Changeups and Curveballs 6/14
6th Inning:
I'm tired of this empty house
I need a drink to get me out
A couple more 'til I forget your name
I saw a boy that looked like you
I didn't know quite what to do
It took a power of will to break my stare
I realized what I wanted wasn't there
Now you're gone, there's nothin' else I want
Now that it's over, there's nothin' else I want
What have I done? Looks like I was wrong
Is everythin' really meant to change?
I guess we're like water and a flame, water and a flame
~
The scent of you still on your pillow
Makes me think I'm holding you
When the morning comes I wish you were there
To wake me up the way you do
So will you pick up the phone so I can hear you speak
I'm still here all alone every night I fall asleep whoa
We both played a part with all the things we done wrong
I'm not trying to ignore but a part of me is gone
And I don't want to feel this way anymore
I see you when I close my eyes
And baby you're right next to me
I feel you then I see the sun rise
And wondering where you could be
Cause everything is gone away
And now I'm trying so hard to make it
But I still think that saying goodbye was our big... mistake
Our Big Mistake
Luke finished his interviews then got ready for the game. He was just getting his things around when he realized Reid hadn’t asked him to sit in the friends and family section and was a bit surprised. It seemed strange considering he always sat there when Reid was pitching and he was in town for a game. He thought Reid was superstitious and the fact that he hadn’t insisted Luke sit in the same seat this time, like he had every other time bothered him.
He decided he’d go down to the section anyway, because he figured Reid may have had too much on his mind and forgot.
He walked down the steps to the section he always sat in and discovered a very good looking, tall man sitting in the seat he normally occupied and then he saw Reid watching the man like he usually looked at Luke. Luke knew in that instant how stupid he had been. Reid’s friend wasn’t simply a friend, and Luke had been a placeholder for this guy. He simply nodded at Reid whose face blanched when he saw Luke. Luke turned around and brushed passed Vanessa who tried to stop him. He really couldn’t handle this right now. He felt like his heart was being ripped to shreds. God, he so fucking stupid. He wanted to curl up in a ball and cry, and that just made him angry. He and Reid weren’t even together, they weren’t dating and he was pretty sure Reid didn’t care at all for Luke outside of getting laid. He’d just chalk this up to another lesson learned. The fuck buddy system never works. Someone always get hurts.
He went to the press box and watched the game. The American League won, and Reid didn’t give up any hits or runs in the time he was in the game. He was proud of Reid and at the end of the game he was packing his stuff up when a small blonde woman approached him.
“Hi, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Are you Luke Snyder?”
“Yes, I am, do I know you?”
“No, but you probably know my husband, Seamus O’Dell. I’m Deborah O’Dell.”
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you. What can I do for you?”
“Well, we were hoping to take you and Reid out for dinner tonight.”
“Me and Reid? Why would you want to do that?”
“Well, we know.”
“Know what?”
“That you and Reid have been sleeping together.”
Luke felt the color drain from his face,
“How did you find out?”
“Relax, Luke, Seamus figured it out after Reid came into the clubhouse whistling and it was after seeing you.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m just very nervous about this because of my job.”
“I understand and we would never do anything to exploit you and Reid, we just felt it necessary to celebrate the win tonight and you were both a major part of it.”
“Well, I’m exhausted and I’d like to get an early start home tomorrow, but I can take a few hours to have dinner.”
“Great! Here’s the address of the restaurant, see you there!”
Luke realized he was in frame of mind to schmooze tonight with a general manager of baseball and his wife, but he had to for his job and knew if he had said no and his boss found out, he’d be in major trouble.
Just as he was getting in his car, he received a phone call from his boss.
“So, Luke, you want to explain the picture I had sent to me this afternoon?”
“Which picture is that?”
“The one that has you leaving Reid Oliver’s hotel room this afternoon.”
“He gave me another interview.”
“Really? You expect me to believe that’s all you got from him?”
“What do you want me to say, Barry?”
“I want you to tell me that you are not fucking Reid Oliver, the best pitcher in baseball and that you are not jeopardizing your career for a little sex.”
“Why would it be so bad if I were fucking him?”
“Because your credibility would be shot to hell! No one would want to read anything you wrote about him ever again.”
“So, couldn’t I hypothetically not work on stories he was involved in, if I were sleeping with him?”
