Kicking it with the tigh.., p.1
Kicking it with the Tight End: Sports Collection, page 1
Kicking It
With The Tight End
Fox Academy
By
Faolan Kurayami
Fluffy Fox Publishing
Kicking It With The Tight End
Sports Collection (Fox Academy)
Copyright © 2023 Faolan Kurayami
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or actual persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author, or a mention. The use of any real person, company and/or product names is for literary effect only. All trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Cover Art © Stellar Graphics 2023
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced in any for or by any electronics or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in book reviews.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter One
“So let me get this straight,” Alec started, turning to stare at Helios incredulously. “The Bosses think you’re too big of a stick in the mud so they want to soften your image?” He ran a quick eye over his half-dressed teammate. Helios was over six foot six if he was an inch of pure muscle. He gave as good as he got on the field, but the Owner of the Fiery Foxes wanted a more welcoming presence off the field. And while Helios was drop-dead gorgeous, he did not look welcoming with his hard eyes and unyielding mouth. “Yeah, I can see that.”
Several of their teammates snorted.
“Okay guys, don’t give him a hard time. We need our tight end on point in practice.” Scott, the team’s center, admonished from his locker, pulling off his street clothes. “Hell of a thing to pull you aside for before a practice.”
“It is what it is,” Helios replied. He tugged his jersey into place before turning toward his teammates, tucking a thin silver chain under the collar of his jersey. “I’m not going to stress over it.” His eyes locked on the clock above the locker room doors. “Time to hit the field.” Closing his locker with a bang, he started out of the room with his teammates.
“You know, if they realized they could get you to smile by having Levi around they’d hire him as your emotional support animal in a heartbeat,” Alec said just loud enough for Helios to hear him over the racket the others were making through the halls of the practice stadium.
Helios rolled his eyes, but even he noticed himself relaxing at just the mention of his best friend. “Levi knows me better than I know myself.” Was all he said before they entered the field, his eyes automatically looking for the smaller form of his best friend.
“Coach is chatting him up over by the water station.” Alec supplied quickly, knowing instantly who Helios was looking for. “I was surprised when I didn’t see him in the hall outside the locker room.”
Helios nodded only after he spotted the top of Levi’s head over Coach Shears’s shoulder, “He was running late. His Business management teacher was letting him take his exam early so Levi could come to the Vegas game with us.”
“Seriously?” Kent asked in shock from where he’d been walking quietly by Alec. He was new to the team and not used to seeing Levi around. “My fiance tried getting exams early to make it to games, but her teachers won’t help her out. She sure as hell won’t be to practices if it’s really hot out either.”
Alec dropped a heavy hand on the newbie’s shoulder, “Levi works things out with his teachers the moment he finds out our schedule. If they aren’t willing to work with him, he swaps for another class that will. Levi and Helios here are a package deal. He has never missed a game. I don’t think he’s missed a practice before either.”
Helios snorted, “No he hasn’t.” He turned a dry but amused look toward Alec, “How else would he be able to accurately mock my mistakes if he doesn’t have first-hand data of how I performed?”
Alec choked out a laugh, “Damn, and knowing him that was a direct quote. He is such a sassy thing.” Alec frowned at the two men standing near Levi and the Coach, “Hey, Helios, those two don’t look like Security.”
Helios froze a moment and took in the two Officers standing close to where Levi and Coach Shears were. When the Coach shifted and he could see Levi, Helios all but ran to his best friend’s side. “What happened?” He demanded, ignoring the Officers as they stepped closer to gently touch the sling on Levi’s now casted arm.
When Levi looked up at him, Helios felt his insides freeze. Levi had a black eye, stitches in a gash over his eyebrow, and a busted lip. Helios turned his friend to fully face him and took in everything he could see without making him strip. His right arm was in a cast, and his left hand was lightly bandaged with two fingers splinted together. Bruises and scrapes were scattered up his arms, but the worst bruising was on his throat where it looked like someone tried to choke him. “I just saw you last night, what happened? Why didn’t you call me?”
Levi leaned into Helios’s hand, “One of my neighbors knocked on my door last night. They asked if I could help them with their car. When I got downstairs they took off and some guys attacked me. I didn’t see who they were. They busted my phone. They were trying to drag me into a car when some of the Fox Academy football players arrived at the apartment. They saw what was happening and came to help. They got me to the hospital. I didn’t have my phone and none of the College guys had it so it slipped their minds to call you.”
Helios pulled Levi into his arms, turning his attention to the Officers. “Y’all got him here?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. Since we didn’t know who attacked him or why, we kept guard on him while he was in the hospital. We were coming off shift when they released him, so we took him to the Fox Academy and waited for him until he was ready to come here.”
