Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

knew Bobby and I didn't really hang out much, and I thought he felt sorry for me. Being an only child he didn't realize that most siblings— especially at our ages— tended to hate each other. Later I found out he'd always wanted a brother and missed having that relationship with a younger brother. So he actually really wanted to do things with me. We'd play video games or watch baseball. Chase and I loved baseball with a passion and Bobby wasn't that big of a fan. So he and I would always watch games on TV or go to real games together— our hometown, Fresno, had their own Triple A team, the Grizzlies.
    But that summer I just wanted to hang out from afar... which I guess didn't really make sense. I was just too freaked out of my secret being discovered any time I was around him. So, the first couple of times Chase invited me to a ball game I turned him down and made excuses. Each time he'd look at me funny, like he was trying to figure out what was going on with me. Then he'd sigh and his mouth would turn down and I'd feel like a heel.
    I figured he'd eventually give up. But about a month in to summer, he scared the crap out of me when he burst into my bedroom one Saturday morning.
    "Yo, Little A. Come on, get that butt out of bed." There was a strong tug on the bed sheets and I jerked awake just in time to grab the moving fabric before he completely uncovered my morning wood.
    "I got tickets to the big game, the Grizzlies and the Redbirds. Big Jake's playing and I'm not taking no for an answer. In fact, I don't want to hear anything out of your mouth— we're going. It's a beautiful summer day, too nice to stay cooped up in this room. So get your butt in the shower and get dressed. You've got fifteen minutes."
    And then he stomped out and down the stairs. I was still a little groggy and dazed from sleep, but I was awake enough to know there was no way I was getting out of this one. I'd never heard that tone in his voice before— he meant business. And I had to admit I really wanted to go to the game. I couldn't believe he'd gotten tickets. Big Jake played for the St. Louis Cardinals; he was one of the best players in the major league this year. But he was rehabbing a minor shoulder injury so he had been sent down to the Cardinals' minor league team, the Redbirds, for a few games. All the games he was playing in were sold out because everyone wanted the chance to see Big Jake play.
    So, thirteen minutes later— in my tightest boxer briefs to help contain my dick, and loose basketball shorts to give me room in case I couldn't contain my dick— I was downstairs and ready for my day with Chase. God help me.
    When I rounded the corner I saw him leaning over the counter and chatting with my mom in the kitchen. He stopped mid-sentence to look over to me, his eyes locked right on mine. His mouth quirked up into this big smile. I hadn't been graced with one of those from him in a while and I felt my stomach flip-flop. Not with lust this time though. This time it was guilt, for ignoring him like I had. It wasn't his fault I was this way; it wasn't his fault that I was crushing on him. He looked so genuinely happy just to go to a baseball game with me.
    And to be honest I had missed hanging out with him. I was still uncomfortable around him though. Being trapped in the car with him was both amazing and torture all at the same time. He talked as he drove us to the ball field, and I tried to listen, I really did, but all I could focus on was his tan, muscled arm that rested casually on the gearshift just inches from my own pale, scrawny arm.
    "Little A!"
    My head jerked up to attention. Chase had pulled his eyes away from the road for a second and was looking at me. One eyebrow was raised in a questioning look, but shit, I hadn't heard a word he said.
    "Where were you dude? You were zoned out there." I didn't have words, so I just smiled shakily and shrugged my shoulders, hoping that would appease him. I really hoped he hadn't noticed me staring at his arm. He just shook his head exasperatedly and started talking again about the game today and the players.
    I forced myself to get a grip after that and tried to ignore his physical self and focus on conversation with him. My intense concentration finally paid off as we fell back into our usual brotherly rapport and my dick only noticed how hot he was half the time we were talking. I considered it a huge victory.
    Things were going well as we walked to the field from our