Page 35 of Base and Balls

Chapter fifteen

The Clubhouse

Derby

“Nice to have you in front of my camera again.”Nix winked at me.I knew he was seeing someone and only playing.It was Jason I was concerned about.I’d turned him down previously, so I was surprised to have him asking me for another interview.

“Yeah.I’m happy to be here.”I shook his hand and turned to Jason.“Are we ready?”

“You’re mic-ed up?Good.Let’s do it.Sit here.”Jason directed me around the camera equipment to a pair of tall chairs.He sat in one, and I took the other.

Nix held up his hand with three fingers up.“On three.”Then he put his fingers down one and a time, on the last one, he pointed to us.

Jason knew his queue.“Hey, sports fans!I’m here today with baseball’s hottest pitcher.Starter for MLB’s Mobile Mystics, Derby Ward.”He paused a moment, where I figured they would insert a canned crowd.“The last time Derby was with us, he’d joined thenewMobile Mystics.Now, they’re going to the playoffs after their first season.And this guy.”He pointed his cards at me.“This guy is one of the main reasons for that.”

“Thank you,” I muttered and nodded.“I did my part, but it’s a team effort.Teamwork.We do it together, or we don’t get there.”

“True.True.But before we talk performance.Yours is incredible, by the way.Batting a 260 on top of throwing two no-hitters this season.”He waved his cards.“I want to ask you something personal first.”

“Go ahead.”I held my hands out.We’d discussed this question ahead of time, so I could prepare for it, but that didn’t seem to make it any easier.In front of the camera, it felt like millions of eyes were on me.I knew it was only Nix and Jason in the small studio, but I felt like it was bigger, and eventually, it would be.The nerves had me on edge, unlike I normally felt in front of the camera.Their interview would go out to ESPN and probably get picked up on other networks as well.There was no holding it back.

“Rumor has it you’re seeing someone special.Can you tell us about that?”

Since I’d prepared and had Godwin’s input on what to say, I felt confident about my words, if nothing else.I sat a little straighter and took a deep breath.Then I looked at Nix with the camera, or actually over his shoulder.Godwin stood there behind him, looking back at me with the sweetest expression.He was everything to me.He gave me the confidence I needed to say the words that were coming, because yes, he was worth it.And yes, he erupted my inner-volcano like no one else.“Yes.I am.”

“And that someone is?”

“He’s not a sports figure or celebrity.He’s from my hometown.”I winked at the camera, at Godwin.“And he’s perfect.”

“I notice you’re using the pronounhe.Are you gay?”

“I consider myself gay, but I don’t like labels.I only have eyes for one person.”

“Does the team know this?”

I laughed.“Of course.My boyfriend has been on the road with me.Cheering me on.I’m proud to have him by my side.We’re not hiding anything, and before you ask, I haven’t heard one negative word.If there is anyone on the team that doesn’t like it, they haven’t come forward.The Mystics have been amazing.I’m proud to be a part of this team.A part of this amazing new franchise.”

“That’s great.I’m happy for you.Happy for the team.”Jason leaned toward me and clapped me on the shoulder.“Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk stats...”

The rest of the interview was the normal back and forth about performance and our chances of going to and winning the World Series this year.Normal.When the video hit, there might be an uproar, considering there had only been one other active player to come out.But I knew there were others, and I hoped that my interview would make them feel more comfortable whether they chose to come out or not.But the ultimate reason for doing the interview was to show the world how much I loved my man.

To catch more sports romance from Lynn Michaels...

Check out the new Sports Stringer series withMagazines and Motorcycles

Jason Gibbons:

As an ace sports reporter, Jason is revving up for his next big story—Ryker Brennan, Supercross star, sexy and solid.He captivates Jason like no one else ever has.

“Despite having told myself not to get worked up, I am.And it pisses me off.Ryker Brennan is under my skin, and nothing good is going to come from that.”

Ryker Brennan:

Motorcycles are his passion.He’s a little sweet and a heck of a lot of wild rolled into a 250 racer who’s always primed for the next big win.Then Jason Gibbons rolls into Ryker’s life and now his wheel’s are spinning.

“I fell and got a mouth full of dirt.That’s racing.The bike just got away from me, kind of like Jason did after that kiss.So why was I still thinking about him?”

When life gives them a gnarly track to follow, they both have to get dialed in for the next jump.Will they accept the challenge?