The Key - Part 1

[amauiguy]

The Key - Part 1
by amauiguy
copyright 2009


Alex Lockwood was talented and he knew it, but this final match of the season against the rival university was definitely going to be a challenge.

His maroon singlet clearly showed off the compact muscular frame that Alex had been training so diligently. Alex had always loved wrestling. He loved the challenge of going one on one against an evenly matched opponent. He loved the rush he felt, muscle straining against muscle. No bases to run, no balls to dunk or throw, no rackets or sticks to wield, there was just him, his mind, his skill, and his muscles.

Alex winced as his team mate, Dillon, hit the mats with an "oof" audible throughout the gym. The smallest member of the State team, Dillon, was freshman with a lot of potential, Alex thought, but that wouldn't help younger wrestler today. Dillon's opponent, Bryan, was a much more experienced senior, and it was clear who had control of their match.

"C'mon, Dillon! Watch that arm!" Alex warned as he paced the sideline waiting for his own match to start. Alex tugged distractedly at his singlet straps as he rolled his shoulders and limbered up his arms.

Alex glanced across the mats to where his opponent, Cameron MacAlister, stood cheering Dillon's opponent in the 125 lb weight class match. Cameron was easy to spot in the crowd, his fiery red hair and pale complexion contrasted sharply with his dark blue singlet. Alex noticed that Cameron appeared more muscular and leaner than last year, his shoulders seemed broader and his chest deeper. Alex was almost an inch taller than the powerful redhead, but that would make little difference--they were both in the 133 lb weight class, so it was skill that mattered.

Alex had been training hard, too. He flexed his pecs and stretched his lats while reflecting on the extensive training program his new coach had started him on, for both body and mind. Alex knew he was stronger, had better endurance, and could maintain more intense focus than he ever had before. He wasn't going to let Cameron humiliate him again if he could avoid it. Last year Alex had been a freshman, and Cameron a junior. Although Alex had come to State on a wrestling scholarship, he had lacked the skill to beat Cameron then. This year Alex planned to put up much more of a fight and he thought he had a good chance of beating the tough senior.

Alex turned his eyes back to the match just in time to see Dillon flat on his back. Bryan lay across his chest with one arm between Dillon's legs lifting Dillon's maroon lycra-clad butt off the mat and pinning his shoulders to end the match.

As Alex walked out onto the mats he gave his returning team mate a sympathetic look, but this wasn't the time to offer Dillon consolation. Alex's focus was on Cameron. Unconsciously checking that his chin strap was secure, Alex entered the circle, his eyes locked on Cameron's. There was a look of steely determination in Cameron's green eyes, and a cocky smirk turned up a corner of his mouth. Cameron remembered last year, Alex knew, and seemed confident that he would defeat Alex again.

With a whistle, the match started and both Alex and Cameron crouched and bobbed looking for an opening. Soon they were head to head, each trying to get a hand behind the other's neck. Back and forth they moved, searching for weakness, but it was clear almost from the start that this year they were much more evenly matched.

"Hmph," Cameron muttered. "C'mon, Lockwood, stop dancing."

Alex gave him a little grin. "What's the matter," he responded, "getting slow in your old age?"

Almost as if taking turns, first one would lunge and get dodged by the other, then vice versa. Alex tried to sweep his leg around to knock Cameron off balance, but Cameron was prepared and countered with twist, grabbing Alex around the waist from behind and rolling him down to the mat on his stomach. Cameron landed on top, his strong biceps flexing and squeezing Alex around the middle, trying to flip him over onto his back. Alex tensed his rock-hard abs and with his hands on Cameron's wrists finally managed to break Cameron's grip around his middle. At the same time Alex brought his thick legs together to trap one of Cameron's. Grabbing Cameron's trapped leg with both hands, Alex heaved it upward and rolled Cameron over onto his side. Cameron's quads were solid as tree trunks, but Alex fought on, attempting to pin him.

Suddenly a shrill whistle sounded breaking Alex's concentration to signal the end of the first round.

For the second round, Cameron had won the toss and selected to start in the top position, so Alex moved to kneel behind the line, with his hands spread wide in front of him. Cameron knelt beside him, wrapping his thick right arm around Alex with his hand flat on Alex's stomach, and his other hand at Alex's elbow.

"Good boy," Cameron whispered tauntingly as he gently patted the ridges of Alex's abs.

Alex remembered his coach's lessons and maintained his focus. He cleared his mind of the noises of the crowd and concentrated on unleashing the power of his muscles. He knew that Cameron would make his move quickly, so as soon as the whistle sounded, Alex dove forward and tried to spin away to escape the senior's grasp. Cameron must have anticipated the move, however, since he also threw his weight forward to pin Alex face down. The hand that Cameron had started with against Alex's stomach was now firmly wedged on Alex's crotch. Alex felt Cameron's fingers wiggling around attempting to distract him, but Alex didn't lose his concentration. With a roar, Alex brought his legs forward under him, grabbed the redhead's muscular arm and pulled. The combination of lifting and pulling threw Cameron off balance and he landed on his side with a thud, but he quickly recovered and pulled his arm away before Alex could get on top of him.

