Page 123 of Fielder's Choice

I drape my arms around his neck. “Your girlfriend just wants to be good for you.”

He smiles against my lips. “And your boyfriend isn’t mad about that at all.”

We both laugh before he kisses me, wrapping ourselves up in each other and enjoying our closeness.

Three months ago, I never would have pictured myself here, not just with a man, but standing naked in front of a man and feeling completely at ease.

But Lane has taught me so much. I’ve learned what I enjoy. I’ve learned what he enjoys.

Most importantly, though, I learned that I don’t need to live my life in the shadow of my trauma. I can overcome it and take the sexuality back that was taken away.

I appreciate that we’re moving everything at my pace, and he’s never made me feel rushed. But I know the moment is inevitable.

The moment when I fully give Lane all of me.

I can’t think of anybody I’d want to share that with more.

forty-four

Lane

Ihaven’tenjoyedSpringTraining in five years.

Four years ago, Spring Training was right after my grandparents died. Every year since, I’ve had to be away from Sage for a month and a half, just getting FaceTime calls and the occasional visit.

But this year, I get to miss Olive, too. She’s been my girlfriend officially for only a few days, and we haven’t been able to spend much time together since—all of the Stars players and staff flew down to Bradenton yesterday, and we won’t be back until a few days before the season starts at the end of March.

The days are really going to drag. I’m hoping to be able to distract myself with practice today until I can call Sage later this afternoon. She spends all of Spring Training with Rory.

First up for today is strength training, so I head into the weight room. Since it’s early, I’m the first one here, so I take a bit of time before the rest of the guys barrel in to warm myself up in the quiet.

The doors open behind me, and I wonder if the guys showed up early, but all I hear are soft footsteps until a feminine voice severs the silence.

“Knew I’d find you here already, Brooks,” Lucia chuckles, coming to stand beside me, clipboard in hand.

“Hey, Torres,” I say, turning to face her. “What are you doing here now? Training doesn’t start for another fifteen minutes.”

“I’m here because I knew you’d be here. You, my friend, aren’t as young as you used to be. I put together a conditioning plan for you to help prevent injuries this season.”

“Wow,” I scoff. “You’re not much younger than me, you know.”

Lucia rolls her eyes. “I’m still only thirty, and I’m not a professional athlete. You know if you get injured, I’m the one that gets bitched at for you not having the right conditioning.”

“You know Dr. Coltrain,”— our team physician —“wouldn’t give you shit about that.”

“Dr. Coltrain isn’t who I’m worried about. Logan is.”

I groan at that. Logan is another of our team’s athletic trainers, and he’s firmly planted himself up Dr. Coltrain’s ass. He’s a prick, and he always gives Lucia hell since she’s the only woman. None of the players like him because of that—Lucia is basically the team-favorite trainer. Logan is good at what he does, but his demeanor is so off-putting.

“Logan can kick rocks,” I say.

“I fucking wish he would,” she chides. “But I’m not that lucky. You know that the Head Trainer, Dave, is leaving after next season, and Logan wants the position just as much as I do.”

“You’re a better trainer than Logan, though, Luc,” I reassure her. “Don’t worry too much about that.”

She sighs. “I’m the only woman, Lane, and misogyny is still alive and well. Dr. Coltrain is amazing, but I wouldn’t put it past Logan to try to undermine me to make himself look better.”

“Don’t focus on that. You’re great at what you do, and I’m sure Dr. Coltrain will be able to see that.”

---