Switch Pitching (Off the Bench #1)

12. James

12

JAMES

Ah, Toronto. Home sweet home. I’m pumped to be back in this city, even if we’re being kept on an unreasonably tight leash.

The Toronto Beavers are surprisingly strong this year, and we have a strict curfew before our three games here. That means I can’t go see my parents, despite the fact that our hotel is less than five kilometers away from their house.

Our bus is creeping toward the hotel on the waterfront and I’m catching a close-up view of all the downtown landmarks. I love this city, and it’s kinda weird coming back as an athlete on a rival team. Growing up, I always dreamed of walking into the Toronto clubhouse in Northlink Centre and being a hometown hero, but I can settle for using the visitors’ locker room. I grew up a Toronto fan, but I still can’t wait to crush them while I’m here.

We pull up to the hotel, offload our bags, and head straight to our rooms where a basic catered meal box is waiting. It’s passable, but I consider calling my parents to ask for a care package. I decide against it because I don’t want them to deal with the insane team security that we get for all our hotel stays.

Instead, I shoot them a text as I eat the boxed lasagna and try to see the CN Tower view that the hotel’s brochure promised me.

View or no view, I’m still excited.

I’m home, and I love it here.

The team is riding a collective high after winning our third straight game against Toronto. Our flight doesn’t leave until tomorrow afternoon, so the team decided to celebrate our successful string of away games. My parents came to our last game and said hi, but as soon as they caught wind of the team’s plans, they told me to go along. I know my parents mean well, but I see the team almost every day, while I haven’t been in Toronto since last December.

Still, I’m excited for a night out. Unfortunately, a couple of the veteran players decided to take charge, leaving me, the only player on the team who’s actually from here, to awkwardly follow the group and question their collective sense of direction, or lack thereof. I always try my best to go with the flow. It’s just hard when we bumble around and end up along that one section of Yonge Street that’s all souvenir shops and sketchy clubs.

“We’re here!” announces Tim, one of the self-appointed leaders for the night. I turn to the right and somehow manage to conceal my groan.

“Here” is apparently Four-One-S*x Appeal, the largest, most famous (or notorious) strip club in the GTA, its cheesy name derived from Toronto’s 416 area code. I stare at the neon lights like they’re mocking me. This isn’t how I pictured spending my last night back home. A quick glance over at Ethan confirms that he’s just as unenthused about the whole thing.

As we stand there, I notice that our team has seriously thinned out. Half of them have already bailed, but the rest of them? They’re eagerly eyeing the club.

“Yo, what’s up rookies?” Tim calls out, noticing the look on our faces. “Are you guys too innocent for a little fun?”

Some of the other guys jump in, pitching in playful jabs of their own. “Yeah, come on, don’t be shy,” one of them says with a smirk. “Time to see what Toronto’s got to offer. Consider this your initiation.”

I might be younger than anyone else on the team, but I’m still twenty-one. I went to one of the wildest universities in the US as a student athlete, and I’ve been to my fair share of strip clubs. Sure, it was always my team or some friends who dragged me, but I’ve been.

Ethan and I exchange a glance, both of us shaking our heads at the same time. “Nah, we’re good,” I say, chuckling. “I think we’ll sit this one out.”

“Yeah,” Ethan adds, flashing a quick smile. “We’ll keep it chill tonight.”

The guys laugh, unbothered by our decision. Tim gives us a quick nod before turning back toward the entrance. “Alright, suit yourselves, but don’t say we didn’t try to show you a good time!”

While the rest of the team heads inside, Tim pauses at the door and glances back at us. “Are you guys cool if we split up here? I can stick with you guys until you get a cab back to the hotel if you’d like.”

“Nah, we’re fine, but thanks man,” I say, waving him off. Ethan gives a thumbs up beside me.

“Cool, see you tomorrow.” Tim disappears into the club to join the others.

With everyone else gone, it’s just me and Ethan standing there. I turn and start walking, and Ethan’s long legs have him a few steps ahead as he turns right onto Gerrard Street.

“Yo, dude, hold up,” I call out. “There isn’t that much in that direction.” At least not for us. Ethan slows down and I slide up next to him.

“You sure you didn’t want to go into that place?” I ask, shooting Ethan a sarcastic smile.