“If that were the case, then you’d have no position here at the paper, Luke. Reid Oliver makes good television and even better entertainment. You give up him and you have yourself a problem. So just don’t tell me that you’re having sex otherwise, I may have to take action and I don’t want to.”
Luke was shaking he was so angry. How dare Barry tell him who he could and could not date? Deep down he could see the validity in what he said, and he knew what his choice was then. There was no way in hell that Reid would choose him over his mystery “friend” and it wasn’t worth risking his career for someone he knew didn’t feel the same way he did.
He showed up at the restaurant to find Reid and the mystery man already there and talking to the O’Dells.
So that was wonderful, Luke was going to get sit through the most awkward dinner of his life all because of his stupid fucking job and his stupid fucking heart that told him Reid was someone he wanted to be with.
“Hi, Luke!”
Deb spotted him first and bounded over to him,
“Have you met Grant Peterson?”
“No, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”
Deb introduced them and then excused herself to the restroom,
Grant who was probably the most handsome man he’d ever seen outside of Johnny Depp stepped forward and shook his hand firmly.
“Hi, Luke! Reid told me that you and he had become friends.”
“Right, I’m Luke Snyder. It’s nice to meet you, Grant. How do you and Reid know each other?”
“Oh, well Reid and I dated on and off for close to eight years now.”
Luke felt like all the air had been sucked out of his lungs at the confirmation. On and off for eight years. Right, well that was the abrupt end to him and Reid, then.
“So what are you doing in Phoenix?”
“I’m here for an educational conference and when I found out Reid would be pitching I couldn’t pass up a chance to spend time with him.”
Reid stared lovingly at Grant and Luke felt like he was going to be sick.
“Well, I’m glad that worked out for you two then.”
Seamus joined them not long afterwards and they were seated.
Deb noticed that there seemed to be awkward tension between Luke and Reid, and she tried her best to get them talking,
“So, Reid, how did you and Luke become friends?”
Reid stared at Luke then almost as if he didn’t have an answer.
Luke felt about two inches tall. Reid probably didn’t even consider Luke a friend.
Luke spoke up,
“Reid and I worked together on a sports layout for the Chicago Tribune and we just became good friends after that.”
“Right, so you two are getting closer?”
Luke realized she was pushing for answers about Luke and Reid’s non relationship and he finally had to speak up,
“Yeah, we’re getting close to being good friends. But you should really be asking Reid and Grant about their epic romance that has lasted for eight years.”
He knew he sounded bitter and didn’t give a single fuck.
Not even when Reid stared at him in shock,
“Luke..”
“Anyway, I really have an early day tomorrow, so I think I’m going to have the waiter box my food for me and I’m going to take it back to my hotel. I’m so glad the American League was able to win and that you’ll get home field advantage in the playoffs. Good to meet you Grant, Seamus, Mrs. O’Dell, Reid.”
With that Luke was walking to the maître d station to get his food boxed.
He felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned his head to see a confused Reid looking at him.
“You want to explain what the hell that was back there?”
“What do you mean?”
“The fact that you’re talking about something you have no idea about?”
“Really, Reid? No idea? Tell me something, why didn’t you ask me to sit in the friends and family section?”
Reid just stared at him as a look of guilt came over his face,
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Have a nice dinner, Reid.”
Luke walked out of the restaurant and then Reid was right behind him,
“Luke, please just explain it to me.”
“Explain what to you?”
“Why you’re acting like this.”
“I don’t want to have to explain this to you, Reid. I just want you to leave me alone, okay?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No, Reid. You did not do anything wrong. I knew full well what was going on when I agreed to the weirdness that was our friendship, relationship, whatever. But I don’t want to do this anymore.”
“So that’s it then? We’re no longer friends?”
“Were we ever really friends, Reid?”
Reid felt like someone slapped him. Here was the guy he was beginning to fall in love with telling him they weren’t friends and he wanted nothing to do with him any longer. It wasn’t even about sex anymore, it was about being around Luke, talking to him, and getting to know him. He didn’t want to lose that. Luke was the first guy that ever stuck around long enough to get to know the real Reid and now Luke was telling him that guy wasn’t good enough.
“Fine, Luke. Leave and pretend like we’re not friends and that everything that happened between us was nothing.”
“See the thing is, Reid, I don’t think it meant anything. Especially not when you had Grant on and off for eight years. One guy wasn’t enough? You had to string me along and pretend to be my friend, only to show me that you don’t really care at all about me?”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“I mean, you couldn’t have just stabbed me in May when we first met? That would’ve been cleaner and less painful.”
