Chapter Twenty-One
“Where to, sir?”
Sitting against the side door of Diego’s SUV with his leg stretched across the backseat and crutches on the floor, Jake said, “Ha, ha.”
“If I’m playing chauffeur, it’s usually with my kids, and I’ll have you know that joke kills every time. Oh, they were here on the weekend, so I hope there’s not a stray sippy cup jammed up your ass or anything. How they manage to leave shit everywhere all the time is beyond me.”
“I’m good. Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime. Nico’s already down there?”
“Yeah, pitchers’ meeting. How are the kids doing? And Liz?”
“They’re okay. Liz sends her best. Next time we’ll have to get together.” Diego turned out of Nico’s condo driveway and started the short drive to the stadium.
“Definitely. Are you going to move them up here?”
“We’re not sure yet. I’ll go back down to Texas when the season ends in a couple weeks. Hopefully we’ll make the playoffs first. Either way, we’re going to take a couple months to really think about it.”
“Good idea.” Jake’s phone pinged, and he read the text laughing. He read out, “Why couldn’t the pony sing himself a lullaby?”
Diego answered, “I don’t know. Why?”
“Because he was a little hoarse.”
They laughed, and Diego said, “That sounds like a Brandon Kennedy joke if ever I heard one.” He gave Jake a look in the rearview mirror. “He texted me after your injury to get a status update. You guys made up?”
“We did.” A flush of happiness warmed his chest. “I told him the truth. We’ve been texting, and he invited me and Nico over for dinner with his family next time we’re in Toronto.”
“That’s awesome, man. I’m so glad to hear it.” Diego pulled up to a red light. “And you and Nico are living together now, huh? How’s that going?” He laughed. “Wait, no need to answer. I can tell it’s going well by the huge, goofy smile on your face.”
Jake laughed too. “Yeah, things are good. Turns out I’m in love with him, and he’s in love with me, so.”
Diego half turned and extended his fist for Jake to bump.
“I’m kind of dreading you guys going back on the road tomorrow,” Jake said. “It’ll be weird, you know?”
“Yeah. You going to be okay on your own?”
“I’ll manage. Every day it’s feeling a little better. Team hired a nurse to come by and clean my bandages, wash me and all that. One of the assistant trainers will stay in town to come over and do my physio. The Caps are going all out.”
“Of course they are. We all want you back on your feet ASAP.”
Flexing his quad, Jake adjusted his leg, wincing. The too-big track pants that fit over his brace were cinched tightly at his waist, the cord digging in. “But you know this is it for me. I’m not saying that to get sympathy or whatever. It’s reality.”
Diego sighed, turning into the stadium’s underground parking. “I know. I mean, it’s not impossible. But at your height especially, it’s amazing your body held up to the wear and tear of catching this many years. Factor in this injury and your age…”
“Exactly. If I were ten years younger—hell, five even. But it’s going to be a long haul just to be able to walk normally and bend my knee.
It’s feeling better than it was, but there’s a long way to go.
Doc thinks I can make a full recovery for a normal person, but that playing again will be too much.
Might fuck up my knee for life just trying it. ”
“Man. That royally sucks.”
“Yep. Trying to stay positive, but…” He shook his head. “Life’s funny. A few months ago, the idea of never playing baseball again sounded pretty good. Now that the choice has been taken away, it’s damn tough to swallow.”
“That’s human nature, right? We don’t want something, but tell us we can’t have it—whoa, that changes everything. Whether we’re five or fifty.”
Jake chuckled. “Hopefully I’m handling it a little better than a five-year-old.”
“I’ll give you a slight edge.”
“Thanks. Anyway, it is what it is. I can’t change it. Don’t get me wrong, I have my moments of feeling awfully sorry for myself. It’s going to be a huge adjustment. Have to take it one day at a time. Wow, could I use a few more clichés? I’m also going to give it a hundred and ten percent.”
“Leave it all on the field. And you know, the best defense is a good offense.”
“That’s what they say.”
Pulling into his spot with a laugh, Diego asked, “Ready to be the center of attention?”
“Always. Actually, wait.”
Diego killed the engine and turned in his seat. “Sure. What’s up?”
“How’s Nico doing? Not on the mound—in the clubhouse. He said it’s been good, that you and Crowe and guys like Palmer have made sure everything’s cool. But I want to get your take on it.”
“Yeah, it’s been good. Maybe a couple guys don’t like it so much, but Skip’s made it clear he won’t tolerate any bullshit, and we won’t either.
