Page 19 of First Love, Second Draft

“That’s what I’m talking about.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“You. That game. Inspiration. Listen to me. You pitched one of the most amazing games anyone could ever dream of. It’s the stuff Disney movies are made of. A dying boy’s last wish. A ho-hum, no-name pitcher.”

“There you go, inflating my ego again.”

“And aperfectgame. Honestly, it was a miracle when you think about it. That’s the type of story people love. The type of story that needs to get written. Because that’s the exact type of story people are gobbling up right now.”

Noah squinted up at the cloudless sky, shaking his head.

“I see you shaking your head, and I don’t think you’re following the vision here. Think about it, Noah. What else are you going to do the rest of your life? You’re what? Thirty-eight? Thirty-nine?”

“Forty.”

“Jeez Louise, I can’t believe you’re that old. But here’s the thing. You’re not that old. Get what I’m saying?”

“Please remind me why I ever let you handle my contracts.”

“Because you love me. The same way you love baseball. We’re both in your blood. Okay, I’m not. That’s weird. But baseball is. And guys like you don’t walk away from what you love.”

The sweat from his run chilled against his skin. Hadn’t Gracie said something along the same lines?

“Listen,” Scotty continued, talking a mile a minute. “I know it sounds like I’m thinking about me. And I’ll be honest, this all has a little to do with me because I like to eat expensive food off expensive tables. But really, this is about you. I’ve been in this business a long time. You’ve got longevity. Not just as a player. As a manager. Why? Because you’re likable. Who doesn’t like a likable guy?”

Must’ve been a rhetorical question. Scotty prattled on without missing a beat. “And listen, I know you don’t want to get stuck managing a team in the minors forever. Nobody does. That’s why we do this memoir. Get your story out there. Remind people how much they like you. You didn’t hear it from me, but word on the street is Dusty may not be back for another season. You could be a strong contender, Noah. You could. Your teammates already love you. We just need to get the rest of the higher-ups to realize they love you too. A memoir could do that.”

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. Listen—”

“I have. And I can’t. What you’re saying makes sense, kind of, but I can’t do it. Not if I want to save my marriage. That game... No. I have to leave it in the past.”

Because Noah had read sports memoirs before. It was never about the one game or the one season or even the one career. It was always about the life. And there were parts of Noah’s life he wasn’t sharing with anyone. Ever. Which was why he’d built a reputation for being tight-lipped during interviews, eventually not giving any at all.

Noah sniffed, the cold air starting to make his nose run. “Hey, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but—”

“I’m not acceptingno. Think it over. We’ll talk more later.” His agent ended the call before Noah could say anything. Especiallyno.

9

Simone:How are the revisions coming? Did you make any headway this weekend?

Grace:Yep. Making headway. Really happy with the revisions I’ve made so far.

No need to tell Simone the entirety of those revisions was spent on tweaking the opening sentence all weekend long. But surely anyone would agree that Gracie’s new first sentence—Heather hated horses—was far superior to her original first sentence—Heather had never been all that fond of horses.

The alliteration alone ought to hook readers.

Simone:Glad to hear it! Especially since you’re not getting an extension on your deadline. Just heard back from your editor...

No extension. Okay. No need to panic. Gracie’s got gumption. See? Look at that. Another alliteration. She was on top of her writing game.

Grace:Won’t be a problem. Thanks for the update.

Simone:Go get ’em, Cowboy!

A GIF pinged through a second later. Gracie adjusted her reading glasses, but it didn’t help. She still saw the same image of herself climbing onto the coin-operated horse in the back of a pickup truck and falling off the side a moment later. On repeat.

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