A Brand New Ballgame

by Declan Rhodes

  Aaron added, “I hope we can be friends, too. I know it’s not the best thing for coaches to be chummy with players, but the rest of the staff are at least fifteen years older than me.”

  I said, “Don’t worry. We won’t kick you out. Eric likes you, and Javier likes everybody. Thank you for agreeing to hang out with us.”

  6

  Aaron

  We both watched Eric leave the bar alone. Chase turned to look at me with his arms crossed and a smug expression on his face. He said, “And then there were two.”

  “You know what’s the best thing about getting called up to the majors earlier than I expected?”

  Chase shook his head. “No, I don’t think I do.”

  “I get the opportunity to see you take the baseball world by storm in person. You were a star today. You demonstrated the wealth of your potential. The whole team batted well, but all eyes were on you. I hope it’s not too much pressure, but I think you can handle it. The world is at your feet.”

  Chase leaned forward, and I held in a sigh while I watched the muscles move beneath the fabric of his shirt. In a soft voice that I could barely hear above the din in the bar, he said, “It’s not too much to handle now that you’re here.”

  I held up my hand, “Don’t go down that road. We’re doing well tonight. I like the friendly atmosphere, and I’m not worried about us. Please try not to rock the boat.”

  I couldn’t stop myself from focusing on his lips as he said, “You still feel it, don’t you?”

  “Well, yeah, I feel it when I watch great-looking guys. The baseball team is full of them. There are Eric and Javier. Even Mo is attractive in his long, tall, lanky way.”

  Chase shook his head. “It’s not the same, and you know it.”

  I groaned. “You’re not helping.”

  “You’re the coach. I think you’re the one that’s here to help me and not the other way around. By the way, I feel it, too. It was good back there in Chattanooga. It was better than that. The word perfect comes to mind.”

  I said, “Then let’s hold onto that. I don’t deny it, but we can’t fixate on it. It’s like playing with fire. It’s too dangerous.”

  “Dangerous?”

  “If you get too close to the flames; it’s really easy to get burned.”

  Chase reached up and swept his fingers through his sandy brown hair pushing it back off his forehead. The simple movements nearly took my breath away. “And all you’ve got is cliches?”

  I pushed my nearly empty beer bottle to the corner of the table. I felt my chest tighten and raised my voice in a challenging tone. “Look, Chase, I don’t know what you’re angling for tonight, but you’re not getting it.”

  He reached out across the table and rested the palm of his hand over the back of mine. “Relax. How about one more round, and then we can call it a night?”

  I took two deep breaths. Chase’s hand was comforting on mine. Somehow it dissipated the growing heat between us. “Okay, one more beer. Do you want me to get them?”

  Chase pulled his hand away. “I’ll be right back. It’s my turn to buy.”

  While he was gone, I tried to find other guys around me who were attractive, but no one could hold a candle to Chase. I watched him with his back to me leaning comfortably against the bar while he had a conversation with a middle-aged baseball fan to his right. I struggled to hold back my impulse to walk up from behind and wrap my arms around his broad chest.

  A few short minutes later, Chase returned and handed me a cold beer. He pointed back in the direction of the bar and said, “That guy drove all the way from Lexington, Kentucky to watch us on opening day.”

  “Why us? He’s a lot closer to Cincinnati.”

  Chase laughed, and I grinned with delight hearing him. The laugh rose from deep inside his chest. It was low and resonant. He said, “That’s what I asked him.”

  “And?”

  “He told me an amazing story.” I swallowed the first mouthful of my beer as I listened. Chase said, “His dad was a big baseball fan, and he lived his whole life in Charlotte. He always told his son that someday a baseball team would come to the city. Unfortunately, his dad died the year before the Yellowjackets kicked off their debut season.”

  I swallowed another mouthful in silence. “That is some story. You know, Chase, we need to figure out something that works because we’re both positive assets for the team. I think Huggins is a little over-confident thinking we can be World Series champions this year, but we can have an impact.”

  “I know we can.”

