Saved by the Pitcher, page 1
Table of Contents
Books by Gareth Chris
Title Page
Legal Page
Book Description
Dedication
Trademark Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
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About the Author
Pride Publishing books by Gareth Chris
All on the Line
Brought by the Storm
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Oh, Baby: He Doesn’t Know Jack
All on the Line
SAVED BY THE PITCHER
GARETH CHRIS
Saved by the Pitcher
ISBN # 978-1-80250-639-6
©Copyright Gareth Chris 2024
Cover Art by Claire Siemaszkiewicz ©Copyright May 2024
Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz
Pride Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2024 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.
Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”.
Book two in the
All on the Line series
A handsome actor meets and falls for his baseball idol, but will his hero have the power to save him?
James Vicksburg should be happy that he’s finally achieved acting success on Broadway, but his conservative senator father controls what he can do and who he can love. When James’ baseball idol, Mike Cooper, meets him backstage after his show, their mutual attraction is palpable. The two begin what they think is a secret affair, but James quickly learns that nothing stays hidden from his vindictive father for long.
James is torn between his growing love for Mike and his desire to protect him from his father. What he doesn’t realize is that Mike has his own plan to fight for James’ happiness, even if it means them losing each other.
Dedication
I’d like to thank the readers of my first book, Brought by the Storm, who have shared with me their lovely sentiments about the novel. It meant a lot to me. I hope that they and others who are just discovering this series enjoy Saved by the Pitcher.
Special thanks to John Cupper, the first reader to share feedback on my debut novel. You never forget your first! John, thank you for your kind words and support. Also, thanks to author Peter Fenton and PA Scott White who provided invaluable marketing advice, welcomed me in the M/M fiction-writing community, and encouraged me to keep writing about the characters in my head.
As always, my deepest gratitude to my editor, Anna Olson, who continues to support me and who provides such helpful feedback. She makes each book better.
Trademark Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Variety: Penske Media Corporation
American Girl: Mattel, Inc.
New York Yankees: Yankee Global Enterprises
Tony Award: American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League
Photoshop: Adobe Inc.
Speedo: Speedo International Limited
Toronto Blue Jays: Rogers Communications
iPad: Apple, Inc.
McDonald’s: McDonald’s Corporation
Starbucks: Starbucks Corporation
Mounds: The Hershey Company
Colorado Rockies (team): Richard and Charles Monfort
Boston Red Sox: Fenway Sports Group
Chicago Cubs: Thomas S. Ricketts, Laura Ricketts, Pete Ricketts, Tod Ricketts, Joe Ricketts
Uber: Uber Technologies, Inc.
Facebook: Meta Platforms, Inc.
Styrofoam: DuPont
New York Mets: Steve Cohen, Alexandra M. Cohen
Ken (doll): Mattel, Inc.
James Bond: Ian Fleming
Academy Award: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Golden Globe: Eldridge Industries
Chapter One
James sat in the window-facing café booth, awaiting his brother Billy and Billy’s girlfriend, Nadia. He had missed them for the three weeks they had been overseas on a charity mission. Although James had kept busy with his starring role in a successful Broadway musical, the downtime between performances had reminded him of the companionship dependency he had on his sibling.
James had casual friendships with the cast and crew of the show, but his colleagues were more like neighbors who chatted in passing without ever inviting each other to visit. He assumed they were wary of him because of his right-wing senator father, Charles Vicksburg. The senator’s wealth and extreme views didn’t sit well with the diversity of artists who made up the Broadway community, most of whom struggled to reach their positions. James thought they might not trust his proclaimed liberal views, but he had his own reasons for remaining quiet about his father’s politics. He knew that to those around him, his silence made him appear like a coward at best—and complicit at worst. They didn’t understand his father’s reach or connections, nor the willingness of so many to do the senator’s bidding, even when nefarious. James had been a target himself on more than one occasion, and he had learned discretion equaled survival. James did his best to offset negative perceptions by being a supportive, dedicated team-player in the workplace.
During her marriage, James’ mother had been miserable, contradicting his father on almost everything. While in boarding school, James learned of his mother’s fatal car accident via a text from his father. The notification was brief, followed by a command to pack in preparation for the funeral. James had longed to read that his father shared his grief or was thinking about his love for his family. Instead, the text had closed with a message to be strong.
After a few years of living as a widower, Charles Vicksburg met Caroline Finney—the woman who became Billy’s mother when James was nine years old. It was ironic that it was the second time James’ father was smitten by a woman from a left-leaning family which deplored Charles’ politics. Undeterred by pressure from her parents and siblings, Caroline married Charles, believing he must be a good man to have been raising James on his own.
