Love of the Game - The Complete Collection (Box Set)

by Shayne McClendon

  The other men at the table joined in as they talked sports, past, present, and future. Jake was ashamed to admit he was surprised they all knew so much about guy stuff.

  When Vincent returned he leaned down to whisper, “No worries, Jake, straight guys always think our primary focus is fashion.” He gave him a wink as he sat down.

  “Now, I’m not going to lie, it takes time and knowledge to look this good. However, we follow sports, watch action movies, play on softball leagues, and go fishing. All the same guy things you do. Other than the fucking women part…we don’t do that.

  “However, I will say that is very lucky for you. She loves us and likes having us to shield her from the interested straights. If any of us were straight, we’d have locked her down already. We’re successful, good looking, fun to be around, and hung like horses…except for Chase.”

  At Jake’s questioning look, he said dramatically, “Like an elephant…a fucking elephant. No kidding. He gives us a major complex at the gym.”

  “Dude, stop telling people about my fucking Johnson.” Chase growled then started laughing. “Somebody is going to expect an anaconda and get a cocktail frank. Not cool.”

  Vincent shook his head and moved his hands to show size – about the length of his forearm – and mouthed “fucking huge” to Jake.

  Jake had never seen a group of men who were all so uniformly good looking. He mentioned how much they must stand out in everyday life when they went places together.

  Anthony stared at him for a long time then turned to the others. “The alpha straight man finds us attractive…and is admitting it. I cannot believe how unbelievably touched I am right now. Jake, I would very much like to meet your mama. She must be amazing.”

  “My mom is amazing. She’s a nurse, or she was. I finally talked her into retiring last year. When my dad died, she worked for a company that would place her in different facilities, kind of a floating employee, I guess. I’d drive her back and forth so I’d have the car in case of emergency since my sisters were still really young. She worked Hospice, nursing homes, clinics, drug rehabs. You name it, she worked there.”

  The men remained quiet, all eyes on Jake as he paused, reflecting. “The thing is…I got to meet a lot of people from a lot of different walks of life. An elderly woman waiting for dialysis, a scared young woman considering abortion and afraid to go inside, a beautiful teenage boy just diagnosed with HIV and crying in the parking lot, a little girl with leukemia, an abused wife.”

  He stopped for another moment and cleared his throat, looking up with a smile. “I’ve always been lucky. I don’t take it for granted. I sure as hell have no right to judge anyone else. You’re good men, strong men, and you care about a young woman for no other reason than just because you do. I don’t care who you’re attracted to, what your lifestyle is, or if you flirt with me.”

  He shrugged. “I’m confident in my sexuality, you’re confident in yours. I think all of you are great.” He nodded to Raine on the dance floor. “She has very good taste in friends.”

  Vincent leaned closer to Jake. “Obviously in men, period, considering she found the one man to take her virginity who kept her safe and made it good for her. She told us she didn’t warn you. How did you handle that?”

  Jake closed his eyes and shook his head. “My first thought was wondering if I hurt her.” He took a deep breath. “It was a shock. I found myself thinking about my little sisters. How I would feel if I found out one of them were in Raine’s situation. The thought of them…doing it…disturbs me, but I’d want someone to be careful with them. To make it something memorable and as pleasing as possible.”

  He smiled at each of them. “I had no idea it would be so memorable for me.”

  Chapter Seven

  Chase looked around the table. He made eye contact with Vincent, Carlos, and John before asking, “All in favor?”

  All four men raised their hands.

  “We've already heard from Steve and Anthony gave me his thumbs up when we switched spots on the floor. Its official, Jake. You’re good enough for our Raine. Steve said you were but we aren’t very trusting when it comes to her. We never thought there would be a man all of us would like. Most of us haven’t liked anyone else she’s dated.”

  “I appreciate the stamp. I hope it helps.”

  They sat talking, two at a time getting up to dance, for another hour when Steve said, “Hey, we need to feed Raine or she’s going to hit the floor…literally. Somebody get her off there.”