Helios turned to stare incredulously at Levi, “You got the shit beat out of you and you still went and took your test?”
Levi shrugged a shoulder from where he was held against Helios’s chest, “I haven’t missed a game yet. I won’t let some asshole keep me from seeing you kick ass on the field..”
Helios shook his head in mild amusement before addressing the Officers again. “Thank you, I’ll keep him with me. If you could keep me apprised of the investigation, please? I’ll be his point of contact until we get him a new phone.”
When Levi nodded to the Officer, he agreed. “Yes, sir. He is due for a bandage change soon. And he should probably get off that boot.”
As the Officers left, Helios leaned back to check for a boot. Swearing when he spotted the walking cast, Helios scooped Levi up and carried him over to the bench, ignoring his teammates for a moment. A padded seat appeared on the bench just as Helios lowered Levi down to sit down. He crouched down in front of Levi, taking his uncasted hand in his. “Talk to me, V. How are you feeling?”
Levi gave a weak smile, “I’m okay, Helios. Tired and sore but they filled my prescriptions at the hospital before we left.” Taking note of the whole team surrounding him, he tried to wave off their concern, “Come on y’all. I’m alright. Time for some practice.”
“He’s right.” Their Coach barked in reply coming to stand by Helios and Levi. Turning his attention to the pair, he offered, “Helios, if you want to take the day we understand.”
“He wants to stay for practice,” Levi answered for him, with a grumpy look directed at his friend and the Coach. “I’m alright. He’s going to practice like the Owners pay him to do. I am going to sit on my ass here and watch him practice so I can pick on him later if he has any mess ups.”
Helios huffed and rose to his feet. “Levi is stubborn. I guess I’ll be staying for practice.” He looked concerned at Levi, “At least for now.” Pressing a gentle kiss to Levi’s forehead before taking off toward the field.
“It’s a damn good thing today’s practice is only a half day.” Kyle gruffed from near the sidelines as Helios got near, “Levi is going to be hurting before too long.
Helios nodded at the Tackle. “He refuses to let me take him home.”
“Of course he does,” Alec’s voice sounded from his right, a heavy hand dropping on Helios’s shoulder. “He knows you need to be at practice since you are mandatory for the fancy dinner thing tonight. Since you skipped out on the last two. And to attend you are mandatory for practice.”
“Fuck!” Helios snarled, “I forgot about the dinner.”
“How do you want to do this?” Alec asked, “We could get Levi set up in a hotel room so he’s comfortable. Maybe take turns keeping him company?”
“Actually, Levi will be attending the dinner tonight.” Coach Shears replied from behind the team. They turned to their Coach when it was
“One less thing to worry about.” Helios retorted, ignoring the teams’ laugh when they realized he’d forgotten it and turned with the team to get into practice teams.
Chapter Two
Levi looked up from his notes when he heard the swarm of players head his way. Having zoned out when Coach Shears was giving his end of practice speech and reminders, he didn't realize it was time to run in. He slowly started to get up when he heard Helios.
"You sure as hell better not be lifting your tiny ass from that bench without help!!" Helios tossed his pads and helmet to Alec as he stormed bare-chested toward Levi.
Biting back a moan at his best friend's chest on display, Levi glared, "I'm perfectly capable of getting up on my own.”
“Then humor me.” Helios snarked before lifting Levi into his arms. “Shower time and then get in your suits, guys. We have a dinner to attend and we need to look sharp.” He called back to the few team members who weren’t that used to Helios and Levi’s interactions when they stared at the Tight End’s massive back in shock.
“You better get going guys. Helios doesn’t have patience for tardiness to such events. It looks bad on him as Captain. It also looks bad on the team as a whole for making sure everyone was where they should be. Also on the staff, it makes it look like we can’t keep reins on you lot.” Coach Shears ordered, he kept talking as he walked away to get himself ready. “Doesn’t matter you're a bunch of grown-ass men. Hell, a bunch of you idiots are even married, some with kids of your own!”
Alec snorted at the Coach’s ramblings and glanced at the players who lingered on the sidelines, “Alright guys, let’s get moving.” Alec started toward the locker room only when every last straggler started in the same direction.
“Is that something that’s normal for this team?”
Alec glanced over to one of the guys who had traded to their team a few days before. He turned back to look at his best friends and grinned, “Yeah, it’s like Coach said those two are a package deal. They’ve been friends since they were really little. Helios and his family are very protective of Levi.”
“I heard rumors about those two from some of the Veterans. I didn’t think it was true.” A rookie trade piped in. “I mean, why would I when they also claim Helios is from one of the families?”
Alec’s grin turned into a smirk before he popped back, “Rumors usually have some basis in fact right?”
The rookie stopped, “Are you shitting me?”
