ANDREW'S RECRUITING SUMMER CHAPTER 11: SUNDAY AT ANDREW'S HOUSE, Sunday, July 10th, 2005

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"Nice trophy case Andrew," JP complimented him, admiring the display case in the Living Room.

"Thanks man," Andrew said. "I would have kept all my trophies, medals, and ribbons out of sight in my bedroom, but my parents built this trophy case to display them instead. It makes Mom and Dad happy to display all my athletic trophies in the living room and brag about their Star Athlete Son, even if it looks like I'm the one showing off."

"And we know you'd never do that, right Andrew?" JP teased him.

"I did on your high school football field a few days ago," Andrew reminded him with a smirk.

"Very clever Andrew!" JP laughed. "I see you're showing off your brain as well as your brawn."

"Well I'd act humble about them both, but no one would believe me," Andrew reminded him. "But if you want to see more of my football glory, I'll show you my room."

"First I want to see all your recruiting letters," JP decided. Before Andrew could stop him, he called out: "Miss Thompson, where are all of Andrew's NCAA Recruiting Letters?"

"In a basket on the dining room table," Susan replied, stepping into the living room.

"Thanks for embarrassing me Mom!" Andrew snapped, only half-joking.

"Andrew, if you really want to show JP his athletic future in college, you must reveal all its' aspects: both fun and embarrassing," Susan reminded him. She turned to JP and added, "If you truly want to see what the journey towards college sports is like JP, you must embrace a larger view of the sports world." She noticed JP looking thoughtful and a bit worried. "But don't take my word for it; just follow Andrew's example and you'll be fine."

"I'm sure I will Ma'am," JP assured Susan, following her and Andrew into the Dining Room. His eyes widened with astonishment as he saw the big basket on the table filled to the brim with NCAA Football Letters, all addressed to Andrew. He snuck a glance over at his huge friend to see his reaction and was surprised to see Andrew looking very embarrassed. "You really are a humble athlete, aren't you Andrew?" JP realized.

"Yes I am JP," Andrew agreed. He looked over at Susan and asked, "Have you embarrassed me enough for this morning Mom? Can I show JP my room now?"

"Sure Andrew; I guess it's not embarrassing if it's your idea to show off," Susan teased him. She noticed Andrew clenching his fists and hastily added, "Just kidding son. I'll start making lunch and I'll let you and JP know when it's ready."

"Thanks Mom," Andrew said gratefully, leading JP towards the stairs. "See you later."

Susan waved as JP followed Andrew up the stairs. As they climbed up towards the second floor, JP looked forward to seeing how different, or similar, Andrew's bedroom was to his brother Ryan's.

"You barely glanced at all your College Football Recruiting Letters Andrew," JP realized, as they climbed the stairs.

"It's too embarrassing and overwhelming JP," Andrew admitted. "Though if you tell any of my friends that, I'll simply deny it. I'll open them during the party tonight. It just gets tiring having to play the part of the Confident Athlete all the time in public. I had hoped that being home would give me a break from all of that. I guess I was wrong."

"Yes you were Andrew, but this is also a preview of what I will face in the coming years," JP realized.

"Oh, so you think that you're an athlete on my level?" Andrew sneered, opening his bedroom door. He smirked as he saw JP gaping in astonishment at all of his football photos and newspaper clippings. "I didn't think so JP."

"You seem to have forgotten about The Wall Andrew," JP reminded him, once he had recovered from his shock.

"You had all those pictures taken by family members; the pictures of me were taken by the Orillia newspapers and the VR News Station," Andrew corrected him.

"Okay Andrew, you win," JP admitted. "But at least you don't seem embarrassed now."

"That's right JP and I'm even going to tell you why," Andrew said, sitting down on his bed. He pointed to his desk chair and added, "Take a seat."

"Okay Andrew," JP said, picking up the chair. He grinned and asked, "I've got it; now what do I do with it?"

"Put it on the floor and sit on it JP," Andrew laughed. JP did that and Andrew said, "Good man. Now, what was I going to tell you?"

"You were going to tell me why you're not embarrassed now," JP replied. "But I can guess the reason." He noticed Andrew glaring at him and meekly offered, "But I'll let you tell me instead."

"Thanks JP," Andrew snapped sarcastically. "I'm not embarrassed showing off my athletic achievements because it's done under my control and not someone else's."

Just then his mom called up from downstairs: "Andrew, the football coach from Virginia Tech is on the phone for you!"

"Coming Mom!" Andrew called back, seeing the glare of rage on JP's face at the mention of Ryan's school. "I'll be right back JP."

"Don't hurry on my account Andrew," JP snapped.

"Fine, I won't, not with that attitude!" Andrew snapped, as he headed for the door. "Why are you even here anyway?" he asked, as he headed down the hall.

JP was about to snap back at Andrew when he realized suddenly how selfish he was being: allowing his issues with Ryan to dominate every part of his life. He was about to apologize to Andrew, but it was too late: he had already gone downstairs.

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"Good morning Coach Beamer," Andrew said politely, as he answered the phone. "How are you today?"

"I am very pleased to be speaking with you Andrew," Coach B. replied from the speakerphone. "Your new friend Ryan Maloney showed me some of your game footage from last season and I am very impressed with what I saw. Do you think we could get together for a visit in the next couple of weeks?"

"Here in my hometown or down there in yours?" Andrew asked, deciding to get to the heart of the matter.

"With me in a couple of weeks down here at the Virginia Tech Campus," Coach B. replied eagerly. "It would be an honor to have you come down here for an Unofficial Visit, hosted by me and Ryan Maloney of course. And of course I'm sending a Virginia Tech Recruiter up to you this week."

"Well thank you very much Coach; I'd be glad to accept," Andrew said gratefully, noticing his mom beaming proudly beside him. "I'll let my mom make the arrangements; she'll set a date that works for everyone."

"Good talking to you Andrew and I'll email you all the details once they have been ironed out."

"Sure thing Coach; see you later," Andrew said, handing the phone back to Susan.

"Just one minute Coach," Susan said, putting the phone down and turning off the speaker. "He's been calling for the past few days Andrew: trying to get ahold of you. When you texted me, I finally knew what day you would be home and told him."

"Thanks Mom," Andrew said gratefully. "Now I'd better get back upstairs and talk to JP: he seemed to feel neglected when I rushed down here to take this phone call."

"Well you did agree to host him here, so I can understand that," Susan realized. "See you later son."

Andrew nodded and headed back upstairs to see how JP was doing.

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While Andrew had been downstairs on the phone, JP had been wandering around his room: looking more closely at the newspaper clippings on the wall and Andrew's football photos lined up carefully on the desk.

"Andrew obviously appreciates the recognition of his athletic talents; that's why he's kept all this in good condition," JP realized. "Some athletes just keep their accolades crammed into a messy pile in a box somewhere." He sat down at the desk and said, "I hope Andrew isn't going to stay mad at me for long."

"I won't JP," Andrew assured him, startling his smaller friend with his sudden appearance. "I'm sorry for snapping at you; it's just that all this Recruiting fuss and seeing David at Ohio State has made me unsettled."

"Andrew, there's another College Football Coach on the phone for you!" Susan yelled from downstairs.

"Come on JP: you might as well get a head start on being recruited by these schools," Andrew decided. "It's obvious that's the only way we'll get to spend any time together on this visit!"

JP grinned at Andrew's smart solution and eagerly followed him downstairs. Once there, his predictions from a few days ago were proven correct, as some of the College Football Coaches wanted to arrange home visits. Andrew agreed with that, but also wanted to show the coaches the football field and introduce them to Coach Everson. The college coaches agreed with that and commended Andrew on his good ideas.

"How will you get up here?" Andrew asked most coaches. "It's a long way to drive."

"We'll fly up in our school's private jet," was the common answer, impressing on Andrew how seriously they were considering him for a spot on their football teams.

After a couple of hours of phone calls, Andrew had secured quite a few home visits over the next week and realized that he wouldn't be able to take JP and Matt back home until Sunday July 17th.

"I hope you and your parents don't mind staying over for this week JP," Susan said. "We'd be glad to have you and Matt here to help Andrew through this, since all of his friends are busy with their own College Football Recruiting Journeys." She noticed Andrew looking worried and assured him, "But they will be here for the party tonight. So you can introduce JP to all of them."

"We'd be glad to stay Miss Thompson and it will show me what I'm going to experience next year and especially during my Senior Year," JP realized. He turned to Andrew and asked, "So, do you want me to come along to any meetings you have with the coaches?"

"Yes JP and I'd love to take the coaches, and you, out to lunch at Webers," Andrew replied. "You showed me your favorite burger place; now I get to return the favour."

"You're going to be really busy all week Andrew, but we have to set some ground rules so you don't burn out," Susan realized.

"What kind?" Andrew asked.

"First, you'll have to look at the basket full of College Football Recruiting Letters and narrow them down to the schools whose coaches are coming up here this week to visit you," Susan realized. She looked down at the schedule she had written in her notebook and her eyes widened. "I see nearly twenty schools here, spread across Monday July 11th to Friday July 15th. And I can't forget about the Virginia Tech Recruiter: one of the first ones to make it up here this week. I'll have to put all these Home Visits by the College Recruiters on the calendar so that everyone can see them."

"Good thing we have today to prepare, since the visits start tomorrow," Andrew realized. "But it's too bad that my friends and I just got back here last night, because I feel we hardly got a chance to rest."

"You think you have it bad Andrew?" Susan asked, sorting through his letter basket. "Imagine how overwhelmed Ralph must be feeling: he's the Starting Quarterback!"

"Good point Mom," Andrew realized, as he and JP helped Susan sort the letters. By the time they were done, there were 16 groups of school letters on the table: Virginia Tech, Florida State, Michigan State, Penn State, West Virginia, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee. "Wow!" was all Andrew could say once he saw which schools were sending coaches to visit him.

"Those are the biggest schools in College Football and all but one of their Head Football Coaches are visiting you here this week Andrew," JP said, his eyes widening with astonishment. He looked over at Andrew and realized that his huge friend was looking very nervous. "What do you want to do now Big Guy?"

"I want to go out for a run and get away from all this recruiting pressure for a couple hours," Andrew replied. "We'll be back in time to shower and change for lunch Mom."

"See you then Andrew, and have fun," Susan said. "I'll also take care of everything for the party this evening. But you and JP have fun for the rest of this morning; I'll see you both at lunchtime."

"Thanks Mom!" Andrew shouted, as he and JP ran out the front door. "Let's go JP; I'll take you the whole length of the Railway Trail: from the factory opposite the Sundial Restaurant Site to the Narrows Bridge on Atherly Road."

"How far is that Andrew?" JP asked curiously, as they jogged down the Inner Orma Drive Loop to Fittons Road.

"Almost 8 kilometers or 5 miles one way," Andrew replied.

"That's nothing Andrew; the trail around Burke Lake Park is four miles long and I did four laps around it the day before I met you," JP bragged.

"And you were doing so well this morning JP," Andrew sighed. He grinned at JP and added, "Then you had to open your big mouth and ruin it by acting like a Cocky Jock again."

"Hey, I can't play the part of the Humble Athlete all the time and I thought I didn't have to fake it with you!" JP snapped back, only half joking.

"Calm down JP; I was only kidding," Andrew assured him. "You've got to learn how to take a joke as well as you can take a punch."

"How would you know how well I can take a punch Andrew?" JP asked, as they stopped at the Laclie Street Corner. "You've never tried it."

"You wouldn't want me to JP; I knocked David out with two punches last year and he's almost as big as I am," Andrew reminded him with an angry glare. "But not nearly as strong."

JP nodded seriously as they crossed Laclie Street and was silent the rest of the way up to Sundial Drive.

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While Andrew and JP were having fun that morning, Andrew's best friend Mike was filling his dad in on his Unofficial Visits so far.

