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Knox

Tapping the speaker button on my phone, I placed it on my bedside table and continued chatting with my parents while I unpacked from my team’s recent road trip. We tried to call each other once a week, a tradition that had started when I’d left for college six years ago, but with my busy schedule it wasn’t always possible. As the oldest of five kids, it had been quite the change for my family when I’d moved out, even though Cal State Fullerton was only an hour north of where I grew up in Carlsbad.

“How was the trip?” Dad asked as I tossed clothes into a pile to wash later.

“It was okay, I guess. We went two for four, but I had a couple of good games.”

“We saw. Your dad checks your stats every morning,” Mom chimed in.

A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Neither of my parents had been the athletic type, but when I had wanted to sign up to play Little League when I was six, they’d been supportive. Before long, they had both become experts on the sport. “Hopefully, I’ll keep it up this season and maybe get traded or something.”

It wasn’t as though I didn’t want to be a part of the Rockies organization, but Nate Long had first base locked down, and whenever he needed a day off they moved their catcher, Crew Stratton, over to cover, so it was doubtful I’d be called up from the minors any time soon. The best I could hope for was another major league team taking notice of my skills and including me in a trade offer.

“Well, your father and I were just talking about going to Albuquerque next month after the school year ends. But we can travel wherever if you end up somewhere else. Your brothers and sisters want to come as well.”

My parents were both elementary school teachers, so they had been able to visit wherever I was playing during the summer. My younger sisters, Ella and Avery, still lived at home and always tagged along, but it was nice to hear Noah and Owen, who were in college, also wanted to come see me.

“Hey, Singleton, the game’s on,” my teammate Schultz shouted from the living room of our three-bedroom apartment.

“I gotta go,” I said to my parents as I picked up my phone. “But I’d love to see you guys. We can work out the details when it gets closer to summer.”

“Okay, we’ll chat soon,” Dad replied.

“Love you,” Mom added.

“Love you too.” I ended the call and made my way into the living room.

Dropping onto the couch next to Pearson, another teammate who shared the apartment with Schultz and me, I made myself comfortable.

“Glad we made it back in time to actually catch a game.” Schultz turned up the volume on the television.

Although we kept up with how the Rockies were doing, our schedule didn’t give us a lot of opportunities to watch them very often.

“Stratton’s been killing it behind the plate. Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two from watching him.” Pearson chuckled. Stratton was the Rockies hot-as-fuck starting catcher, and he was performing well enough that he likely wouldn’t go anywhere until his contract was up. So while it was always possible Pearson could see some play time in the majors, it was highly unlikely.

“I’d let him teach me a few things,” I joked, my words heavy with innuendo.

Schultz shook his head and chuckled. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Could you imagine if he got called up, but couldn’t focus because he was too busy checking out Stratton’s ass?” Pearson laughed.

The doorbell rang, and Schultz hopped up. “Pizza’s here.”

A few seconds later, he returned and dropped some paper plates and two boxes of food on the coffee table. We all grabbed a couple of slices and settled in for the game.

I spent the next hour alternating between watching the action on the screen and scrolling through a dating app on my phone. Thankfully, most of the guys I found were looking for a one-night thing rather than a relationship because random hook ups were more my style. A guy I’d talked with a couple of times over the last few days was blowing up my messages. Since we didn’t have to be at the field until the following afternoon, I was trying to make plans to meet up with him later.

The crack of a bat followed by the announcer’s call of a line drive caught my attention, and I looked up just in time to see Long running down the first baseline. The guy was one of the best in the league, both offensively and defensively, but when he reached back and held onto his hamstring, I knew things weren’t good.

“Oh shit,” I breathed.

“Dude, hopefully, it’s just a cramp or something,” Schultz noted.

Maybe. But when Schmitt, the manager, signaled for a pinch runner, I had a feeling it was worse than that. If Long went out, the Rockies would need to call up a replacement since Stratton only played first base on occasion and was needed behind the dish. That meant I was the likely choice. While I never wanted someone to get hurt, it was part of the sport, and my heart rate sped up as I wondered if I’d finally get the chance to play in the big leagues.

