I was shocked by the news out of Charlotte. I never suspected that Mo was gay, too. Chase called me at nearly midnight. I was already sound asleep. After the fifth ring, I grabbed the phone worried that it was bad news from my family. For some reason, Uncle John flashed into my mind. I tensed even more when I saw that it was Chase calling.

I practically yelled into the phone, “What’s wrong? You didn’t fall on that shoulder, did you?”

Chase laughed in response.

“What’s so funny?”

“Hold your horses. Nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is pretty damn good. By the way, did you know Mo Sadler is gay?”

I set the phone down on the sheets beside me and pushed the speaker button. I reached my hands up and rubbed at my forehead trying to wake up. I asked, “What did you say? Were you talking about Mo? Why did you call me so late?”

Chase was wide awake. He said, “I was bursting with news, and I knew you’d want to know before you heard about it on the radio in the morning.”

“Heard what? Are they still yammering about Huggins and Eckert? I hope nobody connects the dots, because then I’ll have to leak the truth.”

“No, that’s what’s so great! They don’t care about those two anymore. Mo took over the news cycle. He’s the man of the moment!”

“Okay, yeah, I’m trying to wake up. Why is everyone so excited about Mo? He is an excellent pitcher.”

“He’s gay!” shouted Chase. “He announced it in the press room.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Cross my heart. I’ll let you go back to sleep now that you know. It will be the big story in the morning. I just wanted you to know first. Hugs and kisses!”

“Oh, great, you wake me up and then tell me goodbye.”

Chase shifted his voice to a tone dripping with seduction. “We could change to video chat, and we could have a little fun. I just wanted to let you sleep if that’s what you want.

I sighed and said, “It’s so tempting, but I’d better sleep for now. It’s an important game tomorrow, but after the game…are you available?”

“Always available for you, love. Give me a call when you’re back home tomorrow night.”

I smiled and said, “I love you, Chase, and thank you for the news. I can’t wait for tomorrow night.”

“Neither can I.”

Nine hours later I had more news to rock my world. I was awake and lounging in the hotel suite. I curled up in just boxer briefs on the sofa with a blanket over my bare legs to watch sports news and see what they were saying about Mo. The cell phone rang. I wasn’t used to calls first thing in the morning, and I began to worry all over again like the night before.

It was Harv on the phone. He whispered, “I just heard some backroom scuttlebutt.”

“And it can’t wait until I get there?”

Harv said, “Well, I can keep a secret, but I’m not sure that you want me to hold onto it. The news might be big for you.”

“For me? Please don’t tell me they’re making me manager. I’m not ready for that.”

Harv laughed. “You don’t have to worry, but this is about jobs.”

“I’m getting fired?”

“Wrong again!” exclaimed Harv.

“Okay, you’ve got my attention. Tell me the big news.”

“The Yellowjackets want you back.”

My eyes opened wider. My eyes opened wide. “They what? Who said that?”

Harv whispered the details. He said, “People are milling around, and I’m sure I’m not supposed to be leaking this to you. The story goes that the field managers for each team had a conversation. Since that guy resigned in Charlotte, they want you back. Our manager insisted that he would be able to call in a favor at some point in the future if he lets you go.”

I asked, “Does he really think he can make that decision for me?”

“I think it was a little tongue in cheek,” said Harv. “He’s smarter than that. I have a question.”

“You do?”

“If they make you an offer, will you go?”

I almost blurted out my response without thinking. Then I realized what a good friend Harv had become so quickly. I spoke slowly and quietly saying, “I have to say I’d probably go back in an instant, but it wouldn’t be without regrets.”

“Regrets?”

“You’re a good man, Harv. I can’t leave you easily.”

He responded with a gentle laugh. “Aw, that’s very sweet of you, but I know who else is there in Charlotte. The two of you can buy a cute little house together.”

I smiled at the thought, but I said, “That might be getting the cart a little ahead of the horse. We still don’t know about Chase’s future, and if he’s not playing, I will be gone a lot in the coaching position.”

“Can’t he travel with you?” asked Harv.

It was all a little too much for me first thing in the morning. I said, “Let’s not push things too far ahead. I still haven’t heard an offer. Let me wake up and get some breakfast. How about I meet you at the stadium at 1:00. Will you be there?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there even earlier,” said Harv. “Two of the starters are meeting with me to go over some film. I think they both have similar issues, and it might help to talk about it together in a small group.”

“You’re a great coach, Harv. I love to hear about you thinking things through.”

He said, “Remember me when you snag that manager contract.”

Thirty minutes later, it was my turn to disrupt Chase’s sleep. I called, and the phone rang five times before he answered. He growled, “Hey, can’t a guy get a good night’s sleep?”

“I’m not sure. Can you with someone else in your bed?”

“What? And good morning. What is that about someone sleeping with me? I assure you I’m in bed alone this morning.”

I continued to tease. “But I might soon be there when you wake up in the morning.”

I heard the confusion in his voice. “Did San Antonio fire you, too?”

“No, Charlotte offered me a job.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear when Chase squealed into it. A few seconds later, he calmed down, and said, “But you didn’t say you accepted it. You are going to accept it, aren’t you?”