“You think I purposely invited Grant here to screw you over?”
“I don’t even care, Reid. Do whatever you want with Grant, or don’t. I’m done.”
“No, Luke. You have to let me explain what’s going on.”
“No, I don’t.”
With that, Luke turned around and left the restaurant. The last thing he needed was a pity explanation about how much Reid like Luke, but Grant was the one.
Luke went to his rental car and sat in it and cried.
Then he pulled himself together and went back to the hotel.
In the morning he’d go home and forget that the past few months ever happened.
Reid stood in the parking lot watching Luke drive away. He was in shock. He didn’t know what had happened. Things had been fine, or so he thought. They’d had sex and then went to a game, so what the fuck happened between the game and the restaurant?
He walked back in and sat back down. The O’Dells sensed his deep sense of confusion and sadness.
Deb sat down next to him,
“Reid, I’m not sure what happened out there, but I know that you two care about each other and you’ll work it out.”
Reid just stared down at his plate. He had no more appetite.
The O’Dells excused themselves then and wished Reid and Grant a good evening.
Grant finally spoke up,
“You’re in love with him aren’t you?”
“What?”
Reid’s head swung up at that.
“You love Luke.”
“No, I don’t. Why would say something like that?”
“Maybe because you’re moping into your dessert.”
“I.. fuck.”
“Yeah.”
“How did you know?”
“How did you not?”
“And you’re not upset?”
“Why would I be upset?”
“Because you called me up and asked to talk to me. I assumed it meant you wanted to get back together.”
“No. Definitely not. Listen to me, Reid. I love you and I always will, but we are terrible together. I can’t stay faithful and you get pissed at me. You can’t go a day without doing something to damage the environment or making me feel stupid and I get pissed at you. It’s not a good combination.”
“So then why did you ask to see me?”
“I’m getting married.”
“Really? You?
“Yes, me. I know that it’s a surprise given my track record, but I think it shouldn’t surprise you who I’m marrying.”
“Mystery Yale guy?”
“His name is Elijah, and yes.”
“And you’re sure that’s what you want?”
“Absolutely. I also know Elijah is open to the idea of an open marriage, and is a vegan, and likes to play the bongos.”
“So you basically found the yuppie version of yourself?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, I’m happy for you.”
“So, what are you going to do about your own man?”
“He’s not my man.”
“But you wish he were, right?”
“Yeah, but he and I started out as fuck buddies and that’s all he wants.”
“You sure about that?”
“Of course I am, it’s quite clear from the conversation we had outside before he left.”
“Maybe he’ll surprise you.”
“I doubt it. I was stupid to think the fuck buddy system would work.”
“I can’t say that I blame you for that.”
“Yeah, well, thanks for my self-esteem and relationship issues.”
“Thanks for my self-confidence and intelligence issues.”
“We really were terrible for each other, weren’t we?”
“And I wouldn’t change a single day of it.”
“Me either.”
Reid and Grant talked about wedding plans and they said goodbye a few hours later.
Reid grabbed a taxi and went back to the hotel.
He needed to talk to Luke, he just needed to make him understand that he did want Luke as a friend, even if that meant they stopped having sex.
So he texted him and waited.
Reid fell asleep still clinging his IPhone in his hand.
The next day he woke up with one new message. With trembling hands, he opened the message to find:
Reid knew Luke was being serious and he was devastated. The first two weeks without contact was the worst. Reid missed Luke and the emails and the late night chats about stupid shit. He fucking hated anyone who was happy and he went into a downward spiral. But he was determined he was going to be the best fucking pitcher ever, so he spent all his time practicing, then going home and drinking himself into a stupor. Reid told himself it was fine, he didn’t need Luke anyway and it was only sex. He was lying. Cristian and Vanessa tried to pull him out of his funk by introducing him to cute guys, but he didn’t want any of them. He just wanted Luke.
Luke was no better, even though he was an alcoholic and had gone through the twelve step program, he always wanted to drink. He spent the first two weeks curled up in bed smelling the pillow that Reid used to sleep on. He missed Reid and he hated that he did. He’d replay a voicemail he had saved from Reid over and over every day for weeks just so he could hear his voice again. And even when he tried to convince himself he was better off without Reid, all he wanted to do was be with him.
