Page 101 of The Future Play

Because it’s finally happening.

I’m officially a New York Metro.

14

LIFE CHANGING

Jamie

Every so often you’reaware of a life-changing moment when it’s happening, and when I step onto the field at the Metros stadium with my hand wrapped around Amanda’s, I know this is one I’ll remember forever. It’s the start of a new journey, one that’s destined to affect every part of my life.

It’s been a whirlwind twenty-four hours. Not even. It’s been just over twelve. After the phone call last night, we went over to Aaron and Rae’s apartment because I had to tell Aaron in person. Plus, I wanted his advice, and I figured Amanda would want to talk to Rae too. I’m so thankful for Amanda. She’s endlessly supportive, but I know this is a shift in her life too.

We crashed for a few hours, got up early, packed some things, went to my parents’ house to tell them and my siblings the good news, then drove here. It’s barely lunchtime, but it’s already been an insanely long day. I’m running on adrenaline and excitement right now, but once we’re out of the stadium, I know I’m going to crash.

“What do you think?” Marc Demoda asks. He’s the pitching coach for the Metros and used to be one of their pitchers. He wasthe first person I met from the team. Aaron reached out to him on my behalf, and he came to see me play long before any other scouts did. He and Aaron got to know each other and bonded over hand injuries that took them out of the game.

Though I’ve met most of the team in passing, and had conversations and at least slightly gotten to know others, Marc is my main point of contact here.

“It’s just like I remember it.” For Aaron’s bachelor party back in October, I called in a favor with Marc and organized a game with some of the Metros players going up against our friends from high school right here at the stadium. Yes, I have every intention of reminding all the Metros guys we beat them—at least I will if they give me shit.

“Ready for it to be your home?”

“Hell yes.”

“Photographer’s here,” Dave calls from near the dugout.

Marc waves him over and Dave joins us.

“These are just some publicity shots, so we’ll get a few of you on the mound, and Amanda, if you’re open to it, we’d like to get a few of both of you.”

“Sure,” she says with a smile. Then wiggles her brows at me and gives me a little push. “Go flex some muscles.”

A woman with a clipboard walks onto the field, followed by another younger woman.

The woman with a clipboard approaches, and her energy tells me she’s probably someone in charge of PR. “Actually, let’s get a few of you both first, then Amanda can get started on her tour of the stadium.” She gestures to the younger woman behind her, who smiles at Amanda.

I grab Amanda’s hand and lead her out to the mound. All the while, the camera snaps behind us. They take a few cutesy shots of us standing together on the mound, then Amanda turns to me and looks up into my eyes, a troublemaking smile on her face.

“You’re totally imagining fucking me here, aren’t you?” she whispers.

My cheeks heat and my eyes flare. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been. Sometimes, the things that come out of her mouth still surprise me.

“Baby, you’re killing me.”

“Because you’re thinking about it now, right?”

I wrap my hand around the side of her neck and lean in to kiss her.

“Hey! We aren’t paying for a couple’s shoot!” Dave calls.

Amanda laughs and steps back.

“You just like causing trouble.”

She slowly shakes her head. “Nope. I like seeing you smile. And you have been, but not like that. I can see the way your mind is whirring. Stop. Let it go. Take all this in.” She quickly kisses my cheek. “This is your dream. Revel in it.”

Then she squeezes my hand and scampers off the mound toward the woman waiting to give her a tour.

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