Chapter 5

Chapter Five

TRAVIS

T he crack of the bat against the softball was as satisfying as the grin on Parker's face when he sprinted to first base. "Not bad, Reyes," I hollered from the dugout, clapping my hands, unable to keep the pride from my voice.

"Like riding a bike," he shot back with a wink, dusting off his pants as he settled on the bag. The late afternoon sun cast an orange glow over the field, and I couldn't help but think how right this felt—Parker and me, just two guys enjoying the game and that special bond that comes from playing on the same team.

I chuckled, glancing out to the field where Pete Landowski and his merry band of electricians were setting up for the next play. The rivalry between our two teams had been going on for the last five years. It was friendly as far as getting along when we were off the field, but when it was game time, there was quite a bit of trash-talk, both sides dead set on claiming a victory.

Kara's husband, Troy, was the next one up to bat, and I could feel my anticipation beginning to build. Troy was one of our strongest players. If anyone could help get Parker around to home plate, then it was him. I held my breath, my fingers turning white as they gripped the chain link fence that protected the players within the dugout.

The pitcher lobbed a fastball that would have flown over top the base with most players, but Troy's stance was perfect, his focus zeroed in on the ball. He swung the bat, and I heard a loud crack! An audible gasp sounded from my teammates behind me as we watched the ball soar through the air, too high and too far for Pete's team to catch it.

A cheer went up as Parker took off, rounding the bases like a pro. I kept my eyes on him, unable to tear them away. He was incredible, his movements fluid, and in those few seconds, I could believe that if an injury hadn't sidelined his dreams, he would have made it into the Major League.

He stepped over home plate, followed a few seconds later by Troy. Kara ran out of the dugout and leapt into her husband's arms, her legs and arms wrapped tightly around him as she peppered his face with kisses. Parker's eyes scanned the dugout, searching, and my heart skipped a beat as they landed on me.

His smile was radiant, matching my own as he strode towards me. I tossed an arm around his shoulders and drew him in for a friendly hug. He smelled like sunshine, fresh air, and clean sweat, an intoxicating mixture that my body reacted to immediately. I quickly let go and took a step back, needing to get a fucking grip before I did something stupid—like lick the bead of sweat that was running down the column of his throat.

"Great work out there. I think we're finally going to beat those assholes," I said, my words coming out rougher, more forceful than I'd intended.

If Parker noticed, he didn't let on. He grinned instead. "That felt amazing. Thanks again for inviting me to be on the team. I didn't realize how much I'd missed the game until I got back out there."

"Well, you know what they say, you can take the player out of the game, but you can't take the game out of the player."

We laughed at the old saying, but the laughter died in my throat when I saw his smile falter as he pulled out his phone, his fingers hovering over the screen. "Everything okay?" I asked, stepping closer.

He let out a sigh, one that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "It's David. He's canceling on me again." He tried to mask the hurt in his voice with nonchalance, but I heard the underlying disappointment.

"Damn, man. That's rough." I ran a hand through my hair, feeling an unexpected protectiveness swell within me. "You've been having a lot of rain checks lately."

"Yeah." Parker pocketed his phone, his gaze fixed on the outfield. "You know, we moved here together because of his job at the hospital. I thought it would be a new chapter for us, but lately, it feels like—I don't know—Like I'm an afterthought instead of a priority."

"Sounds lonely," I said quietly, watching as he traced a line in the dirt with his shoe.

"Sometimes," he admitted, a vulnerability creeping into his voice that made my chest tighten. "I mean, I love him, but there's only so much understanding I can have before it starts to feel like I'm the only one trying."

I wanted to tell him he deserved better, that anyone would be lucky to have someone as genuine and caring as him, but those words felt too heavy, too loaded. Instead, I nudged his shoulder with mine. "For what it's worth, you're never just an afterthought around here. You're like the headline, Parker."

He offered a small grateful smile, and I felt something shift inside me—a dangerous, thrilling tilt in the balance of our friendship. But I shoved it down, keeping it light. "Come on, let's show them how it's done. Your turn to pitch, and I wanna see you strike out Pete."

"Challenge accepted," Parker said, the spark returning to his eyes as he walked toward the pitcher's mound. But even as we slipped back into our easy banter, I couldn't shake the sense that we were both standing on the edge of something neither of us were quite ready to admit to. Not yet, anyway.

The game wrapped up with our team claiming a narrow victory, and we all shared high-fives and Pete and I exchanged some playful jabs. I caught Parker looking at his phone again, his expression a mixture of disappointment and resignation that tugged at something deep in my chest.

"Hey," I said, pulling him out of his thoughts. "You got plans tonight?"

Parker pocketed his phone and shook his head, the corners of his lips turning down ever so slightly. "Not anymore."