"It was great Dad!" Mike shouted in excitement. "Andrew and I visited three big-time football schools in the States last week and they all want us real bad!"

"How many of them offered you an Official Visit in the fall?" Martin asked him curiously.

"All three Dad!" Mike bragged, flexing his massive biceps. "Once Ohio State, Notre Dame and Michigan got a look at these guns, they knew they'd found their Blue Chip Recruit for Right Guard!"

"You're going to be selling Deodorant for them?" Martin teased him with a big grin.

"Very funny Dad!" Mike laughed, lowering his arms. "But I get your point: I'll take a shower and then get changed for my visit with Sue this morning."

"You mean you're going to wear your tightest clothes to show off all your muscles for her," Martin corrected him with a laugh. "You're such a  Cocky Jock Mike, and she keeps encouraging you!"

"Hey, I wore slightly looser clothes for the College Football Coaches and I toned down my arrogance to confidence," Mike protested. "Now I've earned a break to just be myself again."

"Well enjoy it while you can Mike," Martin cautioned him. "I managed to hold off the coaches' phone calls until this afternoon, but you already have a full schedule of visits here with them next week. Here's a list of the schools, and all the letters they sent you."

He handed Mike the huge basket from the kitchen table and waved him upstairs to get his shower. Mike grinned and took off his Football Jacket.

"Thanks Dad; can you take care of my jacket for me?" Mike asked, handing it over. "I won't be wearing it to Sue's house; it's too hot outside."

"Sure Mike; I'll hang it in front of your Sports Case, just like always," Martin assured him. Mike waved gratefully and headed upstairs. Martin turned to face the Living Room and his eyes widened in amazement at all the trophies, ribbons and medals from Mike's football and hockey achievements over the previous three years. "Now where did I put that coat hanger?"

Martin finally found it and hung Mike's jacket up. Then he stepped back to take a few pictures of Mike's athletic achievements on the mantle, that he had set up for the in-home visits from the NCAA Coaches. After that, he went into the kitchen, sat down at the table with the calendar and used his copy of the visit schedule to make notes for each day.

By that time, Mike had come back downstairs. "Hey Dad; I'm ready to go to Sue's house now."

Martin looked up and his eyes widened in astonishment and more than a little fear. Mike's dark jeans and t-shirt hugged his massive muscles snugly: showing off everything in great detail.

"I hope you don't intend to dress like that when the coaches start visiting you tomorrow son," Martin said, frowning slightly.

"No Dad; but I will wear this outfit along with my cowboy boots at Andrew's Party tonight!"

"Well at least you're wearing dark jeans so that you can preserve some modesty at least," Martin said, looking relieved.

Mike looked down at his jeans and nodded in agreement. "Yeah Dad, if I'm going to wear tight jeans then I have to wear dark ones to keep from showing off everything," Mike explained. He looked back at Martin and smirked. "Besides, I'm just following Matt's example."

"That you are Mike; Mark is the only humble athlete I've raised," Martin said seriously. He noticed Mike looking embarrassed and added, "And he still managed to become a Starting Quarterback in the NCAA!"

"Yeah that's true Dad," Mike agreed, standing up. He realized that he was at least three inches taller now with his brown cowboy boots on. "I'd pretend to be modest, but at this point, who would believe me? After all: look what my t-shirt says."

He pointed to the front of his t-shirt, across which were printed the words "Future Superstar."

"Mike, don't wear those bragging t-shirts when you meet the College Football Coaches!" Martin begged him. "Just wear your ODCVI football gear instead."

"So I shouldn't wear the t-shirt that says 'Do your washing on these' with arrows pointing to my six-pack abs?" Mike teased him.

"No Mike; I forbid it!" Martin shouted with a big grin.

"Fine Dad, since you asked me so nicely, I'll do what you want," Mike agreed with a laugh.

"Thanks son," Martin said gratefully. "Now go and have a fun morning with Sue. You can stay over for lunch, but be back here by 1 pm for the first scheduled phone calls from the College Football Coaches. And don't forget about the party at Andrew's house this evening: it's probably the only time that you'll see all your football friends for the next six weeks."

"Of course I won't forget Dad; it's the perfect opportunity for me to brag about all the attention I got last week from the College Football Coaches!" Mike laughed in excitement. "See you later Dad!"

"You won't be the only one bragging this evening Mike!" Martin reminded his son, as he walked out the front door. Mike grinned, waved and headed down the front walk to the street. "Well at least Sue will be glad to see him," Martin said to himself. "Her twin brother Chris, who used to go by his middle name Tom, not so much." He looked worried for a minute and then realized something. "But since Mike is about twice his size, he'd better keep it to himself."

As Mike walked down the street to Sue's house, he grinned with anticipation at her excitement about seeing him for the first time in a week. But then he had a sobering thought: he would be without her for about two weeks in the latter half of July when he went on more recruiting visits with Andrew.

"If only she and Andrew could get along, then she should come along," Mike said to himself. "But I had to choose my best friend last week, so as not to ruin his recruiting chances. Though David tried to do that anyway at Ohio State! Well if Andrew doesn't take care of him, I will!"

Mike got to the Wallis House and rang Sue's doorbell, not realizing that he had an angry expression on his face. So when her twin brother Chris answered the door and recoiled in fear, Mike wasn't sure why.

"I'll get Sue for you Mike; I can see you're in no mood to mess around," he said, skipping their usual snarking for his own good.

"Well at least invite me in first, so I can shut the front door and keep the summer heat and bugs out!" Mike snapped at him.

"Come on in Mike," Chris said nervously, heading for the stairs. "I'll let Sue know you're here and she'll be right down."

Mike nodded curtly and then caught his angry expression in the hallway mirror. Now I know why Chris looks so scared, he realized. My huge muscles and angry expression terrified him. But who cares anyway, we haven't gotten along for nearly three years now, even though we're on the OD Football Team together!

He realized that Sue would be scared of him if he still looked angry, so he rearranged his expression into a cocky smirk by the time she came downstairs to greet him.

"There's my big strong man," Sue purred, as she looked him up and down. "You look great in those jeans!"

"Thanks Sue," Mike said softly, hugging her gently with his huge arms. "But my best muscles are on the upper half of my body!"

Sue stepped back and gasped in awe as he flexed his massive biceps in his tight t-shirt, almost tearing the sleeves. Mike looked down at Sue and grinned: realizing that he really turned her on.

"You're so huge and strong Mike," Sue stammered in amazement, as he picked her up gently and carried her up the stairs to her bedroom. "Even though we've been dating for almost three years, I still can't get used to it!"

"The College Football Coaches were just as amazed as you are Sue; they all want me on their teams real bad," Mike informed her. "That's why I won't be able to spend the whole day with you, just this morning. I have to be back home by 1 pm to take their calls all afternoon." He noticed Sue looking disappointed and decided to cheer her up by asking, "Are you coming to Andrew's Party with me this evening?"

"Yes I am Mike, but Andrew had better stay away from me if he knows what's good for him," Sue snapped, as he set her down in her room.

"How long is this feud between you and Andrew going to go on?" Mike sighed in frustration, closing the door behind them. "It started because you were dating his former friend Steve, but you've been dating me, his best friend, for almost three years! Let it go Sue, or after today, we won't see each other until August!"

"What do you mean Mike?" Sue asked, looking worried.

"The College Football Coaches visit me all week and then Andrew and I go on a road trip for the rest of this month to take more Unofficial Visits," Mike replied. "Because Andrew has Reserves Training in August, we have to fit all of the college visits into this month. So unless you can behave around him, you can't come along on the visits with me, even if you plan to attend the same college as I do!"

"Okay Mike, I get it now," Sue assured him, feeling scared because Mike had been glaring at her during his angry rant. "I'll behave if he will."

"Since he never mentioned you once last week, he already has," Mike realized. "I'll hold you to that Sue; don't mess up my chances to play College Football!"

"I won't Mike; I promise," Sue assured him. "I may not play sports, but having attended all your football and hockey games for the last three years, I know how important both sports are to you."

"Are you just telling me what you think I want to hear?" Mike teased her, sitting down on her bed.

"Not quite; you told me what you wanted to hear, so I'm repeating it back to you like a parrot," Sue teased him back, sitting down beside him.

"You're a bad girl Sue; you need to be punished," Mike decided, tickling her with a big grin.

"Stop that Mike; you know how ticklish I am!" Sue laughed, flailing her arms wildly. She accidentally slapped Mike across the face and froze in shock. "I'm so sorry Mike; are you okay?"

"Of course I am Sue," Mike assured her with a smirk. "I'm so big and strong that you couldn't hurt me even if you punched me in the face!"

"Like I have before, and I only hurt my own hand," Sue remembered. She noticed Mike looking sad and addded, "It's been a week since I last saw you Mike: let's go to bed."

"It's not even lunch time yet Sue, and I'm not even tired," Mike teased her, playing hard to get.

"That's not what I meant Mike and you know it!" Sue laughed.

"Fine Sue, let's get this over with before lunch," Mike said with an exagerated sigh. "I suppose I could use a workout with you."

"Oh thanks a lot Mike," Sue laughed. "I can see that this is just another thing you've scheduled for today, in between planning visits from College Football Coaches and going to Andrew's party tonight." She noticed Mike looking sad: afraid that she was upset for real. "But at least you still have time to have fun with me."

"Oh yeah girl," Mike said seductively, struggling to get out of his tight t-shirt. "A little help please."

"Sure Big Man," Sue teased him. She struggled to get even her small fingers under the waistband of his t-shirt and asked, "Ready Mike?" He nodded and they counted together: "One, two, three!" as they managed to get his t-shirt off without ripping it.

"There we go Sue, now you can see the huge muscles that send you into Ecstacy every night," Mike promised her, as he towered over her.

"And it's been more than a week, so I'm more excited than ever!" Sue gasped, amazed at his huge pecs, washboard abs and powerful shoulders and arms. She took note of the huge veins that crossed his massive muscles, pulsing with blood, and started getting scared. Then she glanced up into Mike's gentle eyes and relaxed again. "I'm ready Mike: take me to bed."

"Okay Sue, as long as you're not scared that I'll hurt you by accident," Mike said, looking worried. "I know that you're only half my size, so I'll be really gentle, just like I always am."

"Yes you are Mike," Sue agreed. "Let's make this a morning to remember," she added, leading him over to her bed.

Mike caressed her face softly, took off his jeans and climbed into her bed. Sue took off her clothes and got under the covers, snuggling up in his massive arms. 

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“Welcome home Mike,” Sue said, when they were done. "I hope the wait was worth it."

Mike nodded seriously and said quietly, "I hope I didn't hurt you."

"You didn't hurt me Mike, even though your Superhuman Strength is amazing," Sue assured him. "You just exhausted me; that's all."

"I don't even feel out of breath Sue; I could have done this all day," Mike bragged.

"So it's not just your strength that's Superhuman; it's your endurance as well," Sue realized.

"As I demonstrated for all the College Football Coaches last week," Mike bragged, flexing his massive biceps. "They all want me real bad-" He frowned as he saw the jealous look on Sue's face. "-for my talents on the football field; not in the bedroom Sue!" He grabbed her face gently, leaned down and whispered in her ear: "You're the only one who gets to enjoy my God-Like Talents in the bedroom!"

Sue grinned with relief and hugged him gently as they had their shower together.

Afterwards, they got dressed and Sue was astonished all over again at how big and strong Mike was.

"How tall are you Mike and how much do you weigh now?" Sue asked, staring way up into her boyfriend's gentle gaze.

"Six foot five and 310 pounds of solid muscle Sue," Mike replied, stroking her hair softly. He laughed and added, "I'm really huge, insanely strong, and I have a really high pain tolerance."

"So basically you're a god among men," Sue realized, stepping back and staring at him in awe.

"Yeah I am girl," Mike agreed, flexing his massive biceps in the tight sleeves, almost tearing the seams. "And I'm going to get even bigger and stronger this year."

