Page 12 of Stetson
“Strike one!”
“Get out of your head.”
“Fuck off pretty boy,” he spat.
I laughed. “Wow, you’ve got a mouth on you. You didn’t know about me, did you?”
“Sue me for thinking the man sucking my dick was single. Don’t worry; I’ll back off.”
“You’ve got it so wrong. Webothwant you, Rookie.”
Stetson’s head swiveled like that chick inThe Exorcist. “What?”
The pitcher saw that opportunity and took it, hurling a curveball right at us. I grunted when it connected with my chest.
“Ball!”
“Pay attention,” I hissed. “We’ll talk later.”
Thankfully, Stetson listened. I wanted to win, but not because I was distracting the batter.
“Drop your elbow.” Stetson glared at me, but listened anyway. His next swing sent the ball flying over the outfield.
Home run.
I stood, wincing against the ache in my legs. I’d need a three-hour ice bath once I got home.
I kept my distance as the rest of the Thrashers met Stetson at home plate. He surprised me by finding my gaze through the flurry of chests and shoulders. “Later,” I mouthed.
Most players left the clubhouse after the game, some going home for the night and others retreating to the hotel. Few lingered in ice baths or the showers. I entered the home team’s clubhouse, banging on the door to make myself known.
Stetson stood in front of his section, hair damp and wearing nothing but a pair of gym shorts. He pulled on a t-shirt before facing me. “What do you want?” he snapped, snatching his phone from his duffel and pretending to forget I was there.
“I was hoping we could talk.” I rested against the wall, arms crossed over my chest.
“About what? Whatever joke you’ve got going with Levi? I didn’t know rookie hazing extended outside the team.”
“Can I sit?”
He shrugged. “It’s a free country.”
I took the seat next to him, taking extra care to keep some distance between us. “Why do you think we’re pranking you?”
“There’s no waybothof you want me.”
“Why not?”
“Because you have each other.”
“And?”
“What else could you possibly need?”
“I think Levi’s already talked to you about that.” I paused to give him time to answer, but when he didn’t I continued. “Ever heard of polyamory? Non-monogamy?”
“Yeah, in romance novels. That stuff doesn’t exist in real life.”
“Actually, it does.” I felt a smile pull at the corners of my mouth. Finally, I’d learned something that wasn’t public knowledge about America’s Little Rookie. “You like to read?”
