Page 30 of Coming to Grips
“Yeah, okay.” Kyle’s grin is so worth it.
The dance floor is crowded, but not overly so. Kyle raises his arms, and his hips swing back and forth in time with the deep bass. Chase moves too. Not as fluid as Kyle, probably, but whatever. Glancing around, Chase notes several other same-gender couples and the tightness in his shoulders eases. His relief is short-lived when Kyle gyrates into his personal space.
Legs slotted together, Kyle’s forearms rest on Chase’s shoulders, and their foreheads touch. Chase settles his working hand on Kyle’s hip and they sway together. Sparks zing from where their thighs brush together. Kyle’s leg doesn’t touch Chase’s junk and Chase’s doesn’t touch Kyle’s, but it’s a near thing.
Want curls low in Chase’s gut, and it’s different from what he’s felt before, during their showers or when Kyle touches him.Three times, but who’s counting?That had been more abstract, more detached. That had taken place in the vacuum of the shower, and they hadn’t been face to face.
It’s become more personal, more real. This is them, on a date. In public. It’s a high to show his affection for Kyle and for Kyle to show his in return in front of other people. Chase’s skin tingles and his breathing shallows and hewants. Canting his head, he tilts his chin forward and presses his lips against Kyle’s. Kyle gasps, in surprise no doubt, before cupping Chase’s head and pressing harder, although he doesn’t deepen the kiss. Chase is a little disappointed, but theyareon the dance floor, and it’s fine. Kyle smiles against Chase’s lips and Chase can’t help smiling in return.
“That was nice.” Kyle scrapes his fingers along Chase’s scalp and Chase’s dick gets interested.
The song comes to a close and they return to the Armadillos.
“So, you two are together then?” asks Dakota, eyeballing them.
And shit. Chase freezes. It’s dark enough that Chase can’t read the look in Dakota’s shadowed eyes. Athletes are notoriously homophobic. Just because dudes are dancing on the darkened dance floor surrounded by other dancing people doesn’t mean this group of ball players is going to accept a pair of dating men into their inner circle.
“Just, but yeah,” Kyle says, squeezing Chase’s hand.
“Cool. Congrats, I guess. Is that what people say?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Kyle shrugs.
Chase exhales in relief once again. This being out shit isn’t for the faint of heart. And then it hits him. It’s going to be a whole ‘nother ballgame when they get back home. Going on a date among people who have no idea who he is or that he’s dated women his whole life until now is one thing. Being a couple in front of people who know his history is going to invite a lot of looks, as well as questions he’s got no answers for. He’s not sure he’s ready for that.
“All right, kids, next round’s on me,” says Dakota loud enough to be heard by his teammates over thethumpa thumpa. “Kyle, come help me.”
Kyle smacks a kiss to Chase’s temple. “Be right back.”
“’Kay.”
Chase glances around at this motley group of men, of teammates, laughing and joking, to find a guy holding out a beer. “Thanks.”
“Connor Kulyk, short stop. Are you Chase or Kyle?”
Connor is Chase’s height, but much slimmer than him and skinnier than pretty much all of his teammates. His eyes are light-colored, but it’s hard to tell much more than that in this place.
“Chase Lewis. Nice to meet you. Great play there in the third.” Connor’d caught a line drive that should have made it to center field.
The groups of players reassemble themselves as a few more players hit the dance floor.
He grins big. “Thanks, man. My hand was stinging, even through the leather.” He takes a sip of his beer. “So you’re from Ten Rigs, huh?”
“Mm hmm.” Chase nods, tipping his glass to his lips.
“Do you know Marva Maple?”
Chase grins. “Who doesn’t know Marva, but yeah, she’s my great-aunt. You know Marva?”
Connor nods, smiling back. “I met her this past February, on a cruise.”
“Oh, yeah—she mentioned meeting a ball player. That was you then?”
Connor’s head dips forward. “That was me. She, uh,” he glances around, “she really helped me.”
Based on Connor’s sudden behavior and vague reference, Chase can guess what sort of help. “That’s great. I’m glad. She’s helped me too over the years.”
“My sister didn’t know about me.” Connor’s eyes dart back and forth. He takes a drink. “Marva encouraged me to tell her. And it was the best thing I ever did. I met my boyfriend on that cruise and he’s not in the closet.”
