warnings: profanity ... baseball jargon ...

updates: (date unknown), 4/28/2013

4. Caught Looking

A couple of days later it was Jack's turn in the rotation and as the game wore on, Yusei was having more and more trouble concentrating. What was it about Jack Atlas, anyway? As Yusei ran out into the infield after the seventh-inning stretch, he stole a look at the pitcher between tosses around the horn.

He had to admit that the man was attractive—just his type. Tall, slender, and blond. And that face! When he wasn't distorting it with some sort of arrogant pose, if he just relaxed and smiled a little … god! That was … well, it was enough to almost make him want to ask him out.

But that would be stupid.

You don't confess these sorts of feelings to a ballplayer. That's the kind of thing that got you kicked right out of the game. And although he had other things in his life, he wanted to do this, to become maybe the best shortstop of his generation … maybe the best contact hitter. He was objective enough to know that he had the tools.

He couldn't let this beefcake of a southpaw stand in his way.

Everything had been cleared away and Atlas was taking his last warm-up pitches.

"Batter up!"

Barkley Grand, center fielder for the Spartans, stepped up to the plate. Yusei assumed his fielding position, determined to pay close attention to the batter. You couldn't take this guy for granted. He was a contact hitter whose job was to get on base any way possible.

And he was currently on a streak.

The kid took his time with his practice swings, trying to put Jack off-balance.

Good luck with that, Yusei thought. His gaze wandered back to Jack. As usual, the man was standing stock still on the mound, staring down into his glove. The only motion was his pitching hand, which was rotating the ball continuously, as though it were a perpetual motion machine.

Suddenly the long body coiled, the right knee surging up so that it was nearly at the level of his chin. Damn! Yusei tore his attention from the stunning sight, wrenching it back to the batter just in time to see the ball bounding his way. He muffed the ball slightly, but managed to get the throw off to first in time.

Damn, Yusei, get your head in the game!

He looked over toward second base and exchanged looks with Crow. Crow mimed mopping his brow. Whew!

He scowled in toward home plate. It was Crow's fault, anyway. Why did he have to suggest dating the guy, anyway? It had him distracted. It was bad enough that he was such a perfect specimen without Crow pointing it out to him. It was so unfair, anyway. Even if there was a chance with Atlas, he stood staring away from Yusei all game, while Yusei had to look right past him to see the plate.

Right past that distracting sight.

Well, he was just going to ignore the guy, that's all. He was just another pitcher on the team.

The next day Yusei headed to visit with Dr Schmidt carrying a stack of books.

"Hey, Yusei," Dr Schmidt greeted. "You know, this actually gives you a great opportunity."

"This? This what?"

"Your interest in biomechanics, of course. You're going to get a degree, and this is a perfect opportunity. I've already spoken with him about it."

"Spoken with him? What are you talking about?"

"Jack Atlas, of course. I'd think that you'd be interested in studying him. He's a remarkable physical specimen with an incredible natural talent. We have the chance to study his release and work with Red. Doesn't that excite you?"

Yusei almost choked. Was Dr Schmidt suggesting that he work closely with Jack Atlas? Off the field? Crow would … well, crow. Normally he'd jump at the chance. Help out the pitching coach, Red Garrett? Help the team? Get a leg up on his future work? Sure … but … Atlas?

"Would you … would you let me think about it a while?" he asked haltingly. "I'm … interested, but this … this might actually be too much … of a load for me right now. I have to play every day, you know and …"

Dr Schmidt looked at him with a little disappointment, but nodded. He smiled reassuringly. "I guess I'm used to you being an overachiever, Yusei, don't worry about it. If you decide you want to work on this project with me, just let me know."

"Uh, Dr Schmidt, did you mention me by name?"

"Actually, no, Yusei, I don't think so. I just said that there was a student that I was working with. Does it matter?"

"No, not so much. I just don't need the razzing if I don't have the time."

"How are you doing by the way? Make sure you come in before the game so I can check you out too."

