Salim had debated for a while on how to bring up this latest question about American customs. He hadn't wanted to admit he overheard Nick and Jason chatting the last time they all hung out together. He finally settled on teasing. Partly because he and Jason spoke that way to each other all the time anyway, and partly because it would put Jason more at ease.
“I didn't realize you were a baseball star.”
“What?” Jason lifted an eyebrow.
“I heard Nick say something about you being on first base,” Salim explained. What Nick had actually said was, When's the last time you got to first base? Salim had some understanding about the rules of baseball by now, though the meaning of Nick's comment was still lost on him.
“Oh, that.” Jason snorted and rolled his eyes. “He wasn't talkin' about real baseball. He was sayin' I haven't made out with anyone in a while.” Salim just looked bewildered. Jason must have heard him thinking, because he continued: “Kissing someone is going to first base.”
“Because it's beginner stuff. Like you're just starting. And each base you get a little more hot and heavy.”
Salim thought this over. “When I hear people call baseball America's favorite pastime, I hadn't considered that was what they meant.” That got Jason to let out a breathy laugh. “So what do the other bases mean?”
“Second's when you touch from the waist up. Usually just the chest area. Third is the waist down. And a home run's when you fuck.”
“I see.” Salim digested this information. “So in this metaphor, would the bases being loaded mean... you're naked?”
“Guess so,” Jason nodded.
“But you haven't gotten to first in a while,” Salim went on, “according to Nick.”
“Haven't even been up to bat. I was an addict, could barely handle my own shit. Then I joined up, and getting with anyone was the last thing on my mind.”
“If it's any consolation, I haven't 'been up to bat' since Maysa left. I was more focused on Zain.”
“Now's a good time to get back on the field,” Jason said. “I bet you'd barely have to bunt.”
“Bunting means you barely tap the ball,” Jason explained. “So all you'd need to do is flash those pretty brown eyes of yours.”
The words came out so casually it took a moment for Salim to process them. “You think my eyes are pretty?”
“Yeah?” Jason blinked, like he was startled at himself for admitting it. A faint touch of pink dusted his cheeks. “I mean, if you're into that.”
“I'm more of an ass man,” Salim responded, letting his eyes drop meaningfully. If he understood the metaphor, he was taking a swing.
“You're an asshole,” Jason retorted, the pink spreading a little more. He changed the subject after that.
Salim would need to understand baseball a little better to know for sure, but he had a feeling he was still up to bat. He just needed to wait for a good pitch.
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