XXX CHAPTER 26 XXX

Emmett sailed through his workout, no longer weighed down by the heavy burden of his secret. He'd confided in Edward, who hadn't disappointed him—not with his kisses and certainly not with his understanding and acceptance of the situation. The only thing that truly sucked was their timing. How Emmett was going to wait another week to see him again was beyond comprehension. He smiled to himself, remembering Edward's "helpful" suggestions of how he could travel with the team.

"I'm practically an assistant coach. Trey will vouch for me."

"I'm sure he would, but we'd have to leave someone else behind."

"In that case, you could stow me in your equipment bag. I promise I'll be quiet while they load me in the cargo hold."

"Oh, no you don't!" Emmett chuckled. "You just want an excuse to roll around with my jerseys!"

"You're jealous of your uniform now?"

Emmett cupped Edward's chin and gave him a long, hard stare. "I am not above jealousy where you're concerned."

Edward blushed, shook his head, and said, "I cannot imagine a more useless emotion."

"Good God, your Spock-speak drives me wild." To prove his point, Emmett had leaned in and devoured Edward all over again.

"Whoa there, you wanna watch where you're walking, big fella?" Trey caught him before they collided.

"Sorry, man."

"Don't be. I like what I saw out there today. Here, sit down. You don't even need ice today, do you?"

"Nope, and as much as I hate to say it, I don't think I need one of your nuclear-powered rubdowns either."

Trey moved behind Emmett's chair and worked his hands around Emmett's shoulders. "Now you're gonna break my heart, Mac."

Emmett chuckled, imagining what Edward wouldn't do to have Trey's hands all over him—or to be a fly on the wall while Emmett received his massage. Trey's fingers shimmied down Emmett's right arm, searching for knots and sore spots and finding neither.

"You got laid last night"—Trey craned his neck around Emmett's body, catching him off-guard—"or was it this morning?"

Emmett felt himself blushing; he'd never had any luck hiding from Trey. Holding on to the thread of truth—that he and Edward had never made it beyond kissing—Emmett answered. "I still don't want to talk about it."

Trey retreated to Emmett's back, kneading practiced thumbs down his spine. "Neither do I, believe me. Just thank whoever it was for me? I was about ready to take care of you myself!"

Emmett slapped his thigh. "Now you tell me!"

Trey chuffed. "I know. I really should've checked the fine print in my contract!" His hands moved to Emmett's neck, and Emmett dropped his head forward and relaxed into the massage. "You think you can hold onto this feeling in Kansas City?"

Emmett answered without hesitation. "Yes."

XXX

Emmett tossed and turned in his hotel room. The shared living space had one serious disadvantage—it was nearly impossible to rub one out without his roommate catching on. If he or Fuller occasionally heard the other's bed springs squeaking or a telltale moan coming from the other side of the room, they'd both tactfully ignored it. Using the bathroom wasn't much less obvious, so Emmett contained his arousal and tried like hell not to replay the make-out session while he lay in bed and watched the clock rob him of his sleep minute by blasted minute. When Emmett finally dozed off around 3:30, his dreams were filled with lips and tongues and sparkling green eyes and extremely skimpy swim suits. Needless to say, he woke in a state of urgent need.

Fuller was messing around on his phone, looking to be in no hurry to get up. Emmett swung his legs out of bed and sauntered toward the shower in his very tight boxer briefs, jumping when Fuller called him out.

"Make sure you rinse that shit down the drain."

Emmett glanced over at his roommate's knowing grin. "Asshole."

The fact that Fuller knew exactly what he was up to didn't deter Emmett in the least once he stepped into the shower stall. He slicked up his hand with shower gel and grabbed his aching cock. Closing his eyes, Emmett conjured the taste of Edward's lips, swollen and wrecked from their nonstop scamming. The sound of needy whimpers swallowed between them as they passed tongues back and forth through the seal of their joined lips. That pull in his belly when the stop-and-go action halted just long enough for them to pull back, open their eyes, and see what they were doing to each other. The feel of Edward's hand snaking behind Emmett's neck, tugging him down for more.

Emmett pumped harder, bracing himself against the tiles as his arousal crested, recalling Edward's parting words—"Don't forget me while you're gone"—delivered with a shy, adorably anxious smile.

"As if I could."

Pleasure rippled through every inch of Emmett's body as his load spurted out of him and painted the shower wall. He stood there, panting, while the blood returned to his brain, bringing much-needed oxygen along with it. Christ, what a way to start the day!

XXX

It was after midnight when the Mariners, a tired but happy bunch, finally loaded onto the bus after winning a grueling thirteen-inning battle. The first chance he had, Emmett whipped out his phone.

Hey.

Edward's response was immediate. Hey! Great game!

We'll be back to the hotel in ten min. Okay if I call then?