Not having taken time to acquaint herself with her fiancé proved fatal for her marriage, as she disagreed with him on every culture-war issue. The bigger wedge was their different opinions regarding child-rearing. Caroline abhorred Charles’ support of corporal punishment, emphasis on masculine sports for his boys and his compulsion to see his children match his career success at any cost. The couple divorced after two years, sharing custody of their then-one-year-old son. Once he was grown, Billy often complained to James about his childhood and how he had been bounced between two households with different expectations. Like James, Billy grew up to be sensitive, gravitating to his mother’s more liberal views of the world, much to his father’s chagrin. Charles blamed the adult versions of his sons on soft mothers and the influence of their New York City friends. The senator had hoped his sons’ circles would be comprised of citizens from the more conservative districts of New York—the areas that had voted Vicksburg into office.
When Billy had begun dating Nadia, the daughter of a white man and an African-American woman, James’ father couldn’t conceal his contempt. In public, he didn’t criticize the union, recognizing it would be frowned upon by most—even in more conservative circles. In private, he bemoaned white Americans losing their identity, heritage and more powerful positions in society. Billy was shocked when his father told him that Nadia was the type of girl he could experiment with, but to use protection so there wasn’t an undesirable consequence which would ‘tarnish’ the Vicksb
While James and Billy were expected, and sometimes coerced, to appear at their father’s campaign rallies, Senator Vicksburg made it clear that the platform was for family members only. That sidelined Nadia, despite her two-year relationship with Billy.
James broke into a broad smile when the five-foot-six Billy and his taller girlfriend entered the café. Unlike the stoic and constipated-looking Vicksburg clan, Billy and his girlfriend were cute and exuded fun and affection. Upon seeing James, Billy returned the joyous expression and rushed to him with arms outstretched. After a couple of pats on each other’s backs, James kissed Billy’s forehead. James adored his little brother, and he didn’t care if their being affectionate seemed odd to others. He knew it was distasteful to their father, for sure. But James wanted Billy to experience how much he meant to him. It was something he never had himself when growing up.
Nadia laughed and rolled her eyes, pushing Billy away from his brother so she could wrap her own arms around James. She pulled the man in for a quick peck. When she backed away, she was still beaming, brushing aside a lock of James’ thick, shiny mane.
“It’s so good to see you guys,” James said, pointing to the booth for them to sit. “How was the trip? It killed me that we couldn’t connect much.”
Billy and Nadia shuffled into the booth, and James sat opposite them.
“Oh my God, dude, the devastation from the earthquake was awful,” Billy began.
“But it was really rewarding to be there to help,” Nadia finished. “We weren’t able to participate in recovery missions, of course, but they let us help care for the injured, find places for displaced pets…”
“Oh man, that was so sad, James. You should have seen all the poor animals that were wandering, lost and looking for their owners. It broke my heart,” Billy added, his eyes watering at the memory.
Nadia placed her hand on Billy’s thigh, nodding in agreement. “It was sad, but going there helped, and I’d do it again in a minute.”
“Yeah,” Billy concurred, then he turned to face James. “I wished you could have been there with us, bro.”
“Me too,” James admitted. “But you know, the show must go on, as they say.”
“Still filling the house?” Nadia asked.
James tapped his fist on the table for good luck. “So far, so good. I’m afraid I’ll jinx it by saying this, but box office receipts are holding up. Variety magazine called the show an ‘official smash.’ I knew it was possible when we prepped this show for the last two years, but to see it happening is wild.”
“I’m happy for you.” Billy smiled. “You deserve it. And the show is super good. So much better than some of the other crap you’ve performed in.” He snickered, then gulped some water from the glass before him.
“Stop it,” Nadia chastised. “Be nice. You haven’t seen James in weeks.”
“It’s okay.” James laughed. “He’s right, and I’m glad he’s honest. At least when he says something is good, I can believe that he means it.”
“Dude, I always praise your work,” Billy reminded him. “It’s just some of the shows you’ve been in weren’t worthy of your performances.”
A blonde, large-busted server approached the table to take their orders, directing most of her attention to James. When she walked away, Billy gave James a leering look.
“What?” James inquired.
“She’s hot, and I think she has an eye for you,” Billy responded. “I’ll bet she saw you sitting on the other side of the booth all by your lonesome, thinking how she’d like to make us a quartet.”
