Chapter Four: Ready to Escape

Chapter Four: Ready to Escape

(Stan)

I used to have a high school math teacher who loved to say, “Time flies when you’re having fun!”, whenever the dismissal bell rang. It made sense that she felt that way, but for anyone who didn’t like math, time didn’t fly and it wasn’t all that fun. It was that way for me. Her forty-five minute class felt like it lasted all day and I remember groaning under my breath any time she singsonged her chipper dismissal.

The passage of time is always relative to what you’re doing; zipping past when you’re enjoying yourself and barely crawling by when you’re stuck doing something you don’t want to. For those who aren’t keen on big crowds and mingling, an hour long reception might be a form of torture and their escape couldn’t come fast enough.  Contrarily, those who liked to mingle and meet new people, might wish for an hour more.

I was usually in the later camp. Finding it fascinating talking to new people, learning bits and pieces about what they do and how they do it, catching up with old friends and acquaintances and learning those interesting ticks that people try so hard to hide. But that wasn’t the case the night of the Bucks’ reception.

I felt incredibly guilty that as each new person approached me, all I wanted to do was check my watch to prove that time was actually moving and to look for Ryan. I told myself that I needed to know where he was, since I’d promised to find him near the end of the reception. But the real reason was based on a more selfish truth. I just liked looking at him.

Chapter Three: Be Yourself

Chapter Three: Be Yourself

(Ryan)

I spent a good week and a half kicking my own butt and debating ways that I could get in touch with Stan. I had some doozies. One of my craziest ideas was where I went to Yeger Enterprises, asked to see him and walked into his office saying, “Hey, remember me?”, but I didn’t want to give him a stalker vibe so I tossed it out and tried to think of sanner ones.

Like asking Trev for Stan’s number. Makes perfect sense, right? But here’s the crazy thing: Even though I thought I’d lost out on what might’ve been my only chance to talk to him and wanted to find a way to contact him, I couldn’t actually bring myself to do it.  

Each day back at Bridgeport, doubt quickly started to chisel away at any sureness I felt about what happened that weekend and I kept telling myself crazy things to help numb my disappointment. Maybe I hadn’t really felt anything when we shook hands. I could’ve imagined it. Up until that point, my attention had been on trying to mask my interest so it was completely possible that I saw or felt something that hadn’t happened.

Those smiles that popped out from his beard. . .it could’ve been him being polite. Maybe he smiled at everyone that way. I wouldn’t know, since my only interactions with him were that weekend and while I could’ve observed how he smiled at everyone else, I’d been too preoccupied with him smiling at me.

There was also the fact that he was Trev’s friend too and he could’ve asked Trev for my number.  But since I was too chicken to do it myself, I made up excuses about him not having time, or maybe he was like me and hadn’t worked up the courage to ask. But that didn’t sound like him. I barely knew him but I could already tell that he wasn’t the type of man who lacked confidence.


I like to tell myself that I would’ve eventually given in and asked Trev for Stan’s number but the truth is, I’ll never know because someone beat me to the punch. 

Chapter Two: Meeting Ryan Andrews

Chapter Two: Meeting Ryan Andrews

(Stan)

There’s at least two sides to every story, sometimes more depending on how many people are involved. Ours has more than just Ryan’s and mine, but we’re the two that matter the most, and it’s why I can’t let Ryan tell it alone. 

Not that I don’t trust him! I do, and I know he’ll tell it in his usual funny and easy going way, but you’ll never get the full story unless I tell you my side of it. After all, no two people can tell the same story the exact same way. 

I could also start at the beginning of my story, giving you background information about my family, where I grew up and how that all impacted the person I was when I met Ryan, but like him, I’ll skip ahead; since all that can be revealed like it was for us as we got to know each other. 

Instead, let me start with something that I’d learned about meeting people and their eyes, because it’s very accurate for when I met Ryan.

I’ve always been a firm believer that a person’s eyes could tell you a lot about who they are. People could study and practice ways to control their expressions, but nine times out of ten, their eyes gave away what they were really thinking or feeling. Giving you a glimpse into the deeper parts of themselves that they tried to hide away.

The eyes told you a story, even if the fragments revealed didn’t quite fit together or tell a cohesive tale, and it was up to the observer to decide if they wanted to spend the time to figure it out or move on. Personally, I’d learned long ago that it was usually worth the effort to dig a little deeper.

So when a set of determined, cloudy, blue eyes first met mine while standing in Trev’s foyer, I couldn’t help but wonder at them.  They were friendly, sparkled with hints of the intelligence and wit as Trev introduced us, but there was also an underlying resolution in them that I couldn’t initially place; that dared me to take the time to delve deeper and find out who he really was. 


I’d already heard a little about Ryan Andrews from Trev, which I guessed gave me the advantage from the way he looked shocked when his attention focused on me. 

