Six Pack Box Set

Chapter 2-3

Caleb’s doorbell rang just as he finished loading the dishwasher. He wiped his hands on the kitchen towel and scanned the apartment. Everything looked good. Not perfect, but certainly not the slovenly mess it had been earlier in the morning.

He pulled open the door and his heart thudded. Lucas was just as gorgeous as he remembered. Part of Caleb had thought he’d imagined the silky brown eyes from yesterday, but here they were, peering up at him now. He shivered at the tingles running down his spine.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”

Caleb pulled himself together and nodded, unsure if speaking was a possibility yet. He cleared his throat and invited Lucas inside.

Lucas glanced around and smiled. “It’s nice. I was kind of picturing beer cans and empty pizza boxes,” he admitted sheepishly.

Caleb laughed. “Actually, you’re not far off. Sometimes it gets like that, but I try to keep it cleaned up.”

Lucas grinned. “Hey, nothing wrong with pizza and beer.”

“Part of the four food groups,” Caleb added, smiling. “Here,” he said, placing his right hand on Lucas’ lower back and guiding him to the kitchen. “I figure we can set up at the table, if that works for you.”

Lucas stayed silent and rigid by his side. Caleb turned, and it surprised him to see the man’s red face. Only then did he realize his hand remained on Lucas’ back. He yanked it off as if he’d burned himself and looked away, embarrassed. Why had he done that? It had seemed so natural to touch Lucas, he’d done it without a second thought.

“Um, so, yeah. You want to get started? Want some coffee? Soda?” His voice sounded rough to his ears.

“Coffee would be great. I haven’t had any today.”

“Sounds good. It will just be a minute. Make yourself at home.”

He started the coffee and kept a discreet eye on Lucas. The man was taller than Caleb remembered, probably only three or four inches shorter than his own six feet. His faded Levi’s fit him well, not too tight, but not too loose, either. When Lucas leaned over his laptop, Caleb stifled a groan at viewing the round, muscular ass encased in faded denim.

And that blond hair with those brown eyes and creamy skin? f**k. There was no way to get around it. This guy was hot. Damn. Caleb’s d**k was already chubbing up. How the hell was he going to do this?

“Sugar? Creamer?”

“A little sugar would be great,” Lucas answered as he took a seat.

Within minutes, Caleb brought their coffee to the table. “I’ve never tutored before,” he said, unsure where to start. “Why don’t you tell me what you do know about baseball?”

Lucas blushed and chewed his lower lip. Being this close to the man was torture. All Caleb wanted to do was capture those sweet lips with his own.

Lucas finally looked at him, his brows knitted. “About the only thing I know is that the Royals won the World Series in 2015. And that’s only because a friend of mine is from Kansas City and that’s all he could talk about all winter.”

Caleb chuckled and leaned toward him, his hand about to grasp Lucas’ shoulder. But Lucas flinched and his body recoiled.

Realization dawned on Caleb. He pulled away and settled into his chair. “Are you afraid of me, Lucas?”

“No. Well, not really.” Lucas sighed and carded his fingers through his hair before looking Caleb in the eyes. “I was bullied in high school. By jocks. All four years.” He paused and gazed to the side. “All four years.”

Caleb let out a breath. “Man, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Lucas held up a hand. “No apologies necessary. I’m twenty-five, for God’s sake! High school was a long time ago. And I was fine in college. Enjoyed college a lot, actually.” He sighed deeply and gave Caleb a small smile. “I guess with the move to a new city, the change in my job—albeit temporary—and the fact that I’m working with baseball players, is just bringing it all back. I don’t know.”

“Well, I can certainly see why it would. Being bullied can be traumatizing.”

“You’ve been bullied?” Lucas asked, eyes wide with disbelief.

“No, not me. My sister, Rebecca. She was picked on about everything. Her braces. Her glasses. Her high IQ. It took her a long time to deal with that.” He c****d his head. “Is that how it was for you? They picked on you for being so smart?”

Lucas gaped and he stared at Caleb like he was from Mars.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“You think I was picked on for being smart?”

“That wasn’t it? I just know teens can be horrible to each other and you seem so smart…I just assumed….”

Lucas’ eyes crinkled and he smiled. “Um, no. I mean, yes, I am smart. Not brilliant, but…anyway, no, that wasn’t it. I was picked on for being gay.”

Caleb’s heart did a little dance. He’d been sure Lucas was gay, but his admission just cemented it. His mouth curved into a smile and he leaned toward Lucas.

