Chapter 95
Another batter jogged toward first base.
Rhys could see Carson Bloom’s face reddening. Sweat ran down his forehead, the sun glistening off of it. Rhys doubted it was just from the heat.
He pushed his mask up, and headed out to the mound.
Carson had faced three batters already this inning.
There still weren’t any outs. If they let this get out of hand, their three run lead wasn’t going to matter.
Sure, they had a chance to come back in the bottom of the inning, but it would be nice to shut the Boomers down right now.
One loss wouldn’t end their season, but it certainly wouldn’t help them get to the postseason.
Rhys just had to get out there and calm Carson’s ass down.
He could see the infielders move in toward the mound as Rhys approached their pitcher. Including Alfie. Rhys couldn’t focus on him, though.
“I called for a pitch on the outside corner. Not in outer space.”
Carson huffed out a breath and pressed his glove over his face. “I don’t know what happened. They should have left me in Greensburg. I’m going to fuck everything up.”
“Is something wrong with your arm?” Rhys asked. “Do you need to come out? Because we could always bring Massena in, even with that blister on his finger. If you don’t think you can hack it.”
Carson glared at Rhys then laughed. “You’re such an ass.”
“Yes, we know everyone’s obsessed with my ass. You aren’t going to fuck anything up. Honestly, if something is up with your arm—“
Carson shook his head, and Rhys blew out a sigh of relief. He leaned a little closer. “Their catcher is up next. He is notoriously slow. A sharp grounder could give us at least two outs. Just make sure you get it in the strike zone. Low, but not too low, okay?”
“Like I haven’t been trying.”
“Who’s your least favorite person in the world?”
“Right now it might be you.”
Rhys barked out a laugh. Fair. “Thanks. I love you, too. Hit me right in the ‘nads.”
“I think that would constitute too low.”
“Okay, then, the gut. It’s a good target, and I probably ate too much today anyway.”
Rhys caught Alfie’s smile, and wondered if he was thinking the same, remembering what he’d eaten before the game this morning. They hadn’t been able to make it to Mel’s the night before, but they had definitely feasted on each other before coming to the clubhouse.
The corner of Carson’s mouth twitched. “Okay, yeah. Low, you said.”
“Yeah, don’t picture my head, though. I don’t think I can afford to lose more brain cells.”
“You’re such a dork.” Carson was fully smiling. Some of the tension left his shoulders.
Thank goodness for that. When Rhys crouched behind the plate again, the umpire dropped a ball into his glove. Rhys threw it out to the mound, and called for the next pitch.
It was low, barely catching the corner of the zone. The batter swung through it. Two more of those, and they’d only need a double play to get out of this. That would at least be more manageable.
The bat made contact with the ball. It shot straight toward third and bounced once. Rhys moved in front of the plate, standing just off of it. Alfie tagged the runner from second then threw it home. It landed right in Rhys’s glove, and he tagged the runner before whipping the ball to first base.
Rhys hadn’t been lying about this guy being slow, but it was going to be a close play. The opposing team’s catcher was a couple steps away from the bag when the ball landed in Ryder’s glove. Rhys shoved the mask up to the top of his head, still staring.
He hadn’t thought that would work. Alfie rushed him at the plate. “Dios mio. I cannot believe you did that. Te amo. So much.”
Rhys laughed as he pushed the mask all the way off, letting it fall to the ground. Then he kissed Alfie. This win might mean even more to him than the one on the field.
“I’m pretty sure the reporters asked me more about that kiss then anything regarding the game.” Rhys walked out of the clubhouse with Alfie.
“Me, as well. As if that is what should matter. Did they ask you about Mel, too?”
“They asked what my girlfriend thought of me kissing a teammate. Even after I pointed out that Mel isn’t a girl. I really wish it was Cai in there talking to us, at least we know ey would be more respectful.”
Thankfully their PR liaison stepped in before Rhys came unglued on the guy. He’d tried to calmly state Mel used they/them pronouns, but all that had gotten was a roll of the reporter’s eyes. Real professional. Still, the last thing Rhys needed was that sort of reputation.
When he pushed out through the doors into the parking lot, Mel stood there, waiting for him—for both of them—that just washed away.
He smacked palms with Denny and returned Sonia’s smile before wrapping an arm around Mel and kissing them.
Alfie’s hand stayed at his back as Rhys pulled back from Mel. Alfie kissed them as well.
Let the reporters write about that. This was his life, and he wasn’t afraid or ashamed to live it. Not anymore.
“Ready for dinner?” he asked them then looked at Denny and Sonia. “You two are joining us, right?”
“Really?” Denny asked. “I wanted to ask you about that play at the end. Mel said you had a date.”
“Leave my favorite teenagers out in the cold? Not a chance.”
They could drop them off at home after dinner. He would never let them feel left out. The three of them would have plenty of time to celebrate this win.
The game and their love.