Chapter 2-6
1171 Words
The second game in the series against the Lions went much better, but Caleb felt disconnected all evening. He had hoped to see Lucas before the game started, but no such luck. Now every time he heard the man’s voice over the speakers, his damn heart did little flips and his skin buzzed with anticipation.
At least they won the game. Barely. When they were shaking hands afterward, Juan looked at him quizzically.
Caleb just shook his head and mouthed, “Can’t.” He didn’t explain that if he hadn’t met Lucas, he would have been all in.
Juan gave him a half-smile and shrugged, clearly disappointed.
As Caleb headed back to the locker room, Jamie caught up with him, removing the head of his costume as soon as they disappeared from view. He wasn’t allowed to take it off in front of the fans. His brown hair was matted to his head and sweat dripped off him. He grinned. “Sorry for the stink. It’s hot as hell in this thing.”
Caleb laughed. “Well, you do make it look fun. The crowd loved it when you kicked the stuffed carrots into the stands.”
“Yeah, that was my idea, too. They ordered a bunch of felt carrots and I pretend to munch them and then toss them to the kids,” he explained, his lips curving into a smile. “Did you see that little guy who ran after one of the carrots? He wanted one so badly, I climbed into the stands and gave him one.”
“You’re a good kid, Jamie,” Caleb said as he slapped him on the back.
“Kid? I’m nineteen,” he shot back defensively. “You’re only…what, twenty-four? Twenty-five?”
“Twenty-four.”
“See, not that much older.”
“Old enough. And wiser, too. I’ve already been to college, worked several jobs, and traveled the world.”
Jamie c****d an eyebrow at him.
“Okay, not the world, but I’ve been to South America,” Caleb conceded.
“Well, I’m a college freshman, you know. I’m not a child. And I’ve been to Europe,” he said, a little indignantly.
Caleb stopped walking and noticed the blush on Jamie’s cheeks. f**k. It dawned on him that Jamie had a crush on him. “Still, Jamie, I am older,” he said gently.
Jamie looked away and nodded, clearly understanding what Caleb meant.
They entered the locker room and headed their separate ways.
“Guys,” Coach Ibarra called, “a quick meeting.”
They all filed to the end of the room and took a seat. Caleb scanned the area, hoping he’d see Lucas, but once again, he was out of luck.
“Good game! Not great, but much better than yesterday,” Newberry told the guys. “Glad to see your attitudes were better today.” He waved over Coach Ibarra and slung his arm around his shoulders. “Coach has a favor to ask. I’ll let him fill you in.”
“Thanks, Sean,” Ibarra said and faced the group. “Look, you all know I volunteer at the Rain Valley High School. I was talking with the baseball coach and we thought it might be good for them to come out in two weeks on Saturday and spend the day working on their techniques. I know that a Saturday is a rare day off for us and those of you who don’t want to participate don’t need to. This is completely voluntary. They’re still in school, so it really needs to be on the weekend and that particular Saturday is one of the only days we have off for a month.”
“Count me in,” someone shouted from the back.
“Me, too,” Caleb called.
Ibarra held up his hand. “Thanks, guys. I’ve got a sign-up sheet.” He held up a clipboard. “Sign it if you want. Again, this is a volunteer opportunity. Not mandatory.”
Caleb was happy to help. He would have loved to work with a professional team while he was in high school.
After the meeting, he showered, then made his way to the parking lot. He was glad they’d won, but couldn’t shake the disappointment of not seeing Lucas. Caleb pulled out his phone, then shoved it back into his pocket.
He was irritated with himself. He was acting like a lovesick teenager. They had decided to take things slow. Whatever the hell that meant.
“Caleb?”
He saw Lucas striding toward him. He couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face. “Hey, Lucas.”
“Thought that was you. Great game tonight.”
“Thanks. I wouldn’t call it ‘great,’ but we definitely played better. You, however, did do a great job tonight.”
Lucas smiled. “Thanks. Watching the game with you and understanding the process really helped. Of course, having a baseball player sitting in with me didn’t hurt,” he added, chuckling.
“Where are you parked?”
Lucas pointed to a car a few rows beyond Caleb’s, so he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
“I’m over there, too,” he said and headed in that direction.
His arm brushed against Lucas’, and Caleb trembled as electricity jolted him.
They walked in silence until they reached Lucas’ car. Caleb waited for him to unlock the door, then pulled it open for him.
Lucas smiled and stood between the door and the front seat. “Thanks,” he whispered.
Caleb moved closer and put his arm on top of the door. “Lucas.”
“Hmm?” he asked, looking up at him under long lashes.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
Even in the near darkness, Caleb saw him blush. After scanning the parking lot and finding no other soul, he decided to take a big chance. He leaned down and brushed his lips against Lucas’ mouth, and that electricity he felt earlier ramped up and coursed through him. Lucas moaned quietly in the back of this throat, which only fueled Caleb on. The soft kiss grew heated as their lips slid together, Caleb’s tongue urging Lucas to open. When Lucas invited him in, Caleb took control. He wrapped one arm around Lucas’ waist and slid his free hand into the man’s hair. Lucas trembled in his arms and Caleb felt himself going under. He never wanted this kiss to end.
Lucas pressed forward, his tight body fitting nicely against Caleb’s. Almost perfectly.
Caleb placed hot, wet kisses across Lucas’ cheek and along the edge of his jaw.
“Mmm, yes, Caleb,” he whispered, “yes.”
Caleb pulled back and looked at Lucas, whose eyes were half-closed, his lips swollen from the kisses, and his blush traveling down his neck. Caleb growled and cupped Lucas’ ass. “f**k! You’re so f*****g sexy, Lucas. You drive me crazy!”
“Kiss me again, Caleb,” he pleaded.
Caleb groaned and leaned back in, still kneading Lucas’ ass, which felt good in his hands. He captured Lucas’ lips and once again took control. He nipped at the man’s lower lip and slipped his tongue back into his mouth, savoring his sweet flavor.
He heard a rumble and realized it was actually coming from his chest, so he pulled back and stared down at the man in his arms. Lucas panting and pushing up against him was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. There was no getting around this—Lucas belonged in his arms.
He pressed his forehead to Lucas’. “I need to slow down or I’ll end up taking you right here.” Lucas shivered in his arms. “You like that idea, baby?”
Lucas only nodded and shyly looked away.
They stayed like that for a moment until they heard voices and pulled apart. But Caleb didn’t want to—he never wanted to let Lucas go again. He knew it was irrational, but there it was.
“I need to get home,” Lucas whispered.
Caleb did, too. “Can I call you tomorrow?”
Lucas nodded and slipped into his car.
Caleb watched him exit the parking lot and he couldn’t understand why it felt like his future was driving away, leaving him alone.
- Writer
