The Sports Fans by the television

You politely give a dismissive wave at the bartender, and weave your way between the chairs and tables toward the group huddled around the mounted flat-screen at the far edge of the bar. They don't seem to take notice as you approach, and you take a seat at the outskirts of their huddle, bringing your eyes to the screen.

You aren't exactly interested in the game as you are for the group's attention, their company being enough to satisfy your visit. You take note of the men, who seem friendly enough. Five-six... eight dude-bros, though probably in their late-thirties to early-forties. There's a quick flash out the corner of your eye and you turn back towards the screen as the group in front of you boos loudly; someone must've scored.

"Who's playin'?" you shout out as their jeering subsides.

The heavy-set man on the outer edge turns to face you, slightly startled by your sudden appearance. As his eyes meet yours his expression settles.

"Green Bay - you wanna join us?" the man asks you, to which you smile and nod, getting off your seat and joining the huddle.

"Packers?" you ask, to which he laughs.

"No, the Green Bay Mermen," he jokes, "Who else?"

You take his word for it as you embed yourself in the center of the group, putting your eyes on the screen. For the time being there's not much going on other than the occasional dodge and weave. Out of the corner of your eye, the man beside you waves his hand for your attention before offering you a beer, to which you're surprised by the generosity.

"Oh geez, thanks," you say to the man, who takes a seat alongside you.

He raises his own bottle to you and takes a sip before returning his attention to the screen. You swivel your head to notice all but one man in the group appear to have their own beer; probably the designated driver. You share a quick glance with the man, to which he politely smiles, then turns back to the game.

You take a swig from your beer and return your attention to the screen above, to which the game has definitely picked up, as a man on the opposite team is heading for the touchdown. The tension distills into a moment where you feel invested in the game. With the man being tailed by a number 26, you're just on the edge of your seat as the opposing team scores, and everyone around you shouts profanities at the screen.