Ethan laughs dryly, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Not my scene.”

“Really? The half-naked women on the posters outside didn’t do anything for you?”

Ethan rolls his eyes at me right as we stop to wait for a red light. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a poster with a shirtless guy on it, and an idea springs into my mind.

“Alright Ethan,” I start. “We’re in Toronto, and you know what Toronto has? Church Street. And what does Church Street have? Tons of gay bars. Let’s go to one.”

Ethan raises one eyebrow.

“Come on man, it’ll be chill. Nobody knows us here and it’ll be fun,” I continue, hoping it convinces him.

“Sounds good, I’m down.”

We turn left and head north until we hit a row of brightly lit bars and storefronts. The street is buzzing, and the vibe is so much better than where we were before. I evaluate my options and decide on the bar right in front of us where the line is short. We pay cover, order drinks, and settle in at a high-top toward the back.

I tap Ethan on the shoulder. It’s time for him to have some fun.

“Yo, let’s get you some dick tonight,” I say.

Ethan almost spits out a mouthful of vodka soda and shoots me a “what the fuck” expression.

“Why not? I’ve never seen you bring anyone home, so you’re probably dying.”

Ethan scoffs. “I’m not dying , James. Besides, I’ve taken as many people home as you have since we moved in together, which is zero.”

Ethan’s right. I haven’t done anything with anyone since the season started. It isn’t like me to have a dry spell this long.

“Okay, fine, I guess we’re both caught up in the game and stuff,” I say.

Ethan puts on a mischievous smirk, which catches me off guard. “Or maybe you prefer cuddling on the couch with me every night.”

My eyes shoot wide open.

“Fuck off, it’s not every night!” I protest.

“Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that.” Ethan shoots me a wink over the rim of his glass.

“Great! Since you’re already in a good mood, let’s get you some dick.”

Ethan puts his empty glass down. “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind that. How are you gonna wingman me?”

I break into a grin. “Here’s the deal. We pretend that we’re a couple.”

Ethan narrows his eyes at me. “How does that make sense?”

“Let me finish. Then, I loudly and publicly ‘break up’ with you and pretend to leave. Then you’re left alone and the vultures can swarm.”

“Sorry to break it to you, but that is not gonna happen.”

I shrug, taking the rejection of my master plan in stride. “Alright, man, your loss,” I joke, finishing my drink.

Before I can come up with another ridiculous plan, I spot the washroom out of the corner of my eye. “Hold that thought, I gotta take a leak,” I tell him.

There’s a wait for the sinks to wash my hands, so I lean against the wall, tapping my foot to the beat of the music thumping through the speakers. Just as I’m zoning out, a guy sidles up next to me, flashing a friendly smile. I can tell he’s a good-looking guy, about our age with black hair and a sharp jaw.

“Is the wait always this long or did I come at a bad time?” he asks.

I chuckle. “Nah, bro, just bad timing tonight.”

“Figures,” he says, rolling his eyes playfully. “I’m Carter, by the way.”

“James,” I offer. “Are you here with some friends?”

Carter smiles. “Yeah, a few buddies dragged me out. You?”

“Same,” I say, then figure I’ll try and lure him back. “I’m here with my boy Ethan. Trying to loosen him up a bit.”

Carter raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Is Ethan shy or something?”

“Kind of,” I say with a grin. “Thought I’d give him a little nudge tonight.”

Carter nods, seeming to understand.

The sink in front of me shuts off. “Actually, I was about to head back. You should come say hi,” I suggest.

Carter looks me up and down, then smiles. “Why not? Sounds like fun.”

The music gets louder as we head back, and I can already see Ethan holding another two drinks and scanning the room.

I lead Carter over, ready to make the introduction. “Ethan, meet Carter. Carter, this is Ethan.”

Ethan notices us and takes in Carter’s smile. “Hey,” Ethan says, offering his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

They both hit it off, with Carter saying something that makes Ethan crack up, and I shuffle back. My job here is done. I keep a safe distance, leaving them to it, and I wait for Ethan to give me the go-ahead to head out.

I sip my drink and watch the two guys chat with each other. Carter is clearly interested, touching Ethan’s arm every five seconds and gazing longingly into his eyes. Ethan grins back, and I can’t help the small, satisfied nod I send over. He’s gonna get some tonight. But for some bizarre reason, I sense a twinge in my gut, and something about the situation doesn’t sit right with me.

