24. Alan

Chapter twenty-four

Alan

Turns out nobody was surprised to learn that what Ryan and I were projecting on the field in our performances was real. The photo the guy in the parking lot took got him a few hits online but fizzled out quickly when it was replaced by an onfield kiss I planted on Ryan at the end of the game after our win.

KELLY: Did you see him cheering?

Kelly texts me as I wait for Ryan out in the corridor after the game. He sat with Kelly and Gramps for the game against the OG’s but at the end, he was still expected to participate in the meet and greets and games and fun with the rest of the Funky Monkeys.

ALAN: Ryan?

KELLY: No! Gramps, you idiot.

No way she means it. Sure, he was determined at the hospital to come, but that could have just been him wanting to get out of there, or the whole close-call brush with death thing. No way was my grandfather cheering at a Banana Ball game.

ALAN: Are you sure you didn’t hit your head earlier? You can’t be serious.

KELLY: OMG I am completely serious. He nearly knocked Precious out of the bag when you hit that last ball deep into left field he was up on his feet so fast. Never knew the old guy could move that quickly.

I stare at the message. Could he really have enjoyed himself that much?

ALAN: TBH I still can’t believe we got him here. Does he still think it isn’t real baseball?

KELLY: Do you want me to actually ask him that?

I think about it for a moment. Do I need him to see this as real baseball? It’s Banana Ball. That is the game I play. It isn’t the same as regular baseball and that is part of what I love about it. Why am I angry at him for not seeing it for something that it isn’t? Fuck. Ryan was right. It’s me who has the issue. I’m the one trying to force him to see it for something that it isn’t like there is something wrong with it, something less.

ALAN: No. Actually, I don’t. Was he really cheering?

KELLY: I got a video. I’ll show you later.

“What’s that smile for?” Ryan asks, coming out to meet me.

“Gramps was cheering apparently,” I reply, and his eyes light up.

“Yeah, he was. It was so cute. He nearly dropped Precious. I caught her, though. She stayed on my lap for the rest of the game. Until I joined you on the field, that is.”

“He really had fun?”

“Yeah, he did. See, I told you he probably regretted saying no those times and was just waiting for you to ask, and when you didn’t, he probably thought you didn’t care if he watched or not. But I swear that window, he was watching.”

“I just can’t believe it.”

He presses his hands against my chest and leans up and kisses me.

“Believe it, babe. He’s proud of you. You should be, too.”

“Babe?” I ask, and he shrugs and kisses me again.

“I was just trying it on. Not a fan? How about darlin’?”

“I swear anything you call me in that accent of yours is amazing.”

“What about…mine.”

“Especially that.”

“Good, because now that we are officially out, cheers to that kiss you planted on me on the field, I want the world to know that you are mine, and I am yours.”

“Me, too.”

***

“How is your grandfather?” Bart Erricson, the General Manager for Banana Ball, asks, sitting across from me at his large desk shaped like a banana. It’s only the second time I’ve been in his office since joining, the first time was when he offered me the contract. Is this when he takes it away? The rumors of them only taking one team through to next year have been growing all season, and on top of that, the last time players got involved, it ended badly. He can’t be too excited about my and Ryan’s relationship going public last week, especially when they all had no idea it was going on.

“Better. Between my sister and I, we make sure he’s taking his medication every day. In truth, the threat of never eating Ryan’s cooking again was probably going to be enough to ensure he never skips a dose.”

“Yes, well, that is why I’ve asked you here.”

Here we go.

“As you know, we have had some…instances in the past that have not worked out favorably.”

This is what I was worried about. They want us to stop seeing each other. To avoid a messy breakup. But he doesn’t know that we will break up. I can’t imagine my life without Ryan in it, so if it’s a choice between Ryan and the game, Ryan wins. I can go back to the ranch and work it with my brothers. Ryan can stay in the league, and we can be happy. We are happy.

“That said, there are no conflicts here that the league needs to manage. I did feel like we should chat to allow you to speak freely about any concerns you might have. To let me know of any situations that may have arisen since your relationship has gone public.”