Everything I’d been told was good. I knew that Trev trusted and respected Ryan, that he’d been one of Trev’s biggest supporters not only during the past year, but also in the couple before that. What I hadn’t known before was just how good looking he was. 

I wasn’t a huge football fan. I watched it and even went to games, but I couldn’t tell you what anyone’s stats were or how many seasons a player had been with the Bucks or any other team. 

I didn’t pay much attention to what players did off the field either, so my only views of Ryan came from seeing him on the field, the sidelines and on TV.

That’s why being less than five feet away from him was an eye opening experience. He was tall; much taller than I thought he would be. He and Trev were the same height, six foot five, which Trev might have mentioned before, but I’d always pictured Ryan shorter for some reason. 

I had to look up a little to keep eye contact which was a strange experience for me, since most of the men I knew were either around my height or shorter.

Along with being tall, he was unbelievably muscular. If we hadn’t been in the middle of being introduced and the center of attention, I would’ve continued my admiration below the waist.

But I already knew from watching him play on TV that his lower muscle density matched his upper and could be patient and discreet about getting a better look.

Chapter One: Meeting Stan Yeger

Part One

Unavoidable Meetings

Chapter One: Meeting Stan Yeger

(Ryan)

I’ve met a ton of people in my life. That might not make me any different than most people, but I’m guessing the reason why does. Having been a quarterback for a pro team that had the talent and money to win Super Bowls put my life in the spotlight and made people think they knew me.

Some of my teammates and colleagues complained about it, resenting it when their dinner was interrupted by a fan wanting an autograph or they were delayed from catching a late flight by someone wanting a selfie. That’s where we were different. 

I loved meeting new people and instantly being connected to them in some way. Sure, sometimes they approached me when I was busy or would rather be left alone and I had to rush through a conversation or autograph because I needed to be somewhere. But I always tried to stop and give people a moment. When I did, two things usually happened.

Sometimes people wanted to share their knowledge about football and my career; reminding me of my completed pass percentage, a throw during a key game, offering me pointers on how to toss or grip the ball, or telling stories about watching a game. Like how they sat in the stands during the coldest one I ever played in, forever connecting us through our shared experience of freezing our butts off. 

But sometimes the stories were more personal ones, where they shared how watching me play football impacted their lives. It sounds crazy when you think about it; me throwing balls down the field having an influence on people. . .but somehow it did.

Those were the conversations that stuck with me more than others. They were the ones that taught me that it was worth taking the time to stop and listen to people; to get to know them. They were the ones that constantly reminded me that your life could change forever with just one meeting. 

Like Brian. When I first saw him waiting outside the stadium door for an autograph, I didn’t think about him being anything other than a normal teenage boy wanting me to sign something.  He looked like your typical teenage guy. 

He had a couple pimples on his face, metal braces that made my teeth ache and a boundless energy that screamed “I’m ready to take on the world!” The grin plastered on his face as I signed a picture was so huge, that it made my cheeks hurt when I handed it back to him. 

But then something happened and it’s why I remember meeting him. As he looked down at the photo, his grin slowly faded away until he was staring at it with sad reminiscent eyes and his fingers gently brushed over my signature. “My dad would’ve loved this.” he whispered more to himself than to me, but I still needed to know why. 

I asked him where his dad was and he told me about Gene, a lieutenant in the U.S. army who got stationed overseas when Brian was eight. He was two months away from returning home when he stepped on a mine during a routine patrol. He didn’t make it.  

Before he lost his dad, they would watch games together, cheering me and the team on because his dad had gone to the same college as me and followed my career. Which was why he was at the stadium that day. He’d continued to watch the team and follow my career as a way to remember a special thing that he and his dad did together. 

I was forever connected to Brian and by hearing his story, he was connected to me. That’s what it’s about, isn’t it? Our need to share our stories and experiences so we can all feel connected to each other. We all want to be seen, accepted and loved for who we really are and the way that happens is by us meeting, connecting, and exposing ourselves. 

Maybe that’s why I’ve agreed to tell our story; so people can finally know and see both of us for who we really are. Not just the guys they’ve read about or seen on TV, although we are those guys too, but the ones that have lived and loved in between those public moments. 

Maybe it’s because we believe that it’s a story worth sharing, but haven’t really known how to do that until now. Thinking about it though, I’d have to say that it’s a little of all of the above.

What I do know for sure, is that it doesn’t begin at the beginning. I could start there and get you caught up to what happened up until that point; giving you glimpses into what our lives were like before; but if you’re like me, you just want to get to the meat of the story. That starts on an unsuspecting weekend trip to my best friend’s house. 

One day until their unavoidable introduction.