The longer I stare, the more uneasy I get, which is totally weird. I brought Ethan to this place and encouraged, no, instructed him to get laid. I found Carter and practically shoved him and Ethan together. So why is my stomach tying itself up in knots around the rest of my organs?

I realize that once Ethan heads out to hook up with Carter, I might have to make myself scarce while they get it on. We still don’t have our own rooms, and knowing Toronto, Carter might live in a share house with four other people. Ethan’s definitely using our room tonight. That means I’ll be alone in my hometown, trying to waste time while those two get it on.

It’s already 11:30. My parents are probably asleep. Sofia has work tomorrow and she lives out near Ossington, so I can’t go and hang out with her. I mean, I could still go home and crash there?

Great. Ethan gets to bone down with a hot guy while I slink off back to my childhood home, just so I don’t have to wander around while waiting for my sexile to end.

Am I jealous or something?

Sure feels like it.

Why would I be jealous of Ethan? It’s not like I want to fuck him. Hell, I could get with someone tonight, even here. There are a lot of women giving me eyes, despite this being a gay bar.

Fucking hell. Now Carter’s playing with the top button of Ethan’s shirt and clawing at his chest.

The uncomfortable tangle in my stomach grows with every bat of that guy’s stupid long eyelashes and every flick of his stupid, perfect hair?—

Okay, I’ll admit that Carter’s attractive as hell. I can’t fault Ethan for being into him, but I also can’t tell if the smile he’s returning to Carter is excited or just polite.

My face is giving everything away, though, because when Ethan glances over to check in, he motions for Carter to wait and rushes over immediately.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” asks Ethan, sounding concerned.

Shit. I look like an asshole. “Huh? Nothing, I’m fine.”

I’m fine except for the fact that I purposefully took you here because I wanted you to get some but then the minute someone starts working you over, I feel like crap and wish that we could just leave ? —

“ You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m doing okay, I’m just?—”

Ethan’s expression is blank, and he’s probably wondering what the hell is going on.

“—kinda tired. I’m going outside to get some air.”

At that, I turn around and head for the door.

I step onto the sidewalk and start walking toward Wellesley Station. Maybe I’ll walk all the way home and clear my head.

Suddenly, someone grabs my shoulder. I swivel my head back, and it’s Ethan.

“Dude, it looked like you were about to pass out in there,” he says. “Did someone make a move on you and make you uncomfortable?”

Yeah, I made myself uncomfortable and I never do that. What’s going on with me?

Ethan senses my confusion-slash-discomfort and puts a hand on my shoulder again. “Look, don’t feel bad. Besides, nothing was gonna happen between me and that guy.”

“Really? You two seemed into each other.”

Ethan scratches the back of his head. “Yeah, he was hot, but he kept telling me a bunch of filthy things that he wanted us to do. He was coming on way too strong.

“Isn’t filthy good?”

Ethan huffs. “Yeah, but I’m not about to go back to a guy’s house five minutes after meeting him, then lock him in a box.”

“He actually asked you to do that?”

“Yeah. I mean, I’m not one to kink-shame, but I don’t like the idea of going that far when we don’t know each other.”

Letting that sink in, I exhale. “I guess I should get better at picking men for you?”

Ethan lets out a single laugh and punches my shoulder. “I don’t need your help with finding men, James. I appreciate it, but I’m okay to take care of that myself.”

“Ethan? Are you keeping secrets from me? I thought tonight was the first time you talked to a guy in ages! Are you secretly tearing up MeatMarkt without me knowing?”

“I’m honestly a little concerned that you even know what MeatMarkt is. Besides, I’m not on it, let alone tearing it up. Our contract might have something to say about us using depraved hookup apps.”

The tightness in my chest loosens as I let out a laugh. It’s cooled down outside, which helps lower my temperature, but I still can’t shake the weird feeling from before.

As we walk in silence, I try to convince myself that it’s just me being protective of Ethan. That’s it, right? Yeah. It’s because I care. I’m protective because we’re close. And if he ended up with someone weird, I’d have to hear about it, deal with it, and watch out for him. That’s all it is.