"I feel great. No pain at all." Even if he had been feeling pain, he'd rather not run into Atlas just about now. He wanted to get over whatever this was first. And let Crow's … thing about Atlas … ease off.

Yusei shook his head as he took a seat at a desk in Schmidt's office and cracked a book. Study Jack Atlas? Study his body? If he didn't know Dr Schmidt better, he'd have wondered if Crow hadn't put him up to it. 'Remarkable physical specimen'? Make that near-perfect. Somewhere Jack was soaking in a tub, getting a massage, or taking stim right now … some kind of post-rotation therapy. Something that required him to take off his shirt or maybe more.

He sighed and turned his attention to his textbook.

Yusei had managed to survive until Jack's next start with minimal contact with the blond, but if anything, that only increased his discomfort level in the field behind the pitcher. From the very start, he felt nervous and had a hard time keeping his focus. He managed to make it through one cycle of the batting order, but by the second time that the lead-off hitter for the Vikings stepped up to the plate, he was feeling anything but secure. The Vikes were recent rivals for the Dragons because of their drawn-out fights in the play-offs and every game they played felt like war.

Brave seemed almost to sense Yusei's mood because his glance seemed to linger toward left-center field for a little longer than it should have.

"Watch it," called Crow. "This guy's a trickster!"

You don't have to tell me …

Brave's reputation preceded him. He wasted no time in harassing Jack, who ignored him soundly, staring into his glove as though the baseball there was the most interesting thing in the universe.

The thing was, all this extra time allowed Yusei's attention to wander from home over to the pitcher's mound, where he could get a good look at Jack. He was more or less motionless, facing away towards first base, his head down. Yusei had a lovely view of his long legs, those strong calves, lithe slender thighs, the tight rear, and those broad shoulders tapering into a nice, slender waist.

Mmm.

Eventually Brave tired of going through his elaborate pre-batting rituals and stepped up to the plate. Jack immediately served up a hot fastball for a strike. … Which was followed by another long wait for Brave.

… and yet another opportunity for Yusei's attention to wander over toward the mound. A nice evening breeze had sprung up finally, easing the heat of the day, and had caught the tendrils of Jack's hair, playing with them gently. He sort of envied the breeze …

Jack yawned elaborately, shaking Yusei out of his reverie, then served up yet another hot fastball, which Brave took a whiff at for another strike.

How Yusei wished Brave had made contact! This meant another long wait whilst he beat around the bush. Didn't he realize that he wasn't getting under Jack's skin? … Speaking of Jack's skin …

Yusei was really losing concentration now, trying to remember what the difference was between the way Jack's skin looked under these lights and in sunlight. The way he moved when—

Crack!

Shit!

Yusei wasn't quite set for the ball bouncing toward him and when it took the bad hop off the edge of the dirt he couldn't adjust. It took an odd angle between him and Crow and skidded off into center field where Andre had to pick it up on the run, throwing it quickly to Crow to cut him off.

Crow gave him a sympathetic look as though he wanted to say something later, but Jack was standing on the mound, not quite frowning, but his face was stiff, his expression serious. He gave Yusei a very hard, probing look before turning to take the throw from Bommer.

Yusei cringed inwardly. The upside? He had a lot less trouble keeping his eyes off Jack for the remainder of the game.

"Hey, Rook, we're going for a beer after the game. I need to talk to you." Jack Atlas was suddenly looming over him, leaning on the wall, those blond tendrils of his practically hanging in his face. "If anyone asks, I'm trying to make up for the bad foot we got off on."

"Uh, OK, yeah, but—"

Jack was gone. Why was No so difficult to say? No was easy to say, so …

And now Crow was standing there. Why did everyone want to talk to him today? "What was that about?"

"Dunno." Wait … might as well use the excuse. "I think it was because … because he got off on such a bad foot with everyone. Especially me."

"I don't think that's it. I think it's because of the error you made."

"The … it was one error."

"When do you make errors, Yusei? But you've been losing concentration behind him for a while now. Do you think a guy like that doesn't notice things like that?"