"Your football uniform was pretty tight last year, and you're at least a dozen pounds bigger now," Sue realized. "Do you think it will still fit?"

"If it does, it'll be just as tight as my clothes are now," Mike realized. "That's good; no Defensive Player will be able to grab me."

"Even if they could, you'd break free no problem," Sue realized. "Next to Andrew, you're the strongest guy on the football team."

"Yeah Sue, but now that we're downstairs, let's act somewhat modestly at least," Mike said, as he noticed her twin brother Chris sitting at the dining room table. "Hey Chris; what's up man?"

"Clearly the tightness of your clothes Mike!" Chris snapped in disgust. "What have you been doing: deliberately wearing clothes that are several sizes too small?"

"If I wanted to do that, I'd just raid your closet Chris!" Mike sneered at him. "Besides, I thought you were supposed to be smart!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Chris snapped, standing up from the table and advancing on Mike.

Mike smirked as Chris stepped up to him, realizing that Chris only came up to his chest.

"My clothes aren't too small for me; they're the proper length, even though they're tight on me," Mike corrected him.

"They look skintight to me Mike; not just tight," Chris stated.

"That's so I can show off all my huge muscles even when I'm fully clothed," Mike bragged, flexing his massive biceps. "What do you think man? Aren't you impressed?"

"No I'm not; you're just an arrogant show-off Mike!" Chris snapped bravely. "I wouldn't care if you were the biggest and strongest guy on the planet! All that muscle can't buy you any brains or class!"

"Is that why you don't like me Chris?" Mike guessed. "You think I'm acting too much like Steve?"

"That's right," Chris agreed, as they all sat down at the table for lunch.

"Well there is one difference between me and Steve," Mike realized.

"Oh really?" Chris snapped sarcastically. "What's that?"

"Steve bullied the small kids, while I, like Andrew, have trained them to become football players," Mike reminded him. "We would have done the same for you over the past three years, if only you'd asked."

"I already am a football player Mike; Ralph and Connor trained me to be a Running Back nearly three years ago," Chris informed him. "I've been on the football team with you for the past two years. But you probably didn't notice me because I've been Connor's back-up that whole time. But this season, I get to share Starting Duties with him, since it's our Senior Year!" He thought for a moment and realized that Mike, unlike Steve, had been nice to him for the past three years. "You know Mike, I have no idea why I've disliked you for the past few years: maybe I thought all Offensive Linemen were jerks because that's how Steve and Darrel behave. But you and Andrew aren't like that at all, are you?"

"No we're not Chris," Mike agreed, glancing over at Sue. "But I also think that you don't like me because I'm friends with Andrew, and Sue doesn't like him. So like any good brother, you're standing up for her."

"Yes he has been," Sue agreed. "But I don't know why I've hated Andrew all these years. He's good friends with you and you've been a great boyfriend for the past three years, even if you show off too much on the football field, in the weight room and in the classroom."

"So basically you're saying that I show off my body and my mind everywhere I go," Mike realized. "Well how else was the NCAA supposed to notice me?"

"Good point Mike," Sue agreed. "But what I'm trying to say is that if Chris can learn to get along with you, then I can learn to get along with Andrew."

"The party at Andrew's house tonight is the perfect opportunity to prove it: for both of you," Mike decided. "How 'bout it Chris: will you join me and Sue at Andrew's party this evening? You've never really gotten to know Andrew and his friends on the Offensive Line, have you?"

"No I haven't Mike, but I'll come along to meet them properly tonight," Chris agreed. "And since my smaller friends, like Connor and Ralph are going to be there, it makes sense for me to go."

"Good plan Chris, but I also expect to work more with you this season during our football games," Mike said firmly. "Can I count on you?"

"It's a deal Mike," Chris agreed, holding out his hand.

Mike shook it gently, making sure not to squeeze too hard. "Good man Chris; let's make some workout plans over lunch."

"Good idea Mike, but how many plates of food are you going to eat for lunch?"  Chris teased him.

"As many as it takes to feed these huge muscles," Mike growled with a big grin. He flexed his massive biceps for emphasis and Chris's jaw dropped in astonishment. "Pretty impressive, isn't it Big Guy?" Mike asked him softly.

"It's amazing how big and strong you are Mike," Chris admitted, as he stepped into the kitchen. "How much do you weigh and how tall are you now Mike?"

"I weigh 305 pounds and I stand six foot five," Mike replied, smiling with pride. "And it's all muscle. How about you Chris: how tall are you and how much do you weigh?"

"I stand six feet tall and I weigh 200 pounds," Chris replied, looking sad that he was so much smaller than Mike.

"Chris, you said that you weigh 200 pounds, is that right?" Mike asked his new friend. Chris nodded, wondering what Mike was up to. "So that means that you're the same size as your friends Ralph and Connor by now."

"Yes I am Mike, so even though you outweigh me by over a hundred pounds of solid muscle, I may still be able to give you a good fight if you piss me off!"

"Good man Chris," Mike said, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Now let's have lunch; I'm starving!"

  Mike and Sue helped Chris make lunch: with some extra helpings for Mike of course.

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Meanwhile, Andrew and JP had reached the Narrows and were starting their return journey back to Andrew's house for lunch.

"So Andrew, how many of your football player friends are as big as you and Mike?" JP asked curiously.

"Well I'm the biggest JP, but everyone on the Offensive Line is over six feet tall and more than 250 pounds of solid muscle," Andrew replied. "That's why all five of us have been getting lots of attention from the NCAA, instead of just the Quarterback and the Wide Receiver."

"Will I get to meet them at the party tonight?"

"Most of them JP, but I don't want you to act cocky and try to wrestle them into submission," Andrew said seriously. "I wouldn't want you to get injured and not be able to wrestle in your Junior Year. And you have to practice acting humble now so that you can be a good mentor for Nick at the wrestling camp next month."

"Don't worry Andrew: I'll tone down my arrogance into strong confidence instead," JP assured him. "I've had to do that a lot over the last two years, but it's been a great relief to show my true nature with you over the last week."

"Ah, so you've just been pretending to be a humble athlete, kind of like I did in the beginning," Andrew realized. "You truly love being a jock, don't you JP?"

"Yeah man, but I realize that at your school the true jocks are the football players," JP said.

"Yeah man, and we've all got Football Letter Jackets to prove it," Andrew bragged. "I'm sure that each member of the football team who shows up tonight will be wearing theirs."

"Good thing I brought my Varsity Wrestling Jacket up here: so I can do the same thing," JP realized.

"Yeah, and since your team colours are blue and white like ours, you'll fit right in," Andrew agreed. "It's going to be a great evening man, and I look forward to sharing it with you."

JP grinned at him: feeling very proud to have become good friends with such an awesome athlete as Andrew.

"Can we wrestle again Andrew?" JP asked him, as they got close to the beach near the Steven Leacock Museum.

"Why would you want to JP, especially after last time?"

"That was with Mike, not you," JP reminded him.

"Oh, you think I'll go easy on you?" Andrew asked, raising his eyebrows. "If you think you can take me down Boy, you're welcome to try."

JP rushed at him and tried to hook his powerful arm around Andrew's thick neck. Andrew then stood up straight and grabbed JP's legs. Then JP grabbed one of Andrew's arms and tried to tear it out of its socket. Andrew looked down with a huge grin and wondered when JP would give up.

"Okay Andrew, I'm not getting anywhere trying to make you submit," JP admitted, practically hanging off his massive arm.

"I could have told you that you'd have no luck JP, but it was better that you found out for yourself," Andrew said. "And no one got hurt, so it turned out alright."

"Well my feelings got hurt, because I feel embarrassed and defeated," JP admitted, as Andrew set him down on the ground.

"Don't try to wrestle Offensive Linemen and that won't happen JP," Andrew advised him. "Stick to wrestlers in your weight class and you'll win the State Wrestling Championship next spring."

JP grinned at him as they continued their jog and looked forward to wrestling season starting again in November. But first, I get to have a fun month with my new friend and get noticed by NCAA Wrestling Coaches at the same time!

When they got to Andrew's house for lunch, JP asked, "When do we go to that burger place you told me about last week? What was its' name?"

"Webers," Andrew replied. "Yeah man, we'll go there during one of the coach meetings this week." JP grinned as he followed Andrew up to the front door. "Hey Mom, we're home!"

"Hello Andrew and JP," Susan greeted them, coming out of the living room. "Your dad's home and he wants to meet JP."

"Good idea Mom," Andrew agreed, as they took their shoes off.

"Hello son," Mr Harrington greeted Andrew, as he stepped into the living room.

"Hey Dad," Andrew said, shaking his dad's hand instead of hugging him.

"What, no hug for your old man?" Derrick asked, looking hurt.

"After my shower Dad," Andrew stated. "Why don't you and JP get to know each other while I take it."

"Good idea Andrew," Derrick agreed, as Andrew went upstairs. He stepped forward and shook JP's hand firmly. "Good to meet you JP; I'm Andrew's dad."

"His true dad from what I hear," JP said, returning Derrick's firm handshake with one of his own.

"You heard right JP, and I can tell you all about it while we get to know each other better," Derrick offered. "Then you can tell me more about how you met Andrew and what you two have been doing for the last week."

JP started telling him everything and Susan listened while she continued making lunch. By the time he was done, Andrew had come downstairs. JP had his shower upstairs, got changed, and then they had lunch together.

"JP's told me all about your adventures with him last week son," Derrick said. "I'm very impressed with how you've been training him to be a mentor for his future protege Nick."

"Yeah Dad, as Yoda would say, I've 'passed on what I have learned,'" Andrew said with a big grin.

JP looked over at Andrew in surprise, having had no idea that his huge friend was a Star Wars Fan. "Do you watch Star Trek as well Andrew?"

"Yeah man," Andrew replied. "My favorite series is Voyager, though Enterprise was good also. Too bad it got cancelled a couple months ago."

"So, what do you two have planned for the afternoon?" Derrick asked.

"More phone calls from College Football Coaches," Andrew bragged. "The NCAA wants me real bad, but then who wouldn't after seeing these huge muscles?" he asked, flexing his massive biceps.

Everyone at the table laughed, and then JP said, "And we know that your huge muscles aren't just for show Andrew: your 100 yard passes last week proved that, on my high school football field."

"Speaking of high school football fields, I think we'll have some time after lunch to show you mine," Andrew realized. "And if the coaches are calling my cell phone and not the home phone, I can show you around Orillia while I field their calls."

"Better stay inside Andrew; they'll be calling the home phone," Susan informed him. "Plenty of time to show JP, and the coaches who start visiting you tomorrow, around Orillia later this week."

"Good plan Mom," Andrew agreed. "I'm in such high demand this week that I have to schedule my time very carefully."

Derrick frowned at Andrew, thinking that he was acting too cocky, but then suddenly noticed the serious look on his son's face.

"Good for you Andrew: you're beginning to realize how serious College Football Recruiting really is," Derrick said.

"Yeah Dad, JP told me all about how heavily recruited his big brother Ryan was for College Football," Andrew agreed. "And once I got to Ohio State and saw how badly they wanted me, it became quite clear that I am being heavily recruited also."

"Show JP the OD Football Field now and then come back in for your first afternoon College Coach Call at 1 pm," Susan said.

"Sure thing Mom," Andrew agreed. "Good thing we live right across the street from the high school." Andrew grinned and headed out the door with JP.

"That's quite a change from the looser clothes you wore last week Andrew," JP realized, looking Andrew up and down. "Now I can clearly see just how huge and insanely muscular you truly are."

"Yeah man, that's why I love wearing skintight clothes," Andrew bragged. "Most people who want to cause trouble back off when they see my huge muscles, but David's always been too dumb to learn that lesson."

"Maybe he wouldn't have run his mouth so much if you'd dressed like this during your Ohio State visit," JP realized as they crossed the street.

