Page 100 of The Future Play

“We’re listening,” I say.

He laughs a little. “Hi, Amanda.”

“Hi, Dave.”

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“You’re being called up.”

My eyes flare. I’ve been hoping for it. “How long? A game? Two?”

Dave chuckles. “No, Jamie. You’re being called up. Trade deal just went through and they let go of one of their pitchers in the deal.”

“Without a replacement?” Jamie chokes out.

“You’re the replacement. They’re betting on you.”

My heart hammers in my chest. It’s actually happening. After all these years. All this work.

“Baby,” Amanda whispers, tears in her eyes. “You did it.”

“Congratulations, Jamie,” Dave says.

“What—what… now?”

“They need you here tomorrow. There’s paperwork to sign—since technically they’re buying out your minor league contract and you’ll be getting at or slightly above the base required salary for a major league player.”

I blink a few times, trying to wrap my mind around that number. It’s like twenty times what I’m making now.

“Then they want you to meet the team, particularly the pitching staff and other pitchers, and then you and I have some things to discuss. We already have an apartment lined up to show you. It’s in a great neighborhood.”

My mind spins with all the information.

“I know this is a lot, but for now, take a deep breath and enjoy this. You’ve earned it.”

“Thanks, Dave.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow. Have a good night.”

“Night,” I mumble, everything setting in at once.

The call ends, and Amanda grabs my arms.

“Jamie?”

Emotion swells and my throat tightens. “I did it.”

She leaps into my arms. “Hell yes, you did. I’m so proud of you. Looks like we’re going to New York City.”

I start laughing despite the tears streaming down my face.

Amanda cradles my face in her hands. “Dave was right. You earned this. You earned every second. You get to live your dream. My heart feels like it’s flying out of my chest. I’m so insanely proud of you. I love you.”

She kisses me, and I fall into it. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without her. Achieving my dream is the ultimate fantasy, but doing it with her by my side is everything.

There are a million things to do. So much to plan. So much that’s going to change.

But I don’t care. I can’t care. We’ll figure it out.

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