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

“No, I don’t. You’re letting a bad day run you. You’re not some rookie who’s gotten slammed for the first time. Christ, Tommy, we’re veterans, we know how things go, and the solution isn’t fucking behind some dry cleaners. Pull up your pants and let’s go home.”


I hate this. It tears me up for anything to come between us, more so when it’s me, but our time together is so limited I can’t bear to waste it like this. I don’t want to ream Tommy, I want to love him. I want him in bed. I want the real us. I go up the steps and out the passageway and it’s only when I’m on the street that I realize I don’t know the way back to his apartment. I cross and lean against a lamppost to wait for him.


Chapter 13