Oh. My. God. Crow noticed? If Crow noticed, then who else noticed?!

"Yusei, don't panic. No one but me suspects why you made those errors."

Yusei gritted his teeth. "But he's an arrogant son of a bitch!"

"He's one hell of a talented SOB … who's … well, I won't go into it right here. Have that beer." Crow smiled. "Think of it as an opportunity. It might be your only chance."

"My—Damn you, Crow!"

Jack took Yusei to a little bar that the team didn't frequent. It was a sort of a businessmans' bar. "Didn't want to take you to a sports bar and get swamped," he said as they entered. "I want to talk to you privately." He signaled to a waitress, who seemed to know him and they were ushered to an upper level and into a booth that was not obviously private but offered enough room for a private conversation.

"We'd like a couple of beers, please, Stephanie," he said. "Make mine a Samuel Adams. What're you having, Yusei?"

"Coors Light."

"Gah, if you say so. Live a little, Yusei." Stephanie rushed off.

"Is this about that error?"

"Yes and no." He sighed. "I might as well get to the point. I know I can be distracting. But it's important to me, for my career, for your career, that you don't allow yourself to be distracted. It's not just your stats, it could be your career. If people find out about this kind of thing and it gets around, it could be bad. You know how sports people are."

"I don't know … what are you talking about?"

"Here you are sirs!" Stephanie said brightly, setting beers and glasses in front of them.

Jack sighed. "I'm positive we're going to need at least one more." He scowled. "And make that two Samuel Adams, would you? I need to introduce this guy to good beer. Now that he can afford it?" He watched Stephanie walk off. "Coors Light? I mean … really?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"What's wrong with a Big Mac? But I'll take a Porterhouse when I can get it instead." He grinned, taking a swallow of beer. A tiny rim of foam clung to his lips and the tip of his tongue flickered out momentarily to lick it off his lips. It was a quick motion, not executed in a manner that was in any way remotely teasing or sensual, but … somehow Yusei's eyes were drawn irresistibly to the sight, mesmerized by the sight of those lips, neither ridiculously soft and pillowy nor thin and hard … just slightly pink. And then there was the tip of his tongue, barely seen, pressed against those lips for the briefest of moments, the foam …

"… in other words, you need to focus."

Shit. What had he said?

Yusei took a huge swallow of beer and tried to look like he understood everything Jack had been saying. He was pretty sure that he understood the drift.

He sighed. "You're absolutely right. I don't know what's been wrong lately, but I've been distracted. I promise that I'll get my head back in the game."

Jack stared at him, his eyes boring holes into Yusei's, one corner of that fascinating mouth drawing back in an expression of exasperation. "You weren't even listening, were you?"

"I …" He rolled his eyes over toward the dance floor, which they could easily see across from their table and over the railing. "I guess I can't deny it. I was distracted."

"You can't even be bothered to listen to me," he said. "Fine then. I wasn't going to bring this up, but … If it's like this, I'm going to take a chance. This is for your sake and the sake of our team and this season. If you … If you sell me out, Yusei, it's going to come back on you, so help me …" He looked almost angry, leaning forward. Yusei was afraid that he was going to reach out and shake him like a rag doll.

"Look, Atlas, I …"

"Shut up and listen," he said in a harsh whisper and looked around carefully. Lowering his voice, he began talking. "I know exactly what your problem is. You've been spending more time looking over at my ass than the batters. It was only a matter of time before you started making errors and if you don't get it together fast, someone is going to catch a clue."

"What?" Yusei started in a likewise low and urgent tone, "No, I—"

"Don't even bother denying it, I have a finely-tuned gaydar. Guys have been hitting on me since I hit puberty."

Why doesn't that surprise me? Tall like that, he probably looked a few years older and …

"Don't drift! You know how the sports world is. I don't care how much you ogle me off-field, but ignore me during the game. Pretend I look like Red … or, better yet, Corky Brand, our skipper."

Yusei couldn't help laughing at the thought.

