Gymnast Frank Bethune arrives on campus already enamored with the star tight end, Bill Billingsly. Although the chances of them meeting are slim, fate draws them together, and their friendship turns to love.<br><br>Ever since childhood, Bill has dreamed of playing professional football. Though high risk to his potential career, Bill would seek out clandestine encounters with other guys when and where he could, but the first time he spots Frank, Bill knows he is someone special, someone he could possibly share a life with. If he’s drafted, will Bill and Frank be able to continue their closeted relationship, running the risk of discovery? Or will they have to part company for the sake of Bill living out his dream?<br><br>Bill knows he’ll need to use all his considerable skills learned on the field to score the life he wants off of it, too. Either way, is happiness even possible when it’s the NFL vs. love?

Love or the NFL

Frank, his joy increased two-fold, turned back and joined with other well-wishers as the big maize and blue buses pulled out into traffic, headed to the airport, and the National Championship game with Alabama.16


Frank walked back to his dorm. The wind was still blowing, and the temperature seemed to have dropped several degrees. In addition, it had started snowing. However, the snow enhanced his happiness, and he hardly felt the cold. He was wrapped in a warm cocoon that Bill had spun around him by acknowledging him in front of all those fans. True, it was fairly obscure. No one hearing Bill’s words would have been able to deduce there was anything going on between them, and it certainly wasn’t a coming out statement. However, Frank got the message. Bill’s calling him Frodo in front of everyone said loud and clear—I love you.


Chapter 39