Page 108 of The Future Play

I lean in and kiss him. “You don’t have to convince me. I’m not missing your official Metros debut.”

He lets out a shaky breath. “Good. Because I couldn’t do this without you.”

I gently run my thumb over his cheek. “How long will we be there?”

“Monday through Thursday. We should be able to do a little sightseeing on the days I’m not starting.”

“Sounds perfect,” I say, even as I realize I’ll have to miss volleyball next week. I’ll probably go back this week and pack some things for both of us. There’s no way we brought enough with us. After that, I’ll make a schedule of where I’ll be when, and I’ll have to check my important dates with the team’s travel dates.

For a second, I wonder if I should quit my rec league, but I don’t want to do that. I love playing with Chelsea and Dani, and with this being our last year of college and full-time careers starting soon, I don’t know if we’ll play next year or not. I don’t want to miss out on this. I’ll also need to factor in the wedding and other events I’m planning.

Jamie rubs his thumb over my hand, drawing my attention back to him.

“Thank you for being here with me. I could probably do it alone, but everything is easier with you here.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d be,” I say, and despite all the conflicting feelings I have right now, it’s theabsolute truth.

He pulls me into his arms, and I melt against him. My safe place. My person. Even though the familiar sense of peace and home washes over me when I’m in his arms, for the first time, I’m questioning how I’m going to handle all this.

15

MAGICAL

Amanda

“I’m so excited!”Rae does a little happy dance as we walk toward our seats.

It’s in the reserved section for family, though it’s not with the WAGs this time, which I’m grateful for. They haven’t been mean to me, but outside of a couple of the people I’d already met—or the wives of a couple of the players I’d met in the past—most didn’t go out of their way to get to know me. Which is fine.

I have my tribe, even if they aren’t always here.

Jamie’s parents surprised us by flying out with the kids to see Jamie pitch his first game—which he won. He said he savored the boos from all the L.A. fans, and I believe it because that cocky smile was firmly in place all night. And it might have been a bit of a turn-on.

Which means I might have blown him in the hotel room before we met his family for dinner.

I’m a slut for seeing my man happy and confident. The only thing that turns me on more is when he’s all innocent and blushing. Hot as fuck.

Today is Jamie’s first home game pitching, andRae and Aaron came down for it, along with Trevor and Chelsea. I love having part of my tribe by my side for the game.

I started paying closer attention and learned more about baseball because of Jamie, but I fell in love with it because of my friends, before Jamie and I were ever together. Some of my favorite college memories are nights shivering under a blanket together at the college games.

Aaron and Trevor are both looking around the stadium in awe. They both got to play here for Aaron’s bachelor party, but for two guys who have battled injuries and lost the ability to play like they once could, seeing their friend living the dream hits different. They’re proud and excited, even if it hurts a little.

Rae elbows me when we sit down. “You’re beaming, proud girlfriend. I love seeing it.”

“Me too,” Chels says.

The girls have been my rock, as usual, while dealing with this transition. They video call me when I’m not here and make it a point to find me and spend time with me when I’m back home. And when they found out about that article and all those comments, they were ready to goNo Body, No Crimeon the people who said that stuff. I love them for it, and Goddess knows I’d do the same for them.

I should probably take a harder look at why that protectiveness and ferocity doesn’t translate to my own life, but the easier thing to do is plow on and ignore it.

“I can’t help it. He always looks hot when he’s pitching, but sitting in a sea of people who are all staring at him and knowing he’sminedoes things to me.”

Rae and Chelsea look at their guys and smile the same way. No matter what they’re doing, when you love your partner, seeing them do something they love and succeed makes you happy too.

The guys line up outside the dugout, as the singer prepares for the National Anthem. Jamie’s eyes sweep the section, and I feel the heat of his gaze the second it lands on me.

I give him my sultriest smile, and a tiny wave before he looks away, and I swear I see the faintest hint of color on his cheeks.

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