"Yeah, but I still got an Official Visit offer out of it, so he didn't manage to wreck anything," Andrew said with a smug grin.

"Good point Andrew," JP agreed. He stepped through the gate after Andrew opened it for him and looked out over the ODCVI Football Field. "Well, this is certainly a small football field Andrew."

"Yeah it is, compared to High School Football Fields in America," Andrew realized. "But this is where the magic happens for me JP: all the winning plays and all the football glory that has led to me getting heavily recruited by the NCAA."

"Are you learning to love it Andrew?" JP asked.

"I think so JP," Andrew replied. "But I'll be depending on you to be right there beside me this week."

"What do you mean Andrew?" JP asked.

"Be in the same room as me and the coaches," Andrew requested. "You'll remind me to be humble and your presence will let the coaches know that there is another recruitable athlete in the room."

"And that way I'll get a head start on my recruiting journey," JP realized.

"That's true JP; I had forgotten about that," Andrew agreed. "I think you're smarter than I am."

"Not quite Andrew," JP realized.

"Why do you think that JP?" Andrew asked curiously.

"You've put your issues with Steve aside so that you can work together on the football field," JP replied. "I can't even stand to be in the same house with Ryan."

"Well, we'll see about that JP," Andrew declared.

"What do you mean?" JP asked, looking confused.

"Hopefully you'll come with me on my recruiting visits next week, which includes Virginia Tech," Andrew reminded him. "I'm sure, after seeing how big I am, that Ryan will behave himself. If you can do the same when you see him, then you'll have proven that you're as smart as I am."

"That sounds like a good idea Andrew," JP agreed, determined to act as serious as Andrew. "You're a really great mentor, you know."

"Thanks JP," Andrew said, looking embarrassed. "I guess I got lots of practice with other players on my football team. And of course, Mike's big brother Matt paved the way for me. He was very kind and patient with me when he first started training me in the summer of 1998. So I followed his example when I started training Mike the next year."

"So you didn't just become a great mentor the first time; you had an example to follow," JP realized. "Just like I do with you."

"That's right JP," Andrew agreed, laying a massive hand on his protege's shoulder. "Now, let's throw my football around for a few minutes before we go back inside and take more calls from the College Football Coaches."

JP grinned at the thought, even as Andrew looked a bit nervous.

==============================================================================

Meanwhile, Mike got to know Sue's brother Chris better as they chatted during lunch. Then, once lunch was over, he had an idea.

"Hey Chris, do you want come over to my house and throw the football around with me? Then we can come back here in a few hours to pick up Sue for Andrew's party."

"Good idea Mike," Chris agreed. "It would help me fit in better with your friends on the Offensive Line if they see that I'm friends with you."

"Why didn't you talk to me before today Chris?" Mike asked him, leading the way outside after kissing Sue goodbye.

"It's because I'm so small compared to you and I didn't like the Offensive Lineman because of Darrel and Steve," Chris replied, looking rather embarrassed.

"You know Chris, if you want to learn how to fight, I could teach you," Mike offered. "Then if the Lineman become Offensive in the literal sense, you'd be able to defend yourself against them. Just you like you do with the Cornerbacks as you run with the football to score touchdowns."

"You'd teach me how to fight?" Chris asked, looking hopeful. 

Mike nodded. "Yes I would Chris, but first you have to tell me something."

"What's that Mike?" Chris asked. 

"How come you've never approached me before this about learning how to fight?" Mike asked curiously. "I can tell that you want to. You're not scared of me and my fellow Linemen, are you?"

"I'm not scared of you Mike," Chris replied. "At least, not anymore."

  "You're not even scared of these huge muscles Chris?" Mike teased him, flexing his 24 inch biceps with a huge grin.

"No, because I want some muscles of my own," Chris replied. "You're my hero man! You're a great example of lifelong dedication to health and fitness! That's why I want to be just like you and it would be awesome to become friends with you during our Senior Year!"

Mike was silent for a moment, slightly embarrassed to be looked up to as a role model. He resolved to make sure he was worthy of that attention. Chris was silent also, a little embarrassed at how he had revealed all his hopes and dreams to Mike, who he had not considered a friend until just before lunchtime that day.

"I'll do my best to help you achieve your goals Chris," Mike said quietly. He realized suddenly how Andrew must have felt the first time small kids started looking up to him as a protector. "I really appreciate how much you look up to me. I never thought of myself as a hero or a role model before. It's a bit embarrassing, but very flattering. Thanks a lot for saying that man. Now how about answering my question."

"What was your question Mike?" Chris asked. "I forgot."

"I asked if you were scared of us, meaning me and Andrew."

"I am a bit scared when I see you two in the halls at school," Chris admitted. "Probably because I'm always afraid that the big football players will gang up on me and beat me up. That's why I wanted to talk to one of you alone first, in case it turned out badly."

"Has that ever happened?" Mike asked him, looking worried that it might have. He put a massive arm gently around Chris's small shoulder and assured him, "If it has, I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Thanks a lot for saying that Mike," Chris replied. "I haven't been bullied by any of the football players, but I haven't spent much time around them just in case. In fact, out of all the football players, I have only talked to my friends Stu, Nate and Lenny. We're all going to be in Grade 12 this fall: when we'll all hopefully become Starters on the football team."

"Did you know that they used to be my friends also, when we were in Elementary School together?" Mike asked him.

"Yes Mike; they joined the team two years ago, after you trained them in Grade Nine," Chris reminded him. "It's been great to see my friends achieve their dreams on the football field, and Ralph and Connor helped me do the same."

"So they were your friends as well before they were your teammates?" Mike asked him with a big grin. Chris nodded and Mike added, "Just like they once did, I also know what it's like to be the small kid in school."

"You must be joking Mike!" Chris laughed, the rest of his nervousness vanishing. "When were you ever a small kid?"

"When I was ten years old," Mike informed him. "I was rather small for my age then. When I started working out at age 11, with Andrew's guidance, my big brother's genes kicked in and helped me put on lots of size and muscle over the next four years."

"Well I'm glad you told me that Mike," Chris said gratefully. "It's great to know that there is hope for me to grow big as well."

"Oh there is Chris; I'll make sure of that if you're willing," Mike assured him. Chris nodded eagerly and Mike grinned. "Maybe if it works out well, you'll get big enough to become the Starting Wide Receiver instead of just the Back-up!" 

"That would be great Mike!" Chris shouted in excitement. 

"Good, then I'll introduce you to Andrew and the other members of the football team at his party tonight. I want to make sure they won't try anything with you when I'm not around. Then you can get them to help you work out while I'm away for the rest of this month. That way, when football season starts again, you'll be a lot bigger and stronger for sure."

"Wow, that's a great idea Mike," Chris said, looking excited at the prospect. "Did you know that Terry, Tom and Denny are also friends of mine? In fact, we all hung out together with Nate, Stu and Lenny from Kindergarten up to now. Though before they joined the football team, they all used their formal first names. Nate went by Nathan, Stu went by Stuart, and Lenny went by Leonard."

"What about Tom and Denny?" Mike asked.

"Their formal first names are Thomas and Dennis," Chris replied. "In fact, the only one of my friends who didn't change his name when he joined the football team was Terry."

"Great story Chris, but you've already shortened your first name from Christopher," Mike reminded him with a big grin. "So you're already socially ready to become a gym rat like me."

"I'd really appreciate that," Chris said, pleased that he and Mike were slowly becoming friends. "I've seen you guys working out in the gym, and I've always wanted to learn how to lift weights. It would be great to have a friend on the football team to show me how to do that."

"Well, you've got a friend now Chris," Mike promised him. "If anyone tries to mess with you, they'll have to come though me!"

"That would be pretty hard, since I can't even see around you!" Chris realized.

"Very funny man!" Mike laughed. "You really know how to break the ice with those jokes of yours!"

"I don't see any ice," Chris said, grinning and looking around wildly. "It's July, you know!"

"Stop that!" Mike laughed, slapping Chris's shoulder lightly. "If we keep laughing all day long, we'll never get any work done! Besides, we're at my house now, so you can sit in on my phone calls with the College Football Coaches. And since I'm going to help you learn how to work out, maybe you can do something for me in exchange."

"What can I do for you?" Chris asked, amazed that Mike, being a huge football star, might actually need something from him.

"Maybe you could tutor me in Physics a little bit," Mike suggested. "I only got 80 percent as my final grade last month and I want to do better this year. If you could help me get my mark up, I'd really appreciate it."

"Sure, I'd be glad to help you," Chris agreed. "I got 95 in that class, so I should be able to tutor you. If you help me work out in return, then we'll be all set. Are there any other football players who need tutoring in Physics?"

"What makes you think the football players need tutoring?" Mike asked, frowning at Chris. "You don't think we'll all Dumb Jocks, do you?"

"No Mike, I didn't mean to imply that!" Chris assured his huge friend, taking one large step back as Mike took one small step towards him. He breathed a sigh of relief as Mike stopped. "I just meant that I saw a few football players beside you in my Physics Class last year. I thought if I offered to help them with a subject we have in common, they would accept me more easily. Maybe they would even help me work out as well, like you've offered to."

"Hey, that's good thinking man," Mike realized. "Sorry I overreacted. I guess I just didn't realize what you were thinking."

"Well you may be really smart, but you're not a mind reader," Chris said with a small grin. Mike grinned back at him, making Chris feel more at ease again. "So, do you think I can meet some of your football teammates during the party at Andrew's house tonight?"

"I think that's a good idea," Mike agreed. "Especially if I introduce you to them as my new friend."

“You’d be friends with me?” Chris asked in astonishment. “Won’t that hurt your image as a jock?”

“No it won't Chris, because I've always protected my small friends, until they became jocks themselves,” Mike reminded him. "Andrew and I did that with Mark, Ralph, Nate, Stu and Lenny. And later, with Tom, Denny and Terry."

"They were all your friends before they became football players?" Chris asked in astonishment. 

"Yes they were, and Andrew and I worked together to train them for football," Mike replied. "Phil helped as well. It seems like our training had good results, judging by their performance on the football field."

"Yeah, I noticed that when I attended their games and practices," Chris informed him.

"I thought I had seen you in the stands," Mike remembered. "At first, I thought you were there just to cheer on your friends: Stu, Nate and Lenny. But then I noticed that you showed up at my hockey games, even though they're not on that team with me. Maybe you've been stalking me!”

“A little hard to do that; last time I checked, you weren’t a shelf!” Chris joked.

“Very funny man!” Mike laughed, slapping Chris’s shoulder gently. "I meant S,T,A,L,K, as in following me around everywhere I go! I've seen you in the library, at the cafeteria, and around my locker! And Andrew's told me that you're the only person who showed up at every football game and practice last season! And you came to all my hockey games and practices last winter also. Even Sue can't get to them all, and my parents are so busy, they hardly get to any! How come you were always there Chris?"

"I didn’t mean to bother you!" Chris assured him. "I have just heard stories over the last few years about how you have helped other small guys get buffed up in exchange for tutoring. I was trying to work up the courage to ask you to help me work out."

"Buffed up?" Mike repeated. "Looks like you're picking up 'Jock Speak' already!"

"Jock Speak?" Chris repeated. "What's that?"

"Do you want the exact dictionary definition?" Mike asked him with a cocky smirk.

"You actually looked it up?" Chris asked him in astonishment.

"Of course I did Chris," Mike replied, glaring down at him. "Despite my huge muscles, I'm a Smart Jock." He flexed his massive biceps and added menacingly, "So don't call me a Dumb Jock Chris, or you'll regret it!"

"I understand Mike," Chris assured him nervously. "But would you mind explaining something for me?"

"Sure Chris," Mike replied. He gave his small friend an encouraging smile and asked: "What do you want to know?"

"What's the difference between a Smart Jock and a Dumb Jock?" Chris asked, feeling less nervous now.

