Page 61 of The Future Play

Jamie leans in close, pressing me against the side of my car. His gaze flits to my lips, and my heartbeat ticks up. Instead of kissing me, he dips his head and brushes his lips over my jaw, making me squirm in the best way.

All the blood in my body rushes south, and for the first time, I let myself imagine what it would be like to do a lot more than kiss him.

“Jamie.” My breathy voice surprises me, and it must pull him back to the moment too, because he leans back, standing up straight as he pants.

“Sorry. I?—”

“Don’t be.” I reach for his hand, my eyes catching on the bulge in his pants.

I hope he thinks of me if he…

Oh my god. I can’t believe I’m actually thinking that.

“Any chance you’d be willing to let me take you on a date next weekend?”

“I have a family thing… but I was wondering if you’d like to come?” My voice squeaks a little on the last word.

A soft smile appears, and he runs his fingers through my hair.

“You want me to come? What kind ofthingis it?”

“There’s a block party in my neighborhood, and we usually have some fun with that earlier in the day, then have a cookout with Jace’s family in the late afternoon. It would be nice to have you there for the cookout.”

“Then I’ll be there.”

A rush of excitement whirls through me. “Good.”

He leans in again and kisses my cheek. “I’ll be thinking of you until then. And I’ll be there on Wednesday to watch you play volleyball.”

I rest my hand on his chest and look into those captivating blue eyes.

“I can’t wait.”

He reaches down and pulls on my door handle, guiding me against him for a second so he can pull the door open.

“Drive safe.”

“Thanks. Have a good night, baseball boy.”

His eyes light up at that. “You too.”

He shuts the door and watches as I back out, waving as I pull onto the road.

My heart pounds as I drive away. I’m in so much trouble—at way too much of a risk of getting my heart crushed. But I don’t care. I’m falling for him. And I’m trusting him to keep me from slamming into the ground.

Jamie

I’ve got this.

Penny gave me a pep talk before I left the house. Takingrelationship advice from my seven-year-old sister might be a new low, but she’s smart and perceptive and has the candidness that only a child can.

All my introvert senses are tingling as I climb out of my car and make my way down Amanda’s driveway.I’m doing this for her,I remind myself. And that’s all it takes. I want to be here for her.

She’s waiting to say yes to a date with me. This is all part of me proving myself worthy. I’m showing up for her. Her ex didn’t put her first. Sure, her family knew, but that was because she pushed for it to happen. I want the world to know she’s mine—even if it’s not official yet.

It will be. Because I don’t give up on the things I want.

If I’m sure of two things in my life, it’s that I will make it to the majors and I’ll get Amanda to say yes to a date with me. From there, it’ll be a new battle of proving myself, but if I lay the groundwork now, that’ll make it easier.

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