I clapped a hand on his shoulder, feeling the solid muscle beneath his shirt. "Well, now you do. I'm having dinner with my friends and you're coming too," I said, making it more of a statement than a question.

"Are you sure?" Parker raised an eyebrow but there was a hopeful glint in his eyes.

"Absolutely. My friends would love to meet you. They're good people—you'll fit right in." I smiled, hoping to convey the sense of belonging I wanted him to feel.

"Thanks, Travis." His gratitude was sincere, and it made me feel like I'd done something important, even if it was just offering him a spot at our table.

I drove to each of our places so we could grab a quick shower and change clothes, the comfortable silence between us filling the space. "David's always been focused on his career," Parker began, breaking the quiet. "I knew what I signed up for, but sometimes—I don't know. I thought there'd be more ‘us' in the equation."

Listening to him, I fought the urge to say more than I should—to tell him that he was worth more than being someone's afterthought. But I held back, choosing instead to offer support in the way I knew best. "It takes a strong person to stand by someone with big ambitions. It says a lot about you, Parker."

"Or it says I'm a pushover," he replied with a self-deprecating chuckle, but the humor didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Definitely not a pushover," I countered firmly. "You're compassionate, man. There's a difference." He turned to look at me, and I felt the weight of his gaze, heavy with things left unsaid. We drove on, the city lights beginning to twinkle as evening closed in around us.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, looking down at his hands.

I glanced over at him, surprised. "What for?"

He let out a loud sigh as he tilted his head back on the headrest and stared up at the roof. "You hired me to help you out, but it seems like all you've done since I got here was take care of me; showing me around, letting me join the team, introducing me to your friends."

"Hey!" I reached over and put my hand on his arm. His skin felt warm, the muscles firm beneath my fingertips. Normally, I would have reveled in the fact that I was touching him, but this wasn't the time. Parker was hurting and I was determined to do whatever it took to bring a smile back to those full lips. "That's not true at all. You've been a great help. We've been able to accept so many new patients because you're there to help me carry the workload. As for the team, you're a big part of why we finally got a win over Pete's group today. As far as the rest goes…I didn't do any of it just to be nice or because I feel sorry for you. I did it because I like spending time with you. You're my friend and I take that shit seriously."

"Thank you. I like spending time with you too. You've made the adjustment to living in the city much easier. But enough about me," Parker said, shifting gears. "Tell me about these friends I'm about to meet."

My smile was instantaneous. "They're the best. I mean it. You won't ever find a better group of guys."

I could feel Parker's eyes on me, probably surprised by my impassioned words. Admittedly, there wasn't a lot in life that I took seriously, but my work and my family were two things I would always fight for.

"How did you meet?"

"Akio, Garrett, Jasper, and I all met during our freshman year of college. Despite our different backgrounds and interests, somehow, we all just clicked. We became best friends and from then on, we've been inseparable. Well, mostly."

"Why mostly?" Parker asked and I could hear genuine interest in his voice.

I shrugged. "Eh, you know, life happens. They've all met people and fallen in love. Garrett lives in L.A. most of the time and he travels a lot, but he still has a place here in Chicago and he comes to visit as often as he can. The rest of us still get together every week for dinner. It helps us keep up with what's going on in each other's lives."

My eyes flicked over to Parker, and I saw him smiling. "You guys sound close."

"We are. These guys are my family, and that includes the men they love. They're all like brothers to me. I'd do anything for them, and I know they feel the same about me."

"Well, in that case, I definitely feel honored to get to meet them," he said sincerely.

"You should. I don't bring just anyone to our dinners." I said it in a teasing manner, but it was the truth. I never brought anyone to meet my friends. The fact that I was bringing Parker was no doubt going to have the guys asking questions. Questions I didn't have an answer to.

"Good to know I'm not just anyone," he said, and I could hear the undercurrent of something more in his words—a burgeoning bond that was growing stronger with every shared confession and laugh.

I bit my tongue before I could say the words that threatened to spill from my lips. Words like, "Yeah, Parker, you're definitely not just anyone."

Stepping into the pub with Parker by my side, I was acutely aware of every movement he made. The way his hair caught the soft glow of the overhead lights, how his eyes seemed to hold secrets and stories that I was only just beginning to hear. It was a dangerous slope, being this close to someone who stirred something in me that I couldn't—shouldn't—entertain.

"Travis, you okay?" His voice cut through my thoughts, laced with genuine concern.

"Absolutely," I lied smoothly, flashing him a grin that felt like it belonged to someone else. I knew I was crossing lines in my head that friends didn't cross. I wanted things with Parker that I had no right to want. But there I was, watching him light up the room with his mere presence, feeling a sense of pride that I was about to introduce him to my inner circle.

"Let's grab our drinks," I suggested, leading the way to the bar. He followed, and as we maneuvered through the crowd, I felt the warmth of his body close to mine—a proximity that sent a thrill down my spine.

