around himself. “But now I know I need you more than I need my stupid pride.”

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