"A Smart Jock is humble like an athlete, and hangs out with everyone, like you and I are hanging out now," Mike replied. "A Smart Jock doesn't beat people up, though he is somewhat obsessed with football. A Smart Jock gets good grades, to secure his Athletic Scholarship, and takes Sports Management in college. Then he has a back-up plan if he gets hurts in the NFL. Smart Jocks are also considered cool to hang out with, because they can get along with anyone, smart kids and the Dumb Jocks. Smart Jocks use their size to intimidate bullies and keep them from beating up the small kids. The Dumb Jocks are the bullies: who have to be taught painful lessons by Smart Jocks like me."

"You really put a lot of thought into that definition," Chris realized. "It sounded like you were describing yourself! Have you ever had to defend any smart kids from jocks at this school?"

"A few times," Mike replied. "Stu, Nate, and Lenny were bullied by Steve and Darrel until I put a stop to it. That's when I realized that I had to train them to work out so that they could look after themselves. And once they met Andrew and Phil, they asked the three of us to train them to become football players. So we did that when we were all in Grade 9 together, and they joined the team two years ago as our backups. This season, our Senior Year, they will share Starting Duties with us on the Offensive Line. And when you see them at Andrew's party this evening, you'll see how big and strong they've become."

"That would be great Mike," Chris realized. "I have only seen them at the football games and practices, and that was from a distance. So I don't really know how big they are up close, because we don't hang out anymore and I don't share any classes with them. So I haven't seen them since last November."

"You're right about that Chris, and I'm sorry that you don't see them as often as you used to," Mike apologized. "After Andrew, Phil and I helped them get big and strong, the football players embraced them and they were accepted into our group of friends pretty quickly. I didn't realize that they kind of ended their friendship with you in the process."

"Well, our friendship didn't exactly end so much as it just faded way," Chris realized. "It wasn't anybody's fault; we've just had different priorities over the last couple of years."

"Yeah, football does that: swallows up all the athlete's time," Mike realized. He looked down at his watch and added, "We'd better get inside; it's almost time for the first college coach phone call."

"Good idea Mike," Chris agreed, following his big friend inside. "How about I meet and talk to your father while you're on the phone."

"Good idea Chris," Mike agreed, leading the way into his house. "When did you want to throw the football around with me?"

"After your phone calls with the college coaches are over," Chris replied. "That should give me enough time to meet your father and learn about your high school football journey so far."

Mike agreed with that plan and once they got inside, he introduced Chris to his dad. Then he excused himself as the phone rang and walked over to pick it up. As he began talking with the first College Football Coach, his dad Martin began telling Chris all about the athletic achievements of all three of his sons.  

Chris listened with astonishment and more than a little excitement. He suddenly realized that with Mike's help, he would soon be starting on an athletic journey that he never could have imagined even a few months ago.

======================================================

Meanwhile, back at Andrew's house, Andrew and JP were learning first-hand how intense College Football Recruiting was, even over the phone. Andrew had to resort to using the speakerphone so that JP could write all the rest of the In-home Coach Visits on the calender for that week.

Once he hung up the phone, Andrew turned to JP and said, "That was almost as exhausting as four quarters of football JP!"

"Who are you kidding Andrew?" JP laughed. "I saw the huge grin on your face during the last two hours! You looked so cocky and arrogant it's a wonder your head didn't explode!"

"Well, if I'm going to act cocky, at least I look the part," Andrew realized, pointing to his reflection in the mirror. JP looked and his eyes widened at how tight Andrew's clothes were. "You should dress the same JP."

"Yeah, Matt would go crazy if I wore skintight jeans," JP realized. "I'll go check my luggage upstairs to see if I packed some."

"Good, then you'll fit in with me and my teammates at the party tonight," Andrew said approvingly. "Mike, as you well know, is way more cocky and arrogant than I am. So he usually wears clothes that are so skintight that the seams barely contain his huge muscles."

"Even at school?" JP asked in astonishment.

"Especially at school," Andrew confirmed. "Having once been a small guy, Mike is obsessed with being the Ultimate Alpha now and so his ego is practically in orbit. Besides, wearing skintight clothes is practically a requirement for a High School Football Star: just to be cocky and show off all the time." He looked around the mostly empty Living Room. "Do you realize that it's just you, me and JP here right now Mom?"

"Yes I do Andrew, as it has been since lunch," Susan replied. "I realized that you and JP would be busy with the College Football Coaches most of the afternoon. So I had to send your dad, Matt and JP's parents out to take care of the shopping for the party this evening. This party is for you and your teammates: to celebrate your recruiting success. Why should I make you shop for it?"

"Because the party is being held at our house, which makes us the Hosts?" Andrew asked.

"Well that's true Andrew, but I had to deal with the College Coaches last week while you were gone," Susan reminded him. "So now it's your turn to deal with them, expecially since you're the target of their interest."

"Their intense interest, based on how excited they were to talk to me," Andrew realized. "Just like the party is being held for me this evening."

"Not just you Andrew!" Susan snapped. "This party is for all the Starters of the Senior Football Team! And don't get a swelled head because all those College Football Coaches were calling you today! They're not coming all the way up here this week just to see you; they're also going to be meeting all the other football players who they think are recruitable: both on Offense and Defence!"

"Got it Mom," Andrew assured her, as the phone rang again. "That's probably for me!"

As he ran to pick up the phone, JP turned to Susan and said, "You were pretty harsh with your son just now Miss Thompson."

"He needs his massive ego knocked down a peg or two!" Susan snapped. "Especially after his bad temper almost got him kicked off the football team last season! And from what you told me about how you and Andrew met, you have a bad temper too!"

"What do you mean?" JP asked, looking confused.

"You almost choked that guy out on the National Mall a few days ago," Susan whispered loudly, while leading JP into the kitchen. Once she was sure that the College Football Coaches couldn't hear them over the speakerphone, she added, "Can you imagine what would have happened if the Capitol Police had witnessed that, especially with the fact that he never laid a hand on you? They would have arrested you, and your coach would have kicked you off the wrestling team! Then your High School Wrestling Career could have ended right there, to say nothing of a potential College Wrestling Career! Do you understand me JP?"

"Yes I do Miss Thompson," JP replied, looking shocked at the implications. "I didn't think about any of those negative effects at the time; I only saw my brother's face in my mind."

"You're not the first one whose anger caused them to do something out of character JP," Susan informed him. When JP looked at her in confusion, she clarified by adding: "Andrew's hatred for David led to him punching David out during a game last fall and cost him two weeks on the bench. And it couldn't have happened at a worse time: just a few weeks before the Provincial Championship Game which Andrew's Team lost by one point! So I hope you'll learn the easy way that you're not a little kid anymore and that your actions can have negative consequences."

"And positive ones, since Ohio State wants me on their wrestling team," JP informed her.

"That's right, and because you had to learn how to become a Star Wrestler without your brother's help, you get to take all the credit for your success on the Wrestling Mat," Susan reminded him.

"I guess I do," JP realized with a big grin.

"But you also have to take responsibility for failing to win the District Title a few months ago," Susan reminded him. JP's grin faded as he nodded soberly. "It must be quite a delicate balance for you and Andrew: between getting nervous from all the attention to the other extreme of letting it all go to your heads. But you and Andrew, at least in recent months, seem to be doing quite well at achieving that balance."

"Thank you Miss Thompson; I try my best," JP said gratefully, looking a bit embarassed.

"Call me Susan," Andrew's Mom asked him.

"Okay Susan," JP said hesitantly. "Can we talk about something else now, instead of my failures?"

"Sure thing JP; tell me more about your wrestling success so far," Susan said. "And I want to hear where you got the idea to hold a Middle School Wrestling Camp."

So JP told her the story about how Coach Graves had suggested it as a way to capitolize on JP's Wrestling Success. When JP pointed out that he hadn't won the District Title, Graves reminded him that he had been the first wrestler in years to reach the District Finals. That is what convinced JP that his success had breathed new life into the Spartans Wrestling Program.

Then he dared to ask Andrew's mom why she had been lecturing him so severely earlier. Especially since they had just met the evening before.

So Susan told him all about the Downfall of Chad Pearson: starting with the car accident that ended his NFL Career. She finished the story by detailing how Chad got himself fired from his longtime career at Harrington's Sports Suppliers with a failed Boardroom Coup.

Once he heard the whole story, JP realized how he had to act humble about his athletic achievements, considering that they could be taken away from him in an instant.

"Sorry about bringing the mood down by telling you all that JP," Susan apologized, noticing the worried look on his face. "It's just that the events of the divorce are quite recent."

"I can only imagine," JP realized. "My parents have a happy marraige and it's the first one for both of them." He declined to mention that Matt's parents had gotten divorced years before. Then he tried to think of something more fun to talk about. "Are you, and Andrew's true dad, proud of Andrew for his achievements on the High School Football Field?"

"Proud is an understatement JP; that's why I'm working so hard with his Football Coach and his dad to make this Recruiting Summer a great success for him," Susan informed him.

"I guess that was a stupid question, since the answer was right in front of me the whole time," JP realized, pointing to the wall calender that was filled with future visits from College Football Coaches.

"Don't feel bad about forgetting that JP; just consider this summer practice for your own Recruiting Summer next year," Susan advised him. "We'll talk more about that later; it looks like Andrew's done talking with the College Football Coaches for now."

"Good, then I finally get to spend some time with him: which is the whole reason I accepted his invitation to be here this weekend and this week," JP grumbled.

Andrew walked up to them and asked, "So, what have you two been talking about while I've been busy with the College Football Coaches?"

JP and Susan glanced at each other quickly and then Susan replied, "Just talking about how busy this month is going to be for all of us now that your College Football Recruiting has kicked into high gear."

"Is that all?" Andrew pressed, having noticed their quick glance at each other before Susan's reply.

"No Andrew, we also talked about your football journey over the last few years, which has mirrored mine in wrestling," JP replied. "And the obstacles we've had to overcome along the way."

"We've already talked a lot about that," Andrew reminded him. "Now it's time to put our heads together and come up with some solutions."

"If you invited Ryan up here for Civic Holiday Weekend, that would help," Susan suggested. Andrew turned to look at her with excitement and she added, "That would return the favour for him hosting you on your Virginia Tech Recruiting Visit later this month."

"Good idea Mom," Andrew commended her. He turned to JP with a glare and asked, "Will you be able to behave around your big brother: both at Virginia Tech and here at my house?"

"Yes I will Andrew," JP assured his big friend, feeling intimidated by his angry glare.

"Good for you JP; I'm glad to hear it," Andrew said approvingly. "Because don't forget, I have to report for Reserves Training the day after the Civic Holiday. So I don't know when I'll see you again after that."

"Yes, Andrew has to do the first part of his Infantry Training at the Meaford Base next month," Susan explained. "I think it's called Soldier Qualification: the first course Infantry Soldiers have to do after Basic Training. Andrew took BMQ last summer."

"BMQ?" JP asked, looking confused.

"Boot Camp JP," Susan clarified. "Our military acronyms are different than those in America."

JP nodded in understanding as Andrew said, "I hope I can complete Soldier Qualification next month. Then I can start my formal Infantry Training on weekends and holidays during my Senior Year. Because I might not have time to do any Military Training next summer."

"Why not Andrew?" JP asked.

"My former trainee Mark had to report to Miami last week to start two months of training before College Football Season begins," Andrew replied. "So I might be spending next summer at my new school on their football field instead of at the Meaford Base."

"If that's true Andrew, do they open up those practices to friends of the Freshman Players?" JP asked him. "If they do, I could attend some of them. It might be the only way we'll be able to spend any time together after you go to college." 

"I'll know the answer to that early next year JP: after National Signing Day," Andrew assured him. He noticed JP looking sad and added, "But for now, let's focus on the fun we're going to have together this month."

