The race for the league championship in softball continued to heat up as the summer wore on. Our loss early in the season began to loom large. Our only serious competitors for the championship lost just one game, too, and we didn’t have a game scheduled with each other until the end of the season.

Only four games remained overall in the season, and each one became a must win situation. Ian sent out text messages mid-week and asked that we all report at least fifteen minutes before the game. He said it was important, and he got a 100% response from the team.

We interrupted our warmups and gathered in a huddle at home plate just ten minutes before game time. Reggie led us in cheers about winning the game, and Ian called us out individually asking each of us if we were gonna win. By the time he got to Blake, the last on the list, Blake barked out, “We’re gonna win!”

Ian asked, “Why are we gonna win?”

Blake shouted, “Because we’re the best!”

“Who’s the best?” asked Ian.

“We’re the best!” shouted Blake

Then Blake waved his arms at his sides to include the rest of us as Ian asked one more time, “Who’s the best?”

The entire team shouted, “We’re the best!”

Reggie shouted, “Now get out there and win!”

It was a close game. Each team scored two runs in the first inning and then the next four innings zipped past with no one making it past second base for either team.

In the top of the sixth, Ian kicked at the dirt when one of the opposing players connected with his pitch well enough to bloop the ball into left field just over Blake’s head and too far in front of me to have a prayer of catching it.

I raced to the ball and relayed it into Antonio to keep the runner at first, but I could see the tension in my teammates’ faces. It was getting late in the game, and there was a good chance this one could be decided by just one run.

The runner advanced to third base on ground balls by each of the next two batters. The batters were thrown out at first base, but the runner ended up standing on third base with two outs.

Blake shouted, “Get the batter! Don’t worry about this guy!”

We all knew that if the batter hit the ball, the man on third would break immediately for home plate. Other than in the unlikely case of a bunted ball, that didn’t matter. Getting the batter out would shut the team down and prevent a go-ahead run.

I moved forward five steps closer to home plate and nervously shifted from side to side. Glancing around the field I saw that all of my teammates’ eyes were focused resolutely on home plate.

Ian managed to throw the first pitch right past the batter, and the umpire called a strike. I breathed a sigh of relief. We were one strike closer to the third out.

Unfortunately, then the unbelievable occurred. A line drive flew off the bat directly at Billy. A smile filled my face as the ball slammed into the webbing of Billy’s glove. I started to jog toward the dugout when I heard a loud groan from the spectators behind home plate. I turned my head, and saw the ball lying on the ground at Billy’s feet. He picked it up and tried to fire it to first base, but it was too late. The runner was safe at first base, and the opposing team was a run ahead.

We were demoralized when we headed to the dugout, but it only took one player to bring us back up again. Lowell was standing on second base with two outs and Antonio was due at bat. Ian sent Blake out of the dugout to talk to Antonio.

I could see Antonio’s knees shaking from where I sat. I gripped Billy’s shoulder and said, “I can’t watch.”

He growled, “You have to watch. Antonio’s going to get me off the hook.”

“How do you know?” I asked.

“I just know these things,” said Billy.

Blake pulled Antonio aside for a few moments. I watched as Blake took a fake swing and then said something else. Antonio nodded and a big toothy grin appeared on his face. He strutted with confidence as he made his way to home plate.

One pitch later the ball was flying over the fence in right field. Antonio took a slow jog around the bases while our team screamed with delight in the dugout. As Antonio jumped on home plate, he turned his back to the field, licked his finger and then placed it on his round ass whispering, “Ssss.”

The home run scored both Antonio and Lowell, and we took the lead. In the final inning no one scored, and the Soft Serves squeaked through to yet another win.

Joining Jordan after the game, I said, “We have to celebrate with the team at the Toolbox. This was such a big win. Is that okay?”

Jordan laughed and said, “It was an awesome game. I’m pumped. Yes, let’s go. I’ve already sent Shane and Joey on their way. They completely understand. They were both grumbling about not being old enough to go to the Toolbox.”

Claw served as bartender, and the Toolbox owner Sally pitched in to help out. She said she knew that it was a game day, but Claw’s regular help called in sick. Blake offered to step behind the bar, but Sally shook him off. She said, “Get out there and celebrate with your team!”

With beer in hand and the opposite arm around Jordan, I scanned the wall-to-wall crowd. Jordan followed my gaze and asked, “Who’s the tall blonde guy up against the wall? He’s looking really chummy with Lowell.”