"That's more like it."

Yusei scowled. "You-you don't care?" he said, realizing what Jack had said.

"No, I don't. Honestly, you don't seem to like me all that much. You just seem … physically attracted. Eh. I'm over that. I want someone …" he shrugged, "someone who thinks I'm special or something."

Pink appeared across Jack's finely-chiseled cheekbones, giving Yusei yet another mental picture to file away under "beefcake." Was the man trying to drive him nuts?

"So you're …?"

"I've all but spelled it out, haven't I? A pitcher needs his shortstop to have his back. I need to trust you, Yusei. I need you to want to do your best to help me win. I'm giving you a weapon that you can use against me. I'm going to show you that I'm willing to give it a try. It wasn't your intention to give yourself away, but I know something about you. Obviously, you're smart enough not to shout it to the baseball world. I'm planning to keep it to myself and I'm showing you my trust in you by giving you something on me. But if you screw me … I'll make you wish you'd never been born."

Yusei found himself staring into Jack's intense gaze trying to put together a coherent sentence. "I … think we have … an understanding," he managed to choke out. Why was it that every little aspect of Jack was distracting and incredibly attractive? Tall? Check. Blond? Check. Talented? Double-check. Even the things that he thought he should hate, but turned him on: aggressive? Check. Arrogant? Check. And what was it with these violet eyes? It wasn't contacts for sure, now that he could really see them.

Jack leaned back, removing his eyes from close inspection. Keeping his voice down and taking another swig of beer, he said amicably, "I'd give you a rough-and-tumble myself, except … well …" he shrugged. "I don't like it angry, sorry. I wish you didn't hate me, but I'm willing to settle for you looking to your career. I know that means something to you." He frowned. "You do … ah … talk, don't you?"

Yusei scowled. Bad enough that this stupid arrogant guy seemed to be able to back up all his boasts, but now he could see right through Yusei and Yusei couldn't even put two words together in his presence? This was ridiculous! "Of course I can talk!" he griped. "It's hard to squeeze two words in edgewise with you rattling on!"

Jack only grinned at him, amused, and said, "Now, that's more like it. Can I give you some advice?" Not waiting for a reply, he forged on. "Get yourself a girlfriend. Not someone serious, but someone who doesn't mind being strung along. Someone who likes the idea of dating a ballplayer and 'understands' the fact that they're out of town all the time. You shouldn't even have any trouble with the sex thing because you seem like a serious, take-things-slow sort. I've had to pick a girl who's a shrinking violet."

"It … it doesn't bother you that you're taking away opportunities from her and giving her false hope?"

"I haven't made any promises and if any men with real interest enter her life, I'll beat it for the exit."

Yusei stared at him. "I don't know, Jack. That sounds awfully convenient for you at her expense, don't you think? What if she's in love with you?"

A ghost of a frown flitted across Jack's handsome features. "In love?" It was as though he hadn't considered this a possibility. Then he shrugged. "Everyone's in love with Jack Atlas," he smiled. "Drink your beer."

"You're kidding! He's gay?!"

"Sh! Keep it down! I promised I wouldn't tell anyone, and I'm positive that anyone includes you." Yusei and Crow were huddled on his hotel bed, speaking in soft tones.

"I thought it was about the error."

"It was … essentially. He knew exactly why I made it."

"Yeah. He's exactly your type."

"He is not."

"Oh yeah? Cullen ring a bell?"

"Like I could forget being treated like dirt for almost two years. If only he were gay. I tried to be friends," he said sadly.

"And see how that worked out."

"Well, he wasn't a really good friend."

"He took advantage of you. I don't know if he knew—"

"I don't think so—"

"But it couldn't have turned out much worse if he had. I'm glad you never told him, Yusei."

"Me too." Yusei scowled. "Could we … could we not talk about that, please?"

"Uh, sure. Sorry, Yusei." Crow leaned back and ran a hand through his shock of red hair. "So what are you planning on doing about it?"

"I plan on thinking about baseball and getting on with my career."