Handing him a beer, our fingers brushed, and it was like a damn live wire zapped between us. I jerked back slightly, my heart thumping erratically against my ribs. His eyes met mine, wide with that same shock. For a long moment, neither of us moved, the air charged with something unspoken.

"Thanks," he said eventually, his voice steady but his hand trembling ever so slightly as he took the bottle from me.

"Anytime," I mumbled, watching him take a sip of his drink. What the hell is happening to me? This wasn't the Travis Brooks playbook; this was uncharted territory.

The familiar clatter of dishes and laughter surrounded us as we settled into the large rounded booth at O'Malley's, the pub where my friends and I had made countless memories. The wooden table was worn from years of rowdy dinners and spilled pints, but it felt like home.

"Uh…Hey, Trav!" Jasper was sitting in the curve of the booth, nestled into Maks's side. His voice did nothing to hide his curiosity.

"Hi, guys! This is my friend, Parker Reyes," I said then gestured toward the two men whose eyes were currently darting back and forth between me and Parker like they were watching a tennis match. "Parker, this is Jasper and his boyfriend, Maks. And these two?—"

"Hi! I'm Akio and this is my husband, Morgan," Akio said warmly from across the table before I could finish. Parker took turns shaking each of their hands.

"Parker Reyes. Oh! You're the new PT Travis told us about," Jasper exclaimed as he made the connection.

"Whatever he told you, it's all lies," Parker joked.

"Oh, so you're not great with all the patients?" Maks quipped.

"And you aren't God's gift to softball?" Morgan teased.

My face flushed hot as Parker turned his head in my direction, a playful smirk on his face. "Is that so? Well, in that case, it's all true. Every word."

I nudged his shoulder with my own. "Don't let it go to your head, Reyes," I joked to cover my embarrassment.

"I wouldn't dream of it. One of us needs to stay humble," he teased back.

I smiled at him, but my smile wavered as I turned and saw my friends staring at us, curiosity and shock etched on their faces. I knew they were wondering what exactly was going on between the two of us. Well, get in line buddies, I'd like the answer to that too.

As the night unfolded, the conversation flowed easily. We talked shop, shared stories, and laughed until our sides ached. Parker fit right in, his laughter mingling with ours—a sound I realized I could get used to hearing.

"Another round?" the server asked, approaching our table with a familiarity that came from serving us week after week. This time, though, his focus lingered on me, a playful glint in his eye.

"Sure thing, Matt," I said, returning his smile with politeness rather than invitation.

"Maybe after my shift, you could join me for a drink?" he suggested, leaning in a touch too close to be considered casual.

"Thanks, but I'm good tonight," I replied, feeling the weight of several surprised gazes upon me.

"Suit yourself," he said with a shrug, leaving to fulfill our order. "Whoa, did the Earth stop spinning or did Travis Brooks just turn down a sure thing?" Morgan teased, his voice filled with mock astonishment.

"Ha-ha, very funny," I retorted, rolling my eyes but unable to shake off the embarrassment heating my cheeks. Normally, I'd revel in the attention, maybe even share the encounter later as a boastful tale. But now, with Parker sitting beside me, it all felt wrong.

"Everyone has their off nights," I tried to joke, hoping to deflect their scrutiny.

"Travis having an ‘off night' with flirting is like Chicago having a mild winter," Akio added, chuckling along with the others.

"Guess there's a first time for everything," I muttered, forcing a laugh while stealing a glance at Parker. His expression was unreadable, but I hoped he didn't see me as just a player.

The server returned with our drinks, his demeanor still friendly but missing the earlier flirtation. I took a sip of my beer, the bitter hops grounding me as I silently vowed to be better. Not for my friends, not for my reputation, but for Parker—because somehow, his opinion had started to matter more than I ever expected it would.

We placed our orders and then Parker turned his attention to the other men at the table. "So, what kind of work do you guys do?" he asked. It made me happy to see him showing interest in my friends.

"I work as an office manager for an entertainment management firm," Akio told him.

Parker's eyes lit up. "That sounds exciting! Have you gotten to meet a lot of famous people?"

Akio smiled. "I have. Some of them are great and some are just divas, but my work is never dull. In fact, my job is what led me to this handsome guy." He stared up lovingly at his husband. "Morgan was hired by my boss and his brothers to rebuild Agape House."

At Parker's blank stare, I explained. "Agape House is a non-profit place where LGBTQ+ kids can go to hang out with other kids like them. They even offer a place for them to stay if they get kicked out of their homes."

"That's amazing! And that's right here in Chicago?" When I nodded, he said, "I'd love to see it sometime."

"I'll take you," I promised.