  Carlos and Vincent were dancing with Raine. Anthony went out to get them and the three of them walked her back. She wasn’t completely steady on her feet and dropped in a chair, accepting the remainder of an appetizer sampler plate and a glass of fruit juice from Steve.

  She was laughing at something John said when she met Jake’s eyes across the table. Shaking her head, she touched her temples, glanced up again, and realized he was still sitting there.

  “Hi, Raine, you look beautiful.” Jake watched as she stood and came around the table. She leaned against the side of Chase’s body who sat beside him.

  “What…are you doing here?” she asked softly.

  “Watching you dance, meeting very nice people, learning lots of things about gay males I never knew before, including that Chase is hung like an elephant.”

  She laughed. “He really is. Crazy huge.”

  Chase pinched her and she slapped his hand. She slid down his torso to sit on his lap. The big man absently draped an arm around her waist.

  “Steve called you.”

  It wasn’t a question. Raine looked across and saw Steve pretending not to listen. Realizing he’d been busted, he made a show of turning his head in the other direction, and peeking at her out of the corner of his eye.

  She smiled at him, “Good call, Steve.”

  They'd been chatting with the group for a few minutes before one of the women in the club happened to recognize Jake. She made a beeline back to a table full of women and soon they were descended upon by his groupies.

  Raine prepared to stand when Chase’s arm tightened on her. He whispered at her ear, “Settle, Rainy. Wait a second. Give him a chance.”

  Jake signed autographs and took a couple of pictures, while politely shrugging the women off his body. Finally, he raised his hands to get their attention. “Ladies, I’m here with a lovely young woman and though I’m happy to take a photo or sign an autograph, I have no intention of ignoring her.”

  Most got up and moved away smiling but two were determined to get something more. Placing themselves alongside his chair, they touched his shoulders and chest, offered to take him home, and explained they could make him feel all better, together.

  “While that is a generous offer, my actual date is much more captivating. I don’t want to be rude, but you’re beginning to be. Walk away with your dignity intact, ladies.”

  They shot Raine a couple of dismissing glances and stomped off in a huff.

  Raine smiled. “I go places with six absolutely beautiful men dressed like models and we don’t get that much attention. That must be hard to resist.”

  He laughed. “Just because there’s an all-you-can-eat buffet doesn’t mean you actually partake of everything.”

  “No,” Anthony said, “but everyone should at least try a bite of the sausage.”

  The entire table lost all sense of decorum as they laughed and pounded the table.

  John called out from his spot beside Steve. “Raine, doll, you have to eat. You’re going to pass out again. I mean it. Park your pretty ass in a chair and let us feed you.”

  Raine stood up from Chase’s lap and he squeezed her hip while he talked to Vincent on his other side. Leaning over, she said in Jake’s ear, “I’m glad you're here. I’m glad you’re okay with my friends. They mean a lot to me and have been there for me for years.”

  Her pose made her dress gape open and he noted the tops of her rounded breasts and flat stomach.

  “Raine…I have
a lovely view right now and I’m getting incredibly hard, so stand up.” She did slowly and didn’t blush. He tilted his head to look at her. “Did you do that on purpose?”

  “No, just used to being around men who aren’t looking.” She shrugged. Chase stood and held her by the hips to sit her in his seat.

  “Eat, Rainy. Now. We have to carry you out of here again and they’re going to think we’re slipping you rufies. Girl, our song is starting!”

  Chase stood behind her and they started singing Shake That Ass for Me by Eminem. Halfway through the first chorus the entire table was singing.

  She stood again and danced around the table with Chase. They were hysterical, shaking their asses and singing. Jake had to hand it to her…she was a doctor with the moves of a stripper. Every one of the men watched her move and reached out to touch her in some way as she passed.

  As she came back around when the song was over, he pulled her into his lap, balancing her on his good leg, stretching his injured one out underneath the table.

  He got Steve's attention and took the plate of food they'd ordered for her, setting it down on the table in front of them.