"Good idea Andrew," JP agreed with a slight smile. Just then, the phone rang. "That's probably for you Andrew: more College Football Coaches begging you to join their teams next fall."

"Well then, I won't keep them waiting JP," Andrew said, walking across the Living Room towards the Kitchen. Just before he picked up the receiver, he grinned and added, "That will give you and my mom more time to talk about me behind my back."

JP grinned back as Andrew picked up the receiver and then turned back to Susan to talk with her some more.

======================================================

Meanwhile, at Mike's house, after all his calls with the College Football Coaches, Mike and Chris headed outside to drive to the ODCVI football field.

"Are you going to change into some looser clothes before the party Mike?" Chris asked cautiously.

"I already have man," Mike confirmed with a cocky smirk. "But I'm so muscular that these jeans are still tight, so the difference is barely noticeable. But they feel more comfortable than the other pair and I can move much easier in them. Besides, it has been my habit since high school started to wear tight clothes possible to show off all my huge muscles, so I'm not going to stop now. I'm so huge and muscular now that I'd have to shop at the Big and Tall Shop all the time to find clothes that fit me more loosely and that's too much work."

"What about tomorrow when the College Football Coaches start visiting you?" Chris asked. "Won't they be turned off by your arrogance if they see you wearing those tight clothes?"

"They might be, so tomorrow I'll wear looser clothes that just hint at my huge muscles without showing off every detail," Mike agreed. "Know Your Audience and all that."

Mike and Chris were almost at Mike's truck when Martin came running out with Mike's football jacket. 

“You almost forgot this son,” he reminded Mike. “You'll probably want to wear it to Andrew's football party tonight. It's only a couple of hours away now, so you should be prepared. Here's your Ohio State Football to practice with as well.”

“Thanks a lot Dad,” Mike said gratefully. “What time do you want me to come home from Andrew's party tonight?”

“I think I'll let you decide your own curfew from now on,” Martin decided. “You're almost an adult by now, as you proved when you didn't cause any trouble last week in America. I’ll just see you when you get home tonight after the party.”

“Thanks a lot Dad,” Mike said gratefully with a big grin. “I'm glad you can trust me.”

“I certainly can son,” Martin agreed. “You've proven that since you became much bigger and stronger than I am and didn't use your size to intimidate me or Mark. I’m very proud of you Mike."

“Aww stop it Dad; you're going to make me cry,” Mike admonished him. “You know how sensitive I am!”

“Sorry about that Mike,” Martin apologized. Then he laughed and added, “Some tough guy, almost reduced to tears by a few compliments!”

“Hey, you’d better watch what you say Dad!” Mike growled in fake fury with a big grin. “I’m a huge muscle freak and I could…”

“Lift me up with one hand?" Martin teased him, returning Mike's grin with one of his own. "You've done that already. But at least you're not acting shy now.”

“Very clever Dad,” Mike realized. “Thanks for making me feel better," he added gratefully. "See you when I get home."

“See you guys later,” Martin shouted as Mike and Chris headed down the street in Mike's truck. 

“Your Dad’s a great guy,” Chris realized. “He's really embraced the role of the Football Dad, hasn’t he?”

“Yes he has,” Mike agreed. “Even though he never played football himself, he's raised three successful High School Football Players."

"Successful is an understatement Mike," Chris corrected him.

"What do you mean?" Mike asked curiously.

"Your older brother Mark is about to play for the Miami Hurricanes in two months," Chris reminded him. "And you are just starting a successful Recruiting Summer for College Football. How many schools have you visited so far?"

"Three: Ohio State, Notre Dame and Michigan," Mike replied. He looked over at Chris with a cocky smirk and added, "Guess how many of them offered me an Official Visit in the fall?"

"All of them," Chris replied with a big grin.

"That's right Chris," Mike confirmed as he laughed arrogantly. "Once they saw what an awesome god I am on the Offensive Line, they all knew they had to have me on their teams!"

"But you can only choose one of them, can't you?" Chris asked. Mike nodded. "So where will you choose to go for College Football?"

"I won't know until my five Official Visits are complete in the fall," Mike replied. 

"Okay, an easier question Mike," Chris teased him with a big grin. He waited for Mike to grin back at him before asking, "Have you accepted all three Official Visit Offers so far?"

"Just Ohio State," Mike replied. "There are at least a dozen more schools for me to visit this month and I didn't want to close off any options. It would be great if I could go to the same school as Andrew. But I didn't turn down Notre Dame or Michigan; I just asked them to wait until this summer of Recruiting Visits is over. Then I'll let them know if I accept their Official Visit Offers for the fall."

"Well that's a good idea in theory Mike, but what if no more schools offer you an Official Visit in the fall?" Chris teased him. "What if Notre Dame and Michigan no longer want you by September?"

Mike looked over at him with an angry glare but then burst out laughing when he saw the cheeky grin on Chris's face. "Nice one Chris, but we both know that all the big football schools want me real bad. You saw the huge basket of letters from the NCAA Schools on the Dining Room Table, didn't you?" Chris nodded and Mike said, "That's what I thought. Besides, Michigan and Notre Dame have already agreed to wait for me to make up my mind. They don't have many Recruiting Targets for Right Guard this year, so I have a better chance with them than I might from other schools."

"Well that's good for you Mike," Chris commended him. "So, are you taking some Unofficial Visits in August?"

"Yeas I am, but not with Andrew, he Andrew has to do Army Reserve Training in August," Mike replied. "But I have all summer off, so I can go visit the Texas Schools and even the ones on the West Coast. Then I can travel along the Gulf Coast, stop at LSU and then visit the Florida Schools before returning home by Labour Day Weekend. By then, I should have narrowed down which five Official Visits I will be accepting in the fall."

"That's very smart of you Mike," Chris said proudly.

"Thanks man," Mike said gratefully, patting his shoulder gently. 

“What will Andrew and his friends from the Offensive Line say when they see me at their party tonight?” Chris asked uneasily. “I’m not a Starting Offensive Lineman; I'm just a Back-Up Running Back.”

“But now you're friends with a Starter on the football team,” Mike reminded him. “Don’t worry man; they won’t bother you if you’re with me. In fact, it might be easier to get along with them once they find out that we're helping each other out.”

“You mean how I’m helping you with Physics in exchange for weight-training?”

“That's it,” Mike agreed. “You’re a really smart kid, you know that? Wait, you’re almost 18 now. That means you’re a smart man. Sorry about that Chris."

“I’m afraid I’m used to it by now,” Chris remarked sadly. “People see me as a kid because I’m so small.”

“I didn’t mean to remind you of that Chris,” Mike assured him. “It’s time we did something about that. I'll have to teach you the weight-training diet as well. Then you can play football with me this fall.”

“That would be great,” Chris agreed. “It would certainly go a long way to helping me fit in with you guys.”

“I know; you mentioned that earlier,” Mike remembered. “Are there any more questions you wanted to ask? We’re almost at Andrew's house.”

“Why did you not dismiss me without a thought when I asked you if you could help me work out?” Chris asked.

“Well, the fact that you showed enough courage to come up to me and introduce yourself went a long way. Most people are too scared of me to even wave if they don’t know me. I remember how scared Nate, Stu and Lenny were three years ago when we started high school and saw how much I had grown. And they had known me for years at that point! That's why I showed them how to work out so they could join the football team two years ago.”

“I remember you telling me that a few minutes ago,” Chris realized. “Do you think your willingness to talk to me had something to do with me asking you for help with weight training?”

“It certainly didn’t hurt,” Mike agreed. “I love working out. When I find someone who is interested in it too, I really want to get to know them better. It also helps that you have been to a lot of my football games already. Well, I hate to cut our conversation short, but we’re here.” Mike pulled his truck into the high school parking lot, which was empty except for them.

“We're at the high school already?” Chris asked, looking surprised. “That went quickly, didn’t it?”

“Yes it did,” Mike agreed, getting out of his truck. “Follow me to the football field Chris. Then we can throw my Ohio State football around for a while."

"Did you get this one during your Unofficial Visit there a few days ago?" Chris asked. "Or did you buy it during an earlier visit?"

"I bought it on this visit Chris," Mike replied, leading him over to the football field. "Follow me."

Chris followed his new friend onto the football field, realizing that it was the first time he'd been on it outside of gym class.

"Once we're done here, I'll take you across the street and introduce you to Andrew and his new friend JP," Mike decided.

"How do you know he's home?" Chris asked.

"His truck's in the driveway Chris," Mike replied with a smirk. He noticed Chris looking sad and added, "But I shouldn't expect you to recognize Andrew's truck, since you barely know him."

"At least up close," Chris agreed. "But I should recognize him from a distance, having watched most of his games from the stands."

"Once I introduce you to him, we'll see if he recognizes you," Mike decided. "If he does, that should go a long way towards becoming friends with him. Andrew, like me, always appreciates the support of his fans."

"And if he becomes friends with me this evening, that should go a long way towards his teammates accepting my presence at his party tonight," Chris realized.

"Which is only about an hour away now," Mike said, checking his watch. "I'll have to take you back home to pick up Sue after we're done here and you'll probably want to have a shower and change before the party." Then he thought for a minute and realized something. "You know what: I should introduce you to Andrew now and make sure he's okay with you coming to the party tonight. We can always throw the football around later." Chris nodded in agreement and then they looked across the street at Andrew's house and saw the front door open. Andrew came down the steps with a couple of his friends and waved to Mike. "He's coming over here now Chris, so I'll be able to introduce you to him before the party."

"And after that I'll be able to meet his friends on the football team," Chris realized. "When they get here that is."

He looked a little nervous, and Mike noticed. "Hey don't worry Chris; no one's going to mess with you as long as I'm around!"

Chris nodded in agreement and followed Mike over to Andrew and his friends: who were waiting for them by the stands.

“Hey, what’s up guys?” Andrew greeted them both. 

"Not much Andrew, just getting to know Sue's brother Chris a little better," Mike replied. "He told me that he's a big football fan and he wanted to meet you. I told him that coming to this party would be a good start, if he's welcome that is."

"Any friend of yours is welcome Mike, and as you can see, the high school parking lot has lots of room for all our other friends this evening," Andrew reminded him with a cocky smirk.

"Always showing off how smart you are Andrew!" Mike teased him. "Sometimes I forget that because of how big you are."

“You’ve-you’ve grown even more since the end of the football season Andrew,” Chris stammered, staring up at him in awe. "How tall are you now and how much do you weigh?"

"I am 6 foot 7 and I weigh over 300 pounds of solid muscle," Andrew replied, smiling proudly.

"Wow Andrew, you're huge!" Chris exclaimed in awe. "And look how muscular your arms are!"

“Yeah, pretty impressive aren't they?” Andrew bragged, stretching casually to show off his biceps. When he saw Chris's jaw drop, he shrugged and asked, “What? Do my arms have some fat on them or something?”

“Obviously not!” Chris laughed, relaxing immediately. 

Everyone around them laughed as well, and Andrew was relieved that his joke had snapped Chris out of his shock.

“I didn’t think so Chris,” Andrew said with a huge grin. “If my arms have anything on them, it’s muscle!”

“Well I’m catching up to you,” Mike remarked, stepping out from behind Chris. “Maybe I should take off my shirt and show Chris how muscular I am now.”

“Go right ahead Mike,” Andrew agreed. “Let’s see if you can match my muscles.” He took off his t-shirt and Chris gasped in awe at his huge pecs and six-pack abs. “We already know you match my strength,” Andrew added, with a smirk as Mike took off his t-shirt, making Chris gasp in awe again. “We’re both tanks now!”

"Wow!" Chris said, so stunned that he was unable to think of anything else to say. "You guys are awesome!"

"Thanks man," Andrew said humbly. "But I've forgotten to make the proper introductions, haven't I?" He introduced JP and Matt to Chris and then told his new friends how he knew Chris. Then he turned back to Chris and said, "Did you know that Mike's almost as strong as I am?"

