Page 25 of Scoring in Cedarwood

Will do. Was heading to the stadium for the story. Glad to help.

Within seconds, he sent another text.

You’ve never called in a favor. Must be a hot guy. I’m jealous, but happy for you.

Dane sighed and debated what to say in return.

Sandra knocked on the door. “Doc? We open soon and you’ve already got patients lined up in the parking lot.”

“I’m almost ready.” He texted Tanner concerning Lindsay then slid his phone into his pocket. He grabbed his stethoscope and dressed in his lab coat. He’d been told countless times he could be too bossy. He tried too hard to protect people. If he had a child, he’d end up smothering the kid so much he’d push him or her away. His mother, then his exes, Luis and Phillip, might have been right—to a degree. Dane had become a doctor to make the world better. Ashton claimed Dane held on too tightly. How could he stand back and allow a group of bullies to mistreat his friend/lover? He’d slept with Tanner once only, but he’d formed a bond with him. He shouldn’t be having a sexual relationship with Tanner. He knew the rules. But he’d fallen for Tanner Fox. How could he keep his hands to himself now?

Chapter Six

Tanner stood in the locker room and debated his next move. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get his head in the game for the second one of the double-header. He understood why Dane couldn’t come to his rescue and drive him to the stadium—the man had to work. No shame in that. And Lindsay hadn’t been a bad person to assist him. A bit chatty for Tanner’s taste and more interested in the story than anything else, but not bad. There hadn’t been any chemistry between him and Lindsay—not that he wanted there to be. He’d rather have had Dane there.

Then there was the graffiti. He’d seen the words spray-painted onto the asphalt. He saw how the statue had been defaced.Gay go home. Pussy cats.Why would anyone be so rotten? So they didn’t like him being homosexual. So what? He wasn’t flaunting his sexuality. Why did his personal situation have to be so important?

Part of him didn’t see the need to freak out. No one had come looking for him. No one had tried to do anything to him. Yes, Dane had acted pre-emptively, but Tanner wasn’t in danger—not yet.

Who was he kidding? Tanner knew better. The feeling in the stadium changed through the course of the first game. A new electricity sizzled in the air and it had nothing to do with the play on the field. He’d seen Daly and Selzer in the stands. How could he miss them? They were the only ones in the empty section.

Zeppelin stopped beside Tanner. “Do you always stare at your locker?”

“No.” He chuckled to hide the tension within him. “Just lost in thought.”

“I see.” Zeppelin sat on the bench then tapped Tanner’s thigh. “We change into our color blast uniforms. That’s how we do it when there’s a double-header.”

“I know.” He’d read the email briefing. “Coach spoke to me.”

Zeppelin removed his jersey. “You got quite the response today. Ladies love Foxy.” He tossed the soiled garment into his locker. “Looks like we’re going to have a bigger crowd for the next game—because of you.”

“I hit one homerun.” Tanner shrugged and unbuttoned his jersey. “It wasn’t much.”

“We won because of your homer. Add the two bloopers and stolen base…yeah, you’re important.” Zeppelin raked his fingers through his hair. “You’re getting hot. We need your hot streak.”

“I’m more relaxed.”Kind of.Part of him couldn’t wait for Dane to arrive. Their night of passion had removed some of his pregame jitters, but the rest of him couldn’t deny the stress. A group of people didn’t care how well he hit or if he’d been great in the outfield—they wanted him gone because he was gay.

“None of that relaxation came because of a certain doctor?”

“I told you I’m gay,” Tanner snapped. “And you knew it because you brought it up first.”

Zeppelin’s eyes widened then narrowed. “I didn’t want to believe it.”

“Believe it.” He changed out of his soiled jersey and into a fresh T-shirt. He wanted to shower before the next game. “Does my being gay bother you?” He knew the answer, but he wanted to hear Zeppelin’s rationale.

“Hell yes, it bothers me,” Zeppelin growled. “You’re the reason we had the fucking coalition show up here. Are you looking at my ass? At the asses of everyone here?”

He should’ve known Zeppelin would have a conniption. “I’m not stark-raving. I can handle myself. I’ve got a boyfriend, so no, I’m not checking out the asses of everyone here.”

“I’ve been naked with you,” Zeppelin shouted.

“We’re all naked at one time or another with each other. Big deal. I’m not going after your ass. I’ve got a guy and I’m not looking for a date.” He grabbed the shower gel and towel from his locker. “I’m focused on my stats on the field, not in the bedroom.” He strode away from Zeppelin.Jesus.He hadn’t done anything wrong.

“The coalition was right,” Zeppelin spat. “You’re trying to infiltrate everything.”

Tanner stopped in his tracks. He’d had enough. Where was Zeppelin getting this line of reasoning from? Tanner faced him. “When we take the field, the stands are filled with kids and families.”

“No shit.”

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