Hmm let me think about that…

Emmett smiled, quickly covering his face with his hand before any of the guys discovered him staring all googly-eyed at his phone. Edward's teasing got to him, and the more confident Edward grew in this relationship, the more often Emmett was treated to this side of him.

If you'd like to talk, answer the damn phone, or I'll have to leave a long, filthy message on your voicemail.

DAMN! What a choice!

You've got 8 minutes to think about it, Professor.

Emmett beat a path straight up the elevator and down the hall to his room, where he promptly stepped out onto the narrow balcony and closed the sliding door behind him. He wondered whether Edward would let the phone ring a few times just to drive him nuts, but he'd barely pushed send when Edward picked up.

"I opted for immediate gratification," he said sheepishly.

"Good choice!" Emmett chuckled as he sank into the small, plastic chair, banging his knees on the railing in the process. "Ow! Fuck!"

"What the hell is going on over there? Are you okay?"

"Oh, just the glamorous life of a major league baseball player on the road. I stepped out onto our balcony to get a little privacy, and there's barely enough room out here to change my mind."

Edward's laughter filled Emmett's ear. "Privacy, eh? Am I about to get that long, filthy message you promised?"

Reminded of the mad rush to the shower to take care of his morning wood, Emmett quickly shut him down. "Unfortunately, no. I have a roommate, remember?"

"Oh, jeez! Never mind! I don't need you getting all horny with Fuller in the next bed."

Emmett's first instinct was to burst out laughing and tell Edward he had nothing to worry about, but the idea of a semi-growly, possessive Edward was too irresistible. "Aww, baby, you're not jealous, are you?"

Emmett could picture Edward's flushed face as if it were floating right in front of him. "Of course I am! Fuller gets to sleep with you, and I don't!"

Damn, was this guy for real? "Well, if it's any consolation, I barely slept last night."

"That's awful. What's wrong?"

Emmett cleared his throat. "Well, not to beat a dead horse or anything, but . . ."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Sorry?" Edward's voice had a hint of a smile in it.

"I don't believe you."

"Okay, I'm not entirely sorry that I'm distracting you. God knows I was an unproductive mess today, but you're not just accessory shopping; you're pitching tomorrow, which means you need to get a good night's sleep tonight!"

"I'm aware." Emmett sighed. "Whose brilliant idea was it to start this whole thing before a week-long road trip?"

"Yours!"

"Oh, mine? Let's see now, who was it who said, 'We should kiss'?"

"Hey, that was after you told me you were hot for me! What was I supposed to do, just sit there and listen to you go on about how you'd solve your own problems?"

"Since you're so great at problem-solving, what do you suggest, Professor?"

Edward went quiet, and Emmett imagined him scrolling through a set of options in his head. "I can be in Kansas City by 1:37 tomorrow afternoon."

"Were you just Googling flights?"

"Yes."

That heady, Edwardly devotion tugged a grin from Emmett's lips. "Would that be a nonstop flight?"

"No, it would not."

Even better. "And what time does your flight leave from Seattle?"

"5:15 a.m."

"Edward, that's . . ." Emmett's voice caught in his throat, and he moved the phone away from his mouth while he pulled himself together. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"Sure. Why not?"

Damn, if they were talking face-to-face, Emmett would have started his answer by kissing the fuck out of Edward—not because Edward was actually planning to leave his house around 3:30 a.m. or even because he was willing to pay the last-minute fare, but because Edward didn't have a clue that any of this was outrageous.

"Edward, that's extremely kind of you, and God knows, I would love to take you up on it, but what do you think you'd do if you came out here? I have to stay with the team. I'll be at the stadium by noon, stretching and warming up, and then hanging out with the guys at the park until the game. Then, afterwards, it's right back on the bus and straight to bed. I wouldn't even get to see you." Well, not without prying eyes all around.

"Okay, I hear you. Sheesh, I think I might need to retract my 'what I love' tweet about being on the road!"

"I'm sorry to burst your bubble, man. I warned you about this."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much, Emmett. I'm not minding my reality too much right now—aside from being fifteen hundred miles away from you."

"Poor baby. Did you miss me this much before I kissed you?" Fishing for affection much, Mac?

What had slipped out as a flip remark was now giving Edward pause. The man spent way more time than normal thinking. "You can't really miss something you don't have. I'd say I longed for you, but it wasn't the same. I had no idea I could actually have you. Now I realize I can, and poof, you're gone!"

"Sucks, huh?"

"This is infinitely better—and considerably harder."

Emmett chuffed. "Way harder!"

"Uh huh," Edward said, acknowledging the elephant trunk in each room. "So what about you?"

"Yes, I'm hard."

"Pfffft! That is lovely, I'm sure, but what I meant was, are you missing me more now, too?"

Oh. Emmett peeked around his shoulder. Fuller was locked and loaded in front of the tube, paying no attention whatsoever to the man behind the glass. Still, Emmett dropped his voice to nearly a whisper.

"I miss the noises you make when I'm kissing you."