Next
I'm tired of this empty house
I need a drink to get me out
A couple more 'til I forget your name
I saw a boy that looked like you
I didn't know quite what to do
It took a power of will to break my stare
I realized what I wanted wasn't there
Now you're gone, there's nothin' else I want
Now that it's over, there's nothin' else I want
What have I done? Looks like I was wrong
Is everythin' really meant to change?
I guess we're like water and a flame, water and a flame
Click to view~
The scent of you still on your pillow
Makes me think I'm holding you
When the morning comes I wish you were there
To wake me up the way you do
So will you pick up the phone so I can hear you speak
I'm still here all alone every night I fall asleep whoa
We both played a part with all the things we done wrong
I'm not trying to ignore but a part of me is gone
And I don't want to feel this way anymore
I see you when I close my eyes
And baby you're right next to me
I feel you then I see the sun rise
And wondering where you could be
Cause everything is gone away
And now I'm trying so hard to make it
But I still think that saying goodbye was our big... mistake
Our Big Mistake
Luke finished his interviews then got ready for the game. He was just getting his things around when he realized Reid hadn’t asked him to sit in the friends and family section and was a bit surprised. It seemed strange considering he always sat there when Reid was pitching and he was in town for a game. He thought Reid was superstitious and the fact that he hadn’t insisted Luke sit in the same seat this time, like he had every other time bothered him.
He decided he’d go down to the section anyway, because he figured Reid may have had too much on his mind and forgot.
He walked down the steps to the section he always sat in and discovered a very good looking, tall man sitting in the seat he normally occupied and then he saw Reid watching the man like he usually looked at Luke. Luke knew in that instant how stupid he had been. Reid’s friend wasn’t simply a friend, and Luke had been a placeholder for this guy. He simply nodded at Reid whose face blanched when he saw Luke. Luke turned around and brushed passed Vanessa who tried to stop him. He really couldn’t handle this right now. He felt like his heart was being ripped to shreds. God, he so fucking stupid. He wanted to curl up in a ball and cry, and that just made him angry. He and Reid weren’t even together, they weren’t dating and he was pretty sure Reid didn’t care at all for Luke outside of getting laid. He’d just chalk this up to another lesson learned. The fuck buddy system never works. Someone always get hurts.
He went to the press box and watched the game. The American League won, and Reid didn’t give up any hits or runs in the time he was in the game. He was proud of Reid and at the end of the game he was packing his stuff up when a small blonde woman approached him.
“Hi, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Are you Luke Snyder?”
“Yes, I am, do I know you?”
“No, but you probably know my husband, Seamus O’Dell. I’m Deborah O’Dell.”
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you. What can I do for you?”
“Well, we were hoping to take you and Reid out for dinner tonight.”
“Me and Reid? Why would you want to do that?”
“Well, we know.”
“Know what?”
“That you and Reid have been sleeping together.”
Luke felt the color drain from his face,
“How did you find out?”
“Relax, Luke, Seamus figured it out after Reid came into the clubhouse whistling and it was after seeing you.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m just very nervous about this because of my job.”
“I understand and we would never do anything to exploit you and Reid, we just felt it necessary to celebrate the win tonight and you were both a major part of it.”
“Well, I’m exhausted and I’d like to get an early start home tomorrow, but I can take a few hours to have dinner.”
“Great! Here’s the address of the restaurant, see you there!”
Luke realized he was in frame of mind to schmooze tonight with a general manager of baseball and his wife, but he had to for his job and knew if he had said no and his boss found out, he’d be in major trouble.
Just as he was getting in his car, he received a phone call from his boss.
“So, Luke, you want to explain the picture I had sent to me this afternoon?”
“Which picture is that?”
“The one that has you leaving Reid Oliver’s hotel room this afternoon.”
“He gave me another interview.”
“Really? You expect me to believe that’s all you got from him?”
“What do you want me to say, Barry?”
“I want you to tell me that you are not fucking Reid Oliver, the best pitcher in baseball and that you are not jeopardizing your career for a little sex.”
“Why would it be so bad if I were fucking him?”
“Because your credibility would be shot to hell! No one would want to read anything you wrote about him ever again.”
“So, couldn’t I hypothetically not work on stories he was involved in, if I were sleeping with him?”
