Page 12 of Scoring in Cedarwood

“I love them.” Tanner didn’t leave his seat. “Your office is full of papers and they’re everywhere. Do you actually leave your work at the medical office?”

“No.” Dane chuckled. “I don’t.” He sat beside Tanner. “Until you came along, I didn’t have anyone to ask about my day. It’s strange and refreshing.” He liked the way they fell into conversation so easily.

“Why?” Tanner frowned. “You don’t have a boyfriend, do you? Not even anyone you’re sort of seeing?”

“I had a few boyfriends, but they weren’t interested in long-term.” Gee, that sounded horrible, but his partners hadn’t been nosy about his life—just his bank account. “I can’t talk about most of my work because of privacy laws, but it’s nice to have someone to chat with.”

“I bet it is.” Tanner folded his arms and stared at Dane. “I heard you logged into the team app.”

“You heard? Does the app tell you I did? Or does Devlin?” Dane asked.

“I get a notification, but yeah, Devlin let me know,” Tanner said. “Since I wasn’t playing when you logged in, it’ll show you what I did today. It’s so you can keep tabs on me and make sure I’m doing what I say I am. Some players will show up for practice or try to make the team, get sponsorship so they have a place to live, then won’t put in the work. The app keeps us honest and lets you know how your investment is doing.”

“That makes sense.” Dane sighed. He liked accountability and Tanner’s honesty.

Tanner grinned. “I’m a late addition to the team, so I’m getting caught up. I’ll play my first game on Saturday. Are you coming to watch? I can get you tickets for the owners’ section if you’re interested.”

“I work this Saturday.” But he wished he could be at the game.

“Why?” Tanner blurted. “Sorry. I guess people get sick every day of the week, not just Monday through Friday.”

Dane shrugged. He could’ve sworn he smelled the tanginess of cheese and basil in the air. Did he have anything to make pasta in the house? “Did you cook?” He didn’t see pans on the stove or in the sink. “Or did you order out?”

“I brought home food from the stadium.” Tanner blushed. “I’m horrible in the kitchen. When I worked at the restaurant, I was removed from my position as a cook. I burned too many dishes and made a ton of messes.”

“You’re a better waiter than cook, eh?” He shrugged out of his sport coat. “I can’t do much in the kitchen, either, but I do enjoy eating.”

“Which is why we’re good together.” Tanner left his seat and rounded the bar. He pulled a box from the paper bag on the counter beside the microwave. “I brought home enough for us both.” He pushed the box toward Dane. “You can’t exist on air and water alone. Eat up.”

“Thank you.” The tips of his ears burned. Now who was embarrassed? He waited for Tanner to sit again. “You don’t have to cater for me—but I appreciate the gesture.” He opened the box. “Lasagna. I love this dish. Where did you order from?”

“It’s funny you asked that. I guess the powers that be are upgrading the food choices at the stadium and we were encouraged to try the offerings.” Tanner folded his arms and rested his chin on his hand. “There was more than enough, so I brought some home for leftovers and you, too.”

“Thanks.” He retrieved a fork from the drawer then returned to his stool. “I forgot there are fancy food vendors at the stadium.” He dug into the lasagna. A groan rumbled in his throat. He’d never had anything so delicious. The gooey cheese melted on his tongue and the cooks had added the right ratio of noodle to sauce. “This is wonderful.”

“I liked it, too.” Tanner stared at him a tad too long. “I should leave you to eat.”

“Why?” he asked between bites. “I’m supposed to spend time with you. Stay.”

“You gave me the impression you wanted to keep our lives separate.” Tanner stayed on the stool. “Did you change your mind?”

“I did.” He swallowed his current bite. “You’re living at my house. We should get to know each other.”Why be standoffish?

Tanner didn’t speak right away. An odd look crossed his face. “Okay. What do you want to know about me?”

If you’re gay, single, looking for someone…interested in me?He had to play it safe. “Where are you from?”

“Keilorsburg, Indiana. I left when I was six. Dad got a job in Pittsfield. Mom and Dad split when I was twelve. I guess she couldn’t handle him working nights.” Tanner shrugged. “I lived with my mother until she decided the cost of my sports equipment was too high. Dad liked me being an athlete, so he footed the bill. I spent all of high school in Pittsfield. After I graduated, I went to Detroit, then Indianapolis until I made it through two years at the community college. I played baseball when I wasn’t in class and a scout for the state college recruited me to play for them. I earned my degree in sports broadcasting—meaning I can do play-by-play at a baseball game—and I was drafted by a semi-pro team. I went from St. Louis to Raleigh, then to Durham before landing in Gary, Indiana. Now I’m here.”

“You’ve had quite a life.” He hadn’t realized he’d polished off his dinner until he scraped the bottom of the box. He also hadn’t put much thought into what kind of life Tanner had led. Tanner had seen more of the world than Dane. “I’m impressed.”

“Don’t be. I can’t seem to keep a job. I play well and bring in fans then get traded when I hit a slump.” Tanner flattened his palm on the counter. “I’m not good at putting down roots and I travel with just enough to get by. I never know when I’ll be traded to another team and have to leave.”

“Doesn’t that suck? Don’t you want to belong somewhere for more than a season?” Dane asked. He pushed the box away and stretched. “I’d hate to keep moving.”

A wry smile curled on Tanner’s lips as he sat up. “Some days I love being a wanderer. It’s nice to go on adventures and every team I’ve played for involved some sort of journey.”

“But other days?”Does he want to put down roots in Cedarwood?

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