Coming January 1, 2019

30 Questions - Stan Yeger  

(From heir-to-the-diamond-throne) 

1. When they tap their fingers do they use the pads of their fingers or their nails? Fingers.

2. What textures can they absolutely not stand? Polyester.

3. How long can they go without showering before they feel gross? 24 hours, tops.

4. Do they leave clothes on the floor or a chair? Neither, always go in the hamper.

5. Do they sleep with the bedroom door open or closed? Closed.

6. Which do they prefer: 3am or 3pm? If he's awake, 3am. Its quiet, he can think, and spy on his guy laying next to him.

7. If they suddenly woke up with animal ears and tails what animal would they be? Fox. He’s very cunning.

8. If they could only eat one thing for 20 days straight what would it be? Fish.

9. Are they the type to re-read a book? Yes.

10. Would they want to know the exact date and time of their death? No.

11. What’s their favourite mythological creature? Dragon. He likes that they breathe fire, can fly and people shit their pants when they see one.

12. If they had to listen to one song on repeat 100+ times what would it be? The Story of My Life - Neil Diamond

13. Do they believe in an afterlife? Yes.

14. When they get tired do their eyelids twitch? Yes.

15. What are their favourite textures? Combination of smoothness of skin and coarseness of hair.

16. Do they crack their joints? No.

17. Would they eat/drink something too hot or wait for it to cool? He'd patiently wait.

18. Are they the type to adopt strays? (Animals or people) Yes.

19. Do they get work done straight away or wait until the last moment? Straight away.

20. How do they bathe/shower? Long or short? Hot or cold? Short. Not to hot or cold.

21. Are they the type to daydream? No.

22. Do they work best in a messy space or a neat space? Neat.

23. Do they keep any personal photos? Yes.

24. Do they indulge in anything? Manicures.

25. Would they do the exact opposite of what someone says just to spite them? No.

26. If they’re alone and hear a noise would they go and investigate? Yes.

27. If they’re lost what is the first thing they would do? He doesn't get lost. He researches possible routes beforehand.

28. What is that one dream that makes no sense but is absolutely terrifying? Being stuck in a completely dark room where he can hear clicking from animals all around him getting closer and closer.

29. What is the stupidest thing they’ve ever done just because someone said they couldn’t? Stole a spare pair of underwear from his schoolmaster’s desk and raised them up the flagpole. He didn’t count on their being cameras in the school or the roof.

30. Are they stoic or melodramatic about being injured? Stoic.

30 Questions - Ryan Andrews 

(From heir-to-the-diamond-throne)

1. When they tap their fingers do they use the pads of their fingers or their nails? Nails

2. What textures can they absolutely not stand? Wool. Too scratchy.

3. How long can they go without showering before they feel gross? No more than 24 hours. He’d be too smelly from working out or smell too much like a pool if he didn’t.

4. Do they leave clothes on the floor or a chair? Floor, if he was too lazy to put it in the hamper.

5. Do they sleep with the bedroom door open or closed? If it was completely up to him…open

6. Which do they prefer: 3am or 3pm? 3pm. He’s usually asleep at 3am so it’s not too exciting for him.

7. If they suddenly woke up with animal ears and tails what animal would they be? Cat. He has great reflexes.

8. If they could only eat one thing for 20 days straight what would it be? Cheese.

9. Are they the type to re-read a book? Not a book. He’d re-read a magazine article though.

10. Would they want to know the exact date and time of their death? Nope.

11. What’s their favourite mythological creature? Griffin. He just thinks they’re cool.

12. If they had to listen to one song on repeat 100+ times what would it be? Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond.

13. Do they believe in an afterlife? Yes.

14. When they get tired do their eyelids twitch? Nope, they get droopy.

15. What are their favourite textures? Crispness from starched dress shirt.

16. Do they crack their joints? Yes.

17. Would they eat/drink something too hot or wait for it to cool? He wouldn’t wait.

18. Are they the type to adopt strays? (Animals or people) Yes.

19. Do they get work done straight away or wait until the last moment? Straight away.

20. How do they bathe/shower? Long or short? Hot or cold? Long and very hot.

21. Are they the type to daydream? Yes.

22. Do they work best in a messy space or a neat space? Messy.

23. Do they keep any personal photos? Yes.

24. Do they indulge in anything? Candy.

25. Would they do the exact opposite of what someone says just to spite them? Not usually.

26. If they’re alone and hear a noise would they go and investigate? Probably not.

27. If they’re lost what is the first thing they would do? Look up where he’s at on his phone.

28. What is that one dream that makes no sense but is absolutely terrifying? Birds chasing after him as he’s swimming.

29. What is the stupidest thing they’ve ever done just because someone said they couldn’t? He’s too cautious to do something stupid from someone saying that he couldn’t.

30. Are they stoic or melodramatic about being injured? Both. Depends on the setting.