Page 113 of The Future Play

Jamie: Love you too, babe. Keep kicking ass.

With a sigh of relief, I set my phone to the side, then I remember that I’m about to be late for lunch with the girls and haul ass out of my parking spot.

“I love ice cream,”I sigh happily as I sit down at the table with Chelsea and Dani. We’re at Dani’s friend’s ice cream shop, enjoying some delicious homemade ice cream after kicking ass at our volleyball game. The physical outlet was definitely needed after all the mental gymnastics and planning I’ve been doing.

“Same,” Chelsea and Dani agree.

“Thanks for working with me about the volleyball stuff. I’m sure it would’ve been easier to replace me.”

Dani’s brow furrows. “We weren’t going to replace you. If anything, we would’ve just quit. We’re a team. We go down together.”

Chelsea sets her spoon down and looks at me. “Yeah. You’re not replaceable. We love doing thiswithyou.”

“Thanks.” As usual, I suck at taking compliments, even if I did need to hear that. The stupid, insecure part of me is afraid my friendships will fracture or fade since I’m not around as regularly, but the girls have only held on tighter.

“Are you doing okay?” Dani asks.

“Yeah. It’s just been… crazy. I think I might even be happy when it’s time to go back to school. My schedule will probably be less chaotic. But I love that I get to be here for nights like this and for the tournament next Saturday.”

“Make sure you’re still taking care of yourself.”

What is that?

But I nod, then lift my spoon. “Ice cream is a great first step.”

I know I’m running myself a little ragged, but it’s worth it to build my business, spend time with the people who matter, and support Jamie. Once these events are done, it’ll slow down—at least a little. It’s temporary, and that’s why I can push myself.

Plus, the rest of the night will be all relaxing, snacking, and enjoying some downtime.

No working.

No working.

None at all.

Unless I have a really great idea.

I hada great idea about how to organize the lights and flowers for the gala, so I spent the last hour doing a quick mockup so I could send it to Alannah.

As I plop on the couch, turn the TV on, and find Jamie’s game, I cringe realizing I missed the first inning—and the score is already one-one in the second. I cross my fingers and throw up a prayer to the goddess of sports—that’s totally a thing, right?—and hope the team can turn it around because my man needs a win.

Jamie

I wantto throw my glove into my cubby and scream as we walk into the visitor’s clubhouse, dejected after a bruising loss.

A loss that I helped us earn. Sure, our reliever gave up three runs in four innings, but I gave up four runs in five.Fuck my life.It’s my third loss of the season. My third loss in a row. And the worst part is, other than a couple of games, mine have consistently been the ones we’ve lost. I thought I was starting out strong, but it’s looking more and more like overconfidence.

At least that’s what every fucking article says about me. All those shitty analysts, most of whom have never played the fucking game. Why don’t they give it a try before they crucify the rest of us?

I’m exhausted and pissed, and I want nothing more than to go home to Amanda’s arms, but we’re on the road and she’s not here. Which shouldn’t piss me off, but it does. I know she’s had a lot going on lately, but shecouldhave scheduled things differently and come on this trip, and when I’m feeling fucking awful like this, I hate that she’s not.

“Let it go, Jame,” our right fielder Beau Airington says. He’s a typical fun-loving playboy, who even after a loss like this isn’t grumpy like the rest of us.

It’s easy for him to say that. He’s not the pitcher. He’s not the one the win or loss sits on.

When a player gets a hit that turns the team around, he’s praised, but he doesn’t get a W next to his name. And if one botches a play, he’ll be the talk of all those sports shows, but there won’t be an L next to his name. The pitcher carries greater responsibility, and I’m failing the team.

I can’t remember the last time I had three consecutive losses. A team I was on? Sure. But me? Nope. The Metros put their faith in me, and after two decent games, I’m letting them down.

---