By the time we arrived at the Toolbox, the crowd was already spilling out onto the street. The crowd helping us celebrate at the bar was always twice as big as the crowd watching our championship games in person. Sally planned in advance and had an “all hands on deck” approach for her staff excepting Blake who was celebrating with the team. The crowd was a festive one, but the bar’s staff also watched closely to take into account everyone’s safety and make sure that they could pick up on any signs of trouble well before anything could get out of hand.

Jordan asked, “Was it like this last year, too? It’s like you just won the World Series or something.”

I said, “For all of us, it is the World Series, and yes, this is just like last year. I think the crowd might even be a little bit bigger.”

The music was all retro disco from the 70s and the 80s. It was playing significantly louder than normal. The Toolbox was transformed beyond its normal neighborhood bar appearance and looked more like a small dance club. Sally even rented lights and a disco ball for indoors when the sun went down.

After mingling with teammates and friends outside on the sidewalk, I said, “We’re going in.” Jordan and I flattened ourselves against the side of the doorway and pushed our way inside. Replicas of jerseys of all of the team members were tacked up along the walls and three different banners reading, “The Soft Serves - League Champions!” hung from the ceiling.

I ordered beers from Claw at the bar, and he beamed at me saying, “It’s on the house, Marshall! Congratulations!”

Near the rear of the bar, Billy and Becca were pressed up close to Lowell and Sven. Lowell saw me first and shouted, “Hey, Marshall! Jordan!”

I said, “Can you guys believe this? I couldn’t believe we won last year, and then the repeat? It’s just amazing. I still remember those first seasons when we only won one game.”

Sven said, “I’m just sorry I wasn’t part of it.”

I reached out and grabbed Sven’s shoulder saying, “You were here in spirit with us all season, buddy! Are your parents, okay?”

Sven shook his head and said, “Today is a bittersweet day. Thanks for asking, Marshall.”

I said, “Oh no!”

Sven nodded and said, “Dad left us four days back. The visitation was last night, and the funeral is tomorrow.”

I stared at Lowell and said, “You didn’t tell us.”

He replied, “On Sven’s orders. It was hard to keep it a secret.”

“I didn’t want it to impact the team,” said Sven. “You were so close to the championship. I wanted to make sure you had everything on your side for the win. You are welcome in Minnesota tomorrow if you want to come.”

I said, “We’ll be there. I’m always there to support a friend.”

Billy chimed in, “He means that!”

Before I could say any more, Jordan grabbed me and planted a kiss on my lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Becca clap in response.

The music segued into Kool and the Gang’s hit “Celebration” and the entire room began dancing. Our little corner joined in, and I leaned toward Billy and asked, “How long before the shirts start coming off?”

Billy said, “Mine is staying on. Becca is the only one who gets to see the goods and that’s in private.”

I complained, “Aww, it’s a celebration, Billy! Show us at least a little bit of skin.”

He said, “I am celebrating!” Then he added, “Hear you go, Marshall,” and he pulled up the front of his Soft Serves jersey just far enough to reveal a ring in his belly button.

I said, “Damn, that’s sexy. Someday I’ll get to see the rest.”

Just like I suspected, guys started losing the shirts. The first I saw was Reggie’s boyfriend Connor peeling off his shirt. He had a strong muscular body that was well worth showing off. His action created a ripple effect and soon about a third of the guys present were bare-chested and sweaty. I saw Ian and Blake smile at each other while they peeled off their jerseys simultaneously.

I reached out to Jordan and began to tug on his T-Shirt. It came off easily, and I reached out to give a nipple a light pinch. He helped me out of my jersey. I tucked it into the waistband of my jeans and stepped in close so our chests rubbed together. I briefly ground my thigh into Jordan’s package.

He moaned, “Careful, Marshall.”

I pointed to the rear of the bar and said, “See you after awhile, Billy.” He held his beer aloft as Jordan and I both gradually made our way through the teeming crowd until we were against the back wall in the shadows beyond the pool tables.

I wrapped my arms tight around him and kissed hard. Then I whispered in his ear, “I don’t care about the crowd. I wish I could take you right here on top of the pool table.”

Jordan beamed and said, “Damn, that would be so hot, Marshall.” Then he surprised me as he pushed up tight against my body and slipped a hand between my legs.

I furtively glanced around at the crowd. It was impossible for anyone to see Jordan’s fingers gently massaging and squeezing my balls. I moaned, “Fuck, Jordan, do I need to take you home now?”

He smiled and shook his head no. “We’re celebrating, Marshall! Just go with the flow.”

I couldn’t stand it any longer and kissed him hard. Jordan’s hand shifted from my balls to gripping the outline of my cock tight. His thumb rubbed against the head.

I came up for air from the kiss, and asked, “Are you an exhibitionist, Jordan?”

He smiled and said, “Maybe just a little bit.”

A big, deep breath came out of my mouth with a long slow hiss. Jordan playing with my cock was slowly moving my entire body toward the edge. Part of me wanted him to stop, and part of me thought it was incredibly sexy and wanted him to take me wherever he wanted to go.

Then I was saved by the circumstances. We heard the squeal of feedback from a public address system first, and then both Jordan and I turned our attention to the rest of the room. Blake was standing perched on something behind the bar that placed him high above the heads of the rest of the crowd. He had a microphone in his hand.

Blake’s voice rang out saying, “I don’t want to interrupt the celebration for very long, but I wanted to thank all of you so much for your support of me and the Toolbox for these last few years.”

A cheer rose up from the crowd.

Blake continued saying, “I have a special announcement to make. Everyone knows by now about the victory of the Soft Serves today on the softball field.”

Another cheer rose up. I could hear Reggie’s voice shout above the rest, “Repeat champions!”

Blake said, “For this special announcement, I want Ian at my side.” Whatever Blake was standing on, Ian edged up close to him. He waved to the crowd. “Only a few of you know what I’m going to announce, but there isn’t any other small group of friends in the world I would rather share this news with.”

Jordan whispered in my ear, “Do you think they are…?”

I nodded and said, “Yes, I do.”

Blake said, “It is with an overflowing heart that I want to announce that Ian and I are engaged to be married!”

The crowd roared in response. I hugged Jordan and shouted along with the rest of the crowd. Blake was nearly drowned out by the shouts, but he added there would be cakes on the bar and drinks were free for the next hour.

I said, “Let’s see if we can find Billy and Becca again and grab a beer on the way.”

Jordan said, “Great idea!”

Billy and Becca hadn’t moved much. They were plastered against one wall, and Billy grinned when he saw me again. We drew close to them, and I asked, “When will the two of you make your announcement?”

Becca laughed. She said, “Maybe when you and Jordan make yours.”

I held Jordan tight and said, “I’m planning on us getting there, but it won’t be tomorrow.”

The music slowed, and it didn’t take long to know what was coming next. The crowd joined in with Freddie Mercury to sing a loud, shouted version of “We Are the Champions.”

Jordan shouted near my ear saying, “I’m so happy to be part of this Marshall! This is amazing!”

I shouted back, “It doesn’t come close to how amazing we are going to be together, Jordan! It might have taken me more than forty years, but I’ve found the perfect fit!”

He opened his mouth to say something in response, but I smothered the words in a passionate kiss. In that moment, the entire crowd disappeared for me, the music was silenced, and there was only Jordan. He was mine, and I was his, and we had a lifetime ahead in each other’s arms.