“What do you mean?” Chris asked in amazement. “Can Mike bench 800 pounds as well?”

“Not quite, but he can bench about 750,” Andrew replied, grinning as Mike put a finger to his lips too late. “If you don’t believe me, just ask him. He won't even deny it; you know how cocky he is."

Everyone turned around to look at Mike in amazement, causing him to clench his fists in anger. “Thanks a lot Andrew!” Mike snapped. “I was trying to keep my true strength quiet and now you've revealed it to everyone!”

“Well you're so cocky and arrogant Mike; I didn't think it would be a problem," Andrew explained. He noticed the angry look on Mike's face and asked, "You're not embarrassed about your great strength, are you?" 

“I guess not,” Mike assured him, looking around to see everyone staring at him with pride. Even JP looked impressed. “Just make sure that you don't tell anyone else about my great strength. I don’t want everyone I meet to know what my max bench is. Understood?”

“I understand Mike,” Andrew agreed. “I also realize that you don’t have to be jealous of me anymore, since you match my great strength now.”

“Let’s arm-wrestle to make sure of that Andrew,” Mike suggested. “We can use the stands on the other side of the football field.”

“Good idea Mike,” Andrew agreed, leading all the guys across the football field to the stands. 

Andrew stood opposite him, and everyone crowded around them.

“You should officiate man,” JP suggested to Chris. “What did Andrew say your name was?”

“I’m Chris,” Chris replied, shaking JP’s hand. “I just got re-acquainted with Mike this afternoon.” He was about to mention how he had first met Mike, when he first started dating Chris's sister Sue, but then he decided not to. “He’s going to help me work out, and I’m going to tutor him in Physics.”

“We'd appreciate the help Chris,” Andrew said. “Welcome to our group of friends.” He looked over at Mike, who nodded. "We're ready now."

Chris turned to Andrew and Mike and said, “Put your hands together gentlemen.” JP and Matt started clapping as Andrew and Mike locked hands. “That was not exactly what I meant,” Chris said to JP. “But I guess it’s a good idea: each of you clapping for your favorites. Ready, Andrew and Mike?” 

“Yeah man,” Andrew growled. “Let's get this over with. I want to break this punk in half and then enjoy the party this evening!”

“Okay guys: go!” Chris shouted.

Andrew and Mike began straining: their huge biceps bulging as they tried to force each other’s arms down. JP and Matt watched in silence, not wanting to distract their huge friends. Andrew began to gain the upper hand, in part because Mike was intimidated by his fierce competitive look. Mike focused and tried to force Andrew’s hand back up. But he was too late; Andrew forced his hand down all the way.

“I win Mike,” Andrew gloated, breathing heavily. “Good match man; you were hard to beat.” He looked up to see Mike glaring at him. “We should make it best two out of three before we crown a winner,” he decided. “How does that sound?”

“Gee, you think so, do you?” Mike snapped sarcastically. “What a great idea!”

“Why you little punk, how dare you speak to me like that!” Andrew roared in fury. “You want a war, I’ll give you one!”

So Andrew and Mike locked their hands together once again, Chris shouted “Go!” and the Battle for Dominance began once more. This time, Andrew took the offensive early, but he apparently used up too much energy and wore himself out. So Mike managed to force Andrew's hand down all the way that time.

“I win this time Andrew,” Mike bragged, giving Andrew a cocky smirk. “Who’s the little punk now?”

Andrew glared at him, after shock flashed across his face for an instant. But inside, he felt relieved, since he now had some company at the top of the strength pyramid. 

“Don’t forget that it's Best Two out of Three Mike,” Andrew reminded him. “The winner of this third round will be the Ultimate Alpha for today. Are you ready Little Man?”

“Yeah I'm ready, to beat you once more Andrew,” Mike predicted with an arrogant grin.

“Not this time Mike,” Andrew warned him. “Not this time.”

“Are you guys going to chirp each other all day, or arm wrestle?” JP asked them impatiently.

“Picking up the football terms already, I see,” Andrew remarked. “But you’re right JP; let’s do it Mike!”

"I'm ready Andrew: to take you down and become the Ultimate Alpha for today!" Mike predicted.

Andrew just grinned and shook his head. "We'll see."

“One more time guys,” Chris stated. “Ready and Go!”

Mike took the offensive right away, fueled by his success last time. But this time, he was the one who overexerted himself. Andrew fought back, slamming Mike’s hand onto the wooden table with a loud smack.

“Owww!” Mike shouted in pain. “That hurt Andrew!”

“What hurt: losing to me or having your hand slammed onto the table?" Andrew asked  him with an arrogant grin.

"Both, as I'm sure you can tell!" Mike snapped at him. "Did you really have to slam my hand down so hard?"

"I just wanted to make sure you know who’s the Ultimate Alpha today!” Andrew declared. “Just because you beat me once doesn’t make you the Big Man at school! You got that, Little Man?”

“I’ll remember that Andrew,” Mike assured him, massaging his sore hand. “You're feeling really cocky now, aren’t you?”

“Just got caught up in the spirit of competition Mike,” Andrew declared, realizing that he had acted like a Cocky Jock during the Arm-Wrestling Contest. “I hope I didn’t hurt your hand man.”

“Naw, I’m tough, I can take it,” Mike gloated. “Let's see if you can do the same.” He punched Andrew in the face before Andrew could prepare, and Andrew actually flinched. “How’s that feel?”

Andrew punched him back and Mike flinched too.

“It felt great,” Andrew bluffed. “How’d that feel?”

“Good job Andrew,” Mike replied. “You can still hurt me, but less than before.”

“Wow, you guys are too strong to really hurt each other!” Chris marveled. “I bet if one of you punched me in the face, I’d be in the hospital for weeks!”

“Don't joke about that Chris!” Andrew admonished him. “Nothing you could do could make me punch you. Even if you made me mad, I’d just do this!” He stepped forward, lifted Chris up in the air by his shirt and held him there effortlessly with one hand. “How’s the view from up there, man?”

“Oh it’s fine Andrew,” Chris stammered. “But I thought you said you would only do that when you were angry, not calm!”

“Oops, sorry man,” Andrew apologized, setting Chris down gently. “I didn’t mean to get carried away.”

“I’m the one who got carried away: by you!” Chris corrected him.  

“I guess I walked right into that one,” Andrew realized.

“You walked right into this as well!” Chris shouted, punching Andrew right on the chin. Andrew just grinned at Chris, who shouted: “Rats! I hurt my own hand!”

“Punching someone in the face is the best way to hurt yourself, unless you’re big and strong like Mike and me," Andrew realized. "That’s what you get for trying to knock me out. Remember that next time you feel like you can take me on.” Chris nodded soberly as JP, Matt and Mike drifted away. "Sit down for a minute Chris," Andrew ordered him, grabbing him by the shoulder and sitting him down on the stands. He stood in front of Chris and leaned over until they were face-to-face. "We just met man; what makes you think you can punch me in the face in front of my friends and get away with it?"

"What makes you think you can just embarrass me by lifting me up in mid-air with one hand?" Chris snapped back. "I'm not your plaything you know; I'm an actual person with feelings!"

"I understand that now Chris," Andrew said. "But I hope you understand that football players always engage in dominance contests with each other. If you want to be friends with the Offensive Linemen, you'll have to take part in them."

"You should have seen what Chris did to me a few years ago when he thought I'd mistreated Sue," Mike said, walking up to them. Chris shook his head, not wanting Mike to relay the story. "Don't be embarrassed Chris; you showed great courage defending your sister like that, especially since you hadn't joined the football team yet." He leaned closer to Chris and asked, "Will you let me tell Andrew the story?"

Chris nodded reluctantly as Mike and Andrew sat down on either side of him on the stands.

Mike told him how Sue had actually injured her hand once punching Mike in the face. Mike had come downstairs with her, and had apologized for hurting her, by accident. Chris heard that and attacked Mike: slamming his head into the wall, and punching him repeatedly, before kneeing him in the groin and warning him not to touch his sister again.

"That was really brave of you Chris, but I would have thought you had learned your lesson and stopped punching people in the face after that," Andrew said.

"I must be a slow learner," Chris realized. "Sometimes my temper gets the best of me and I just lash out."

"I have the same trouble Chris," Andrew informed him. "But because I'm so big and strong, I could cause a lot more damage if I got mad. So I've had to learn a lot of self-control over the past few years, even if I haven't always been successful."

“Well, now that you two are done fighting, let’s get something to eat,” JP decided. "It's almost time for the party."

“We’ll meet you guys there,” Andrew said. “I’d like to speak to Chris alone for a few moments.” He looked at Mike and added, "I want to tell him how last season ended for our team."

“Okay man,” Mike said. “We'll see you in your house in a few moments. Hopefully more of our teammates will have arrived by then.” He walked up to Chris, shook his hand and said, "See you inside man." Chris nodded and watched with Andrew as Mike, JP and Matt walked across the street to Andrew's house.

As they walked, JP looked Mike up and down and was awed by how huge and muscular he was.

"Your tight clothes really show off your huge muscles in great detail Mike," he said bravely.

"Thanks man," Mike said, grinning down at him. "It's nice to get back to how I dress all the time."

"Even at school?" JP asked in astonishment.

"Especially at school," Mike confirmed with a cocky smirk. "I'm a football god and I love to show off. So I wear tight clothes, both off and on the field." He looked down at JP again and added, "I don't know why you look so shocked JP; you're wearing a tight t-shirt just like I am."

"But not tight jeans," JP clarified.

"Yeah, it does take a lot of guts for guys to wear tight jeans," Mike agreed. "But I've dressed like this since my first day of high school, with the addition of a tight black leather jacket and black cowboy boots of course."

"To look really tough and scary so that no one would beat you up?" JP bravely guessed.

"You're right JP; I was only 6 feet and 200 pounds on my first day of high school," Mike agreed, guessing that Andrew had told JP how small he had once been. "But I needn't have worried; Rick and Carl vouched for me and I was immediately recruited onto the football team by Coach Everson."

"When do I get to meet your Football Coach Mike?" JP wondered, as they reached Mike's truck.

"Hopefully tonight at the party," Mike replied. He looked across the road to the football field and noticed Andrew and Chris approaching. "Hey Andrew, I'm going back to Sue's house to pick her up."

"You're bringing her to the party Mike?" Andrew asked with a disapproving frown.

"Yes Andrew, because she's my girlfriend," Mike replied. "And since Chris and I have resolved our issues, his sister Sue had agreed to bury the hatchet with you."

"Fair enough Mike," Andrew agreed. "By the time you get back, my girlfriend Carrie should be here, along with the rest of my football friends." He noticed JP opening the passenger door of Mike's truck and asked, "Going with him JP?"

"Yes Andrew, so that Mike and I can hash out our issues before the party," JP replied.

"Good for you JP," Andrew said approvingly. He kept quiet about the issues between him and Steve and simply added, "See you later man."

"See you Andrew," JP replied, getting into the truck with Mike. He waved to Andrew: who walked back into the house with Chris and Matt. "Let's go Mike."

Mike started the engine, backed out of Andrew's driveway and started driving up Peter Street towards Fittons Road. "It's just the two of us now JP," he said with a smirk.

"Yeah, but don't try anything Mike, or I'll break your neck!" JP teased him with a laugh.

Mike laughed back, pleased that he and JP were getting along. "So JP, why did you dislike me so much when we first met last week?"

"Because you were acting like a Cocky Jock, just like my older brother Ryan!" JP snapped. 

"I am a Cocky Jock JP, but I'm not acting like one right now," Mike informed him with a cocky smirk. "But don't try testing me; I can back up anything I say: on the football field and especially in the weight room."

"How strong are you Mike?" JP asked curiously, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.

"I can curl 200 pounds in each hand and bench 750 pounds for one rep," Mike replied with a huge grin on his face. "It won't be long before I'm as big and strong as my big brother Matt."