  “Then it’s friends. That’s all we can be. If you want more, you need to look for someone else.” My stomach clenched when the words tumbled out of my mouth. It was easy to say that Chase should find someone else, but I didn’t know how my emotions would respond. I was very jealous of a few previous boyfriends. It wasn’t pretty.

  “What if I don’t…” Chase stopped himself. He tipped up his beer, and then he said, “Okay, yeah, baseball. The game is my guy and your guy. It’s our first and foremost. We need to both give him all the love he deserves.”

  It was a fun way to look at it. Chase wasn’t only talented; he was also creative. I asked, “Were you serious about helping me with players that are struggling with the bat?”

  Chase nodded. “Of course. I think we need to be careful about our approach on that. Some guys wouldn’t be happy about the rookie butting in on their game. Still, I can often catch little problems in batting stances and swings.”

  “Oh, I’ve already got a lot of my strategy in mind.” I was already halfway through my beer, and I was starting to feel some buzz. Two beers had little effect on my head, but the third one often broke down the fences.

  “Do you mind if I change the topic of conversation?” asked Chase.

  An almost beatific smile appeared on my face. I was finally relaxing for the first time since I sat down in the bar with Chase and his friends. I said, “Sure, what do you want to talk about?”

  “I was curious about whether you’re planning to buy a permanent home in Charlotte. I expect you’re still at the hotel since you just got here, but will you be looking for a condo or a house?”

  I nodded. “Yep, I’m still at the hotel. I’ve got a single room, and it’s nice. I’m on the eighth floor, and they even gave me a nice little view.”

  Chase said, “I rented an apartment last fall, and I’m still there. It’s pleasant, but I would love a permanent home. We travel all the time. I think having a settled place would help me feel like I have roots somewhere.”

  I leaned back in my chair. “My grandfather made a lot of money when he was a manager, but he chose not to flaunt it. Guess what he did for a house.”

  Shrugging, Chase said, “I have no idea. What did he do?”

  “He bought a little cabin on a lake in Michigan. That’s the only house my grandparents ever owned. I loved going there when I was little. He took me fishing, and I learned to swim in the lake.”

  “Oh, wow, that’s great. Is that what you’ll do, too? Will you buy a nice little getaway place? The beaches along the Outer Banks are outstanding. Unfortunately, you do have to keep hurricanes in mind.”

  I swallowed more of the beer and peered into the bottle. I had maybe a quarter of it left to go. I said, “I’ve thought about it. I’ve not been to the Outer Banks yet. That is something to keep in mind. I’ve also wondered about a condo in a great city like New York or San Francisco or New Orleans. I want to be close to water of some kind.”

  “Oh, I do, too, and those are great cities. I played in San Francisco last fall, and it felt like I was visiting the homeland if you know what I mean. I slipped away from the rest of the team and spent a few hours in the Castro.”

  Chase was smart, and he had a sense of history. It was different from most other baseball players I’d ever known. I laughed softly. “I know what you mean.”

  Chase raised a hand and swept it in the air like he was painting a picture with his fingers. “So
we’ve got a beautiful beach. Are there dunes on the shore?”

  “Yes, and the wooden house on stilts is at least a quarter of a mile away from any other human-made structure. It’s very private. There’s a boat dock jutting out into the ocean.”

  “It’s so beautiful,” said Chase. “I’m imagining the sun rising over the horizon. I love that pinkish color in the sky when the sun first comes up.”

  I said, “I’d already be out in the surf enjoying a morning swim.”

  “I’m there with you.” Chase leaned across the table and asked, “Have you ever gone skinny dipping in the ocean before?”

  A shiver raced up my spine as I imagined Chase naked swimming with long strokes. The water rushed off his skin as he raised an arm in a broad stroke and kicked his legs. I closed my eyes for a moment.

  Chase asked, “Are you okay? Maybe we should call it a night soon.”

  My eyes fluttered open, and I remembered waking up seeing Chase in bed with me in the motel in Chattanooga. I wanted time to freeze in place. I wanted to be there with him for days or even weeks. The last thing I wanted was to see him leave. I held up my bottle of beer and said, “I think I’ve got just two swallows left.”