The conversation halted when the server arrived with our food, but as soon as he was done passing it out, it picked back up. "Anyway, Morgan was in charge of the project, and I was sent in to make sure everything went smoothly," Akio said.

"Only he was more interested in the project builder than the project itself," Jasper teased.

Akio blushed profusely but couldn't deny the truth. Morgan leaned in and kissed his husband's cheek. "The feeling was mutual."

I heard Parker sigh as he watched the two and I wondered if he was comparing his relationship with David to these two. I jumped in before he could get too down again. "Morgan doesn't just do construction. He also is a master woodsmith. He makes beautiful furniture that people from all over the world love to buy from him.

It was Morgan's turn to blush as Parker turned an appreciative eye on him. "I'd love to see some of your pieces someday," he said eagerly.

"We'll have to get Travis to bring you out to our house sometime," Akio supplied kindly.

"I'd enjoy that. Thank you." Parker then turned his attention to Jasper and Maks. "And what about you two? What do you do?"

Maks had just taken a bite of food, so Jasper answered for them. "I own a tattoo shop and Maks works for a security firm."

I rolled my eyes. "He's being humble. Jasper does more than tattoos. He's also an incredibly talented artist who works with many different mediums. And Maks is former military who now uses the skills he learned to protect people, including a lot of famous people and political figures."

"That's impressive, both of you." Parker looked at me with a gleam in his eye. "I had no idea you kept such esteemed company," he teased.

"Oh, I am top shelf, and don't you forget it," I joked, making everyone laugh.

"If only your game was as top shelf as the rest of you," he quipped, arching an eyebrow at me in challenge.

Leaning back in my seat, I smirked. "You know, if physical therapy doesn't work out for you, there's a future in comedy with that swing of yours."

He snorted, shaking his head. "Says the guy who almost took out a bird with his last pitch."

"Hey, that bird had it coming," I retorted, winking at him. The table erupted in laughter, and I reveled in the sound of Parker's chuckles mingling with the rest.

"Travis, man, you're on fire tonight," Akio observed, nudging Jasper under the table. They shared a look that I couldn't quite decipher.

"Can't help it. Parker brings out my A-game," I said, shrugging nonchalantly.

"Or maybe he just brings out the real you," Jasper murmured, so soft I almost didn't catch it over the din of the pub.

The server returned with our bills, signaling the end of our evening. We finished paying and then we all headed outside. "We enjoyed meeting you, Parker," Akio said, his eyes darting over to me. "Travis will have to bring you again sometime."

"Anytime," I replied, feeling a heat rise in my chest over the fact that my friends had clearly accepted Parker. Even better, they seemed to truly like him.

As we continued toward our cars, Jasper tugged at my sleeve and steered me a few steps behind the others. "Okay, spill. What's the deal with you and Parker?"

"Deal? There's no deal," I insisted, but the intensity of Jasper's gaze made me wonder if I was trying to convince him or myself.

"Come on, T. I've known you for years, and I've never seen you like this with anyone. You're different with him." Jasper crossed his arms, the streetlights casting shadows across his face. "There's definitely chemistry there, and I don't think it's one-sided."

"Jasper." I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "He's got a boyfriend. And we're just friends."

"Uh-huh." Jasper didn't look convinced. "Just remember, people who are ‘just friends' don't look at each other the way you two do."

"Look, it's complicated, okay?" I muttered, frustration knotting in my stomach.

"Everything worth having is a little complicated, right?" Jasper clapped me on the shoulder before heading towards Maks, who waited with an understanding smile.

I watched them go, their easy affection a stark contrast to the mix of emotions inside me. Turning back to Parker, I saw him laughing at something Akio said, and my heart did a damn somersault.

"Travis, coming?" Parker called out, beckoning me over with a grin.

"Yeah," I murmured, my heart doing crazy things as I walked toward him.

We left Akio and Morgan at their car then moved on to mine. A comfortable silence settled over us on the drive home, each of us lost in our thoughts. My mind kept replaying Jasper's words. You're different with him. Was it that obvious? The way my heart raced when Parker laughed, how I hung on to every word he said?

"Thanks for tonight, Travis." Parker's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "I needed this."

"You're welcome," I replied, trying to keep the emotion from my voice. "That's what friends are for, right?"

"Right." He nodded, but there was a hesitation in his voice that made me wonder if he felt it too—that spark, that pull.

We reached his apartment building, and he turned to face me, his expression unreadable in the dim light. "Goodnight, Travis."

"Goodnight, Parker."

He disappeared inside, but I continued sitting there, staring out the window but not really seeing anything. Jasper's words echoed in my head, mixing with the feelings I couldn't deny any longer. The truth hit me like a fastball to the gut—I was falling for Parker Reyes. But he was taken, off-limits. And I was supposed to be the carefree playboy who didn't do complicated.

What the hell was I supposed to do now?