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

He reaches over to check the time. “Nearly one, and I’m hungry.”


“So am I,” I growl, releasing his dick for just a second.


“Food, Wayne. The other kind of nourishment.”


“That’s what we are,” I tell him as he gets up. “Nourishment for each other. I like that.”


He leans down and kisses me. “No calories. Now come on, get up.”


Over breakfast, he asks where we should go this off-season. “French countryside? Italian villa? Hike an Alp?” When I don’t answer, he presses. “Well?”


“All we do is travel, in season and off. I’m tired of going. I want to stay.”


“And how do we manage that?” Tommy asks.


“I don’t know. Maybe camp in those woods again.”


“Can’t. Earl is all over the place. Building starts soon. Kinda sad.”


Like so many things, the matter slips away. We’re expert at letting stuff slide, another sign we’ve maybe been at this too long.


“You won’t face Westburn this trip,” I note.


“So I saw. Let the little shit devil somebody else.”


Chapter 23