  Chase looked at his empty bottle and said, “I’m a little ahead of you. This was better than average. Is this beer made here in Charlotte?”

  “It is. One of the players back in Chattanooga gave me a list of five different ones to sample. I think I still have the piece of paper stuffed in my wallet.” I laughed and tipped up the bottle for the second-to-last swallow.

  “We painted a pretty picture,” said Chase. I realized I didn’t answer his question about skinny dipping, and I hoped he wouldn’t push it any further.

  “Pretty picture?”

  “The beach, the house, and the dock. You and me swimming in the waves. We’d lie back on the beach afterward.”

  “Oh yeah, we did.” I didn’t know what else to add that wouldn’t lead us into ominous territory.

  Fortunately, Chase changed the topic and asked, “Is there any special strategy for tomorrow?”

  I shook my head and tipped the bottle up one last time. “Keep doing what you’re doing. We could win a hundred games easily if the rest of the team follows your lead.”

  “Aw, thanks. I do what I do. I only get in trouble when I overthink things. If I keep my head clear, I do well.”

  I set the bottle down on the table and said, “I’ve had enough. Let’s get out of here. The crowd is thinning. I think that’s our sign it’s time to go home.” I stood up, and the buzz hit my head. I mumbled, “I always feel that last one.”

  Chase rose to his feet, and he stood firm and steady like he was ready to go out and play another game. “Are you an alcohol lightweight, Coach?”

  I chuckled. “I might be.”

  “Let me help you out.” Chase threw his arm around my shoulders, and we made our way to the door.

  Just before Chase reached his other arm forward to open the door, a fan called out, “Win another one tomorrow!”

  Chase and I grinned at each other, and I waved a hand as we exited the bar. As we strolled to the corner, I asked, “Are you taking a taxi?”

  “I usually call one of the driving services. What about you?”

  “The hotel is just about three blocks away. I think I can use the walk to clear my head.”

  Chase pulled his arm back and said, “I’ll walk with you. Does that sound good, Coach? I doubt anything would happen, but it doesn’t hurt to be safe.”

  I was happy to have his company. It wasn’t a dangerous part of the city, but it was late. “Yeah, that would be great, but only to the door of the hotel. Then we both need some sleep.”

  Chase asked, “Are you giving me a curfew?” I turned to look into his handsome face. He was smiling playfully.

  I said, “Maybe.”

  Two blocks later, we arrived at the curved driveway in front of the hotel. Chase said, “Thank you for a great evening, Coach. I’ve got one more thing.”

  I raised an eyebrow wondering what the thing might be. Chase reached out to me with both arms, pulled me close and placed a kiss on my lips. He added, “A little affection between friends.”

  7

  Chase

  I was taking a significant risk. I knew that Aaron might be furious, but I was worried my baseball performance would soon start to suffer if I didn’t do something. Eric was already concerned about me. He said, “It’s way too early in the season to be distracted, buddy. Get your act together. Keep your eye on the ball.”

  After Eric’s comments, I sat in a corner of the locker room to think things over. I was trying to lead the team like Huggins requested, but my teammates didn’t all respond to my confidence with warm, fuzzy thoughts. On top of that, my inability to sort out the relationship with Aaron was a distraction. I had to take action to settle everything down.

  I made up a story about something urgent that I noticed in a game, and I asked Eckert if he knew the number of the hotel room where Aaron was staying. I felt guilty and a little bit dirty when he told me room 817. In fact, I stopped in the lobby, ordered a drink, and tried to talk myself out of it.

  It didn’t work. I knew that Aaron was only a few hundred feet away. It was 8:00 p.m., and the next day was a free one before we traveled to Pittsburgh. I had hours ahead of me with nothing to do, and I wondered if Aaron did, too.

  As I stepped out of the elevator on the eighth floor, my breath caught in my throat. I rubbed the front of my shirt to try and smooth any wrinkles. It was one of three new ones I bought a day earlier. I told myself I bought them to help reflect well on the team when I was in public. Deep down, I knew that I bought them to try and please Aaron.

