Cesar, Chapter 2

Ross

When I got back to Utrecht, my teammates all congratulated me on my debut. A clip of my goal had been put in the text chain, so everyone knew. It was fun to be back with my teammates. Training went well. I felt like I did better than before during matches. But at the same time, I was missing Cesar to play off of. I didn’t have the same connection with my teammates here.

Thankfully, Cesar and I kept in touch. We talked about our matches over WhatsApp and we FaceTimed a few times. He was always complimenting my play and he just felt like a friend. And I needed just that. 

Often he was hanging out with his girlfriend Jessica, who I had only shortly met after the match against Morocco. So she would often appear behind or next to him on FaceTime. Cesar had bought her tickets for a Taylor Swift concert for her birthday. Videos of the two of them dancing and hugging at the concert made it to Cesar’s Instagram. And it made me feel something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

I guess I just wished I could have been there with them. I had made a friend that I wanted to hang out with, but I couldn’t. I was counting down the days until I got to see him again. And there were World Cup qualifiers coming up. I was actually going to see him again in El Salvador, where I had never been.

Cesar

After a few days of training, it would be time for the first 3 matches for the World Cup qualifier. The US team was in a group of 8 teams from North and Central America, including the Caribbean. We had to face each of the 7 other teams twice, once at home and once away. The top 3 would qualify to the World Cup in France. The 4th placed team still had a chance, but that was not something we were even considering at this stage.

We would be starting the qualifier with an away match against El Salvador. Then we were facing Canada in Nashville, which was a match I was pretty nervous about. And then we had an away match against Honduras. I was excited to travel to new places. And I got to be with Cesar for about a week and a half.

When I got to see Cesar again in the San Salvador airport, he gave me a big bearhug.

“We are rooming throughout these few weeks, right? I feel like we bonded.”

I laughed.

“Of course!”

We were brought to our hotel in a big bus with all of our teammates. Cesar and I talked a lot. It was clear we were both excited to see each other again. Our room was fantastic. We had a view of the volcano that overlooked the city. We had two double beds and a beautiful marble bathroom.

Cesar

“I really need a shower”, Cesar said while taking his clothes off until he was fully naked in the room. “Do you mind me going first?”

“Not at all”, I smiled.

We had both travelled to get here, and training was only starting tomorrow. It made sense we both wanted to shower.

I continued to look at the view, but when I turned around to go sit on my bed, Cesar was still standing there, completely nude, looking at his phone. Although I had been enamored with his large, round ass from the second we had really met, his thick, uncircumcised cock dangling between his legs did catch my attention. Cesar chuckled.

“What?”

“I just sent a picture of the view. And Jess had to check. Volcano last erupted in 1917.”

I laughed.

Cesar must have forgotten that he was going to take a shower. He laid face down on the bed, continuing to text for a while. Even after he put his phone away, we were just talking while he was naked on the bed.

Cesar

Cesar’s tendency to be naked when we were in our hotel room was something I had been aware of from before. I liked that he continued to do it after I had come out to him. Although the team was naked around each other in the locker room showers after every match, this was more intimate. He didn’t seem to feel any discomfort to continue to disrobe when we were 1 on 1.

Cesar asked how I felt about the upcoming matches and I admitted that I was a little nervous.

“In the US, I don’t feel like there’s a lot of attention for the qualifiers, and yet it’s an embarrassment if we don’t make it.”

Cesar nodded.

“Yeah. It’s weird. I’ve done the qualifiers before, so part of me feels more comfortable. But the pressure to reach the World Cup has gotten higher. It would be such a massive achievement for my career to play there.”

I understood what he was saying. I saw his eyes go to the floor as he was in thought. I looked at his naked ass clench shortly.

“So, are you going to shower, or…?”

Cesar laughed.

“Sorry.”

Cesar

Cesar jumped into the shower. We were going out to dinner with some of the boys. Cesar had decided in the bus that we at least wanted to see a little of the city. He had asked the guys sitting behind us if they wanted to join. We all knew we had to be back in bed on time, but a few of the guys were up for at least finding a spot in the city to eat at. It was just going to be me, Cesar, Jackson and Paul. We still had more than enough time to get ready, even though I was already hungry.

Laying on the bed, with the sound of the water from Cesar’s shower the only thing I could hear, I finally noticed quite how jetlagged I was. But I wanted to stay awake. I got up off the bed and found a protein bar in my carry-on. I started to take out some clothes that would be suitable to wear to a restaurant. It was mainly clothes to train, work out or relax in. But I got a few things together and laid them out on the bed.

Cesar emerged from the shower with a towel over his shoulder. 

“I’m just going to put on some music”, he said as he took his phone.

I started to undress as I heard some Hispanic bop beginning to play. Once I was naked, I made my way to the bathroom. I couldn’t help but dance a little.

“Yeah! Shake those hips, gringo!”

