Tim finished buttoning his shirt and glanced at himself in the bathroom mirror. He ran a comb through his dark brown hair and walked back into his bedroom. He picked up his wallet and stuffed it in the back pocket of his jeans. He surveyed the room, and decided he was ready. Rick would be there at any moment to pick him up, and he wanted to be ready.
Rick and Tim had been friends since high school, and had always been there for each other. When Rick suggested going to this picnic, Tim at first had second thoughts. But now that the day was here, he was glad he had decided to go. It was going to be a great day. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and a day spent at the park playing a few games of basketball would be great.
A knock sounded at the door, and Tim yelled out that it was open. Rick walked in with a smile across his ruggedly handsome face, his blonde hair slightly tousled. Even though the T-shirt and shorts he wore were a bit baggy, they somehow managed to show off his almost perfect physique. Tim knew that Rick got a lot of appreciative looks from women, and more than a few from other men. Tim looked down at his own slight paunch and made a decision to get himself to the gym right after work on Monday.
"Hey, you ready to go?" Rick asked. "We're already running late, you know."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Let me grab the chips. You're driving, right?"
"Sure, I'm cool with that. Let's just go!"
Grabbing a bag of chips and his keys, Tim walked out behind Rick and locked the door. As they drove to the park in Rick's truck, the conversation flowed over many topics, and soon they were pulling into the park. After winding around the narrow lanes, they finally found Rick's friend and parked the truck. Walking up, Rick introduced Tim to the various people milling around talking and snacking on food. Rick stopped in front of a tall brunette and gave her a smile and a hug.
"Rebecca, I want you meet one of my closest friends. Tim, this is Rebecca, our hostess. Rebecca, this is Tim."
Tim shuffled up to Rebecca, a little shy in the presence of this gorgeous woman.
"Tim! I'm so glad you could make it! Rick has told me a lot about you, and I was looking forward to meeting you."
"Thank you, Rebecca," Tim managed awkwardly, "I'm glad to be here. And I hope this doofus only told you the good things!"
The brunette laughed easily at Tim's clumsy joke, and gracefully pushed her hair behind her ear.
"Well, I've only heard Rick say good things about you, Tim. But hey, there's plenty of food, so eat up! And I think the guys are getting a basketball game together, if you are interested."
Just then a cute blonde walked up to Rebecca with a question about where there was more Diet Coke, and Tim turned to Rick.
"I'm going to get something to drink, you want anything?"
"Sure, grab me a beer, will you? I'll get us hooked up with the basketball game."
Tim walked over to a cooler and pulled out two icy bottles, then joined Rick at the basketball court. The game was fast-paced and very competitive – just the way Tim liked it. Several times he bumped against Rick, and felt Rick's hands on his shoulders and back but chalked it up to how the game is played.
"Food's on!" Rebecca yelled to the guys playing basketball, and suddenly both Tim and Rick realized just how hungry they were.
Rick and Tim filled their plates more than once. Both men lost track of how many hot dogs they had eaten, and every time they tried a new dish, they had to go back for more. Eventually, neither of them could eat another bite, and they rolled on the grass under a huge tree. Feeling bloated and stuffed, Rick spoke to Tim while looking up at the leaves.
"Hey, how about we go for a walk, see if we can work off some of this food? What do ya say, Tim?"
Tim was happy where he was, but admitted to himself that going for a walk would make him feel more comfortable.
"Yeah, sure. Let's go. I saw where there were a few hiking trails that looked cool."
It didn't take long before Rick and Tim found a trail that was surrounded by trees, getting them out of the midday sun. As they walked, Tim became aware of Rick touching his arm, his shoulder, his back. A small voice screamed in protest, yet Tim had to admit a rush of excitement filled him. He told himself he had to be misunderstanding, and kept walking.
"Hey, why not rest over there," Rick asked, "I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little tired. Must be all that food!"