"And what do you intend to do with your great size and strength?" JP asked, looking worried.

"Follow Andrew's example actually," Mike replied seriously. "When I was really small and weak seven years ago, Andrew befriended me and helped me work out. I've done the same thing with my smaller friends: Nate, Stu and Lenny. You'll meet them at the party tonight. I act really cocky and arrogant all the time, but inside I'm actually a Gentle Giant. But if you tell anyone that, I'll simply deny it. After all, I do have a reputation to maintain."

"As a Cocky Jock who's always showing off?" JP guessed with a laugh.

"That's right JP, but not with the College Football Coaches tomorrow," Mike said. "Remember, I acted pretty humble with the coaches at Ohio State, Notre Dame and Michigan."

"Acted is the key word there Mike," JP chuckled. "You're the most Cocky Jock I know."

"Even more than you JP?" Mike teased him.

"What do you mean Mike?" JP asked, looking shocked. 

"When I was your size, I never would have had the guts to swat away the huge arm of a 300 pound muscle monster," Mike reminded him.

"You shouldn't have tried to ruffle my hair like a little kid after picking me up like a rag doll!" JP snapped at him. "I'm a successful athlete just like you, so I deserve to be treated with respect!"

"Yes you do JP, and I'm sorry about that," MIke apologized. "That's why I'm glad you're coming back to Sue's house with me, so that we can bury the hatchet."

"You're so strong Mike, that if you buried the hatchet, no one could get it out of the stump," JP teased him.

"Probably true JP; after all, I'm 300 pounds of solid muscle," Mike bragged.

"And how tall are you?" JP asked.

"With or without my cowboy boots on?" Mike asked with a smirk.

"Both, if you're smart enough to figure it out," JP teased him.

"6 foot 5 barefoot and 6 foot 8 with my boots on," Mike replied with a cocky smirk. "Most guys wouldn't have the guts to wear higher heeled cowboy boots, but I'm so big and strong that no one's going to give me any grief about it. And I love towering over other people!"

"What do you wear to the gym Mike?" JP asked him. "Are your clothes just as tight there?"

"Yeah man, they are," Mike confirmed with an arrogant grin. "I love wearing Under Armour to work out and show off my big muscles!"

"It must scare the other people who use the gym," JP realized.

"Just the guys JP, even my football teammates," Mike realized. "The girls who work out in the gym are turned on by all my huge muscles. Too bad I already have a girlfriend."

"And I finally get to meet the lady who tamed the Huge Cocky Jock and turned him into a Gentle Giant," JP laughed.

"Very funny JP, but don't tease me too much," Mike warned him. "I was teased for many years when I was small and weak. That's why I act so cocky and arrogant now: to scare away any potential bullies who would target me or my proteges."

"But not anyone else: like your girlfriend Sue?" JP asked.

"You'll find out now JP; we're at her house now," Mike replied, as they pulled into her driveway. He got out of his truck and walked towards the front door. "Follow me Big Guy."

JP obeyed, having to jog to catch up, and looked forward to seeing another side of his huge new friend.

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Andrew looked down at Chris as they walked into his house with Matt and asked, “So what did you think of us football players? We’re not a bunch of big Dumb Jocks after all, are we?"

“No you're not Andrew," Chris agreed. “It looks like you were right. Your teammates didn’t bully me at all; in fact: they seem to have accepted me as one of your new friends.”

“I told you they would man," Andrew reminded him with a big grin. “I knew they would accept you once you got to know us. Now that we're inside, I should show you my room before everyone arrives for the party.”

“Good idea Andrew," Chris agreed. "Lead the way Big Guy."

"Follow me Little Man," Andrew teased him with a big grin.

Chris laughed and followed him obediently up the stairs as Matt stayed downstairs with Andrew's parents and JP's Parents.

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Meanwhile, at Sue's house, JP was able to see a different side of Mike: the Caring Gentle Boyfriend. His respect for Mike rose dramatically when he saw how nicely Mike treated his girlfriend.

"You look so hot in those tight clothes Mike," Sue gushed. "I can see every detail of your huge muscles!"

Mike looked down and realized that she could even see his abs through his t-shirt.

"Now I get to feel them!" Sue laughed, reaching for them with one hand.

"Careful Sue, we don't want to move too fast," Mike warned her, as he quickly caught her hand. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Besides, we already had lots of fun before lunch."

"Okay Mike, I'll slow down if it will make you feel better," Sue said, folding her arms and looking upset.

"Thanks Sue," Mike said gratefully. "Not that I don't want to fondle every curve of your sexy body..." Sue grinned at the compliment..."but I just said that we shouldn't rush things. Now if you were just testing me to see if I could restrain myself-"

"Not just you Mike, but myself as well," Sue realized. "But if you keep dressing in those sexy clothes, I won't be able to restrain myself for much longer!"

"Well I appreciate that Sue; I really do," Mike assured her, giving her a gentle hug. He stroked her hair softly and added, "But I'm also dressing this way to maintain my tough image for high school. That way, if anyone tries anything with you, one look at these huge muscles will make them change their minds!"

"Don't forget Mike: you wear UnderArmour in the weight room," Sue reminded him. Mike grinned and she added, "So you already scare all the guys in the gym, even the big ones."

"As I intend to do during all the football practices and games," Mike decided. "I'm so big now that my jersey should fit like a second skin."

"That's so hot Mike!" Sue gasped, getting aroused again. "You'll look so big and strong on the football field if you dress like that!" 

Mike stepped up to her and grabbed her shoulders gently with his massive hands, as JP stepped into the Living Room to introduce himself to Sue's parents. Mike turned her to face him, grabbed her face gently in his big hands and eased it forward until their faces were only inches apart. "I've got to give you some Eye Candy to look at on the football field," he reminded her with a cocky grin. "Until we go to bed again, I'll have to settle for showing off all my big muscles for you while remaining fully clothed!"

"You're such a Bad Boy Mike!" Sue laughed.

"Hey, I'm not a Boy Sue; I'm a Mountain of a Man!" Mike reminded her with a mock glare. "I'm a high school football stud: a God on the Gridiron! Don't ever forget that!"

"There's the Cocky Jock I've been dating for nearly three years," Sue realized, grinning with pleasure. "I was wondering where he was!"

"Well he's right here in front of you Sue," Mike reminded her. She nuzzled her face into his chest and he massaged her back gently. "And he's not going anywhere!"

"Just hold me in your massive arms Mike," Sue begged him. "I want to feel your soft touch before we go to Andrew's party."

"Okay Sue," Mike agreed, hugging her gently. "I'm glad that you feel so safe with me, and I hope that never changes."

"As long as you keep treating me gently, I'll feel safe with you every day," Sue assured him. "All the guys at school are too scared to even look at me, because of how big and strong you already are!"

"What if I get so big and strong that you get scared of me Sue?" Mike asked, looking very worried. "What do we do then?"

"I think if you learn how to control your great strength and treat me just as gently as you are right now, everything will be fine," Sue replied. She looked up at him and stroked his face softly. Mike smiled gently down at her with the softest eyes imaginable. "Oh, and keep looking at me with those puppy dog eyes; you're going to have me wrapped around your little finger. Then I'll do whatever you want."

"Don't tempt me Sue," Mike begged her, hugging her gently with his massive arms. "As a Gentle Giant, I want to use my great strength and size to protect you and all the small kids. But inside me, the Cocky Jock wants to use my great size and strength to dominate everyone at school and bend them to my will! Then they'll all do my bidding: no matter what I tell them to do!"

"That does bring up a good question Mike," Sue asked, looking up at him as he let her go.

"And what's that Sue?" Mike asked, looking down at her curiously.

"Is your transformation into a Gentle Giant genuine or is it all an act?" Sue asked him seriously. "What is deep in your heart these days? Is it a kind Gentle Giant who'd never hurt anyone? Or is it a Cocky Jock squirming to be free and bend everyone to his will?"

"It's both, depending on who I'm with Sue," Mike said seriously, standing up and looming over her. "When I'm with you and the small kids and around our parents, I'm a Gentle Giant. When I'm around the bullies who need to be taught a lesson: I'm a Cocky Jock who wants them to be scared of me!" He glared down at her and asked, "Does that answer your question Sue, or do you want to know more?"

"That answers my question Mike," Sue replied, trying not to tremble with fear. "I'm very glad that you have such great control over your temper, especially since you're so big and strong now!"

"Well I have to be kind and gentle around you Sue, and with the smaller guys I train in the weight room," Mike reminded her. "Speaking of smaller guys-" He turned to JP and asked, "Ready to go to Andrew's Party Little Man?" he asked. Mike grinned at him to let him know that he was kidding.

"Yeah I am Mike," JP replied, as Mike opened the door for Sue. "And I'm also ready to apologize for disliking you so much when we first met. I can see from how you treat your girlfriend that you're a really great guy."

"Thanks JP; I appreciate that," Mike said gratefully, as he closed the door behind Sue. "I hope you realize by now that I only act like a Cocky Jock to maintain my tough image for the guys. As Sue can tell you, I'm actually a Gentle Giant."

"Yes you are Mike, and JP has just reinforced the lesson you gave me during lunch," Sue said, as Mike got in the front seat beside her.

"What do you mean?" Mike asked, starting his truck after JP got into the back seat.

"Chris got over his dislike of you once he got a chance to know you and so did JP," Sue explained. "So I should be able to do the same once I get to know Andrew better at his party tonight."

"I hope so Sue, because it took some convincing on my part to get him to agree to let you come," Mike said seriously. "Don't make my efforts on your behalf turn out to be a waste of time or you'll make me mad."

"I wouldn't want to do that Mike," Sue realized, flinching slightly as he glared at her. "I'll behave myself and won't cause any trouble."

"Good Girl: you know how to obey your Master," Mike teased her, as they drove down the street.

"That's because you're so big and muscular!" Sue reminded him, looking at him in awe. "You're a god among men!"

 

       "Stop it Sue, you're embarassing me!" Mike shouted in frustration. He looked back at JP grinning in the backseat. "It's not funny man!"

 

"No it's not Mike; someone needs to embarrass you so that you'll act more humble," JP informed him seriously. 

 

"Why is that JP?" Mike asked, looking confused. "Except for Sue, most of the teenagers at the party will be football players!"

 

"But most of them are still smaller than you or Andrew," JP reminded him. "Especially since Steve and Darrel probably won't be there. You're bigger than Darrel's brother Phil, and only Andrew is bigger than you are."

 

"So I'm going to have to pretend to be a Gentle Giant when I'm at the party, instead of letting loose and enjoying myself?" Mike complained.

 

"I've seen how you've treated Sue this evening Mike; you don't have to pretend to be a Gentle Giant," JP informed him.

 

"You might be even smarter than me JP," Mike suddenly realized. He noticed JP smirking in the rearview mirror and snapped, "But don't ignore the advice you just gave me; you should act humble as well!"

 

"Okay Mike, we'll call this a brainy stalemate," JP said with a sigh.

 

"Guess you can't beat me in either brains or brawn," Mike chuckled. JP glared at him in the mirror but then realized Mike was right. "We're at Andrew's house now; nice chatting with you JP. Now let's go inside and have fun with Andrew's friends." He pointed across the street at all the cars and trucks in the high school parking lot. "As you can see, most of the football team is here and a few parents as well."

 

"Will the presence of all the parents at this party cramp your style Mike?" JP asked him. When Mike looked at him in confusion, JP clarified by asking, "Will you be forced to act humble because they're around?"

 

"Probably," Mike grumbled. "But at least we can all coordinate the visits from the College Football Coaches that visit us this week. Maybe we can meet each coach as a group, at a restaurant like the Sundial or Webers."

 

JP nodded in agreement as they headed into Andrew's house, realizing that Mike was really smart and not just huge and strong.

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