O.B. Benson knows that, as a gay baseball player, his only chance to keep from being shut out of the Major Leagues is to stay as far from the public eye as possible. His low profile is threatened when the team manager insists O.B. take part in a TV interview to help boost lagging fan support.<br><br>Avery Turner, TV reporter, is handsome, fit, and definitely pushes O.B.'s libido into high gear. He’s also out -- something O.B.'s situation doesn’t allow. And Avery believes in monogamous commitment -- something O.B. cannot identify with. But when Avery delivers a curveball to the catcher, O.B. doesn’t know how to handle it.<br><br>When O.B.'s interview is aired, he’s forced to evaluate his life of meaningless one night stands. Can O.B. and Avery work out their differences and build a winning team, or will O.B. strike out?

Major League Shutout

After signing five or six pictures, he felt more comfortable with the process and began to chat with his fans.


“What would ya like me to write?” he asked without looking up.


“Just write ‘To Chuck, with fond memories, from Sam.’”


O.B.’s head snapped up to see a smiling Chuck standing before him.


“Hi, Mr. Smith—or is it Jones?” he said. “Nice to see you again. It’s been a long time. I’ve missed you.”


“Jesus.” O.B. whispered and looked around in panic. Seeing that no one seemed to be paying attention to them, he added in an undertone, “Fuck, what are you trying to do, man, get me shut out of the league?”


Chuck laughed. “No, just wanted to get your attention.”


“Well you got it. Now fuck off,” he said, still keeping his voice low.


“When can I see you again? Remember you said maybe when you got back?” Chuck persisted.


“Can’t talk about that now,” O.B. said, scrawling his name on the photograph and thrusting it back at Chuck.


Chapter 37