Page 15 of Love On Deck
Connor sits up, looking suddenly astonished. “Leones de Yucatán, yeah. We’ve played ‘em. They had a fucking fantastic season last year.”
Andrew almost laughs at the excitement on Connor’s face. It bodes well. “They’re playing tomorrow. The stadium’s about forty-five minutes away from Progreso. I bought tickets.”
“Are you kidding?” Connor’s face lights up like a ballpark under the floodlights, and Andrew’s a goner. Connor’s so easy to please. Any kindness thrills him. Andrew finds the fact terribly sad, but incredibly satisfying, and whack him upside the head with a baseball bat if he doesn’t want to please Connor for a long time to come.
“No. I know you said you couldn’t go on an excursion, but I hoped you’d make an exception for baseball…”
“Fuck, yeah.”
Connor’s expression, so open and alive, takes Andrew’s breath hostage in his lungs.
“God, Andrew, I don’t know what to say.”
That same intensity and fire blazes in Connor’s bearing as it had two nights ago. How can Andrew have it so bad for a guy he just met?
“Disembarking doesn’t start until ten, so you still have time for—”
Connor pulls out his phone, but claps Andrew on the shoulder. “Be right back.” He hustles from the room, obviously off to make a phone call. But to whom? And why?
Casey and Will return from the dance floor at the same time Conner slides into his seat fifteen minutes later. Andrew’s drained one glass of beer and has ordered another in the meantime.
“Ha-ha,” Connor exclaims, holding up his phone and waggling it back and forth. “You are a genius, Drew. I made a few calls. And I—as long as you’re okay watching—if not, I won’t—but I get to practice with the Leones tomorrow.”
“Are you kidding?” asks Andrew and no, he didn’t miss Connor’s use of Drew over Andrew this time, but he says nothing. Connor looks like he just won the lottery, and Andrew wants that joy to remain, wants to keep bringing that feeling out in Connor. But this one he owes to Will. He catches Will’s eye and mouths, “Thank you.”
Will nods and his mouth quirks at the corner.
“I don’t mind watching practice at all. I love baseball,” says Andrew to Connor. “I’m happy to watch you do your thing.”
“I thought you weren’t doing excursions,” Casey says, and Will squeezes her shoulder. She huffs a little, obviously put out.
Andrew wants to strangle her, but Connor’s countenance dims only slightly. “To run some bases, swing a bat, throw a ball. Hell, yeah, I’m there.” He leans forward. “Baseball, Casey,” he says and laughs.
Like a home run ball, Andrew’s been hit out of the park.
Chapter Six
“I should have brought my glove. I should have thought of this myself. God, why didn’t I?” Connor looks at Andrew, eyes bright and knees bouncing a hundred miles a minute it seems.
Andrew laughs. This is a completely different Connor from the day before or from the bar. He’s enjoyed all versions, except the little brother persona. Connor’s something else when he’s not trying to hide his passions, any of them, behind a facade, and Andrew definitely wishes he could do something about Connor’s need to hide behind various masks.
The stadium comes into view and then they’re exiting the cab. Connor leads the way, showing his passport, his driver’s license, and some sort of minor league baseball ID. Andrew has to show his passport and driver’s license too as they pass through each checkpoint. Connor speaks decent Spanish and, soon, they’re being greeted by someone dressed in a baseball uniform.
“Jesús, cómo estás?”bellows Connor, clasping hands with the man.
“Bien, bien. Quien es este?”says Jesús, turning to Andrew.
“This is my friend Andrew,” says Connor before rattling off something in Spanish.
Andrew hears Casey’s name, so he’s guessing Connor is explaining the relationship, but he’s pleased to be referred to as a friend. It’s a start.
“Bienvenido.”Jesús holds out his hand to Andrew, and they shake as well.
“Gracias,”Andrew says. Anyone who lives in Texas knows a few basics. And when in Rome and all that.
“Ven por aquí.”Jesús does a “come on” gesture and turns toward a tunnel.
Connor and Andrew follow, and Connor continues to vibrate with excitement.
