Page 39 of Scoring in Cedarwood

“Why choose?” He had the best of both worlds.

“Because you can’t concentrate on baseball if you’re focusing on Dane. You’re a fucking distraction and you’re bringing people to the game who want to hurt us.” Zeppelin curled his lip again. “Or am I making that up?”

“What’s that got to do with Dr. Bloom?” Andy asked. “This guy was an isolated incident. Not everyone in Cedarwood is anti-gay.”

“We’ve got a gay cop, the bookstore owners, at least one teacher and now Dr. Bloom and Tanner. Big deal,” Paul said. “We’re a diverse town.”

“So they can form a singing group,” Zeppelin replied. “Or move.”

“Enough,” Tanner snarled. He appreciated Andy and Paul standing up for him, but this was his fight. “I’ve put up with your bullshit, Zeppelin, since I arrived and I even fended off your attempt to come on to me. You helped out me. I know you’re part of the coalition, so it wouldn’t shock me if you knew about the assaults or had some idea the protesters would show up at the game.” He lowered his voice. “I don’t want to sleep with you. Never have. I want to play baseball. Got it? I’m here for the team. Nothing else.”

Zeppelin snorted. “Want to repeat that last part? Your boyfriend missed your declaration.”

He turned and came face to face with the doctor.Oh God.Tanner’s blood chilled. He hadn’t said anything wrong, but maybe he could’ve chosen his words better. “Dane.”

Dane stared at him and said nothing.

“Dane.” Tanner tensed. He had no words.

Zeppelin grabbed the door to the corridor under the stadium. “We don’t accept gays here. Sponsor or not, you can leave and both go to hell.”

Dane sighed. “Why are you such an asshole?”

Tanner stared at Dane. He hadn’t expected Dane to be so confident, but he loved it.

“He’s talking to you, Fox,” Zeppelin growled.

“No,” Tanner said. “You can hate me all you want. Trust me, you’re not the first person to dislike me. You can criticize my playing ability and insult my person, but leave Dane alone.”

“Please.” Zeppelin groaned. “Just quit already.”

“No.” Tanner stood tall. “Keep sending the rotten letters. Let people throw shit. I’m in charge of me and I’m tired of being scared. I’m not leaving Cedarwood or Dane. Call him my sugar daddy or whatever. I don’t care. Without him, I wouldn’t have a place to live—it’s true. But I also respect and care for him more than you know. He’s not just a body and a home—he’smyhome. So fuck you and the coalition. I’m not going anywhere.” His head ached and he wanted to punch someone.

Andy, Paul, Dane and the rest of the team applauded. Tanner bit back the whimper. He hadn’t realized everyone was listening in, but how could they not?

Coach strolled down the steps from the dugout. “Zeppelin, hit the showers.”

“Coach,” Zeppelin protested. “Why?”

“You’re tired and the heat’s getting to you,” Coach said. “Go.”

“I’m fine.” Zeppelin didn’t move. “Really.”

Tanner folded his arms. He’d had more than enough. “Are you?”

“Yes.” Zeppelin’s glare intensified.

“We are a team. If you can’t accept the differences of each player and insist on running men off the roster, then I don’t have a place for you,” Coach said. “I’m here to win games and I need the right pieces to do that. You don’t seem to fit. If you can sort yourself out and get your head on straight, I might reconsider, but right now, no.”

Tanner breathed a sigh of relief. Coach had his back.

“Do you understand?” Coach asked. “Showers. Now.”

Zeppelin stormed toward the other end of the room. Coach signaled to the guards then turned to the rest of the team. “I don’t give a fuck about who you fuck. I want to win games. If you can’t accept one another, then tell me now. Otherwise, it’s time to warm up. Chillicothe looks tough this time around.”

The team surged onto the field. Coach stopped Tanner. “The man who threw the ball at you has been escorted off the property by the police.”

“It was a ball?” Tanner asked. “Not something else?”

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