Page 5 of Scoring in Cedarwood

“I know.” Devlin gestured to the office building. “Come inside. We’ll talk.”

“Let me roll my window up and lock the car.” He accomplished both tasks then followed Devlin. He drank in the view inside the complex. He appreciated the electric atmosphere. The scent of cleanser curled around him. The floors glimmered beneath his feet. He could see himself playing here for more than one season. Was that bad?Maybe not.

“So.” Devlin ushered Tanner into an office. “I’ve heard the rumors. Are they true?”

“Depends on which ones.” Tanner folded his arms and widened his stance. He’d be honest, but he wasn’t going to volunteer every detail.

“You had a job while you played ball in Gary,” Devlin said.

“I did.” He sucked in a ragged breath then exhaled. “I had no choice. If I wanted to eat and sleep in a stable place, I had to pay for it. Maddow Davis at Ciro’s allowed me to wait tables three days a week and live above the restaurant.”

“Tanner.” Devlin groaned. He massaged his forehead.

“I’d been tossed out of my sponsor family’s home because they didn’t want a gay baseball player living with them. What was I supposed to do?” Tanner asked. “I had to survive. I wanted to keep playing with the team, but I needed a place to stay.”

“There’s not much you can do, but it still irks me.” Devlin shook his head. “I heard the rumors and now coming from you, the truth pisses me off, but it’s in the past.”

“I had to… Wait. You’re okay with it?” Tanner asked.

“Let me show you something.” Devlin gestured to a door at the side of the office.

“Are you going to throw me out?” He stuffed his hand into his pockets and followed Devlin. When he stepped through the doorway, his breath lodged in his throat. The ballfield. He marveled at the pristine turf, the bright colors and welcoming spirit in the stadium. “Damn. This is nice.”

“We have few complaints.” Devlin faced Tanner.

“I can see why.” He leaned against the retaining wall and the weight of the moment hit him hard. “When is practice?” He paused. “You’re letting me practice, right?”

“You start tomorrow, but after you meet your sponsor.” Devlin notched his chin in the air. “I don’t like what you had to do to keep playing ball. That’s not fair. You should’ve been able to focus on playing. How you conduct your personal life, as long as you’re not doing anything illegal, isn’t anyone’s business. I’m sorry you had to go through that, but I hope this experience with Dr. Bloom is better. We need you in the line-up.”

“I’m happy to be here and will do my best to live up to your expectations. I’ll do my best to stay in my sponsorship situation as well.” He’d thought he’d hate it here, but now that he’d stepped onto the property and seen the field, he wanted to stay in Cedarwood.

Chapter Two

Dane finished cleaning the spare bedroom and stepped back to inspect his work. Devlin had shown him one photograph, but the more they talked, the more Devlin swore Tanner was better looking in person. The man was handsome in the image…how could he be better in person? Dane shook his head. He had a feeling Devlin wanted to mess with him. Dane preferred order and to know what would happen next. Surprises chafed him and Devlin loved to keep him on his toes.

Dane straightened the comforter then scrubbed his forehead with the back of his hand. He’d been away from his office all day, but he had to be sure his player was someone he wanted in his home. What if Devlin had read the guy wrong and had hired a dangerous man? Probably not, but still.

According to the last email from Devlin, the ballplayer, Tanner Fox, had been given the keys and directions to Dane’s home. The very thought of allowing a stranger into his home bothered Dane. He checked the clock. Devlin had said Tanner would be there by nine. He had ten minutes or he’d be late.

Dane left the bedroom and headed to the kitchen. When he’d bought the house, he’d considered the ground-floor bedroom with exterior door a silly feature. He wasn’t planning on having guests over much and why did they need their own exterior exit? But he’d loved the layout of the home otherwise and kept the guest room door locked at all times.

The doorbell rang and Dane froze.Tanner?He checked his watch. If so, the man was punctual. Score one for the ballplayer.

Dane strode through the home to the foyer. The door opened. Shit. He’d forgotten about the agreement including Tanner having keys to his home.

“Hello.” Dane waited across the foyer for Tanner to enter. His heart beat faster and the temperature in the room had to have spiked. His throat ran dry. “Hi,” he managed.

“Hi.” Tanner offered his hand. “I’m Tanner Fox. I’m also known as Foxy. Per the directive from Mr. Chase, I’m yours for the season.”

Dane nodded. He wanted to speak, but his tongue felt sixteen sizes too big for his mouth. Plenty of handsome men had come and gone in his life. He’d had his share of relationships, but he’d never had anyone stay with him just to have a roof over their head and something to eat. He could’ve sworn the earth stopped moving when he met Tanner’s gaze. The man was gorgeous. Tall, slender, seemingly healthy and oh so off limits.

“Are you Dr. Bloom?” Tanner asked. “Are you his roommate?” He paused then waved his hand in front of Dane’s face. “Are you okay?”

Oh fuck. He’d been caught staring. “Sorry. I’m Dr. Dane Bloom. It’s nice to meet you.” Did he sound ridiculous?Probably.

“Right.” Tanner didn’t appear impressed. He dropped his duffel bag on the floor.

Dane wanted to kick himself. He was a respected member of both the medical community and the community in Cedarwood, and an adult. He could conduct himself in public with ease, but the moment a handsome man walked into his home, he’d forgotten himself. He needed to screw his head on straight, but the feat was so hard because of Tanner.

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