I laughed. Cesar and I danced a little while we were both naked. Then I continued my way to the bathroom. As the song continued to play, I smiled as I turned on the shower.

Cesar

When I got out of the shower, Cesar was once again naked on the bed. He was on the phone and speaking Spanish. I could tell he was talking to Jess. I didn’t say anything as I got dressed. The shower had freshened me up. I sat down on the bed. We still had time. 

I looked at Cesar. He didn’t notice I was looking at him. He was really close with Jessica and that made sense. He was a good boyfriend. I was happy that this time she was the one who was far away. And I could be the one in the room with Cesar. And that we were going to explore a new city and have dinner together.

When Cesar finally did get dressed, I was able to watch the whole process. I saw how the briefs he put on stood no chance to contains his glutes. I noticed how he picked out a shirt and how he took his time putting it on, talking to me the entire time. Finally he chose white jeans that made his ass pop even more. I got a bit of a boner. I was glad I was already dressed and he couldn’t tell.

Cesar

The four of us had such a good time. It was helping me to relax before I really needed to focus on the task at hand. And it was good to bond with my teammates. I didn’t know Jackson (a charming, tall goalkeeper) and Paul (a smiley, beefy defender) that well before. Being seated across from Cesar, he was in my line of vision throughout the night. We were all good boys. None of us had alcohol. And after the meal, we took a taxi back to the hotel.

Training with the national team felt good. Cesar and I still had that chemistry on the field. I felt confident I was not going to start the match on the bench. But throughout both training days I felt like I had to prove to the coaching team I was in shape.

“Lewis!”

After the second training day, and everyone was walking to the locker room, ready to hit the showers, Coach Foster called my name. I walked over.

“You and Ramirez in the offense, I don’t know what it is. There’s something between the two of you.”

I smiled and shrugged.

“I don’t know what it is either.”

“But it works. You two need to keep that. I intend to have the two of you start out in all three matches. But you’re still young. Don’t allow yourself to get intimidated. If I see you get nervous, and the combination doesn’t work, I’m putting Buckner back in. OK?”

“Got it, Coach. Thanks so much for this opportunity. I won’t let you down.”

“Hit the showers, Lewis.”

Cesar

I smiled. I was a little confused what Coach had said about me being young, I was 25 and playing in Europe. But I let it slide. I was going to be on the field for the national anthem and play from the first minute. I felt pride and pressure, excitement and nerves, all at the same time. I enjoyed the feeling.

When I entered the locker room, and all the other guys were in the shower, I noticed Brian Buckner sitting with the assistant coach. He was shirtless, still wearing his shorts and shoes. He looked defeated as they talked.

I took off my clothes, took my towel and joined the other guys in the shower. I smiled as the water fell on my head and down my body.

“What was that about?”

Cesar had made his way to the shower next to me. His body was naked and shiny from the water.

“We’re starting the match together tomorrow.”

His entire face lit up.

“Fuck yeah!”

He hugged me. I felt his meaty cock against my thigh. Even once he let go, he had his hand on my chest. I knew my cock was beginning to get hard but I ignored it. We looked into each other’s eyes. It was intimate. It was hot.

“We are going to fucking rock this”, he said to me, softly.

“We really are.”

Cesar

Cesar bit his lip, playfully put the hand on my chest into a fist and pushed me away a little.

“You and me, Lewis.”

“You and me, Ramirez.”

I walked onto the field the next day. I was nervous. I stood for the national anthem with Cesar to my right. The stadium was about half full. I estimated there were almost 30,000 fans, of which the majority were supporting El Salvador.

The match was different. This was for the World Cup. It was intense. The El Salvador players gave it their all. It took me a while to shake off the nerves and get into the match. I locked eyes with Coach Foster after losing the ball at some point. Don’t get intimidated. I knew what he meant now. This was new terrain for me.

It was 0-0 at halftime.

“You’ve gotten used to them now. If I don’t see an improvement in the second half, I’m bringing Buckner in. OK?”

“OK.”

Ross

“You got this”, Cesar said. He sat next to me and squeezed my thigh.

“You and me, Lewis.”

I turned to him and half-smiled. But he was dead serious.

“Say it back.”

I looked into his big brown eyes.

“You and me, Ramirez.”

I went into the second half with a fire. Both me and Cesar had some shots on goal, but the opposing goalkeeper was good. When 15 minutes passed and it was still 0-0, I saw Buckner warming up on the side of the field. Fuck.

When there was another offensive opportunity, I got the ball. I intuitively knew exactly where Cesar was. He had three defenders around him, and yet I kicked the ball in such a way I knew it could reach him. We had done this before in training. And I knew Cesar knew.

The ball made a curve that only Cesar anticipated and it landed straight on his foot. The goalkeeper was caught off guard as it went straight to the goal. He was able to touch it and it just bounced past the goal. Fuck. So close. Corner kick.

