Page 103 of Tagging Bases

“All good things, I hope,” I joke weakly, shaking her outstretched hand. Her grip is firm, her palm soft and cool against my own.

Mr. Hollingsworth rises to his feet, towering over me. He extends a hand, and I take it, noting the strength in his grasp. “Hello, Harrison. We’ve been looking forward to getting to know the other young man who’s captured our son’s heart.”

I gulp audibly. “Thank you, sir.”

“Harrison is an incredibly talented artist,” Daniel tells his parents proudly. “He even works at an art gallery in Brooklyn.”

Mrs. Hollingsworth’s eyes light up at that. “An artist? How fascinating! You must tell us all about it.”

Some of the tension drains from my shoulders as I sit down on the recliner. Maybe this won’t be too bad after all.

“Before we get into all of that, I just want to say how much it means to me that you’re willing to hear us out,” Daniel says, heading for the kitchen and returning with a bar stool to sit on. “I know this”—he gestures between me and him—“isn’t exactly what you had in mind for my future.”

Mrs. Hollingsworth sighs softly. “Daniel, you’re our son. We love you, no matter what. But we’d be lying if we didn’t say that we do have some concerns about the path you’re choosing.”

“I understand that, Mom. And I’d like to address those concerns. But first, I need you to know that this isn’t some passing phase or experiment. What I have with Charlie and Harrison is real and important to me.”

Mr. Hollingsworth clears his throat. “What about your future, Daniel? Have you given any thought to what comes after graduation? I know you still have another year left, but the clock is ticking.”

“I have thought about it. And I’ve made a decision. I’m going to take the job with you on Wall Street.”

The room falls silent for a moment as the weight of Daniel’s decision hangs in the air. I know they must be shocked; Charlie and I were when he told us this last night. But we support whatever he chooses to do with his life. I only hope his parents will do the same.

Mrs. Hollingsworth is the first to speak. “But what about baseball, Daniel? I know you’ve always loved the game.”

“I do love baseball, Mom. But playing professionally has always been more Charlie’s dream than mine. For me, it’s always been about the joy of the game and the camaraderie with my teammates. I can still have that, even if I’m not playing at the highest level.”

Mr. Hollingsworth nods slowly. Proudly. “I think that’s a wise decision, son.”

I lean forward in my seat, curiosity piqued. “What exactly will you be doing at the firm again, Daniel?”

Mr. Hollingsworth answers before Daniel can. “He’ll be a manager-in-training. Learning the ropes, shadowing some of our more experienced staff. But his main focus will be working with our interns, helping to mold the next generation of investment bankers.” He goes on, enthusiasm building in his voice. “Daniel has always had a knack for guiding others and sharing the knowledge he’s gained. It’s one of the qualities that will make him an excellent leader someday.”

I glance at Daniel, trying to gauge his reaction to his father’s words. He meets my gaze and gives a slight nod.

“It’s true,” he says. “Helping people, teaching them, it’s always been one of the things I love most. Whether it’s on the baseball field or in the boardroom, I want to make a difference in people’s lives.” He shrugs self-consciously. “And this way, I can do that without putting my body through the wringer. No more squatting for hours on end, no more ice baths after games. My knees will thank me in twenty years.”

The conversation eventually shifts to lighter topics. Mrs. Hollingsworth asks about my assistant job at the gallery, and I find myself gushing about the upcoming exhibit we’re planning. Mr. Hollingsworth chimes in with a story about his brief but disastrous attempt at painting in college, which has us all chuckling.

As the afternoon wears on, I relax into the easy flow of the discussion. There are still moments of awkwardness and uncertainty, but overall, it’s a tentative step forward.

When it’s time to say our goodbyes, Mrs. Hollingsworth surprises me by pulling me in for a quick hug. “Don’t be a stranger, Harrison. Our door is always open.”

I nod, worried I’ll start bawling if I speak.

The second they’re gone, Daniel wraps me in his arms and kisses my cheek. “That went well, don’t you think?”

“Yes,” I say, kissing him back. “What now?”

Daniel bobbles his head back and forth, no doubt running ideas through his head. “Wanna fuck?”

I grin devilishly up at Daniel. “In the shower could be fun…”

Daniel growls low in his throat and lands a sharp smack on my ass. “Then let’s get our sexy butts in there.”

In a flash, we stumble into the bathroom, clothes flying everywhere. The water is already steaming as we step under the spray, our rock-hard cocks jutting out eagerly. I spin Daniel around and press him against the slick tile wall.

“Hands up,” I command huskily. “I want to try something new.”

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