"Right … You know you're not going to be able to get him out of your, er, mind."

"Would you please get your mind out of the gutter?"

"You first."

Yusei sighed. There would be no reasoning with him. "Why are you so insistent on hooking me up? You know it's not going to work during the season, anyway."

"Even with Mr Luscious on the mound? C'mon, even I can tell that he's a looker and I'm straight."

"Yeah, the girls hang off of him after every game."

"And you have an advantage over every one of'em. Remember that," Crow said smugly.

"Don't worry about it. He as much as said that he wasn't interested."

"And what did he say? I mean, exactly."

Yusei frowned. "I can't remember, exactly. He said something about wanting someone who thought he was special and not wanting angry sex. But … seems like there are a lot of people out there who think he's damn special. He's a once-in-a-generation pitcher." Yusei's frown deepened into a scowl. "No, with his batting talent, he might even be a once-in-a-century pitcher. He's ridiculous, actually. He shouldn't have any trouble at all finding someone who thinks he's special."

"But … Yusei. Maybe what he's looking for … Maybe he's looking for someone who thinks he's special without all that."

"Without all that? What do you mean?"

Crow shrugged. "You're the genius, Genius. I'm going to bed. I want to be ready for the game tomorrow."

Yusei slipped off of Crow's bed and climbed into his own, snuggling under the covers. It didn't help to have Crow practically encourage him to take a chance with the hurler.

I'd give you a rough-and-tumble myself …

Dammit, Atlas—!

He closed his eyes and turned toward the wall as though he could turn his back on the events of the evening that way.

But all he could see on the velvet backdrop of his eyelids was sparkling amethyst eyes, bouncing shiny blond curls under a crimson Dragons cap, and the graceful wind-up and release of a long, lanky southpaw. It was a long time later that sleep took him, his hand trapped under his cheek and aching to relieve the tension that had built up much lower in his body.

Author's notes:

Revisions: Geez, I can't believe I edited another chapter! Sorry about that, but I couldn't resist. I thought up a better title for this and I just had to change it, see below. The only change to this chapter is that the title has been changed.

4/28/2013: Minor punctuation changes; added "haltingly"; interrobang; added warning.

Yay, another review! It helps to know that someone's reading ... tho I think this fic has a smallish audience. Oh well! I'm enjoying writing it. Is Godwin still going to be a creeper like he is in the series? I'll let you read and find out. But I wanted to make him Jack's agent because I thought the relationship was a little similar: it put him in Jack's business, he has a monetary interest in Jack, and Jack doesn't entirely trust his motives, as you (hopefully) can see. And is it bad that as soon as you said 'Cullen' I thought of the Twilight Saga? Gee, I don't know, I haven't read the Twilight Saga (I'm more of a Dracula/BtVS type). Like I said, I made up the name as a take-off on Kalin.

Title: If a batter watches a pitch go by for a called third strike without trying to hit it, he is "caught looking." Is this a better title than the original? You be the judge:

The original title for this chapter was "Muffed Chances." In baseball a fielding chance is an opportunity for a putout. It's part of the calculation of fielding average. If a fielder commits an error, he should have put the runner out, but failed, usually because he either mishandled the ball while fielding it or threw wildly.

it was Jack's turn in the rotation: The pitching rotation, that is the order in which the pitchers on a team take turns pitching games.

seventh inning stretch: A period between the two teams' turns at bat during the 7th inning (teams get 9 innings or chances to score during a game) during which fans get to stretch their legs.

tosses around the horn: The infield warms up by throwing the ball around the bases (the horn).

contact hitter: Hitter who is hard to strike out.

southpaw: Left-handed pitcher.

Corky Brand, our skipper: The manager or head coach of the team (an OC).

Next time ...

And then, there had been that awkward clubhouse silence. What had the discussion been about—other than him—and what was its import? Had Yusei started it? He shouldn't care, should he?

Finishing his warm-up pitches with a little more concentration, he pulled into his stance to face his first batter.

You can't always plan things ...