Chapter Nineteen
“Hey, man.” Jake answered the Skype call on his tablet, propping it on its stand on the little table in his suite as he finished a protein shake with a loud slurp through the straw. In his boxers, he scratched his bare chest and glanced toward the bathroom.
The door stood ajar, the shower running full blast, Nico humming a tuneless song.
Jake had needed to pick up some clothes after that night’s game, and they hadn’t possessed the will power to wait until they made it to Nico’s condo.
After fucking against the wall and then the floor, they’d collapsed and finally made it to bed.
Ron laughed, sitting in front of his desktop computer, the familiar bookshelves behind him. “Breakfast of champions, huh?”
“Indeed. What are you doing up this early? It’s barely six o’clock over there.”
“On deadline for a profile on a hot football prospect. No rest for the weary, et cetera. Speaking of which, you’ll be back here next week, right?
You guys are looking great heading into September.
For any team, but especially such a new one.
The pennant race in your division is heating up something fierce.
I really think you’ve got a shot at the wild card at least.”
Jake couldn’t help but grin. “I think we do too. I forgot what this felt like.”
“I can tell. You look giddy as a schoolgirl.”
After giving Ron the finger, Jake asked, “How are things? I can’t believe it’s been months.”
“Can’t complain. I’ve had a few tryouts with some guys to scratch my itch, but none of them enjoy reality shows. Have you been watching the new Top Chef?”
“Sadly, no. As you may or may not be able to see, I’m still living in a hotel room, so no watching my shows. It’s been busy. It’ll be great to get back home to my place.”
“I bet. So I was thinking we could get together after one of your games next week?”
“Oh, right. I…” Shit. He didn’t want to hurt Ron’s feelings, but no. As much fun as they’d had in the past, Jake wasn’t even a little tempted. To even consider it felt like a betrayal of Nico.
Laughing awkwardly, Ron held up his hands. “Hey, if you’re not into it anymore, no problem.”
“No, it’s not that. I mean, it is, but it isn’t.”
“I’m following.” Ron raised a thick eyebrow. “Except not at all.”
“It’s just that I’m kind of…” He realized he hadn’t talked to anyone about Nico, and the words got all tangled on his tongue.
“Wait—are you seeing someone?”
“Yeah. I am. It’s not public or anything, obviously.”
“Well, well, well.” Ron grinned, the wrinkles around his eyes fanning deeper. “Someone found a chink in the armor.”
“Yeah, it’s… It’s good.” Jake’s cheeks flushed hot. “So anyway—”
“No, no, no. You’re not off the hook yet. Who is it? Anyone I would know?” His eyes widened. “It is, isn’t it? You look like the kid with his hand in the cookie jar. Who’s the chocolate chip?”
Jake knew he shouldn’t tell, but the urge to talk to a friend about Nico won out. He knew he could trust Ron, but still said, “You can’t tell anyone. I mean it.”
“Cross my heart.” Ron’s expression became serious. “Really, you know I wouldn’t.”
Jake rubbed his bare feet on the carpet, fisting his toes, and played with the straw in his empty glass. “It’s Nico Agresta.”
Ron’s jaw dropped. “Holy shitballs. You and the rookie? Damn, Fitz. Good for you. Mmm, I bet he’s fun to play with, huh?”
Shifting uncomfortably, Jake shrugged. “Anyway, like I said—”
“Whoa, whoa.” Ron leaned in closer to the camera. “Is this more than sex? You falling for the kid?”
“Maybe.” Jake huffed out a laugh. “Yes.” It was good to say it out loud, and he couldn’t hide his smile. “I never expected it.”
“Well, you’ve been doing outstanding work with him on the field. His record’s what, seventeen and five this season?”
“Only four losses, actually.” Jake couldn’t help but glow with pride. “ERA’s 2.91. His ball control is amazing.”
Ron rolled his tongue in his cheek. “Please note my restraint in not making a sexual comment here. But yeah, he’s impressive. Seems intense. His old man never shut up, and his brother’s a goofball. What’s Nico like?”
“He’s…” Jake could still hear the water running. “He’s smart and hardworking. Stresses himself out. Perfectionist. But we’re working on it.”
“I bet you are. He’s pretty hot too, yes? You’re exclusive?”
“We are. We’re seeing where it goes, you know?”
“Good for you. I’d love to meet him. We could do dinner with Steve when you guys are here? You know Steve won’t tell a soul, and it would be great to get together. If that won’t be too weird.”
“That would be awesome. I’ll talk to Nico about it. Make sure it won’t freak him out too much. He can be a little skittish.”
“Understandable.”
“Hey, he’s into games too.” Jake shook his head with a laugh. “I mean board games.”
Ron chortled. “Sure you do.”
