“There are many athletes who are gay. Musicians, artists, teachers, coaches. Even students. No one should have to hide or be ashamed of who they are. I don’t care who a person dates. I care if they follow the rules, give one hundred percent to a game, and treat others with kindness, because that’s what matters.”
Caleb knew what he had to do. He smiled at Lucas before jumping up. Suddenly, his inner struggle became resolved.
“Hey, Coach, do you mind if I say something?”
“Not at all. If you have something to add, let’s hear it. Come on up.”
The room fell silent as Caleb stood next to the coach and smiled at everyone.
“Look, I…” He cleared his throat. “Wow, I’m not sure how to say this. I’ve thought about it for years, but this certainly wasn’t the plan.” He cocked his head and saw Lucas staring open-mouthed at him. “So, um, here’s the thing,” he said, raking his hand through his hair. “I’m gay. And I’m not going to hide anymore.”
The room stayed quiet, and he smiled wider. “Oh, yeah, and I’m a secret Trekkie.”
Brandon laughed and clapped his hands. “I always knew. I saw how your eyes lit up every time a new Star Trek movie came out.”
Everyone laughed, breaking the tension.
Lucas grinned and Caleb smiled back.
“Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say. Other than, I’m serious. I’m not going to hide anymore. If the media asks, I’ll be honest.” He sighed and shook his head. “I’m not even sure why I waited so long. I guess it was just so ingrained in me.”
Coach Newberry shook his hand, then Caleb started back to his former seat, but veered around the group instead and plopped down into the empty seat next to a blushing Lucas.
For the first time in a long time, Caleb felt free. He knew everything wasn’t always going to be this easy, but at least he could be honest now.
Chapter 4
Since Caleb arrived at the hotel a few minutes earlier than planned, he considered waiting in the parking lot a while, but he couldn’t keep still. He needed to see Lucas. They hadn’t had a chance to talk much after his “coming out” announcement, what with the baseball kids leaving, and him checking on Austin and Jamie.
Thank goodness Austin was fine. No broken bones, although definitely some bruising. Jamie had promised to take good care of him and they both broke into sappy grins. God, had he ever been so sappy? Did the boys really think they’d fallen in love at first sight? He chuckled. Here he was, ready to change his dream, if needed, just to be with a man he’d met only a few weeks ago, so who was he to judge?
Caleb skipped the elevator and raced up the stairs, arriving at Lucas’ apartment within seconds. He rapped on the door and Lucas opened it almost immediately.
He drew in a deep breath. “You…you literally take my breath away,” he whispered, unable to stop staring at the gorgeous man wearing nothing but a pair of tight gray boxer briefs. Caleb’s eyes traced that happy trail into Lucas’ waistband and he unconsciously licked his lips.
Lucas pulled the door open wider, and it shocked Caleb to see lit candles on the dresser and small table. Something smelled amazing, and he knitted his brow together as he tried to place the scent.
“Greek food,” Lucas said, as if reading his mind. “And no, I didn’t make it. I picked it up from this little hole-in-the-wall place I found downtown. Their food is amazing. I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to stay in tonight and celebrate.”
Caleb stepped inside and placed his hands on Lucas’ hips. “Celebrate?”
Lucas took a deep breath. “I’m just so proud of you. You not only came out, but you showed those teens that no one should be afraid to be who they are.”
Caleb leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”
Lucas smiled, pulled him further inside, and shut the door. “Welcome to Lucas’ Greek Diner, sir,” he announced, sweeping his arm toward the table. “Please have a seat.”
“I see the dress code is pretty strict here,” Caleb said, his voice thick.
“Oh, yes, you must follow the dress code. There’s no dessert for guests who break the dress code.” He winked at Caleb. “Trust me, sir, I think you will want dessert.”
Caleb chuckled low and unbuttoned his shirt as he watched Lucas move around the mini kitchen area. He was so damn hot. Beautiful, really.
He caught Lucas’ gaze and his breath hitched in his throat as he slipped off his shirt and laid it on the back of the loveseat in the living area. He unbuckled his belt and toed off his shoes simultaneously, eager to rid himself of his cumbersome clothing. His pants eventually pooled at his feet, and he stepped out of them just as Lucas brought their plates to the table. He kicked off the pants and tossed them on the loveseat.
Lucas grinned and eyeballed his plaid black boxers before setting down the plates. “Nice.”
“Oh, yeah?” Caleb asked, raising an eyebrow. “See something you like?”
Lucas only smiled, then asked if he wanted wine with dinner.
“I don’t know a lot about wine.”
“Stick with me and I’ll teach you,” Lucas replied as he poured white wine into two glasses. “It’s the least I can do for the baseball tutoring you gave me.”
“It’s a deal.”