“If that were the case, then you’d have no position here at the paper, Luke. Reid Oliver makes good television and even better entertainment. You give up him and you have yourself a problem. So just don’t tell me that you’re having sex otherwise, I may have to take action and I don’t want to.”
Luke was shaking he was so angry. How dare Barry tell him who he could and could not date? Deep down he could see the validity in what he said, and he knew what his choice was then. There was no way in hell that Reid would choose him over his mystery “friend” and it wasn’t worth risking his career for someone he knew didn’t feel the same way he did.
He showed up at the restaurant to find Reid and the mystery man already there and talking to the O’Dells.
So that was wonderful, Luke was going to get sit through the most awkward dinner of his life all because of his stupid fucking job and his stupid fucking heart that told him Reid was someone he wanted to be with.
“Hi, Luke!”
Deb spotted him first and bounded over to him,
“Have you met Grant Peterson?”
“No, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”
Deb introduced them and then excused herself to the restroom,
Grant who was probably the most handsome man he’d ever seen outside of Johnny Depp stepped forward and shook his hand firmly.
“Hi, Luke! Reid told me that you and he had become friends.”
“Right, I’m Luke Snyder. It’s nice to meet you, Grant. How do you and Reid know each other?”
“Oh, well Reid and I dated on and off for close to eight years now.”
Luke felt like all the air had been sucked out of his lungs at the confirmation. On and off for eight years. Right, well that was the abrupt end to him and Reid, then.
“So what are you doing in Phoenix?”
“I’m here for an educational conference and when I found out Reid would be pitching I couldn’t pass up a chance to spend time with him.”
Reid stared lovingly at Grant and Luke felt like he was going to be sick.
“Well, I’m glad that worked out for you two then.”
Seamus joined them not long afterwards and they were seated.
Deb noticed that there seemed to be awkward tension between Luke and Reid, and she tried her best to get them talking,
“So, Reid, how did you and Luke become friends?”
Reid stared at Luke then almost as if he didn’t have an answer.
Luke felt about two inches tall. Reid probably didn’t even consider Luke a friend.
Luke spoke up,
“Reid and I worked together on a sports layout for the Chicago Tribune and we just became good friends after that.”
“Right, so you two are getting closer?”
Luke realized she was pushing for answers about Luke and Reid’s non relationship and he finally had to speak up,
“Yeah, we’re getting close to being good friends. But you should really be asking Reid and Grant about their epic romance that has lasted for eight years.”
He knew he sounded bitter and didn’t give a single fuck.
Not even when Reid stared at him in shock,
“Luke..”
“Anyway, I really have an early day tomorrow, so I think I’m going to have the waiter box my food for me and I’m going to take it back to my hotel. I’m so glad the American League was able to win and that you’ll get home field advantage in the playoffs. Good to meet you Grant, Seamus, Mrs. O’Dell, Reid.”
With that Luke was walking to the maître d station to get his food boxed.
He felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned his head to see a confused Reid looking at him.
“You want to explain what the hell that was back there?”
“What do you mean?”
“The fact that you’re talking about something you have no idea about?”
“Really, Reid? No idea? Tell me something, why didn’t you ask me to sit in the friends and family section?”
Reid just stared at him as a look of guilt came over his face,
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Have a nice dinner, Reid.”
Luke walked out of the restaurant and then Reid was right behind him,
“Luke, please just explain it to me.”
“Explain what to you?”
“Why you’re acting like this.”
“I don’t want to have to explain this to you, Reid. I just want you to leave me alone, okay?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No, Reid. You did not do anything wrong. I knew full well what was going on when I agreed to the weirdness that was our friendship, relationship, whatever. But I don’t want to do this anymore.”
“So that’s it then? We’re no longer friends?”
“Were we ever really friends, Reid?”
Reid felt like someone slapped him. Here was the guy he was beginning to fall in love with telling him they weren’t friends and he wanted nothing to do with him any longer. It wasn’t even about sex anymore, it was about being around Luke, talking to him, and getting to know him. He didn’t want to lose that. Luke was the first guy that ever stuck around long enough to get to know the real Reid and now Luke was telling him that guy wasn’t good enough.
“Fine, Luke. Leave and pretend like we’re not friends and that everything that happened between us was nothing.”
“See the thing is, Reid, I don’t think it meant anything. Especially not when you had Grant on and off for eight years. One guy wasn’t enough? You had to string me along and pretend to be my friend, only to show me that you don’t really care at all about me?”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“I mean, you couldn’t have just stabbed me in May when we first met? That would’ve been cleaner and less painful.”