Edward whimpered into the phone, and Emmett cracked up.

"Yeah, that."

"Sorry, I didn't do that on purpose."

"And I miss how your eyes go from bright and intense to this kind of unfocused smoldering, as if you can barely hold a thought in that smart head of yours."

Edward chuckled. "Sounds about right."

Not normally one for talking, especially about his feelings, Emmett was spurred on by the effect his words were having on Edward. "And, fuck me . . . that sexy dance you do when I have you pinned between my knees? Squirming around on your back and pumping your hips all over the damn place?" Emmett closed his eyes as Edward's soft grunts flowed into his ear. "I'm going to need a whole lot more of that when I get home."

"Jesus, Emmett!"

Emmett was now impossibly hard, but it was well worth it. "Yeah, you could say I miss you."

Even as Emmett uttered some of the truest words he'd ever spoken, he realized this new kind of missing Edward was not the frustrated tension of wanting something unattainable. Edward had always been his for the taking. Despite the coil of arousal wound tight in his groin, Emmett was more relaxed than he'd been in weeks. "G'night, Edward."

"Yeah, okay. I'll keep my phone with me tomorrow in case you want to talk . . . anytime, Emmett. Whatever helps, even if it's not talking. Just . . . I'm here . . . or not. You know what I mean."

By the end of Edward's verbal dump, Emmett was shaking his head. "Say good night, Edward."

"Good night, Edward."

"Oh my god. You did not just do that."

Edward's laughter gave way to his gentle words. "Sleep well, Emmett."

XXX

Heading into dinner. Any last words of wisdom?

You're the best pitcher in the league, Emmett. Trust yourself.

Cheesy, but I can work with that.

Hey, would you rather I didn't watch the game?

Confidence coursed through Emmett's veins. He was loose and readier than he'd been all season. The monkey was off his back. No. Watch me win it.

God, you're such a showoff.

You just figured that out?

Nope. Break an arm.

Talk to you after the game.

XXX

Bus ride is torture.

How about if I text your praises while you ride? No hitter thru the 7th! ERA 2.58! K/BB 5.87!

Stop! You're making me blush.

You looked great out there tonight. Is it okay if I'm proud of you?

Emmett angled his body toward the window, tucking his phone into the curl of his body, well out of viewing range of his seatmate. Absolutely.

I've never seen your pitching so fluid and relaxed. Wait till you see the slo mo!

Biting back a grin, Emmett texted back, You've been watching me in slo mo?

Maybe. Okay, yes. I can't help it. The way you move…

YES?

It's the perfect economy of motion!

Emmett guffawed, drawing the attention of Seaver, who swiveled in his seat, grinned at Emmett, and turned back to his rowdy conversation.

I thought you were about to say something sexy, Emmett typed.

You're the one with the filthy mouth.

Baby, you ain't seen nothing yet!

Be still my heart.

"Yo, Mac! What's doing?" Tomlinson reached over the back of Emmett's seat and scrubbed his hand through Emmett's hair. "Making plans for later?"

"Yeah, right," Emmett answered, stuffing his phone into his pocket. "Thought I'd hoist a girl up to my seventeenth floor window and ignore the snoring bastard in the next bed."

"You get a girl up there, McCarty, and I promise I'll stay awake for it!" Fuller yelled out from three rows up.

Chuckling, Seaver said, "You mean you'll stay up for it?" All the guys had a good horse laugh, and the pent-up testosterone fueled one comment after the next until all the usual loudmouths had thrown in their two cents.

Emmett's phone was burning a hole in his pocket, but he didn't have a chance to pull it out again until he was safely locked in the bathroom of room 1722.

Sorry about cutting you off. The guys were feeling chatty tonight.

No problem. You should enjoy your victory with your teammates.

Plenty of time for that on the plane tomorrow if we sweep the Royals.

Right—flying to Chicago tomorrow night.

Yep, 3 more nights of captivity.

Any chance you can get your own room at the hotel?

Not without raising suspicion. Only the married guys do that when their wives are in town. I can manage.

Would it help if I "managed" too?

Was he serious? Are you offering to abstain with me?

If that's what you're doing, yes.

Wow.

It seems only fair—but you know what that means?

We're both gonna be horny as fuck when I get home?

That's highly likely, but not what I meant. If you do get a chance to take care of business, you have to tell me so I can too!

Well, that certainly adds a new dimension to things! Inflicting a bit of torture on Edward might be well worth the abstinence! Then again, having to report in is kind of . . . day-umm! Sounds like a win-win situation.

Is that a yes?

Absolutely! You're on. And just so you know, I plan to have one hell of a nasty dream about you tonight and take care of myself in the shower first thing tomorrow morning.

Game on!

Author's Note: Thank you guys for filling my inbox with so much happiness and love over the weekend!
The story is in such a sweet spot right here, and I'm glad you're all enjoying it!

XXX ~BOH