I said, “Oh, that’s Sven! You haven’t met Sven yet, have you? He’s Lowell’s boyfriend. He’s the one I said had to go help take care of his parents, so he’s out on the season. I guess he was able to come to Milwaukee for the weekend.”

Jordan raised an eyebrow and asked, “Is he really named Sven? As in the Norwegian name? Or is that just a nickname?”

I laughed and said, “He’s a real, in-the-flesh Sven. And yes, he’s a real Norwegian, too.”

We slowly pushed our way through the crowd, and Lowell and Sven each offered me big hugs in turn. I said, “Sven, I have someone for you to meet.” He turned to me and I said, “This is my boyfriend, Jordan.”

“Boyfriend?” asked Sven.

I said, “Yep, it’s been something like two months now.”

Then I steeled myself for the possibility of a comment about our ages, but instead, Sven was his always polite and friendly self saying, “Well, it’s about time you found a good guy, Marshall. You’re far too handsome and far too nice of a guy to be alone.” Then he leaned toward Jordan and whispered in his ear. I couldn’t hear what was said, but Jordan nodded in agreement and smiled.

Antonio was the hero of the game and he was surrounded by a dense crowd of well-wishers. I spotted his husband Lex standing quietly at his side. Placing my hand on Jordan’s shoulder, I said, “There’s someone else for you to meet.”

He said, “That’s great as long as there isn’t a quiz about names afterwards.”

I said to Sven and Lowell, “We’ll catch you later, but I think Jordan needs to meet Lex.”

Making our way to Antonio and Lex was even tougher than crossing through the crowd to Sven and Lowell. I could hear Antonio’s distinctive voice above the din. He was saying, “And then Blake, the total sweetheart, told me to swing like that ball was the head of the most evil person on earth. I think we all know who that is.” Everyone around laughed and Antonio threw his arms into the air.

Finally, we closed in on Antonio and Lex. I wrapped Antonio up in my arms and whispered to him, “I want Jordan to meet Lex.”

Antonio squealed, “Oh definitely! Jordan is so adorable. You lucky little bastard, Marshall.”

I laughed and said, “I hope he’s a lucky one, too.”

Antonio said, “Of course he is. You know we’ve all wanted you. Lex made me take down the poster of you on my closet door.”

Someone else drew Antonio’s attention with congratulations, so I stepped to the side. Lex was standing calm and quietly at Antonio’s side like most of the times I’d seen him. He held a drink in one hand, and I reached out for the other to shake. I said, “Lex, I would like you to meet my boyfriend, Jordan.”

Jordan reached out his hand as I said, “Jordan, this is Antonio’s long-suffering husband, Lex.”

Lex chuckled softly and said, “He’s a lot easier than he looks.”

I asked, “You’re not just saying that to be nice?”

Lex shook his head. “I can assure you that I’m not just saying that.” Then he turned toward Jordan and said, “Welcome to the crowd, Jordan. Marshall can use someone to take good care of him. I’m so happy to see he’s reeled in someone so handsome.”

Jordan blushed and meekly responded, “Thank you.”

We spent another hour at the Toolbox sharing drinks with our friends and then dancing when Blake convinced Sally to crank up the music. Finally, when the crowd began to thin noticeably, we made our way to my car. I said, “We’ve got to drive back out to the field so you can get your car.”

“Then do you want me to follow you home?” asked Jordan.

I said, “That would be great if you want to.”

“I think the celebration should continue in private.”

I said, “That sounds good to me.” While I navigated the streets across the south side of the city, I asked, “What did you think about Sven and Lex? Did you enjoy meeting them.”

“I didn’t get to talk to either long enough to make a real call, but they seem like very nice guys. Lex is the complete opposite of Antonio, but I’m guessing that might be just what Antonio needs to keep him anchored to the ground.”

Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, I said, “I think you hit the nail on the head. The first time I met Lex, he wore a sport jacket to a softball game. I asked Antonio if Lex worked the weekends and had just come from work. Antonio looked at me and said, ’No, of course not. He always dresses like that.’ Antonio drew out the always as an extra long word, and then he said, ‘Doesn’t he look so handsome. I just wanna eat him up.’ I smiled at Antonio and said, ‘And I bet you do.’”

Jordan laughed and asked, “What did Antonio say to that.”

“He laughed loud and slapped me on the back saying, ‘You’re so nasty, Marshall.’”

Jordan reached out for my thigh and said, “There are so many great couples connected with the team. Do you think we’ll soon be one of those?”

I said, “I don’t really see why not. I’m in this for the long haul. Are you, Jordan?”

He laughed and said, “I’m addicted to you. I don’t think I could stop if I wanted to.”