With a snort, the first trade countered, “What reason would he have to lie? Every team has at least a couple of secrets everyone in the industry knows but we pretend it’s just that team’s secret.” He clapped a hand on the rookie’s shoulder, “Don’t worry Devlin, he’s got his eyes on Levi. Don’t worry about anything.”
The group walked into the locker room in time to hear Levi arguing with Helios.
“I need a shower, I’m gross. They cleaned me up the best they could at the hospital. These aren’t even my clothes. One of the football players ran and bought me some since the cops weren’t letting anyone into the apartment.”
“As someone with a lot of injuries from playing sports, you can’t submerge your stitches right now,” Helios replied gently. “Give me a minute to get things set up and I’ll help you clean up the best I can get you.” Helios had placed Levi in a cushy chair someone had grabbed from the lounge area. Reaching into his locker he started grabbing his toiletry bag before pausing. Leaning back to see Levi around some of the guys beside him, he frowned and asked, “I thought you said the attack happened in the parking lot. Why are they keeping people out of the apartments?”
Levi bit his lip only to wince when it pulled on the barely sealed split. “Officer Bryant was there. When they were done at the scene he went to put my stuff in my apartment. The door was busted in and my apartment was trashed. It happened while the police were there so they are taking it very personally.”
“Alec, call Ares. Fill him in and have him reach out to Officer Bryant.” Helios ordered, then after a moment added, “Please and thank you.” He grabbed his toiletry bag and then stalked over to Levi. Levi easily held his hand out for the bag.
The team watched as even as pissed as he was, Helios was very gentle when he picked Levi up again.
Right as Helios started for the shower room, Max the Team Physician came into the locker room with some plastic wrap. “Helios, I had one of the staff bring in a shower chair. It’s under one of the less used areas. I set some cups and containers in there to make washing Levi’s hair easier. Don’t get his stitches wet. I’m going to wrap his cast and let you get started. I’ll be set up in the office. I want to check Levi over before the Dinner tonight.” He made quick work of wrapping the casts and stepped back.
“Thanks, Doc,” Helios said before carrying Levi into the shower room. Ignoring any of the guys already in the showers, he carried Levi to the set-up Doc Max had set up for them. “Alright,” placing Levi on his feet, he stepped back enough to give a little space, but still supported Levi to stand. “I’m going to help you undress. If you’re uncomfortable at all, I can get Doc Max in here. Alright?”
Levi gave him a tired smile, “It’s fine.”
“I’m going to start with the waist down. Brace your hand on my shoulder.” Kneeling, he waited for Levi’s uncasted hand to settle on his shoulder before pulling down his sweats and boxers, bunching them above the walking cast. Guiding Levi to sit, he made quick but careful work getting him bare from the waist down. Standing, he helped Levi lean forward and helped him remove his shirt. Standing back, he looked Levi over and swore. Cupping his cheek gently, he said, “Ares will find out who did this. I will do everything I can to protect you, V. You won’t be alone until I know you are safe.”
Levi leaned into Helios’s hand cupping it with his. “Thank you.” His nose curled cutely. “Maybe you should wash first.” Giving a teasing sniff at Helios, he grinned, “You are starting to smell a bit ripe.”
Helios laughed, “Sure, it’s me that smells ripe.” Stepping back, he made a show of sniffing his pits only to wince. “Yeah, it’s me.” Grabbing a large towel, he wrapped it around Levi’s shoulders. “This way you stay warm.”
Grabbing his soap and shampoo, he walked down a few showerheads and turned them on. Stripping out of the rest of his gear took a moment before he tossed them aside and stepped under the spray. Pulling his hair tie out, he released his long dark locks from the sweaty tangle of the remains of his ponytail. Scrubbing his hands through it quickly, he made sure the thick locks were wet before grabbing his shampoo.
“Don’t half-ass it! You have an important dinner tonight!” Levi called out over the sound of the showers.
Helios’s rich laugh carried through the shower room followed quickly by several of the others that had joined them.
“Yes, Mama!” Alec called from his area, “You hear Mama, Rick? I know he’s talking about you!” He called teasingly to one of the Defensive Tackles.
Rick groaned, “You forgot to wash your pits, one time! And they never let you live it down! What is this world coming to?” He threw Levi a teasing grin before making a show of soaping his washcloth and scrubbing his pits.
Helios washed and conditioned his hair as quickly as he could before taking his own washcloth and soaping it up. Scrubbing his body, he teased, “Hey Carmichael, where’d you get that hickey on your ass?”
The Wide Receiver in question threw a saucy grin at the guys who’d turned to look. “My girl likes my ass. She likes to leave her mark before practice. She said it’s to remind you Assholes I’m taken and you should be jealous. She also doesn’t believe we don’t circle jerk in the shower after practice if we’re single.”
