Chapter Nine #2
“I played in it twice,” Jake said. “It was cool. You’ll get there one day. No doubt.” Rookies were rarely named to the all-star teams, but he knew Nico had probably put pressure on himself to make the cut.
Frowning again, Nico said, “Cool? That’s it?”
He shrugged. “Yeah. It was fine. It was good. It was an honor for sure.” He re-crossed his legs, brushing at a nonexistent stain on his jeans.
He knew what Nico was thinking, and had to admit that, yeah, he was jaded.
As a kid, the idea of being on a big-league all-star team would have made him pee his pants in giddy elation.
But by the time it had happened, Brandon and their friendship was long gone and Jake was going through the motions.
He’d been covered in bubble wrap, not feeling much of anything.
“What?”
Blinking, Jake said, “Huh?”
“You said something about bubbles.” Nico’s brows were drawn together.
“Oh, nothing.” He waved his hand dismissively. “So, are you excited to see your family tomorrow?”
Looking back up at the TV, Nico’s shoulders seemed to creep up to his ears, his body awkward with tension as he shifted restlessly. “Sure.”
“That sounds enthusiastic.”
He shrugged. “I’ve got the start tomorrow. I can get pumped after I win that.”
“Is your dad coming to the game?”
“He wouldn’t miss it.” Nico slumped lower in his chair.
Before Jake could say anything else, the flight was ready to depart, and they were on their way to the Windy City.
From his spot on a couch in the visiting clubhouse in Chicago, Jake could make out Nico’s profile from the corner of his eye.
Perched like a statue on the chair in front of his locker, Nico barely seemed to blink. The space was comfortable and similar in layout to the Caps’ locker room at home, but not quite as luxurious.
“Sevens?”
Jake refocused on Diego sitting on another couch across a low table. “Huh? Oh, right. Go fish.”
Looking to his left, Diego peered at Nico. He glanced back at Jake, an eyebrow popping ever so slightly. Jake realized he’d been checking on Nico at least once a minute. Probably more like every ten seconds. He cleared his throat and asked, “Kings?”
“Go fish.” Beside Diego, Jimenez watched a movie on his tablet, huge headphones covering his ears. Davis sat on the other end of Jake’s couch, engrossed in whatever was happening on his phone.
Jake pulled a card and glanced back at Nico despite himself. Since they were on the road, he and Nico couldn’t scuff balls in the storage room like usual. He knew that as game time approached—still more than an hour away—Nico’s gut was likely churning.
The thought of Nico going to silently throw up before the game nagged at Jake.
Even if it was only once every five days, that was too much.
But with the lingering awkwardness between them, he wanted to give Nico his space.
Maybe that was stupid. They were supposed to be friends, right? So they should hang out. They should—
“Hey, Agresta!” Diego called.
Rigid, Nico turned. He waited for Diego to say more.
“Want to come play cards?” Diego asked.
Forehead creased, Nico looked to Jake. Jake sat mutely. Nico shook his head. “Thanks, though.”
Jake managed to find his voice. “Come on, we should do something to loosen you up before the game.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, his cheeks went hot.
But none of the guys even blinked, and why would they?
Why would anyone think “loosen up” meant anything sexual?
And Jake hadn’t intended it to be sexual, so why—
Why are you overthinking every single thing? Calm the hell down!
“Why don’t you go for a walk?” Diego suggested. “Usually helps me unwind a bit.” He checked the clock and gathered the cards. “I’ve got to call Liz anyway.”
“Yeah, let’s walk.” Jake was on his feet, and after a few heartbeats, Nico stiffly rose and followed.
In the tunnels under the stadium, they walked quietly, still wearing their workout shorts and tees. Jake cast about for something to say. This isn’t a date. Chill out. Finally he asked, “What’s your favorite game?”
Nico stepped closer as a guy in a golf cart passed by. The furrow in his brow returned. “Baseball.”
Jake had to laugh. “I mean other than the obvious. Like, do you play video games, or…”
“Not really. A doc told me it wasn’t good for my hands. Could strain my fingers.”
“Ah. That makes sense. Board games?”
Tracing his left fingertips along the tunnel wall, Nico said, “Yeah, but not lame ones.”
“What are the lame ones? Snakes and Ladders? Parcheesi?”
“Yeah, and, like, Monopoly and Life. Connect Four. I guess that’s not really a board game.”
An image of the hospital smacked Jake in the face—sitting cross-legged on the floor outside his dad’s room in the wee hours with Brandon, Connect Four between them as they quietly played game after game.
“Are you a big Monopoly fan?” Nico asked. He laughed awkwardly. “Don’t cry about it, dude. You can like Monopoly.”
Shaking his head, Jake dislodged the memory. “No, not a big fan either. I haven’t played those kinds of games in years. But a friend in San Francisco introduced me to some awesome cooperative games. Dead of Winter, Legends of Andor. I love Pandemic.”
Nico’s face lit up as they turned down another tunnel, winding their way through the pathways. “You know Pandemic? It’s awesome, right? Val and I used to play sometimes.”
“Have you done Legacy or any of the expansion packs?”
“Uh-uh. Just the original.” A little smile played on his lips. “It’s been a few years since I played. We should—maybe we can play sometime. Not before a start, but I dunno. Sometime.”
“That would be cool. And why not before a start? Takes too much brain power to save the world from deadly viruses?”
“Yup. I need to zone out.”
“And you don’t like cards?”
Nico shrugged, scratching at the back of his neck where his hair had recently been shorn. A stubborn curl crept over his forehead. “Cards are fine. I just can’t concentrate before a start. Scuffing balls is mindless, you know?”
“Right. So let’s play a mindless game.”
“Like what?”