  They were patterned dress shirts that would work well for a night out at an expensive restaurant or in a club. They were the highest-priced shirts I’d ever owned. The one I wore to Aaron’s hotel was purple with intricate geometric patterns. I took a long, deep breath and knocked on the door of room 817.

  There was no response. I wondered if Aaron thought someone had the wrong room. Or maybe he’d gone out, but I quizzed a few of my teammates earlier in the day, and they never saw him out at restaurants or clubs in Charlotte. I think he turned into a hermit after he joined Eric, Javier, and me for the one night out.

  I knocked again. This time I heard movement from beyond the door. It opened as far as the chain would allow. I saw one of Aaron’s eyes and half of his mouth. He exclaimed, “Chase! What are you doing here? How did you…”

  I interrupted and asked, “Would you let me inside? It’s cold out here.” I rubbed my arms like I was standing in a snowstorm and laughed.

  He pushed the door shut, unlatched the chain, and then pulled it open again. He said, “I guess it would be rude to make you leave now that you’re here.”

  I slipped inside and offered a hug. Fortunately, Aaron reciprocated. He smelled good. His cheek was smooth against my stubble. Aaron was freshly showered and shaved. I wondered if he was planning on going out even though he wore only jeans and a Rock City Ramblers T-Shirt.

  I asked, “Are you going somewhere? You smell good.”

  He stepped back from the hug. “I’m not going anywhere. I had room service and jumped in the shower after. Cleanliness is a good thing, isn’t it?”

  I prowled through the room taking it all in. “Yes, it is.” It was a large room, and the bed was king-sized. It was perfect space for play.

  Aaron kept the room neat and tidy. Some of my teammates were living in rooms in the same hotel, and they turned them into dumps. The housekeeping staff piled the players’ stacks of dirty clothes on chairs so they could have space to vacuum the carpets.

  Aaron asked, “I think I have an obvious question. How did you know this was my room? I don’t give that information out to players.”

  I said, “Eckert was kind.” I rubbed my chin as I turned back toward Aaron. “Oh, I almost forgot. There is a reason for my visit. I was thinking about this
afternoon’s game, and I remembered watching Harry Grimes batting today. I wanted to ask if you noticed, too. I think he’s dropping his elbow. He’s in a slump, so I wondered if we could help.”

  Aaron frowned. “How much of that are you making up?”

  I sighed and held up a finger and thumb gauging the amount. “25%, maybe.”

  “I’d say closer to eighty.”

  “Can we settle on seventy?”

  Aaron lowered his head and laughed. It wasn’t a belly laugh, but I heard echoes of the laughter that turned me on in Chattanooga. We were stepping directly into a danger zone, and I knew it. Aaron said, “God must be testing me. That’s the only explanation.”

  I held out my arms again. “As long as it’s just a test, how about another hug? I’ll grade you. I promise that I’ll score it on a generous curve.”

  Aaron folded himself into my arms. He asked, “Does anyone else know you’re here?”

  I shook my head. “Nobody does. Eric and Javier went to a movie. I even told Eckert I was stopping here before dinner. Everyone thinks I’m enjoying a quiet night in my apartment watching Bull Durham for the twentieth time.”

  “That doesn’t sound so bad. It’s a great movie. Do you have a nice couch?”

  “Is leather nice? You’ll have to stop by, Coach. I think it’s a good one for cuddling.”

  I didn’t expect what happened next. Aaron initiated the first kiss. He slipped a hand behind my neck and pulled me closer until our lips met. I inhaled the masculine scent of his aftershave as we kissed. My knees wobbled, and I gripped him tighter in the hug.

  When we came up for air, I said, “You kissed me, Coach! Is that allowed?”

  Aaron stared into my eyes and rubbed both hands over my shirt. His fingers kneaded at the muscle beneath. He mumbled, “It’s not allowed, but it’s not my fault either. You made me break the rules. I’m blaming this all on you.” He rubbed and kneaded more and said, “This shirt is amazing. It must have cost a fortune.”