The food was delicious, and Caleb had to admit the wine went well with the meal. Despite being nearly naked, he relaxed and enjoyed the company. He and Lucas never seemed to run out of something to talk about, and even after dinner ended, they lingered at the table.
Lucas slid his hand toward Caleb, who grasped it. “Thank you, Lucas,” he said. Caleb sensed that Lucas knew he was talking about more than the food.
Lucas blushed and nodded, his eyes glistening in the candlelight. “Caleb, I know…I mean, I realize we’ve only known each other…oh, hell…I don’t even know how to say this.” He laughed and tightened his hold on Caleb’s hand. “Look, I…I didn’t expect this when I moved here. Falling for a baseball player?” He chuckled. “No, not in a million years.”
“But you did?”
“Did what?”
“You fell for a baseball player?”
Lucas smiled and bit his lower lip. “Yes. Yes, I did.” He stood and took the plates to the kitchen area. “But this is crazy! We just met…I mean, fuck, I don’t know what I mean.” He set down the plates and whirled around.
Caleb stood and moved directly in front of Lucas. “Hey, I get it. I didn’t expect this either. How could I know that you were out there in this crazy world and all I needed to do was open my eyes? How could I know that one look at you would change my entire life?”
A tear slipped from Lucas’ eye and Caleb brushed it away with his thumb.
“It’s okay, baby,” he whispered as he kissed Lucas’ wet cheek. “We don’t have to say the words yet. It’s too early. But we know.” He kissed his lover’s lips. “We know.”
Caleb pulled him closer until their chests pressed together. Lucas cupped his ass. Caleb growled and thrust his hips forward, rubbing their hard cocks together, only thin fabric between them.
“Come to bed,” he ordered, walking backward as he nibbled Lucas’ lower lip. “I need you.”
Lucas followed him across the studio and fell with him onto the mattress. They didn’t bother with the bedding. They were too consumed with each other.
Caleb placed kisses down Lucas’ neck, then moved his mouth to Lucas’ right nipple, flicking it with his tongue.
“Oh, God, I love that,” Lucas moaned.
Caleb licked the hard nub and bit down slightly, eliciting another moan from Lucas. He wanted to hear him moan all night, but he also couldn’t wait to find out what else drove the man wild, so he licked and tasted his skin, trailing down to his belly button. He dipped in his tongue and Lucas thrust upward. Mmm, another secret place.
Caleb’s fingers slid under Lucas’ waistband, and he pulled down the underwear, freeing the hard, red dick that slapped against Lucas’ abs. He yanked down the briefs
and buried his nose in the nest of blond curls at the base of the cock. He breathed in deeply and felt almost euphoric from the combined scents of musk, clean soap, and something uniquely Lucas. The overwhelming aroma made Caleb tremble as he pushed apart Lucas’ legs a little more.
He licked a trail up the inside of Lucas’ thigh, and his lover rewarded him with another loud moan. He flicked his tongue at the junction where his thigh curved into his hips, then let his hands cup those heavy balls.
Fuck, he had a thing for hairy balls, and fine blond curls covered Lucas’. Caleb licked the sac and gently sucked one orb into his wet mouth, tenderly rolling it around, enjoying the weight of it on his tongue. Lucas grabbed him by the hair, and Caleb moaned. He loved the feeling of a man’s hands in his hair. After a moment, he let the testicle fall out of his mouth with a loud pop and sucked the other one, moaning again as he relished the taste. He finally let it slide out of his mouth so he could lick the shaft. Starting at the base, he ran his tongue along the underside, feeling the pulse beat on his tongue. He fluttered his tongue just under the head and Lucas’ whole body shuddered.
Caleb licked at the beads of precum leaking from the slit and Lucas shuddered again as he gripped Caleb’s hair harder. Caleb grasped the hard shaft and stroked once, twice, enjoying the feel of the steely muscle in his hand before he wrapped his lips around the head and licked again.
Lucas moaned and tried to thrust upward, but Caleb used his other hand to keep him in place.
“Please!” Lucas cried.
Caleb loved that and plunged downward until the engorged head hit his throat, swirling his tongue the entire time. He fought his gag reflex and pulled out before sucking him in again, deeper this time. Before long, he found a rhythm and had Lucas begging and pleading to never stop.
No problem there. Caleb loved having him in his mouth and would continue until Lucas rewarded him with his hot, creamy load. Caleb felt the head bump his throat again, and this time he swallowed it into his throat. It made it impossible to breathe, but he loved giving Lucas pleasure.
“Fuck! So fucking good, Caleb. Oh, God, I’m going to cum.”