“Wait, so you don’t want us to stop seeing each other or sign a relationship form or something?”

He frowns and shakes his head. “No, we don’t think that will be necessary.”

“Oh, okay then, umm, no, I don’t have any concerns. No one has been a dick about it or anything. There are the usual homophobic comments that pop up now and again online, but the tech team is quick to delete them. Our teams are all great guys, so they’ve been good. I mean, Dennis is claiming he’s cupid now, so expect a few promos with one of the guys dressed as a giant baby with a crossbow, but other than that, I think we’re good.”

His lips pick up at the corner at the mention of Dennis, like he’s trying to suppress a smile.

“I guess I should pencil in a chat with him about not trying to set up any of the other players to extend his winning streak, then.”

“Might not be a bad idea,” I laugh, and he relaxes back in his chair a little.

“I wasn’t sure we needed another lead choreographer, but what he’s done with your teams and even for the league has been…impressive.”

“All the guys love him,” I say, and his brows pick up a little.

“Anyone in particular?”

“Not like that,” I go on to say. “He’s the utmost professional when it comes to us guys. He’s never… He wouldn’t…” Shit. I don’t want him to think that Dennis is hitting on the guys. He isn’t.

Bart folds his arms over his chest and smiles at me while I try to collect my thoughts to continue.

“He wouldn’t do anything unprofessional. I guess that’s what I am trying to say.”

“Thank you for clarifying. That’s good to know. While relationships between colleagues can happen, we do want to avoid any…situations where there could be a perceived conflict.”

“No, I get it, like if it was Dennis and you, ‘cause you know, you’re his boss.”

The second the words are out of my mouth, my face is on fire and I want to crawl into a hole. “I didn’t mean—”

“Dennis is under contract. I don’t think that particular situation could be perceived as having any kind of conflict. Regardless, with you and Mr. Tanner, there could have been some perception of taking it easy on one another out there. But I’ve seen that in every game for weeks, you both go out to win and never let your relationship affect your job.”

“Exactly. And I didn’t mean, like if you and Dennis—” Oh my god, just shut up.

“I think we’ve covered everything we need to,” he says, moving a few papers around on his desk. “Again, thank you for coming in. If there is anything you need from us, just reach out.”

I feel like this meeting took me in a whole other direction than I expected. I thought for sure I was coming in to be given the rules of having a relationship with another player, the do’s and don’ts, but somehow, I made it even more awkward by suggesting Bart and Dennis would…could… Well, he didn’t seem disturbed by the suggestion. Now that I think about it, he almost seemed more annoyed that I suggested there could be a conflict if they were to date.

“Thanks, Mr. Erricson,” I say, standing and reaching across the desk to shake his hand. I’m about to turn on my heel and leave, but I stop myself. “Actually, there was one thing I was hoping you could clear up for me,” I say, and he looks up from the papers Infront of him to meet my eye.

“Yes?”

“Well, we’ve been hearing these rumors all season about the teams, and well…”

He’s shaking his head as his lips pick up on one side in a devilish smirk.

“Rest assured, both teams are staying in the league next year.”

“So, you knew about the rumor?”

“Of course.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything? The guys have all been worried about it almost all year.”

“I honestly didn’t think you all put so much stock in rumors. Especially one so ridiculous as that.”

“How do you mean?”

“We might appear to be all about the fun, but we are a business, too. Do you honestly think we would spend all that money and effort and time building both the Funky Monkeys and Animal Control into the league only to send one right out again?”

“I guess I never thought about it that way.”

“Well, feel free to spread the word, Mr. Beaker.”

“Thanks, Mr. Erricson, I will.”

I walk out and find Ryan sitting in the waiting room, his hands nervously clasped together in front of him.

“Was it bad?” he asks.

“Nope, they don’t care. We’re good. He just wants to make sure no one is being dicks about it.”

