Page 16 of Saved By the Pitcher

“I’m sorry. We can get together again soon.”

James felt some relief, hoping that Mike’s words were genuine. “I understand.”

“Do you play golf?” Mike asked.

James was puzzled. “That’s kind of random, isn’t it?”

Mike shrugged. “I was going to say that maybe we could play a game of golf someday.”

James nodded. “I do play golf. I’m pretty good, I guess. I’m only free on Mondays, though. It’s the day of the week Broadway goes dark. Starting tomorrow, I’m back at work for six days.”

“Okay. We’ll try for a Monday, then.”

James realized the change in their dynamic wasn’t his imagination. While it had seemed earlier that Mike couldn’t wait to be alone with James, he was now suggesting an unspecific Monday to venture back to a public place.

The car arrived at James’ apartment, and James feared it could be the last time he’d see Mike. “Um, do you think you could come up for a cup of coffee before you head to work?”

Mike shook his head. “I’m sorry. Maybe I can call you later?”

James nodded his assent. When Mike didn’t lean in for a kiss goodbye, James felt foolish continuing to sit in the car. “Okay. Talk to you later, then.”

James tried to act unbothered as he exited the car, not looking back as it drove away from the curb. He figured if he received a call later, his worries might be over nothing. If he didn’t receive a call, then James had to face the fact that Mike was making excuses to hide that something had changed between them.

James figured he would have a long wait by the phone, wondering if he’d done or said something to end Mike’s interest.

* * * *

Mike felt bad about the way he had parted with James. Throughout the ballgame, he had been anticipating an evening of making out at the very least, and he still wasn’t sure listening to Billy had been the right thing to do. James had looked disappointed when Mike had told him he had to leave, and he worried that heeding Billy’s advice might have had the opposite effect of what his brother had intended. Perhaps James would refuse a second date, figuring if he wasn’t going to be a higher priority than work, then Mike wasn’t worth wasting time over.

Mike reread the text from Billy and continued to find it odd. Mike didn’t want to think there were underhanded reasons for the message, but James’ comment about Billy wanting to masturbate with him weighed on him. He wondered if Billy could have wanted James to lose interest in Mike with the hopes that Mike would consider Billy’s offer. He also found that hard to believe, remembering how Billy and Nadia seemed like a great match and that Billy and James had a close relationship. Mike hoped his suspicions were unfounded, not only because he liked James and wanted a shot at seeing where things went with him, but also because it would devastate James if his brother betrayed him.

If, on the other hand, Billy had been right that James would end things after a sexual encounter, Mike wondered what that would mean for him and James. Billy had said to try to build an emotional bond with James first. Mike found, though, there were moments when James had been guarded and wasn’t easy to read. Mike questioned whether James would even admit it if he started to develop feelings for him because it seemed that James had a wall around him.

Mike realized that one way to get clarity would be another communication with James. Mike had suggested he might call that evening, and enough time had passed since they parted that Mike’s excuse of having needed to tend to business would still seem plausible. He could pretend he had just wrapped up the last bit of work.

He was about to dial James when another call came in instead. It was from Jessica. Mike’s instinct was to ignore it, but he knew from their history that she would be relentless. It was better to be done with whatever she was calling about.

“Jessica?” Mike answered after clicking the accept icon on his phone.

“What the fuck, Mike? You’re into guys? Is that why you broke up with me?” Jessica yelled.

“No. Jessica, I told you why…”

“Were you screwing around with men while we were dating? Did you give me an STD?” Jessica demanded.

“Jesus. Of course not. That’s closed-minded, isn’t it?” Mike shot back.

“You’re going to lecture me? Were you picturing some dude while you were with me? It makes me sick!”

“Jessica, calm down,” Mike managed. “I didn’t cheat on you, and I never pictured other people when I was with you. I am attracted to women too, and I’m a monogamous guy.”

“Yeah, right. I’ll bet you were picturing some sick sex act with that actor from the musical the whole time we were sitting there watching him perform. You went backstage to meet him, hoping you could screw him, didn’t you?” Jessica accused.

Mike felt queasy. He wondered how she knew that. “What are you talking about?”

“And here I was, sick as a dog, and you were back there doing what? Lining up a time to get nasty with him?” Jessica continued.

“I don’t know why you’re saying that,” Mike replied, trying to stay calm.