Page 119 of The Future Play

Tonight has been amazing so far, and it’s an honor to be a part of it.

As everyone gets back to what they were doing, I glance around the floor, a quick flash of excitement rolling through me when I see Beau and Ryan from the Metros. I look around, more specific this time, but don’t see Jamie.

I make my way over to where Ryan is with his wife, Bridget.

“Amanda, this is absolutely beautiful.” She looks up at Ryan. “Can we go back in time and have her plan our wedding?”

Ryan just laughs, then leans in to kiss my cheek.

“Hey, Jamie’s running a few minutes late, but he should be here soon.”

“Thanks.”

Alannah gets my attention, and I hurry across the room to see what she needs, hoping Jamie will be here by the time I’m done.

My stomach twists.It’s been an hour-and-a-half since Ryan and Beau got here. Where the hell is Jamie? I don’t have my phone on me, so I suppose he could’ve texted, but unless he was vomiting or got hit by a bus, there aren’t many excuses for him not being here.

I take a brief break to grab a water from the bar, mostly to calm myself down.

“You nailed this. Glad I recommended you,” Mark Abbott says, sliding up next to me. He orders a drink, then turns to me, his brow furrowing. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” I force a smile, but I doubt I’m doing a good job of it.

Mark looks around, then back at me. “Where’s Jamie?”

I shrug. “Don’t know.” There’s only an hour-and-a-half left in the event, and he’s still not fucking here.

“But he’s supposed to be here,” Mark says, not asks.

“Yep. He was supposed to be here over an hour ago. I’m not sure where he is. Maybe something with baseball. I don’t know how the game was tonight.”

Mark slowly shakes his head. “That’s no excuse for him not being here when he said he would be.” He meets my eyes, then the bartender shows up with his drink, and he grabs it. He nudges me with his elbow before he walks away. “You’re important too. Remember that.”

Sighing, I glug the rest of my water, then get back to it. I have a job to do, and that continues, whether Jamie is here or not.

The last hourof an event is always the most chaotic. People are leaving, the kitchen and bar are slowly shutting down, the hosts are tired, and I’m trying to make sure everything is ready for when the tear down crew arrives.

I walk out of the kitchen, and nearly trip over my own feet when I see Jamie sitting at the bar, drinking.

He’s two hours later than he said he’d be here. Obviously, the game didn’t run late.

Lifting my chin and standing up straight, I walk over to him. Halfway there, he sees me and stands up.

“Hey, baby,” he says when I get to him. “Everything looks amazing.”

With his words, I smell alcohol, and glance over at his drink. “Are you drinking?”

“Uh… yeah?”

“Oh, so the Metros newest pitcher and my boyfriend, who is underage, is drinking at an event I’m running after showing up two hours late. Amazing. Do you have any idea how that looks?”

“Mands, I’m sorry.” He reaches for my hands, but I step away.

“Not here. Not now. I’m working.”

“Right,” he says quietly.

“Enjoy what’s left of the event. We’ll talk later.”

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