Caleb appreciated the warning, but there was no way in hell he was pulling off. Seconds later, he felt the pulse of Lucas’ impending release and the first spurt shot down his throat. He pulled back so the head of the cock rested on his tongue, allowing him to savor the flavor. Lucas thrust again, and soon the taste of his lover filled Caleb’s mouth. He swallowed and continued licking until Lucas softened and slid out of his mouth.
He sat back on his heels and stared at Lucas. Naked, sprawled on his back, his body flushed. He was beautiful. Caleb straddled his hips, leaning down for a kiss.
Afterward, Lucas smiled. Caleb rolled onto his side, pulled Lucas close to him, and kissed his cheek.
“That was amazing,” Lucas whispered. “But we’re not done, you know. I want my turn.”
Caleb chuckled and held him tightly to his chest. “I know, baby. We have nothing but time.”
Epilogue
Caleb watched the team practice, unhappy to see that Miles hadn’t made it yet. Dammit, that kid was always late. If he didn’t have such a strong right arm, Caleb would recommend they cut him. On the other hand, if the kid didn’t get his ass to practice, Caleb may recommend it anyway.
“Sorry! Sorry Coach Dodson!”
He sighed, knowing it was Miles before he even looked. He waited to hear the excuse this time. At least the kid was usually creative with them.
Miles stopped in front of him, his hands on his knees, panting hard.
“Out with it,” Caleb ordered.
“See, Coach, I was on my way to practice when I remembered I forgot my backpack, so I ran back to my locker to get it.”
“And?”
“That’s when I saw a retainer on the floor. I had to find the owner, Coach. Honest.”
Caleb stared at him. “And did you?”
“Did I what?”
“Did you find the owner?”
Miles struggled for an answer. He obviously hadn’t thought the whole lie through. God, it was good he could play ball, because he wasn’t the brightest tool in the shed.
“Didn’t buy any of it, huh?” Miles asked sheepishly.
“No, and if you’re late again, you’ll be suspended for two games.” Miles started to argue, but Caleb interrupted him. “Two, Miles. Now get your ass out on the field.”
“Yes, Coach,” he said and ran to join the practice.
Caleb shook his head and looked over the field. Funny how life can surprise you, he mused. Last year when he’d met Lucas, he never would have imagined the path his life would follow.
Soon after he came out, he and Lucas moved in together. First at Caleb’s apartment, then, about six months later, into a townhouse.
Then, the day after the move, he’d had his accident. He’d never seen the car coming in the pouring rain. When he awoke in the hospital, Lucas was waiting next to him, ready to support him through the hard times. Caleb had lost his peripheral vision in his left eye permanently, ending his baseball career. He’d also had a lot of blurring in his eye for several months before it cleared. Well, it cleared for the most part—he still had days where his vision was a little blurry.
Caleb had moped around for about a month until Lucas had sat him down and told him to snap out of it, which was exactly what he’d needed. He began to review his life and realized there were many things he wanted to try. He started to send out resumés, but then the call from the high school came, and before he knew it, he was the Rain Valley High School Assistant Baseball Coach.
He loved the job. Loved the man he was with.
Now, Caleb turned to see Lucas pull into the parking lot. He often picked up Caleb, but Lucas was really early today. Caleb waved at him, gesturing for Lucas to join him on the field, then turned back to the team.
Lucas walked to his side and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, baby,” Caleb said, smiling. “Not that I mind, but why so early?”
Lucas grinned. “I have some exciting news and I couldn’t wait to share it.”
Caleb glanced at the team, saw they were doing fine, so he gave Lucas his full attention. “Okay, shoot.”
“My boss called me in to his office and offered me the morning spot.”
Caleb wrapped his arms around Lucas. “God, that’s amazing! The morning show?”
Lucas nodded. “Starting next week!”
They had been hoping for that, because it meant they’d both be home in the evenings. As it was now, sometimes they worked opposite hours, making it hard.
“I’m going to pick up Greek for dinner so we can celebrate,” Lucas said with a wink.
Caleb smiled. Ever since the first night they celebrated together after his coming out, it became tradition to “celebrate” in boxers only. He watched Lucas leave and gave a contented sigh. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve this life, but he’d do everything he could to make sure he held onto it forever.
He turned back to the team and saw Miles attempting to do some kind of robotic dance.
“Miles!”
THE END
ABOUT SARAH HADLEY BROOK
Sarah Hadley Brook reserves her evenings for her hobby-turned-passion of writing, letting the characters she conjures up in her mind take the lead and show her where the story will go. She dreams of traveling to Scotland someday and visiting the places her ancestors lived. Sarah believes in “Happily Ever After” and strives to ensure her characters find their own happiness in love and life.
For more information, visit sarahhadleybrookwrites.com.
ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC
JMS Books LLC is a small queer press with competitive royalty rates publishing LGBT romance, erotic romance, and young adult fiction. Visit jms-books.com for our latest releases and submission guidelines!
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