Jake was the last person in the locker room after a tough Wednesday practice towards the end of the season. As always, his role as team captain required that he stick around after practice to make sure no one wanted to chat, and to ensure that the locker room was clean and tidy. But on this particular evening, his teammates had cleared out without concern.
Jake was just about ready to leave the locker room himself. After showering, he toweled himself off and threw back on his street clothes: a pair of sneakers, no-show socks, fitted gray joggers, a tight athletic quarter-zip, and a baseball cap. Finding himself alone, he admired his fitness progress in the mirror. He looked like a real jock these days, but still felt as gay as ever.
Suddenly, Jake heard the locker room door squeak open. The sound surprised him, because none of the players had left anything behind and they wouldn't have a reason to come back to the locker room. Turning around, he saw not one of his own teammates, but a dude wearing football attire enter the soccer locker room. Standing about 6' tall, he had the quintessential build of a linebacker. He was thick and muscular, with a broad chest and huge arms. It looked as though he had just gotten out of practice, as he was wearing his tight football pants, a jersey, and pads on top. Jake was particularly drawn to his strong jaw, slight scruff, and the thick, trimmed black hair on his head. This guy was manly.
"You know this is the soccer locker room, right?" Jake called out from across the room, laughing slightly.
The football player looked slightly embarrassed but didn't turn around. Instead, he hustled towards Jake before stopping a few feet away. It was clear he was nervous.
"Yeah man, sorry for barging in here. I'm Devin," the guy started. "This is the soccer locker room, right? Are you the team captain?"
"Yeah, that's me. I'm Jake," he replied, nodding. "So what brings you here, right after practice?" Jake gave Devin a once over, noticing just how hot and sweaty he looked.
"Well, I actually wanted to talk to you, Jake." Devin stood with his feet close together while awkwardly grabbing his left elbow with his right hand. "It's kind of embarrassing though, and I know we've never talked before...but I didn't know who else to go to."
Jake was confused. Why would a random football player seek him out to specifically? Didn't he have his own team captain, a coach, or a friend to go to for whatever problem he was facing?
"Okay..." said Jake. "But why did you come to me?"
"So I heard some of the football guys talking last week about how well the soccer team has bonded this year. I didn't think much of it at first, but then I heard a rumor about you." Devin was clearly suggesting at Jake's promiscuity, but didn't know if it was true.
Jake beamed, not even trying to hide. "Well I don't usually talk to strangers about it, but whatever you heard is probably true. I've definitely had some fun with the guys on the team this year."
Devin looked relieved to have not offended Jake, but still anxious.
"So why are you bringing all this up?" Jake asked curiously.
"The truth is, I've been feeling a bit like an outcast on the football team this year because...well...I'm gay."
Jake immediately understood why Devin had come to him and gave him a big hug. Devin hugged him back, albeit a little awkwardly over his football pads. Jake could feel his clean clothes becoming a little wet with Devin's post-workout sweat, but he didn't mind. It was worth it to support a closeted gay athlete.
Finally, Devin pulled back and smiled, looking relieved.
"It makes sense that you came to me, I guess. I'm definitely the most out athlete at this school," Jake said with a laugh. "Are you nervous to tell the other guys on the football team or something?"
Devin nodded. "Yeah man. It's not that I think they'd bully me or anything, but it feels like a big deal to tell them. What about showering?"
"I think you might be surprised at how cool they'll be about it," Jake replied reassuringly. "No one on the soccer team cared at all when I came out. Give them a chance."
"Yeah, I'm sure you're right. It's just tough when you've hardly told anyone, let alone even hooked up with a guy before."
"Oh shit, dude! What are you waiting for?" Jake wanted to kid with Devin a bit to keep his spirits up, but definitely didn't want to offend him. "You're a great looking guy. All you need to do is just put yourself out there."
Devin smiled, seeming almost immediately more self-confident. "I guess you're right. Plus, there are a lot of horny guys at this school," he said with a small laugh.