“I dunno. Tag.”
“Tag?” Nico scoffed.
“Yep.” Jake poked Nico’s chest. “You’re it.
” Then he was off and running through the tunnel, veering around the Chicago equipment manager and a skid of sunflower seeds.
Realizing he’d look pretty stupid if Nico wasn’t following, he glanced over his shoulder, a warm jolt of excitement and pleasure kicking up his heart as he saw Nico giving chase.
Through the mostly empty tunnels they raced, sneakers quiet on the concrete. Jake looked again, and Nico was closer and grinning now, dimples deep in his cheeks, making Jake’s stomach flip-flop.
He careened around a corner to discover a dead-end ahead. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway, since Nico pounced, gripping Jake’s shoulders as they stumbled and almost smashed right into the wall.
Jake braced himself with palms out, but the momentum of Nico right behind him sent his forehead into the wall. It was only a glancing blow, and he laughed as he turned and leaned back on the concrete. He rubbed his head theatrically. “Hope I don’t end up on the DL.”
But Nico wasn’t smiling. Standing so close their shoes met, he reached up for Jake’s forehead, brushing his fingers over the skin so lightly they were a whisper. “How bad did you hit? Shit. If you end up on the disabled list because of me…”
“It’s nothing.” Jake laughed awkwardly, vividly aware of Nico’s fingers brushing back his hair now, Nico biting his lip as he peered at Jake’s forehead.
“Maybe you should sit down while I run and get the trainer. Just to make sure.”
“I’ve got a hard head. Don’t worry. It was barely a scrape.” Jake stared at Nico’s thick eyelashes, and his throat went dry as their eyes locked. They were standing too close, and Nico should have backed up now, but his fingers rested at Jake’s hairline, and he licked his lips—
“I hear there are a couple hooligans loose in the tunnels!”
At the sound of his brother’s voice, Nico jerked back like he’d been burned, tripping over his own feet and ending up against the other wall. He ripped his gaze from Jake’s as Marco rounded the corner, a grin lighting up his handsome face.
His thick, wavy hair was brushed back from his forehead. Dimples like Nico’s creased his cheeks, and heavy brows framed brown eyes. He wore his gray uniform pants and a workout T-shirt.
As he yanked Nico into a hug, Jake realized Marco was actually a couple inches shorter now. Well, not that he had shrunk—Nico had sprouted up in his late teens.
Jake watched them slap each other’s backs, then Marco hugged him and said, “So good to see you! And now you’re playing with my baby brother.” He stepped back, shaking his head. “Still hard to believe he’s old enough to be in the big leagues and not popping zits back in Highland Park.”
Nico rolled his eyes. “I haven’t lived at home for four years.”
“Shit, has it been that long?” Marco looked at Jake. “Hard to believe it’s been mumble-mumble years since we played here together, huh?”
“It is.” It was a million years ago, when Jake was hungry to win, Dad was alive, and Brandon didn’t hate him. “How’s Chi-town treating you?” Marco was one of the rare players who had been with the same team his whole big league career so far.
“I can’t complain. This club’s been very good to me. This city too. My city. I want Nico to come down here. The prodigal son returns.” He slapped Nico’s shoulder. “How freaking awesome would that be, for you, me, and Dad to all have worn the uniform?”
Nico nodded, the quiet intensity back in the stillness of his expression. “Awesome.”
Jake wasn’t sure he quite meant it. He’d tensed right up again, and his shoulders only inched higher when Marco said, “Think you can strike out your big brother, kid? Huh?” He elbowed Nico playfully.
Nico shrugged, but Jake said, “Hell yes he can, old timer.”
“Oh, it’s like that?” Marco laughed. “I believe your birthday’s before mine, but okay. It’s on.” He checked his watch. “I should get back. Nic, Dad’s on his way.”
“Great.” Nico’s smile was so tense it was about to snap.
Marco added, “Since tomorrow’s an afternoon game, family dinner out at the house afterwards. Fitz, you’re coming, or Nonna will show up and drag you over by the ear. She may be in her eighties now, but her threats should never be underestimated.”
He should have said no since he needed to keep his distance from Nico, but Jake chuckled. “Dinner tomorrow would be great. Thanks.”
“Just like the old days, huh?” Grinning, Marco gave Nico another elbow. “This one still following you around like a lost duckling.”
“I am not!” Nico’s face went red all the way down his neck.
Before Jake could defend Nico from his brother’s ribbing, Marco rolled his eyes and turned back down the tunnel. “Always so easy to wind up. I’m going to take you out of the park tonight, Nic.”
As Nico stayed silent, his face still red, Jake called, “We’ll see!” God, please don’t let him homer off Nico. Or even get on base.
Marco spun back. “Oh, and no calla lilies tomorrow, Fitz.”
“That was one time! Nine years ago!” Jake had to laugh as Marco winked and jogged off with a wave.
Jake had made the grave mistake of bringing calla lilies for Nonna, who had crossed herself about a dozen times after putting the flowers down the trash compactor.
Jake didn’t take offense after Valentina had apologetically explained that in Italy, the flowers were usually reserved for funerals, at least where Nonna had grown up.
Eyes on the worn floor, Nico was still silent. Jake stepped closer and, after a moment of debate, squeezed his shoulder. Thumb resting on the bare skin by Nico’s neck, he felt his pulse jumping. “You’re going to kick ass tonight. Plus take names, and one of those names will be Marco’s. Okay?”
Meeting Jake’s gaze, Nico nodded.
They walked back to the clubhouse instead of running, shoulders brushing as they stepped aside to make room for a group of groundskeepers. When they returned to the locker room and Nico made a beeline for the bathroom, Jake grabbed a bottle of water and followed.