Both wrestlers climbed to their feet and began circling. The look of determination was still on Cameron's face, but Alex noticed the cocky grin was gone. Once again Alex renewed his focus, concentrating on opening to his own power while tuning out everything else except his skillful opponent.

Cameron feinted to the left then dove beneath Alex's arms, driving his right shoulder into Alex's solar plexus. Fortunately for Alex, his abs had grown sturdy enough to withstand the blow. Alex took advantage of the momentum of Cameron's lunge, stepping back and dropping to his knees to pull Cameron down while at the same time bringing his right arm down quickly around Cameron's head, and using his pumped bicep to pin it hard to Alex's side. With his face nearly at Alex's hip now, the senior was having trouble getting any kind of hold on Alex. Feeling the power of his concentration, Alex forced Cameron's head down farther with his right arm while maneuvering his left arm around Cameron's right knee. Cameron realized Alex was going for a cradle to pin him and tried pulling at Alex's legs to throw him over and break the hold. With another burst of energy, Alex pulled Cameron's head down still farther and his right knee higher until Alex's hands could lock. Alex felt Cameron's powerful leg straining to break the hold, but somehow Alex held on trying to rock backward. Cameron's hands gripped Alex's corded forearms, but their slick sweat prevented him from getting a firm hold. No matter how much tugging and twisting he tried, Cameron was unable to escape. Again Alex rocked back, with Cameron fighting to extend his leg and to break Alex's iron grip. A third time Alex rocked back, finally carrying Cameron over, with Cameron's shoulders pressed to the mat.

The sound of the whistle ending the match broke through Alex's intense concentration and he released his hands. Hardly believing it, Alex got to his feet and raising his fists over his head in triumph, turning with a huge smile to face the cheering crowd. He had pinned Cameron MacAlister!

==

Throughout the rest of the spring semester and over the summer, Alex continued his muscle and mind training. Coach Petras encouraged his wrestlers in their workouts, reminding them that concentration and focus were as important as building their muscles.

Some of the other guys on the team, who had also stayed in town for the summer, convinced Alex to join them to watch a Saturday evening baseball game at a local sports bar. Dillon and Alex were the smallest of the group, with "Big Mike," the team's star heavyweight being the largest. Even though Mike towered over the smaller guys, he respected their talent, especially Alex's, although that didn't stop him from occasionally wrapping them up in a big playful headlock.

From across the table Dillon caught Alex's eye and nodded over toward the other side of the bar. Alex searched where Dillon had pointed and was surprised to see Cameron MacAlister sitting at a table with a few other guys watching the game. Cameron's eyes looked up and met Alex's. He seemed to consider something for a second, then raised his beer and gave Alex a nod.

Dillon came around the table and leaning to Alex's ear said, "What a loser."
"Nah," Alex replied casually. "He really is a good wrestler, Dillon, just not as good as me."

They both chuckled and resumed watching the game.

At the seventh inning stretch, Alex felt the call of nature, so he wound his way through the crowd to the restroom.

On his way back to the table, he heard someone call his name.

"Hey, Lockwood."

Turning, he saw it was Cameron. "Hey, MacAlister," Alex replied walking over to his vanquished opponent.

"Good game tonight," the redhead declared.

"Yeah, I'm glad to see they're winning this year," Alex answered. "Last year they really sucked."

There was a pause, as if Cameron was trying to find words. Alex just waited, wondering.

Finally, staring Alex in the eye, he said "I want a rematch, Lockwood."

Alex sized up the older wrestler. His compact body still looked like he was training regularly. Cameron's olive green tank top was tight enough to show off the time he was still spending in the gym. A small black key dangled from a leather cord around his neck emphasizing the top of the cleft between his powerful pecs. It didn't look like Cameron had put on much weight since their match, but Alex didn't want to take any chances.

"How much do you weigh these days?" he asked Cameron.

"I'm up to 140 now, how about you?" Cameron replied offhandedly.

"Just up to 138 now, but I'll be back to 133 for the next season," Alex answered.

"C'mon, man. I've even got a place not far from here with mats. How about tomorrow afternoon?" Cameron suggested.

"You're on, although I don't know why you'd want me to whoop your ass again." Alex replied with a laugh.

"We'll see, won't we? I think you just got lucky," Cameron said confidently.

Cameron told Alex it was an old warehouse that had been converted to a gym, and it had a special room outfitted with mats for wrestling matches. They agreed to meet at 2 pm, and Cameron scribbled the address on a napkin.

"What was that all about," Dillon asked when Alex returned to the table.

"Nothing much, just scheduling some wrestling practice with him," Alex answered. "He says he wants a rematch."

Dillon rolled his eyes, "You'll take him down again, easy, Alex. Some guys never learn, I guess."

"Well, if he wants another beating, who am I to turn him down?" Alex replied with a confident laugh.

[Xyggurat]

Looks like a good start! Looking forward to more soon.

-X-

[Londonboy]

Can't wait for the re-match! Great story! Thanks a lot.

[imfit]

Nice set up. Looking forward to future action on the mats.

[theseventhwave]

Missed this the first time around - but I'm loving the story thus far. Looking forward to reading the next chapters.