“Wow? I thought for sure they would have like a bunch of rules and stuff we have to agree to now that we’re together.”

“Nope, I guess they see what I see.”

“And that is?” he asks, standing and coming to wrap his hands around my waist. Even through the thick fabric of my shirt, the warmth of his touch spreads through to my core.

“That we’re perfect for each other.”

He kisses me softly and quickly.

“Oh, and guess what?” he asks, bouncing on his toes.

“What?”

“The rumor is just a rumor. He’s keeping both sides next year.”

“Oh my God, that’s amazing,” he replies, wrapping his arms around me and squeezing me tight. “I was dreading going back to marketing other people’s dreams.”

“You were never in danger. You’ve got the fastest arm in the league. I was ready for whatever happened with me,” I reassure him.

“You were?”

“Yep. I figured if they booted me out, I’d go work the ranch with my brothers. That is when I wasn’t at every one of your games, cheering you on against the OG’s.”

“You would still come see me play?”

“I’ll always be there to support you. Shit, I struggle now not cheering when you strike one of us out.”

He smiles and pulls me close, kissing me again, deeper this time, his fingers lacing through the hair at the back of my neck.

The receptionist clears her throat. “Mr. Erricson will see you now, Mr. Tanner,” she says, and Ryan releases me and heads inside.

When I get down to the field, the teams are all out of the grass, holding hands in a giant heart shape. Yep, Dennis is going to milk this Cupid shtick for as long as he can.

“Where’s Ryan?” Dennis asks as I jog onto the field.

“Still with the GM. He’ll be done soon.”

“Not giving you too much grief over your performance last night?”

“No, he was pretty cool about it. I mean, it’s not like we are on the same team. We always play to win, and we aren’t each other’s bosses either, so no conflict.”

“Right, well until he gets here, into the middle with Tim, you go. Dave, you join the rest of the heart.”

Dave jogs over to find a spot with the others.

“What are we doing exactly?”

“It’s your final love song. We’ve played out the star-crossed lovers bit as far as it will go. Last night you threw a Hail Mary with that kiss at the end of the game, so we’ll finish up with Somebody To Love . You know it?”

“Of course.”

“Great, ‘cause you’ll be starting us off. Ryan will begin in the stands. Tim, on you go, you’re our placeholder. Everyone else fan out to starting places.”

I stay where I am as the players around me move out to stand like a choir behind me. Dennis presses play on his speaker and the music starts. It’s not the original, it sounds like the song from that movie a few years ago. I glance behind me and see the guys all moving in time side to side, and they all raise their right arm and bring it forward and down slowly as they sing love.

“Okay, Alan, follow me if you can,” Dennis says, and he starts the choreography. It’s basic, at least compared to what we’ve done in the past. A side step, a twist, and dip and single arm work to keep the mic in my other hand at my mouth for the signing. We get further into the song and the team starts moving around me into the heart shape they were in when I arrived, holding hands and moving in and out like a pulsing heart. It would have to look amazing from up in the stands. Tim is just sitting on one of the chairs up there. This is a one-sided song. I don’t know how Dennis plans to make this a duet.

Then, as the song wraps up and I sing the last line, the team all turn and point towards where Tim was waiting, only Tim isn’t there now. Ryan is, and the music shifts into something tropical. When he brings the mic up to his mouth and starts to sing, really sing, the first line I know right away. I’m Yours by Jason Mraz.

I glance around at the guys as they all smile and nod. Harrison raises his brows with the cheekiest grin on his face. Did those fuckers plan this?

“Do I just stand here?” I ask Dennis, and he nods.

“If you know what’s good for you, you will.”

Ryan’s singing voice is amazing. If he wasn’t an incredible pitcher, he could be a professional singer, and the way his smile flows through the words as he walks down the stairs towards the field, towards me, has my heart beating a mile a minute.

The guys start clicking in time with music and move out, creating an opening for Ryan to walk through and he stops right at my feet before the last line, singing, “ I’m yours” , then adding in, “Will you be mine?”

“Always.”