“We’re going to start Pandemic Legacy in the off-season. I bought Dead of Winter too. Maybe we can all play when we’re in San Fran.”
“Absolutely. You guys come over so Steve can try the new recipes from America’s Test Kitchen that have been burning a hole in his tablet.” Ron took a sip from a mug declaring World’s Okayest Brother and waggled his eyebrows. “So what’s it like being on the field with your secret lover?”
Jake laughed. “It’s good. A little stressful, making sure we don’t give ourselves away. Of course it’s baseball, so slapping each other on the ass is expected.”
“Lucky for you! Okay, I’d better finish this piece. See you soon, Fitz. My ass misses you, but I’m really glad it’s working out in Ottawa.”
“Thanks, man.” Jake realized the water was off, and when he turned, Nico was standing in the bathroom doorway, a towel slung around his lean hips. “Look, I’ve gotta go.”
Ron said, “Wait, is he there? Hi, Nico!”
Tentatively, Nico approached the table, his gaze darting between the tablet and Jake. He stopped by Jake’s shoulder. “Um, hey.”
Jake motioned at the screen. “Nic, this is my friend Ron from San Francisco. We were just talking about getting together for dinner and games with him and his husband when we’re in town.”
“Oh. Cool.” He didn’t crack a smile.
Ron grinned. “I look forward to meeting you. Big fan of your work.” He winked. “And Jake’s. You’re in good hands.”
Jake groaned internally but put on a smile. “Okay, we’ll see you soon.” He closed the window and reached his hand around Nico’s damp waist, but Nico sidestepped.
“What did he mean by that?” Nico asked quietly. Too quietly.
“Hmm? Oh, ignore Ron. Since we’re up early, I was thinking—”
“Why does his ass miss you?” Nico folded his arms, droplets of water flying. “That’s what he said. I heard him.”
Jake sighed and tried to laugh. This shouldn’t have been a big deal. Why was he letting it be one? Keeping his tone casual, he said, “We used to have sex.”
“You—” Nico looked at the tablet’s home screen, then back at Jake. “He was your boyfriend?”
“No. We used to have sex. We’re just friends and have never been more.”
“Friends who fuck.” Nico clenched his jaw. “How is that not ‘more’?”
“We had an arrangement. Ron’s happily married, but he and Steve have an open relationship. Steve isn’t as into sex, and he isn’t into Ron’s kinks. So we hooked up when I was in town, and it was never more than having fun.”
“His kinks,” Nico echoed, his voice too low. “Did you—the things we do? With him?”
“Some of them. Nic, it’s not the same. At all.”
“Did you—” He sucked in a breath, barely whispering. “Did you tie him up? Spank him?”
“I have, yes.” Jake told himself to be calm and patient, but irritation scratched with sharp nails. “Did you think I just googled how to tie those knots? Yes, I’ve had practice. I’m a grown man.”
Nico jerked. “And I’m not? Because I’d never been with a guy before?”
“No. Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“Gee, sorry I’m new at this. I’m sure Ron will be happy to step in. If you want to fuck him again, just say so.”
Jake gripped his empty glass, tempted to hurl it across the room like he was throwing out a runner at second. “Jesus Christ, stop being ridiculous. Ron is a friend. Nothing more. And if I wanted to fuck him, I would.”
“Who’s stopping you?” Nico’s face went red as he jerked off his towel and stalked over to the tangle of his clothes on the floor. “If you want to see other people after all, go for it. Whatever.” He yanked on his jeans without bothering with briefs.
“You’re being ridiculous. There’s no reason to be jealous.”
“I’m not jealous!” Nico shouted. “I just thought we had an agreement that we weren’t going to see other people.”
Jake shoved back his chair. “We do. We’re not!”
“What do you call that?” Nico jabbed through the air in the tablet’s direction.
“We were talking! About dinner plans with you and his husband!”
Nico’s shout was only slightly muffled as he pulled a long-sleeved Caps shirt over his head, punching his arms through the sleeves. “Is his ass on the menu?”
“For fuck’s sake.” Jake dug his nails into his fists.
Jamming his bare feet into sneakers, Nico snapped, “It’s fine. It’s cool. We’re on the same page now. I get it. Later.”
“Nic—”
Nico slammed out, and Jake growled in frustration. “That went well,” he said to the empty room.
“The one thing we’ve heard over and over from the pitching staff since you joined the team is how instrumental you’ve been. The starting rotation is having a great year, and they credit your game-calling and pitch-framing, and your overall presence behind the plate. What do you say to that?”
Jake shifted uncomfortably, kicking at the turf with his cleat, smiling at the reporter who was starting her series of interviews with him for a profile piece for a national Canadian magazine.
“Well, we’re all competitors, and we all want to win.
I’m doing my job, but they’re the ones throwing the balls.
I’m guiding them, but they have to execute. ”