Page 6

6

Knox

Once everyone showered, we loaded onto the bus and headed to Anaheim. When I’d gotten the call from my agent, it felt as though I was on top of the world, but playing with the Rockies and losing five out of six games proved just how difficult the majors could be.

My teammates were silent for most of the hour drive, spending the time on their phones or listening to something on their headphones. When we got to the hotel, no one wanted to stay downstairs for a drink. Instead, we all took our keys from the travel coordinator and went straight to the elevators.

As a group of us rode up together, I realized I didn’t have Stratton’s number and, therefore, didn’t have a way to make plans for getting together later. And I sure as hell couldn’t say anything with the other guys around without raising suspicion. Stratton was wound tight about anyone finding out he was bi, and I wasn’t going to do anything to make him question what we were doing.

We reached the tenth floor, and several of us, including Stratton, stepped out. Knowing it was my only opportunity to communicate with him, I glanced at the envelope with my key inside and pointed to my left. “1024. Looks like I’m this way, guys.”

I began walking down the hall as the others figured out what direction they needed to go. Before I turned the corner, I looked back and saw Stratton walking beside Neal a few feet behind, following in my direction. Stratton gave me a barely noticeable head nod, and I could only hope that meant he’d heard me.

Inside my hotel room, I kicked off my shoes and opened my suitcase to grab a pair of black joggers since I didn’t want to lounge around in my jeans for the rest of the evening. I changed, grabbed the complimentary bottle of water on the dresser, and made myself comfortable on the bed.

I turned on the TV and scrolled through the guide, looking for something interesting to watch. When nothing else caught my attention, I flipped over to SportsCenter to catch the scores throughout the league.

The minutes passed, and before I realized it, I’d been sitting in my room for an hour, and there was still no sign of Stratton. I thought back on what we’d said in the locker room, and while I’d told him I was down with another hook up, he hadn’t given me an answer one way or another. For all I knew, he’d decided he didn’t want to see me.

Although we had eaten dinner in the clubhouse after the game, I was still a bit hungry and was considering ordering room service when I heard a knock on my door. Glancing through the peephole, I saw Stratton standing on the other side, his head turning left and right, watching his surroundings.

I pulled the door open, and he rushed inside. The guy needed to chill a bit. Even if one of our teammates saw him, we could easily come up with an excuse for why he’d dropped by my room. Plenty of the guys hung out together, and no one questioned it. But maybe he thought because they all knew I was gay, they’d assume that was the only reason he’d be friends with me. I didn’t think that would actually be the case, but I could see it from his perspective too. Since he was so concerned about anyone finding out, he likely let that cloud his judgment.

“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming by tonight.”

He stayed close to the door and shrugged. “I wasn’t sure until about five minutes ago.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rubbed a hand over my face. “This is supposed to be fun, not cause you stress every time we get together. If you want to put a?—”

He crossed the room and wrapped his large hand around my neck. “You’re right. I was overthinking everything, which was dumb. You’ve already agreed to keep this quiet, so we might as well have a good time together.”

I smiled. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Stratton pressed his lips to mine. His tongue claimed mine while my hands slid over the hard muscles of his chest and abs until I reached the bulge behind the zipper of his jeans.

I gave him a gentle squeeze. “I need you naked now.”

“Someone’s in a hurry.” He trailed kisses down my neck.

“I’m fucking horny, and you kept me waiting.”

He snorted. “Sorry about that.”

I eyed him playfully. “You don’t sound very sorry.”

He leaned in close, his teeth gently biting my jaw. “It’s sort of hard to feel bad when you’re practically begging for my dick.”

“Someone’s cocky tonight.”

He grinned. “Just calling it like I see it.”

The only thing I could think about at that moment was him fucking me until neither of us could move.

We stood just long enough to strip, then I pushed him onto the mattress again and straddled him. Our cocks lined up perfectly, and as I rocked my hips, we both let out a groan at the contact.

“Damn it,” Stratton rasped, his fingertips digging into my thighs. “Do that again.”

I did as he asked and wrapped my hand around both of us. Our movements were slow and deliberate, igniting my entire body until I was close to exploding. “If you don’t get inside me soon, I’m gonna come before we even get to the good stuff. ”

He grinded against me one last time before lifting me off his lap. “I want you on your hands and knees.”

He didn’t have to ask me twice. I moved into position, eager for him to fill me.

“Got some lube?”

I glanced over my shoulder. “There’s some in my bag.”

He rummaged through my backpack and pulled out the bottle. “What about condoms?”

“I’m on PrEP and get tested regularly.” I paused. “But it’s your call.”

“My most recent tests came back negative, and I’m not messing around with anyone else.”