“She was being polite. She wants a good tip,” James dismissed him.
“Nah, she took one look at you and thought, ‘I know the other guy is much cuter, but he seems to be taken. Fortunately, the loner isn’t too hard on the eyes,’” Billy quipped.
“Ha! I doubt it. I think she’s wondering why Nadia isn’t sitting with me instead of you. She’s worried she fell into some upside-down parallel universe,” James retorted.
“Guys, stop! Do we have to go through this all the time?” Nadia snapped, though unable to hide her amusement. “I wish you each had a dose of humility to go with your handsome features.”
“Ask her out,” Billy prodded, ignoring Nadia.
“What? I don’t know the first thing about her. She could be taken,” James reasoned.
Billy glanced around the café to see if he could spot the server. “Hmm. I don’t see her. Bet you ten dollars she’s in the ladies’ room primping to make a better impression with you.”
“You don’t have ten dollars to bet,” James rebuked. “If it hadn’t been for the government aid to pay for your trip, you two would never be able to afford to leave your apartment.”
“That’s the truth,” Nadia said. “We might not have had to pay for the trip, but it was also three weeks where neither Billy nor I made money. I’ll be glad to get back to my own server job so I can pay this month’s bills.”
James knew both his brother and Nadia spent most of their spare hours working. Billy tended bar at a busy club while his girlfriend was a diner-counter waitress. Together, they had to earn enough to cover the rent of an East Village walk-up apartment and pay their living expenses. Nadia’s parents were of modest means, and it was with some hardship they were helping her with college expenses. Despite his wealth, Charles Vicksburg was willing to cover only the cost of Billy’s NYU tuition and books as he continued his education to become a veterinarian.
“You could tell Father that you’ve had an epiphany, and you’re joining the Proud Boys or some other white supremacist group.” James laughed. “He’d pay for everything then.”
Nadia rolled her eyes. “A Proud Boy dating a biracial girl? I think there’s a big hole in that plan.”
“Yeah, the big hole being Father,” James sniped.
“I’ll bet Lilah will have all expenses paid for anything she wants when she gets out of high school.” Billy pouted.
Lilah was the last child of Charles Vicksburg, courtesy of third wife Victoria. Unlike his first two marriages, Charles was pleased with the stuffy, proper Victoria Kent-Vicksburg—a woman with an abundance of money, cosmetic surgeries and blood-red lipstick. Lilah was the precocious offspring Charles had always craved—besotted with Daddy, agreeing with his every word and looking down on anyone from another social class. She was eleven. James shuddered to think of the monster she’d be once she hit adulthood.
“Hmm, Lilah the Pariah.” James smiled. “But can we be sure she’s Father’s child? Some speculate she’s the devil’s seed.”
“Same thing,” Nadia added.
The server brought the customers their food, and James admitted to himself that she was making overtures with her eyes and smiles. He grinned at her in return, but looked away quickly enough to discourage a connection.
Once the three were alone, Billy laughed. “Told you.”
“If I ever start flirting like that on my job, please rip out my tampon and use it to wipe up my leaking dignity.” Nadia gagged.
James paused mid-squeeze of the ketchup on his veggie burger. “Um, bad timing for that image, thank you.”
“And why would you be flirting with the customers?” Billy asked.
“Maybe because my boyfriend hogs all the French fries,” she replied, pointing at how he’d dumped the ‘shared’ platter of potatoes next to his hamburger.
“Oh, sorry,” he said, looking down at his plate with embarrassment. “You know you’re welcome to pick food off my plate.”
“And I will,” she responded, taking a napkin to grab a handful of fries and relocate them to her dish.
“So, are you guys still coming to the show tonight?” James asked once their mouths were chewing instead of bickering.
“Of course,” Billy replied upon swallowing. “I told you. We’re bringing Maria. She can’t wait to see you, dude.”
James smiled. Maria was the woman who had helped care for him and Billy when they were being raised in their father’s house. She had been brought illegally to the United States by her husband several years earlier when much of their family had been executed by a Mexican cartel in a case of mistaken identity. Maria’s husband had crossed back to meet with the gang leader, hoping to secure safe passage home, but had ended up losing his head instead. Maria had performed cleaning services in progressively wealthier homes, working the last several years in the residence of Charles Vicksburg. The irony of him employing an illegal immigrant was never lost on James or Billy, considering his campaign slogans about closing the Mexican border to everyone, including asylum-seekers. Nevertheless, James and Billy never called out his hypocrisy for fear he’d fire or deport Maria in response.