  When she didn’t immediately grab it, he picked up a mozzarella stick, dipped it into the marinara sauce, and put it to her mouth. She opened, not really sure what else to do, and took a bite.

  Two more songs came on and she sang along between bites, alternating lines with Chase, who had retaken his seat beside Jake. Between being fed one tiny bite at a time...first the cheese stick, then a potato skin, then a chicken finger...she'd finally eaten about half of an appetizer order.

  “Does she always eat like this?” Jake asked Chase.

  “Raine is a terrible eater. We’ve literally had to carry her out twice. Her blood sugar drops and she’s out like a light. However,” the big man gave him a smile, “we never thought to actually feed her. Feeding someone is very sensual, even if you're just watching.”

  Raine started to get up but Jake held her still on his lap.

  “I agree.” He gave Raine a stern look, “Passing out isn’t fun. Stay and eat a little more. You’re just like my youngest sister. When Brittany was two, she decided she was only going to eat foods that were orange. I about throttled her the day we were out of oranges, carrots, and popsicles. I could sometimes fool her with grilled cheese. House full of food and she only wants orange.”

  The whole time he was talking, he was giving her pieces of chicken strips and fries.

  “This food is crap and you get distracted here. I’ll take you to a regular restaurant tomorrow. We’ll talk, you’ll eat good food, and I’ll be happy.”

  She found herself nodding before she’d considered the question. “Wait, what?”

  “Too late, chica, you agreed,” Carlos said and the others nodded their heads. “You’re going to dinner with Catcher McDreamy and I’m bringing you a new outfit.”

  “You guys constantly dress me. I can buy clothes. You give me too much.” Raine was laughing.

  Jake let his gaze rove over her. “They do a beautiful job, though. They put you in things you wouldn’t buy for yourself, Raine.”

  “Jake, you nailed it. Raine is like our pretty real-life Barbie. We like to dress her, play with her, pose her.” A long pause occurred that seemed fraught with tension. “We found a Ken! Oh. My. God. I totally get to dress him,” Vincent gasped.

  “I call dibs on his hair,” Carlos shouted happily.

  “Spa day!” Steve said loudly. At Jake’s eye-roll, he added, “Oh, Jake, you don’t know. It’s all very manly and you won’t regret it. You’re not doing anything until pre-season training starts. You keep your virginity and we get to play Queer Eye...say yes. Raine trusts us, loves us, and you will, too. Say yes!”

  Steve was practically clapping his hands.

  “Okay but no highlights and seriously, anyone gets a pic of me in a Speedo or some shit and I’m not going to be pleased.”

  “Raine, what are we…uh, working with in the Speedo competition? Just curious, of course.” Vincent’s look was all innocence.

  Raine cleared her throat. “He can compete easily with anyone at this table…except Chase…but I mean, Jesus Christ! Who can, amiright? A little longer than Carlos, slightly narrower than John. A very nice package.”

  Steve whispered loudly, “Caught a glimpse today…very, very nice package.” When all the guys turned to glare at him, he held up his hands. “It was in a swimsuit, damn!”

  The men nodded, smiling, and tried to get a subtle look at his lap.

  Jake was quiet for a long time. “I cannot believe you just described our dicks in comparison to one another. Straight guys would flip out if you told them someone else was bigger. Not that I could handle the responsibility of Chase’s size, I mean, fuck.”

  “Jake…don’t you know not to use Chase and fuck in the same sentence? Way to tease a guy.”

  “See! I told you, Jake!” Steve said from the other side of the table.

  Chase glared at everyone. “And that is enough about my dick. Next person says something, I’m whipping it out.”

  Raine opened her mouth and Jake gently put his hand over it. “Behave.”

  She nodded and smiled. The moment he dropped his hand, she said, “I was just going to say he might need assistance lifting it.”

  Steve snarfed his drink through his nose.

  “Kidding, darling.” She leaned over and gave Chase a sweet kiss on the lips. Just in time, he was going for his zipper.

  “I’m going to ask because my curiosity is killing me. How do all of you, including Raine, know so much about one another’s package?” Jake had to know.

