Chapter 3: The Helping Hand

“Brandon, we’re fucking getting killed out there!” said the offensive coordinator, cuffing him hard on his shoulder, “Make something fucking happen!”

Their team was down by 21 going into the fourth quarter. Brandon was having a lousy game. His defense was crumbling and he was having trouble with his running game. He just didn’t seem to have as much speed as he had had going into this season.

The coaches couldn’t figure out what it might be, but Taylor knew.

From the sidelines, he cheered on his teammate. Inwardly, he was waiting for another bad play before the coach was going to put him in – he could feel it. The assistant coach tapped him on the shoulder, signaling that he should begin warming up his arm.

A groan from the crowd verified Taylor’s guess. Brandon had gotten sacked and landed hard. Grimacing, he got up and looked over at the sidelines – his fate was sealed.

“Good luck, brother.” He said somewhat winded as he hopped off the field and sat on the bench.

“Thanks. I’m going to need it,” said Taylor in passing as he ran over to the huddle.

++++++

The whistle blew signaling the end of the game. For Taylor, he felt like this was only the beginning. Not only had he erased the deficit, but he had added a run-in touchdown – something that would really stick out in the coaches minds.

“Hell of a game, kid.” Said the coach, and he meant it.

“Thanks coach – thanks for giving me the opportunity.” Said a tired Taylor between high fives and ass-slaps to and from his teammates.

“I think we’ll be keeping out eye on you from now on.” Said the coach turning away to shake hands with the losing coach.

Taylor went over to the bench where his friend Brandon sat, slightly dejected but smiling.

“Thanks pal, owe you one.”

Taylor reached out a hand (his other held the game ball) and helped Brandon to his feet. “Hey, we all have shitty games. I guess this was my time, today.”

Brandon shrugged and clapped a hand around Taylor and they went over to join in with the rest of the team on the field.

Taylor watched with mild interest as Brandon jogged on ahead to high-five and body bump some of the other players. As he jogged,
Taylor could have sworn that his rear looked a little bigger – fuller? Now that he was paying closer attention, Brandon’s waist looked thicker too.

After a particularly robust body bump from Brandon and another player in which both players jumped and quarter-turned so that their shoulder pads smashed together,
Taylor’s jaw dropped as he saw the bottom of Brandon’s shirt lift up to reveal a soft gut – something he had not had a few weeks ago!
‘Holy shit, dude’s packing it on.’ He thought, feeling himself slightly stiffen with desire.

Wickedly, Taylor had a thought. ‘What if Brandon’s weight was the reason his on-field game was so lousy lately. What if he…got fatter? Gained a bit more weight?’

He had visions of himself starting as quarterback for the rest of the season while Brandon got to sit on the bench being his backup. He knew that Brandon had a rather big appetite that he curbed with extreme exercise. All Taylor would have to do is…give him a helping hand…

He grinned from underneath his helmet and joined the rest of the team.

“Say, I’m in the mood to celebrate tonight,” said Taylor to Brandon as they headed down the tunnel and back to the locker room.

“You’ve earned it, pal.” Said Brandon, now in a more jovial mood.