Cesar

As Jeff was getting ready to take the corner kick, I noticed Coach talking to the official on the sidelines. I did not want to be substituted. In my mind I was going through all of the corner kick scenarios we had gone through. I took my position.

Jeff kicked. It went higher and further out than expected. I was the tallest one around. I made it look like I was running forward and the El Salvador defender who was following me fell for it. I stopped and the ball came straight at me. I didn’t look away from the ball. I jumped and angled my head to where I thought the goal was.

I felt the ball hit my head and I instantly fell. I was on my back in the grass and all I could see was legs, shoes and socks. Before I knew it I had Cesar climb on top of me, kissing my face. I guess I had scored 0-1. A relief came over me. I had scored. I was staying in the game. I had lived up to my promise. Other teammates also came up to hug me and tap my ass or kiss my cheek.

Cesar

El Salvador was not going down without a fight. But Cesar and I remained dangerous. I was able to give Cesar another assist I was proud of in extra time. And this time it went in. 0-2.

In Nashville, I was able to start against Canada, a very strong opponent. Cesar scored 1-0, but Canada equalized a few minutes later. 1-1 was not what I had hoped for, but not all was lost.

A few days later, Honduras got 1-0 for their home crowd in the first half. Midfielder Jeff got injured and had to be carried off on a stretcher. Things weren’t going our way. After a stern talking to in the locker room, we got our shit together in the second half. And once we were on a roll, everything seemed to fall into place. Charlie, Jeff’s replacement, scored 1-1. Cesar scored 1-2. I scored 1-3. And in extra time, once again with my assist, Cesar made 1-4.

Cesar

After the 1-4, Cesar pointed at me and ran my way. I smiled. When he got to me, he held my face in his hands. I looked into his eyes.

“You are beautiful”, he said and he kissed me on the lips.

Other players joined for our celebration. But it was like nobody else was there but me and Cesar.

After three matches, the USA were at the top of the qualifier group, with the same number of points as Mexico. A good start! And a decisive victory against Honduras. Enough reason to celebrate! We were told it would not be safe to go clubbing in downtown San Pedro Sula, around drunk Hondurans. So we stayed in our hotel and celebrated at the bar.

Tomorrow we would all fly back home. We would only meet for another group of 3 matches like this in a month. Although I had a long flight ahead of me and a match with FC Utrecht a few days later, I did not want to say goodbye. To the team, the euphoria. To Cesar.

Cesar

This time we could have some alcohol and it was great to let off some steam after a week and a half of focus. I noticed I got a little tipsy. It had been a while since I had been drinking. Cesar was having a little dance and I danced with him. I reached over his shoulder and squeezed his neck.

“You and me, Ramirez.”

He chuckled. He pulled me close and kissed my cheek.

“Say it back.”

He smiled. He angled his head so our foreheads touched. Our eyes and our lips were inches away.

“You and me, Lewis.”

When it got to 1:00 AM, Cesar and I said goodbye to all the teammates who were still up and went to our room. In the elevator, Cesar was just watching me.

“I meant what I said, you know.”

I was just realizing how tipsy I really was. I didn’t know what he was talking about. He smiled at me, leaning back. He must have read my expression.

“You are beautiful.”

The elevator doors opened.

Cesar

We went to our room. It was a fancy, spacious room.

“I’m not sure I will be able to sleep”, Cesar said.

“Too excited?”

“Yeah. That was wild, man. ESPN wanted to interview me.”

I smiled. Who wouldn’t want to see Cesar on their TV, I thought.

I wasn’t too steady on my legs as I got out of my clothes. I was really looking forward to getting to bed. I would find out if I was able to sleep soon enough. I was naked when I lifted the covers.

“Hey”, I heard.

I looked up. Cesar was in his briefs. I hadn’t realized he was also undressing, but he looked delicious. 

“Do you mind if I lay with you for a while?”

“Sure.”

Before I knew it, I was lying on my side and Cesar’s face was inches from mine. He was stroking my arm. He smiled. There was something in his eyes, even more intense than usual. He kissed my lips again.

“I’m glad we’re teammates. Buddies. Friends.”

I smiled. I was suddenly very awake.

“Me too.”

The next kiss had tongue. Lots of it.

Then Cesar just held me close as he looked at me. I noticed how he began to fall asleep.

Cesar

The next morning, I woke up spooning Cesar. My rock hard cock was against his ass. I realized I was naked but he was in briefs. I decided not to move an inch until I absolutely had to. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long until Cesar also woke up, and carefully got up. 

Cesar and I packed our suitcases together and went down to the hotel’s breakfast buffet. The fact that we had slept in the same bed, and practically made out, wasn’t mentioned. I didn’t what I would say about it. It was lovely, and I was glad it happened.

When Cesar was brought to the airport for his flight, we hugged goodbye.

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