“Did you hear me? I’m gay. If you have a problem with that, tell me now.”

“Oh, I heard you,” Caleb whispered as he inched closer, tracing his finger along Lucas’ jaw line, then tapping just under his chin, tilting up his head a little. “I heard you loud and clear,” he murmured before his lips pressed against Lucas’. Lightly. His gut clenched and he knew he could easily lose control.

Lucas gasped as he pulled away, and his lips twitched into a smile. He looked at Caleb through heavy-lidded eyes and an adorable blush spread across his face.

Caleb cupped Lucas’ chin, stroking the soft skin with his thumb. “I’ve been wanting to do this since yesterday.”

Suddenly, Lucas yanked backward, standing and sending his chair flying. “What are you…but, you’re not…what is going on?” he sputtered, eyes flashing at Caleb.

“I’m gay,” Caleb whispered, leaning back in his chair.

“But you…you’re a jock. That’s just not…I mean, I don’t know what to say.” Lucas threw his arms in the air.

“Excuse me, but athletes can be and are gay, Lucas. You know that. Don’t stereotype me.”

Lucas flushed and looked away. “You’re right. I know this. I…you just took me by surprise, is all. I didn’t think…I mean, I had no idea…” Lucas came back to the table. “I’m sorry. I…I’m sorry.”

Caleb grinned and leaned in for another kiss. Now that he’d tasted Lucas, he wanted another bite at the apple.

But Lucas had other ideas. He pressed his palm against Caleb’s chest, stopping him.

“What?” Caleb asked, confused. Was he wrong about their mutual attraction?

“Are you out?” Lucas asked, his voice quiet but firm.

Caleb exhaled deeply. Time to be honest. “No. I’m not out.” His gaze flicked to the other side of the kitchen, then back to Lucas.

“Not out to anyone? Or just not out to the team?”

Caleb scrunched his eyebrows together. “No one knows. Why does it matter?”

Lucas shook his head. “Because I am out. I’m proud of who I am and won’t be shamed into staying hidden. I was somebody’s little secret once, and I won’t ever go through that again.”

Caleb breath whooshed out. He looked at his feet for a moment before leveling his gaze at Lucas. “Look, it’s not that I’m ashamed of who I am. I’ve known I was gay most of my life. It can be…dangerous…for an athlete to come out. Plus, my dream is to make it to the Show someday.” He smiled at Lucas’ look of confusion. “The Major Leagues,” he clarified.

Lucas nodded, still appearing a little confused.

Caleb began to feel the moment unravel, and he grew irritated. “Besides, you’re acting like I’m looking for some long-term commitment. Hell, we just met, Lucas. I thought we might have some fun, but if you aren’t into it, that’s fine.” He leaned back into his chair and shrugged, groaning inwardly at his words. He was lying. And being hurtful. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.

Lucas paled and looked at his laptop. “I’m not asking for a commitment. I agree with you. We did just meet. But I respect myself too much to hide who I am. I won’t do it for anyone.”

Caleb’s stomach churned, and his skin felt cold and clammy. What the hell was going on? Why would he feel such an intense reaction to Lucas’ rejection? He needed to think, so he stood and excused himself. “I’ll be back in a minute,” he said through gritted teeth and strode to his bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

He sat on the bed, bracing his hands on his knees, and took a slow, deep breath. His heart raced, and he trembled all over. How had one little kiss reduced him to this? How could he go back in there and face Lucas? He cringed as his words returned to him. Did he really say “I thought we might have some fun”? f**k. Lucas probably thought he was an ass.

Caleb stared at his reflection in the large mirror over his dresser. He looked like s**t, so he moved into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. He pressed the towel to his skin and tried to shake the idea that he’d just blown things with Lucas. But, hey, they had just met. And they didn’t really know each other. He locked eyes with himself in the mirror. “Get your ass out there and show him who you are. Show him the real you, not the jerk you just were.”

As he walked to the door, he noticed the piece of paper on the carpet.

Juan. Damn. He had forgotten to read the man’s note. He picked it up and carefully unfolded it.

Caleb,

I’m here with my boyfriend at the Marriott. If you’re looking to have some fun, we’d love to have you over. Call me at 816-555-1212.

Juan

Hmm, there was that phrase again—“to have some fun.” Was that what he was all about? Hook-ups and having fun? He crumpled the paper and tossed it to the floor. He didn’t have time to think about that right now.

He walked back to the kitchen, where he found Lucas looking up “baseball” on Wikipedia.

“Seriously? You’re going to read about baseball?”