Hopefully the guys who are uncomfortable are learning that it’s not a big deal.
Nico’s still the same dude he was before.
So are you. Everyone respects you. I think this is a great thing all around the league. ”
“Cool.” Jake exhaled. “Thanks. I just worry about Nico out there without me.”
“I hear you. But I’m pleasantly surprised by how the brass are really putting their money where their mouth is about inclusion.”
“Me too, actually. They’ve said all the right things in the press and have reached out to be supportive. Probably makes it a little easier that I can’t play now. If Nico and I were on the field together…”
“True.” Diego grinned. “The pitcher/catcher jokes alone, although I guess you’re still getting those. I’d stay off Twitter for a while.”
“Ugh. Sometimes the internet’s great. Other times…”
“Seriously. There are trolls out there hating, but it’s always something. This week it’s gay players in baseball, and next week it’ll be something else. Fuck ’em. The real fans have been incredible. You and Nico know who matters.”
“We do. Thank you. For everything. You’ve always been a good friend even when I wasn’t.”
Diego waved him off. “Whatever, man. I know you’ve got my back. Hey, are you two going to do an interview? You must be getting hounded.”
“Luckily the PR team’s handling all that. We’ll do something in the off-season; for now we have enough to worry about. We do want to say more eventually. Especially for the queer kids out there.”
“Totally. Oh, and I’m curious. How did Nico’s old man take it? He strikes me as rather…conservative.”
Jake smiled wryly. “Indeed. Nico came out to him just before all this went down. Al isn’t exactly the warm and fuzzy type, but he’s been way better than Nico expected.
Weirdly enough, I think us getting outed actually helped.
He’s protective of his kids, like any father.
If he sees anyone hating on his son, he won’t stand for it. ”
“I bet. I wouldn’t fuck with Al Agresta.” He grinned. “You’d better watch your step, Fitz. That’s a hell of a father-in-law to have.”
“Okay, okay, we’re not married yet.”
“‘Yet,’ hmm?”
“Slow down, Mom. Let us live together for a year or two first.” But Jake couldn’t deny the idea of marriage was much more appealing than ever before.
He’d never been able to imagine it—sharing a bed every night, having someone else in his life always there. Putting a ring on Nico’s finger, making him officially Jake’s. He knew they shouldn’t get ahead of themselves, and they wouldn’t, but it echoed faintly in the back of his mind: one day.
“All right, all right, let’s get you inside.”
Walking—well, hobbling—into the clubhouse again was surreal. It had only been a couple weeks, but it felt like a lifetime. Everyone was there—Skip and the coaches, Tyson and front office staff, all Jake’s teammates.
As they lined up to hug him, he still felt like part of the team. The idea struck with an eager jolt of optimism that maybe he could be a coach eventually. Maybe his career in baseball didn’t have to be over, only changed.
The Caps still had to sort out his contract, which wouldn’t happen until he was completely healed and assessed for his ability to play. But down the road…
One day.
Nico gave him a smile, hanging back and letting the other guys have their moments.
“Fitz, it’s damn good to see you up on your feet.
” Skip’s gruff voice rang out, and everyone stopped talking to listen.
“I know I speak for all of us when I say we’ve missed the hell out of you.
We want you back in the clubhouse and the dugout when you’re ready.
” He held up a uniform with Jake’s name and number.
“Had some new pants made to fit over your brace. You’re a vital part of this team, and you still have a lot to contribute as we try for that wild card spot. Whaddya say?”
For a moment, Jake’s throat was too thick to speak. “I say that would be just what the doctor ordered.”
After a little more talk, it was time for everyone to get back to their pre-game routines. Leaning heavily on his crutches, the throb in his knee dull and manageable, Jake made his way to his locker and lowered himself into his chair, Nico hovering behind him.
He squeezed Jake’s shoulder and murmured, “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“I can sit on my ass and watch a baseball game. Absolutely. Although I need a foot stool in the dugout and you might have to help me get those new pants on.” He winked. “Just keep your hands to yourself.”
“For now,” Nico muttered under his breath, and they shared a secret smile.
Stretching his leg gingerly as he lay back in his boxers, Jake winced.
“Shit, it’s still itchy.” At least the bandages and initial hard brace were off, and the cutting-edge new brace he’d been fitted with was softer and only extended to mid-thigh.
On his long legs, it was well below his groin and much more comfortable.
“Is there anything I can do?” Nico offered another pillow, but Jake waved it off, yawning widely.