Outfielder Tommy Knox is said to "own" pitcher Wayne Kerley because he always hits well when Wayne is on the mound. What the public doesn't know is that the two men have long been involved in a committed, loving relationship. They met and fell in love while playing in the minor leagues, but were called up to the majors and now play for opposing teams.<br><br>Tommy and Wayne have managed to stay together through twelve closeted years. Being on different teams means they have to spend most of the baseball season apart.<br><br>In the final year of his contract, Wayne considers retirement as his career begins to wind down. The thought of life without baseball seems nearly impossible, but he keeps his fears and dread to himself. Tommy still has two years left of his contract, and all the successes, defeats, and injuries that entails. Can the two reconcile their love of each other and the game?

Ownage

I’ve stocked his favorite dill pickles, which he insists must accompany grilled cheese. When I’ve cleaned up and put on my robe, I head to the kitchen, where I handle the pickle part of the meal. The tray is set, butter melting, sandwiches readied for their slide. I kiss Tommy’s neck as I pass.


“Pickle master,” he replies, and we chuckle because there are sometimes pickle references during sex.


We take the tray with our meal to the living room, where it sits between us on the sofa. “Movie, music, or quiet?” I ask.


“Movie,” he says, another kindness, because quiet means “talk” and the game is still between us.


“The usual?” I ask and he nods like a little kid.


I put on The Fugitive. He has a crush on Harrison Ford.


Chapter 5