Page 24 of Saved By the Pitcher

James shook his head again. “No. The show is so rigorous, it’s just a good idea to keep my body limber so I don’t get hurt.”

“Well, you having a limber body just adds to your appeal. I’m not sure I like picturing someone else rubbing you down every day, though.” Mike frowned.

James sighed. “Mike, it’s a professional physical therapist. She’s massaging my muscles, not giving me a blow job.”

“Bet she wants to.” Mike pouted. “Don’t make me brand you so she knows you’re off limits.”

James raised an eyebrow. “Okay, that’s wrong on so many levels. Nobody brands me, I say when I’m off limits and I’ll remind you that I don’t do relationships.”

Mike swallowed hard. “James, I was playing. Your father may be a controlling jerk, but I’m not. And I won’t push you on the relationship stuff.”

James looked skeptical. “Are you sure you can refrain from trying to control me? Yesterday you said you have connections—people who’d help me get a gig singing the national anthem at Yankee Stadium.” Mike remembered the displeasure James seemed to have when Mike made the offer. “That’s something my father would do if he wanted to encourage my singing career. I don’t want your help, at least not like that. I’ve worked for everything I have, and I don’t need someone pulling strings trying to control me or my career.”

Mike nodded. “I understand. Thank you for telling me, James. I wish you had said something yesterday. I respect how you’ve carved out your own life, even in your father’s shadow. I don’t want to be someone else who is trying to bend you to their will.”

That seemed to cut the edge from James’ expression. “Thanks.”

Mike felt a bit shamed, but also relieved that he was beginning to understand what was behind some of James’ troubled expressions. “Hey, go shower and get into bed. I don’t want to be the reason you’re off your game tomorrow. Maybe I could see you Thursday?”

“What time?” James inquired. “I need to go in for rehearsals by early afternoon.”

“Perhaps I can bring breakfast over? I’ll wear a nondescript hat and clothes and sneak in. Nobody will know it’s me.”

James laughed. “Just know, we’re not having sex Thursday morning. I’ll need energy for the show, which is already tough on Thursdays because of the two shows each Wednesday.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior,” Mike promised.

James gave Mike a side-eye again. “Well, I’m not saying you have to go that far. I think you owe me a kiss that you withheld when we parted yesterday. I don’t care what Billy texted. A kiss is just a kiss. That was cold of you, man.”

Mike’s expression dipped. “I didn’t mean to be. It took everything in me not to kiss you.”

“So why didn’t you? Was the limo driver a homophobe?”

Mike shook his head. “Carl? Nah, he’s cool. He congratulated me on my announcement. I didn’t kiss you because I knew if I did, there was no way I’d be able to resist going inside with you and doing what Billy warned me against.”

James nodded. “Okay. I would have had a difficult time refusing, too. Listen, if I have time tomorrow, I’ll text you. It will be hard since I’ll be on the stage most of the day.”

“I understand. Hey, speaking of you being on stage, I’d like to see the show again. Next time, I want you to do your sexy parts knowing I’m watching you.”

James moaned. “Christ. I don’t think that’s a good idea. Do you want me parading a boner on stage?”

Mike chuckled. “Oh, yes. I want that very much.”

James shook his head with a grin. “You’re a voyeuristic perv. Do you realize that? I’m seeing a pattern. I can get you a ticket for the Sunday show. There’s only a matinee. Then I’m off until Tuesday.”

Mike was excited at the prospect of that much time with James. “I like the way your head is thinking. I can accompany you home after the show is done?”

James nodded. “Sure. Now, let me go to bed. And you can go shower and think about what you’ll surprise me with for breakfast on Thursday morning.”

Mike’s face fell. “Now you just put pressure on me. I don’t know what you like.”

“You’ve implied you know everything you need to know about me.” James grinned. “I’m sure you’ll come through.”

“But…”

James smiled. “Goodnight, Mike.”

Mike snickered to himself after James disconnected from their chat. James wasn’t going to be a fawning groupie like so many others had been. Mike had a secret weapon, though—he had Billy’s phone number from the text the man had sent. He would check with Billy about James’ likes and dislikes, then surprise him on Thursday with his favorite breakfast food.