  “Well,” Vincent said after the group finally quieted again. “We all went to Mexico together last year and dragged Raine with us. Nude beaches are so overrated. Had to watch Raine like a hawk and we were the prettiest belles at the ball. Since that trip, we…not Raine because she doesn’t have the right bat…have inter-dated. We’ll have to see how things turn out.

  "You see, we all met in high school. None of us were out of course. All faking our asses off, on sports teams and with girlfriends. You don’t survive high school otherwise. We’re semi-out now. With Raine, a few family, and some trustworthy friends. Not many though.”

  Anthony smiled. “We’re a good group. Raine is our little sister. We like to snuggle her, touch soft parts we don’t have, dress her up, and make her have fun. If any of us have functions, she goes with us. I know Chase asks her to do that a lot. Did he tell you he’s a stockbroker…with an enormous dick?”

  “That’s it!” Chase stood, lifted his shirt, unbuttoned, and unzipped.

  Jake looked, blinked. “Dude, that’s like…a porn star dick. Shit. You didn’t need to open your pants…it’s above your waist. Impressive.” Jake couldn’t help it.

  Raine grinned and mouthed, “I told you.”

  Chase gave him a broad grin and closed up. “I’m mollified now. Our new straight guy uber hottie is impressed with my dick. Take that, bitches.”

  Everyone was hysterical.

  Over the next two hours, Raine finally finished her food. They laughed and danced, talking constantly. Jake told them it was the most fun he’d had in years, and they told him that must be saying a lot.

  Around one in the morning, someone paid the tab and the other men started excusing themselves. Each shook Jake’s hand and kissed Raine on the mouth, neck, or shoulder.

  All of them wanted a firm date to work Jake over.

  John and Carlos told him they couldn’t wait to see him play live now that they knew him. John had season box seats. They mentioned him coming out to watch their little local softball games and going for pizza and beers after.

  “Half the team is straight, the other half, not so much. Either way, we have fun and get sweaty.” They left talking animatedly about trips they should plan to include Jake.

  Vincent’s expression was serious. “You work that boy next door look but we can make you GQ worthy. Raise your
value as a man and a player. Put yourself in our capable hands, figuratively of course, and you won’t regret it.”

  Jake laughed and agreed to go whenever he didn’t have physical therapy and they had time.

  “Don’t you know we will make time for you? Ask Raine. We are there.” He winked at Jake and headed off in Chase’s wake.

  Steve patted Raine’s butt and waited for her to kiss both his cheeks then his mouth.

  Taking her face in his hands he smiled. “You are hotness personified. No more arguing when we want to sex you up to take you dancing. Great moves tonight and I love you forever. See you tomorrow, princess. I’m going to get Anthony to come play PS3 with me. Wink wink."

  Planting a kiss on her forehead, he released her face and looked at Jake. "Dude, I’m so impressed I can’t tell you. I’m bringing the pain tomorrow so get some rest. Later, kiddies.”

  He left the bar, walking beside Anthony.

  Chapter Eight

  When they found themselves alone, Jake said, “I’ve never felt so mentally expanded in my life. I work in a very hetero environment. I’m seeing a whole new side of what I thought I knew. I’ve never been so glad that I was totally clueless.”

  Raine slid off his lap and pulled a chair close. She faced him. “Will you let them make you over?”

  “Sure, what harm could it do? My sisters have tried before, but their idea of fashion is boy band and I’m way too old for that.”

  “They’ll take very good care of you, Jake. They all like to play but they would never invade your personal space. If anything makes you uncomfortable, believe me, they’ll stop. The novelty of an attractive straight man submitting to their whims intrigues them.”

  “You intrigue me, Raine. It’s strange, but I see nothing wrong with them petting and kissing you. They adore you. Believe me, if they were my straight teammates, my reaction would have been much different.”

  Her smile was careful. “They like to touch me, they find me interesting. If there had been a chance I could have turned any of them, I likely would have by now.”