By the time the final out was made, no announcement had been made on Long’s condition and it was likely we wouldn’t know anything until the morning. But I wasn’t going to stay home all night, thinking about the possibility of playing in Denver. I had plans for the rest of my night.

I stood and tucked my phone into my pocket. “I’m heading out.”

Pearson gave me a knowing look. “You meeting up with a friend ?”

“Yep.”

It was nice not having to hide my sexuality from my roommates. Coming out in the sports world was always a little concerning, but for the most part, I hadn’t run into many issues. However, I worried things might be different if I reached the majors and had the media to deal with.

Schultz smirked. “Hope he shows you a good time.”

I snorted. “Me too. Don’t wait up.”

My teammates chilled in the locker room like they did before every game. Some were engrossed in whatever they looked at on their phones, while others discussed the best way to beat our opponents. I was busy preparing a plate from the spread of food laid out for us.

My phone began ringing just as I was about to take the first bite of my turkey sandwich. Standing, I grabbed it from my cubby, and my pulse began to race when I saw my agent’s name on the screen.

“Hey, Barry. What’s up?” I answered, trying to keep my excitement in check.

“Not much. Just wondering if you feel up to playing in Denver tomorrow night?”

I dropped onto my chair. “Are you serious?” Even though I’d recognized the huge possibility I’d be called up, his words still didn’t quite feel real.

“Yep. Long’s got a torn hamstring. He’ll be on the IL for at least six weeks.”

“Holy shit,” I breathed. Everything I’d been working toward had finally happened.

“I’ll text you all the travel details in a few minutes,” Barry stated. “The team needs you to play tomorrow, but they want you to meet the guys in the clubhouse tonight after the game ends.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Got it.”

“Congratulations, kid. You’re getting your first shot at the big leagues.”

“Thanks. I appreciate you.” We ended the call, and I noticed a few of my teammates looking in my direction.

Schultz cocked his head to the side. “Everything okay?”

“Uh … yeah. I just got called up.”

The room fell silent for a second before erupting into chaos.

“That’s fucking awesome, bro.” Pearson clapped me on the back. “While you’re there, you can let Stratton know I’m coming for his job.”

I shook my head and laughed as I started to grab things from my locker. “Not looking to start shit when I get there.”

My heart continued to hammer in my chest as I packed everything. I needed to get my head on straight and prepare to prove myself because plenty of other players just like me were waiting for their chance too. My spot on the roster wasn’t guaranteed.

I had just enough time to go back to my apartment to pack some more shit and share the good news with my family before I had to leave for the airport. When I finally stepped into the Rockies’ clubhouse later that night, I was running on pure adrenaline and caffeine from the energy drink I’d downed on the flight.

A guy approached me and held out his hand. “You must be Knox Singleton.” We shook.

“That’s me.” I knew I had a massive grin on my face, but I couldn’t help it.

“I’m Mickey, the clubhouse manager. We’ve already got your locker set up.” He gestured to the row behind him. “And luckily, you don’t have to change numbers. ”

I glanced at the locker with my name on it and saw the jersey hanging inside with the number thirty-three stitched onto it.

This was actually happening.

A few minutes later, my new teammates began to filter in, and I immediately recognized Davenport, who’d done a rehab assignment down in Albuquerque at the beginning of the season.

“Well, look who’s here.” He chuckled and came over to give me a fist bump. “Shitty reason for you to get called up, but we’re happy to have you on the team.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“Just know we don’t take it easy on the rookies,” another voice cut in. I turned around and found myself face-to-face with the Rockies catcher.

Damn, he looked even better in person. My eyes immediately took in his broad shoulders and muscular arms with a full sleeve tattoo down his right one. And I was a huge fan of tattoos.

I smirked. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”

He grinned and held out a hand. “Crew Stratton.”

I shook it. “Knox Singleton.”

“Glad you’re here. Now I don’t have to play first base tomorrow.” He stepped around me to get to his locker, which happened to be next to mine.

He began stripping off his jersey, and I mentally berated myself when I realized I was staring.

This was my shot at playing at the Major League level, and I couldn’t afford any distractions. Even if they came in the form of a sexy, dark-haired baseball player with piercing amber eyes.