Page 127 of The Future Play

Especially when I whip around and pick off the runner trying to steal second. I smile to myself and turn back toward home plate.

Two outs. Two strikes. One ball.

I’ve got this.

We dominated that fucking game.I stayed in through the seventh and only let one more run through. We won 6-3. It’s a high I’ve needed for a while, and a reminder that sometimes I’m way too hard on myself.

“Nice pitching,” Aaron says as I walk out of the clubhouse.

“Isn’t that Rae’s line for you?”

He laughs. “I didn’t even realize it when I said that.”

“Well, keep your dirty thoughts to yourself.”

“You’re hilarious. So, what’s up now? Want to grab some dinner?”

“Yes, but I have a thing. You’re welcome to come, but it might not be super fun.”

“What is it?”

“I’m meeting with the reporter who’s doing a profile on me. Emily.”

“How’s that going?” Aaron asks, amused.

“Fine.”

“That good, huh?”

“It isfine. I hate it though. I’m not good at opening up to random strangers, plus I feel like I always have to be a certain way or maintain a certain image. That extra focus on me has also hadme more worried about my games. When I’m losing, I keep thinking I’ll be even more of a laughingstock. That her profile piece will be all about the pitcher who completely choked during his first season in the majors.”

Aaron stops and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Okay, I say this with love, but you’re not that important. You’re not choking. Every pitcher has good and bad games. And contrary to what you seem to believe, baseball is a team sport. Relax and let her see the guy who loves baseball and is living the dream of so many kids out there.”

I stare at him for a minute. “You’re annoying, but I’ve missed your wise prophetic shit.”

He grins at me. “Everyone needs a Gandalf to guide them on their journey.”

“Nevermind. I haven’t missed youat all.”

“I’m loving this dynamic.I’m seeing a whole other side of Jamie tonight,” Emily says to Aaron.

“This is the real him,” Aaron says easily. It must be nice to be an extrovert. To feel confident and easily talk with people. “It takes time for him to open up.”

Emily laughs. “For anything but baseball. If I get him going on baseball stats or trivia, he gets much more talkative.”

“Hey, I’m right here.”

“He likes to be the center of attention, he just doesn’t want to admit it,” Aaron stage whispers.

Emily stifles a laugh.

I do feel more at ease now though.

“Maybe we could do more of the interviews at home when Amanda is there. Aaron’s right. I open up more easily when I’m with people I know well.”

Emily nods. “I’m fine with that. I want you to be comfortablearound me, Jamie, and not worry about this turning into some sort of negative piece.” I frown. Am I that obvious? “It’s been clear with your answers—especially after games you’ve lost—that you’re worried about that. You don’t need to be. This is a piece about you, and from everything I’ve seen, you have integrity and a drive to succeed. That is how I build my pieces—around who the athlete is and what pushes them forward. Anyone can look up stats. Not everyone can get an inside look at what makes professional athletes excel at what they do, but also be just like everyone else.”

Something about that relaxes me a little. Maybe if my agent had explained it that way, I wouldn’t have been so uncomfortable with this whole thing. Then again, expecting someone who lives and breathes business to easily articulate the artistic nuance of writing might be too much to ask.

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