Sunday afternoon was the soccer grand final and Freddie was dragged to the pub to watch it with Dave. It didn't take much to convince Freddie because he knew how important it was to Dave and he remembered his promise to at least give soccer a chance after finding out Leo was also a fan. But he told Dave he was only going to make up for missing Friday night pub night because he didn't want to be expected to watch every match from that point on.

The pub was crowded but most people were outside enjoying the last of the Autumn sunshine. They were in the sports bar, which was dark and filled with a few enthusiastic fans. Freddie found himself sandwiched between Dave and Tim who were both jiggling nervously with anticipation. He had a lot of questions but looking at their faces Freddie thought he could ask more about the nuts and bolts of the game at a later date.

Freddie offered to be the bar horse as the pregame started, when he arrived back the players were entering the field. Luckily he placed the tray down before glancing at the TV because if he'd been holding the drinks when he saw Leo appear they would have ended up on the floor.

"Leo," he said out loud too softly for his friends to hear as he watched the guy he'd been texting with for two weeks run across the screen.

If he thought he was mistaken, there was no denying it when they cut to close up and a banner announced he was 'number 10, Leo Lee'. Still Freddie kept staring at the screen like he was waiting for someone to shout 'psych' and tell him the whole thing was an elaborate joke.

"Sit down dude," Dave said tugging at Freddie's shirt. "You're making me more nervous."

"You okay mate?" Leo asked as Freddie sat down not letting his eyes slip from the screen.

Nodding, Freddie didn't try to explain what was going on in his head. He still wasn't entirely sure it was really happening, the whole thing could be a hallucination. Maybe it was the first sign of madness or a brain tumor but the more he thought about it the more it made sense. He remembered asking Leo what he did for a living and when Leo had replied "football" Freddie assumed he meant something behind the scenes, like management or advertising. Even though he knew there was no way for Leo to reply because they were watching him live on television, Freddie still pulled out his phone to text him.

Are you a pro footballer????????????? He sent with probably too many question marks but he wanted to convey his surprise.

No reply came and Freddie couldn't tear his eyes from the screen again. He watched Leo dance across the field like he owned the place. Dave and Tim were commenting and shouting but Freddie just stared. Leo was brilliant. By the time half time rolled around there was a point on the board and Leo was the one who'd put it there.

"Lee's on form tonight," Dave said finally taking a breath.

"Lee," Freddie said it felt strange.

"Leo," he tried again.

"Leo Lee," he completed finally eyes wide still staring at the television.

"Yeah that's right," Tim said. "He had a minor injury mid season but he's been fighting since then I feel like I'm watching history."

"When he gets called up for Socceroos I'm gonna feel like a proud dad," Dave said wiping a fake tear from his eye.

"That's Leo," Freddie said.

"Yeah," Tim agreed again eyeing Freddie with suspicion. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"You look a bit wrecked are ya gonna spew," Dave said placing a sympathetic hand on Freddie's shoulder.

"That's Leo," Freddie said again looking at his friends this time willing them to understand.

"I know mate," Dave said face flooding with concern as he cupped Freddie's face as searched for some sign of medical distress.

Tim on the other hand, seemed to be figuring it out. His eyebrows knitted together before spreading wide with understanding.

"Your Leo is Leo Lee!" He shouted!

"What?" Dave asked dropping his hands from Freddie's face.

"The guy Freddie's been flirting with at the gym is Leo Lee!" Tim exclaimed excitedly.

Dave still seemed confused at first before recognition flooded his features and he burst out laughing. Freddie was dragged back from shock to feel offended. It wasn't that funny.

"How the hell was I supposed to know?" Freddie demanded.

"Oh mate," Dave said through his laughter slapping a hand against Freddie's back. "Only you."

"Unbelievable," Tim said looking at Freddie like he'd somehow done it on purpose.

Freddie sat in a state of shock while Dave went and brought a round of drinks. He returned with a six shots. Freddie questioned his choice of drink with a raise of an eyebrow.

"We're celebrating," Dave said smugly.

"They haven't won yet," Freddie said.

"True but I trust your mate Leo's got this," he said with a wink.

"Dick," Freddie said as Tim sniggered.

"Anyway that's not what we're celebrating," Dave said.

"What are we celebrating then?" Freddie asked although he wasn't sure wanted to know the answer.

"Leo Lee's gonna come to the next pub night," Dave said. "You're gonna make sure of it even if you have to blow him."

With that Dave raised the glass and Freddie took the shot with him hoping he wouldn't have remember the conversation. It wasn't until right before the second half started that Freddie thought to check his phone. There were no messages from Leo but there was a read receipt there to taunt him. Freddie groaned and settled into the second half.

Even without understanding the rules Freddie found himself on the edge of his seat for the whole second half, which of course came down to a penalty shootout. Leo was up first and when his ball landed in the net Freddie jumped so high he almost landed on the table. The rest was a waiting game that ended when the other team missed the final shot. That was that, they won, the whole exploded! Dave was openly weeping as he pulled Freddie into a hug. Everything cascaded into songs and drinks, but Freddie found a moment to text Leo.

You won! he sent and it seemed totally superfluous but he just wanted to acknowledge the momentous occasion.

Sometime later, they lost all concept of time in the celebration, Freddie caught Leo's face in the corner of his eye. He flipped around to see Leo with his usual bored expression being accosted by a very frustrated reporter. Freddie overtaken by joy,  alcohol, and pride, jumped on a chair and shouted at everyone to shut up.

"That's my friend," he said pointing at the screen. "Everyone shut up that's my friend."

Most people ignored him but a few, including Tim and Dave cheered indulgently. The noise blocked most of the interview but Freddie moved closer just in time to catch the end.

"Can I shout out someone?" Leo said.

The reporter seemed genuinely shocked that Leo had said a whole sentence, he didn't say a thing at first. Eventually professionalism took hold.

"Of course," the reporter said.

Looking straight at the camera, making it feel like he was looking directly into Freddie's eyes, Leo's lip lifted slightly into the almost unnoticeable Freddie recognized immediately.

"Hey Freddie," Leo said.

That was it, he nodded at the reporter and walked off screen like he hadn't sent lightening right through Freddie's heart. Freddie thought, in that moment, that Leo might be his best friend.

Dave jumped on him excitedly after hearing the shoutout! And told the whole bar about it, which ended with seven different people shouting him drinks. Freddie stumbled out a taxi at nine PM already regretting his choices as he thought about the lecture he was supposed to attend the next morning. Just as he reached his bed, Leo finally texted him.

What do I get for winning? Leo asked.

A trophy dude I saw you touch it! Freddie replied.

What do I get from you? Leo asked.

He was such a tease, Freddie thought, and for some reasons his alcohol soaked brain took that as a challenge. If Leo was gonna tease him, Freddie would tease right back.

Dave says I should blow you, Freddie replied because for some reason it was the first thing that popped into his head.

Okay, was the last thing Leo sent before Freddie passed out.