We hadn’t said anything about being exclusive, but I didn’t see a need to look for other partners when I had a teammate this sexy and willing.

“Well, now that we’ve cleared that up.” I smirked. “Get back over here and fuck me.”

He chuckled, and a second later, I felt the sting of his palm on my ass. “You’re bossy.”

I heard the click of the bottle cap, then felt his fingers glide over my puckered rim with just enough pressure to drive me wild.

“And you’re a tease,” I huffed.

“I’m just enjoying the view.”

He slipped two of his digits inside me.

“Oh,” I moaned into the pillow, arching my back to take him deeper.

He moved his fingers in and out for a minute before adding a third, and I pushed back, encouraging him to give me more.

“That’s it,” he hummed. “Help me get you ready.”

My breathing picked up as I focused on the way he was stretching me. “I’m ready.”

Leaning forward, he placed several kisses along my back and shoulders, then lined up his lubed-covered shaft with my hole. He took his time entering me, giving me time to accommodate his size.

“You feel so good,” I gasped as he began to move.

He was gentle at first, but when I began to rock against him, he slammed into me harder, hitting the spot that made my dick leak.

I reached down and wrapped my hand around my shaft, desperate to come, but he batted my hand away. “I’ve got you.”

“Holy shit,” I panted as he stroked me in time with his thrusts.

“Are you going to come for me?” he grunted as he picked up speed.

I didn’t even have time to answer. My release hit immediately, and my cum spilled over his fist.

“You’re milking my dick so good.” He slammed into me one more time before moaning through his own orgasm.

My arms gave out, and I collapsed on the bed as Stratton rolled off of me.

“Win or lose, every game night should end with a bang,” I teased, trying to catch my breath.

“Does that make me the closer?” He smirked.

“After that performance?” I leaned over and kissed him. “You’re the MVP.”

I’d just finished my turn at batting practice, when one of the team’s assistants came over to me.

“Skip wants to see you in his office.”

“Okay,” I replied, and a pit began to form in my stomach. Considering my rookie status and the fact that I hadn’t made a huge impact yet on the team, I suspected the meeting wasn’t going to be good.

I walked down the corridor to the clubhouse and headed straight for the visiting team’s offices. Knocking once, I peered around the open door and found Schmitt behind his desk. “Thomas said you wanted to see me.”

“Have a seat.” He gestured to the chair in front of him, and I sat. “As you’re aware, the team isn’t doing so great at the moment, and it’s my job to figure out what needs to change to get us back on track. ”

Since he hadn’t asked me a question, I waited to see what he’d say next.

“I’ve seen some videos of you playing, and I know what you’re capable of. But I haven’t seen you reach your full potential since you’ve joined us.” He leaned back in his seat. “Defensively, you’re holding your own, but we need more from you at the plate.”

Schmitt wasn’t wrong. Besides the home run I’d hit a few days ago, I was averaging one hit per game, and the night before, I’d gone oh-for-four. The pit in my stomach tightened. A .175 batting average wasn’t going to do me any favors. It wasn’t the first hitting slump of my career, but this one was happening at the worst possible time.

“I understand.”

“We’re going to have Leland, our hitting coach, work with you,” he continued. “He’ll help you find your swing and get your timing right again. This is the majors, kid, and the only ones who make it are the ones who find a way to adjust when things get rough.”

“Got it. I won’t let you down,” I replied, intending to keep that promise.

He nodded. “Good. Now go get ready for the game.”

Back in the clubhouse, I changed out of my batting practice jersey and into my game day gear. My mind was still on the conversation I’d just had with Schmitt when Stratton, Davenport, and Latham walked by.

“You good?” Davenport asked.

I shook my head slightly. “Just finished talking to Skip.”

Stratton clapped me on the back. “They’ve been pulling guys aside all afternoon, so don’t beat yourself up too much.”

Learning I hadn’t been singled out allowed me to relax a little. “Good to know.”

A mischievous grin spread across Latham’s face. “Unless he said you’re being sent back down. If that’s the case, it’s been nice knowing you.”

“Asshole.” I tossed my towel at him and chuckled.

Stratton dropped into the chair next to me. “Seriously though, listen to what the coaches have to say, but try not to get stuck in your head. You wouldn’t be here if the guys in charge didn’t think you could hack it.”

I appreciated what he had to say, but I knew I had a lot of work to do if I was going to prove to everyone I was supposed to be here.

While everyone continued to get ready for the game, I found myself lost in thought. Hooking up with Stratton had been fun. It was probably the most fun I’d had in a long time, but as much as I enjoyed having him in my bed or spending time in his, I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if I was letting him distract me from what I really needed to focus on.

Because baseball was the only thing that truly mattered.