Page 51 of The Future Play

There, sitting casually in the bleachers and eating popcorn, is Jamie.

He came.

When my gaze connects with him, he winks at me, then goes back to eating his popcorn.

My heart pounds, and I’m trying to stay calm because, again, this doesn’t mean anything. Not yet. It’s a start, but… fuck.

Nope. I need to stay focused.

But the fact that he’s here, watching me, is impossible to shake. I want him to watch. I want to put on a show for him. Because even though I wish it wouldn’t, Jamie being here means a lot to my stupid, traitorous heart.

We wonthe whole damn tournament.

As the two other girls on my team this year surround me in hugs—which makes me feel even shorter than I am—my eyes drift back to the bleachers where Jamie was.

He’s standing now, cheering and clapping.

One of my teammates goes to hug her parents, and the other picks up the little boy toddling toward her before her husband walks over and wraps them both in a hug.

It’s beautiful. But the loneliness seeps in again. I’mso thankful for the people who were here to cheer me on today. But this high at the end… it’s hard not having someone rush to the floor and sweep me into their arms. I know many people value me. I’m important and special to them—and that feels good. But just once, I’d like to be someone’s everything.

I blink back the tears prickling in my eyes as Rae and Mackie run over to me.

“You were amazing!” Mackie throws an arm around my neck, and Rae does the same.

“Thank you.” I wrap an arm around each of them, feeling that gratitude again that I found them—my tribe—and they accepted me so willingly.

“I’m such a buzzkill, but I have to run so I can get home to shower before I have to babysit tonight.” Rae gives me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I love you. You were amazing. Girls’ night and sushi to celebrate this week!”

“Yes, ma’am. Love you too. Drive safe.”

She waves as she walks away, then Mackie slings her arm over my shoulder. “So, what do you think? Should we go out on the town? Fake IDs? Find a college party?” She waggles her eyebrows at me, even though I know Mackie would much rather be home watching a movie.

I’m about to say that, when I track Jamie walking toward us.

The heat of Mackie’s gaze lands on me.

“Jamie came to watch you?”

“Guess so,” I croak.

She spins me to face her. “What haven’t you told us?”

I give an innocent shrug.

“Uh huh. I totally believe you,” she says flatly.

“Your perceptiveness is annoying.”

“Tell me something I haven’t heard before.” She pokes my cheek. “Oh, you totally have a crush on him.”

“I don’t—it’s complicated…” I sigh. “Don’t mention it to anyone. Please?”

She mimes zipping her lips. “I’ll take it to the grave, babe.”

“Hey, Amanda. Macks,” Jamie says as he gets to us.

“Hey, Jame. I was just heading out.”

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