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 switched off the computer. He sat for a long time just staring at the blank screen. There it was. The answer he’d been looking for, yet hoping he wouldn’t get. Gay and the NFL didn’t mix. As the reality of what Frank had just heard sank in, he made a decision. If Bill couldn’t see the danger to his career their relationship posed, and end it, Frank would have to be the one who did. He’d do it for Bill’s sake—for the love he felt for the man. Not yet though, Frank would savor whatever time he and Bill had left.17


The gymnastics meet went surprisingly well that Sunday. Michigan beat Indiana handily. Frank was focused. Somehow his watching the video of Adam and Brendan’s interview had cleared his head. He didn’t like it, but he knew what he had to do, and he’d do it for the love of Bill. Strangely enough his future being more clearly defined had given him peace, even though it was not to be the happy ending he’d envisioned.


Chapter 42