Page 42 of How We Fooled

I hang up the phone with so much excitement that I can’t contain myself. Instantly, I think of calling Eli, but then remember I’m literally watching his game on TV right now, and he’s standing on the pitcher’s mound.

The thought makes me laugh before I jump off the couch and run to the kitchen to tell Aunt Heidi.

“I have an interview!” I say before I even enter the area.

“That’s wonderful! Do you know for which school or age yet?”

“It’s for Leighton River school district actually. Mason Creek said I’d probably sub until one of their teachers went on maternity leave in November, so I thought I should reach out to Leighton River to see if they had something more permanent, and I got an interview!”

She comes from around the counter and wraps her arms around me. “I’m so proud of you. I know they’ll love you.”

“Thanks, Aunt Heidi.”

I take a moment, breathing in and nodding my head, overjoyed at the possibility of having my own classroom, when I hear cheering from the other room, making my eyes open wide.

“Eek, I forgot I was watching the game!”

I run back into the living room to see what just happened.

“What’s the score?” Aunt Heidi yells out.

“Two to one. The other team just scored.”

I plop down on the couch, intently watching the next at bat, then laugh to myself. Never did I think I’d leave Stockton or be watching a baseball game because I actually wanted to. Yet here I am, loving life so far away from home and really enjoying the game of baseball.

Who knew how thrilling it could be?

Once the game is over, I send Eli a text message.

I got an interview!

That’s my girl! I knew you would.

I swoon at him calling me his girl. I’ve never been so proud to be someone’s girl. I’ve never liked labels or to feel like I’m being claimed, but with Eli, I want to scream from the rooftops that I am indeed his girl.

I’m surprised later that night when my phone rings with a FaceTime call from Eli. Normally, when he’s on these trips, we only text because his coaches don’t allow them to sit on their phones, saying it’s time to be with their teammates.

I get why they feel that way, so I don’t mind. I’ve learned that if this is going to be his life, then I need to get used to it.

My overjoy from him calling might come off as a little too much though when I singsong into the phone, “OMG, hi!”

His smile is my everything when he responds smoothly, “Hey, it’s good to see your face.”

I sit back on the couch so I can hold the phone and see him better. “You too. I thought you couldn’t call.”

“I snuck away. The team is downstairs in the lobby, just hanging out. I told them I didn’t feel good. Really, I just wanted to tell you congrats on your interview.”

I know he’s got a lot going on when he’s at these tournaments, and the thought that he’s thinking about me and something I told him hours ago makes me unbelievably happy.

“Thank you for calling to tell me. Fingers crossed!” I cross my fingers in front of the phone with the cheesiest grin across my face, making him laugh.

“No need to cross anything. You’ll get the job, no doubt.”

“Congrats on winning the game today!” I say, remembering how good of a game it was.

He grins. “Thanks. Cody came in clutch at the end,” he says, talking about his teammate who hit the last run in for a walk-off.

“I think your home run had something to do with that too.”

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