“You think I purposely invited Grant here to screw you over?”
“I don’t even care, Reid. Do whatever you want with Grant, or don’t. I’m done.”
“No, Luke. You have to let me explain what’s going on.”
“No, I don’t.”
With that, Luke turned around and left the restaurant. The last thing he needed was a pity explanation about how much Reid like Luke, but Grant was the one.
Luke went to his rental car and sat in it and cried.
Then he pulled himself together and went back to the hotel.
In the morning he’d go home and forget that the past few months ever happened.
Reid stood in the parking lot watching Luke drive away. He was in shock. He didn’t know what had happened. Things had been fine, or so he thought. They’d had sex and then went to a game, so what the fuck happened between the game and the restaurant?
He walked back in and sat back down. The O’Dells sensed his deep sense of confusion and sadness.
Deb sat down next to him,
“Reid, I’m not sure what happened out there, but I know that you two care about each other and you’ll work it out.”
Reid just stared down at his plate. He had no more appetite.
The O’Dells excused themselves then and wished Reid and Grant a good evening.
Grant finally spoke up,
“You’re in love with him aren’t you?”
“What?”
Reid’s head swung up at that.
“You love Luke.”
“No, I don’t. Why would say something like that?”
“Maybe because you’re moping into your dessert.”
“I.. fuck.”
“Yeah.”
“How did you know?”
“How did you not?”
“And you’re not upset?”
“Why would I be upset?”
“Because you called me up and asked to talk to me. I assumed it meant you wanted to get back together.”
“No. Definitely not. Listen to me, Reid. I love you and I always will, but we are terrible together. I can’t stay faithful and you get pissed at me. You can’t go a day without doing something to damage the environment or making me feel stupid and I get pissed at you. It’s not a good combination.”
“So then why did you ask to see me?”
“I’m getting married.”
“Really? You?
“Yes, me. I know that it’s a surprise given my track record, but I think it shouldn’t surprise you who I’m marrying.”
“Mystery Yale guy?”
“His name is Elijah, and yes.”
“And you’re sure that’s what you want?”
“Absolutely. I also know Elijah is open to the idea of an open marriage, and is a vegan, and likes to play the bongos.”
“So you basically found the yuppie version of yourself?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, I’m happy for you.”
“So, what are you going to do about your own man?”
“He’s not my man.”
“But you wish he were, right?”
“Yeah, but he and I started out as fuck buddies and that’s all he wants.”
“You sure about that?”
“Of course I am, it’s quite clear from the conversation we had outside before he left.”
“Maybe he’ll surprise you.”
“I doubt it. I was stupid to think the fuck buddy system would work.”
“I can’t say that I blame you for that.”
“Yeah, well, thanks for my self-esteem and relationship issues.”
“Thanks for my self-confidence and intelligence issues.”
“We really were terrible for each other, weren’t we?”
“And I wouldn’t change a single day of it.”
“Me either.”
Reid and Grant talked about wedding plans and they said goodbye a few hours later.
Reid grabbed a taxi and went back to the hotel.
He needed to talk to Luke, he just needed to make him understand that he did want Luke as a friend, even if that meant they stopped having sex.
So he texted him and waited.
Reid fell asleep still clinging his IPhone in his hand.
The next day he woke up with one new message. With trembling hands, he opened the message to find:
Reid knew Luke was being serious and he was devastated. The first two weeks without contact was the worst. Reid missed Luke and the emails and the late night chats about stupid shit. He fucking hated anyone who was happy and he went into a downward spiral. But he was determined he was going to be the best fucking pitcher ever, so he spent all his time practicing, then going home and drinking himself into a stupor. Reid told himself it was fine, he didn’t need Luke anyway and it was only sex. He was lying. Cristian and Vanessa tried to pull him out of his funk by introducing him to cute guys, but he didn’t want any of them. He just wanted Luke.
Luke was no better, even though he was an alcoholic and had gone through the twelve step program, he always wanted to drink. He spent the first two weeks curled up in bed smelling the pillow that Reid used to sleep on. He missed Reid and he hated that he did. He’d replay a voicemail he had saved from Reid over and over every day for weeks just so he could hear his voice again. And even when he tried to convince himself he was better off without Reid, all he wanted to do was be with him.
Next