Page 63 of The Future Play

I let her go, then she pulls me over to a plastic loveseat, and we sit down.

“So, Jamie, you’re a pitcher?” Amanda’s dad asks.

“Guilty.”

“Are you any good?” Josh asks.

Amanda glares at him, but I just wrap an arm around my girl.

My girl. God, I hope she will be.

I never would’ve expected that someone would completely throw me off my game—throw some of the importance of my game out the window—but Amanda did. And I’m happy to get lost falling down the rabbit hole, as long as I’m falling with her.

“He’s amazing,” Amanda says, jutting her chin out. “He’s going to play in the majors.” She says it so confidently, like it couldn’t be anything other than the truth. And while I believe in myself and I have a lot of other people who do too, her believing it means something more.

“Really?” her dad asks.

“Yeah. I mean, there’s nothing official at this point. I’ve got almost another full year until I’m eligible for the draft, but that’s what I’m working toward—and have been working toward for a long time. My coach is confident I can get there, and I am too.”

“Any idea which team you’ll play for?”

“Whoever will take me,” I say with a laugh. “But I’d love to play for the Metros if I get the chance. They were one of the main teams we all watched and rooted for growing up. It would be amazing to play for them one day.”

Amanda squeezes my hand. “Then you will.” When I turn and meet her gaze, she smiles at me, then leans in and lowers her voice. “Since you always get what you want, right?”

I slip my hand out of hers and squeeze her thigh, giving her my cockiest smile in response.

“So, how did you two meet?” Amanda’s mom asks.

“Jamie is a friend of Rae and everyone from college. We met at their Christmas party.”

“But we got to know each other when I showed up to an event my parents were hosting and she was there running it.” I rest my arm over Amanda’s shoulders, brushing my thumb over her upper arm. “I pretty much fell for her right there, watching her in action.”

Amanda’s gaze darts to me in surprise. Maybe it wasn’t overt, but the feelings took root that night. She captivated me, and she’s been on my mind ever since.

“She is incredible. We’re proud of all she’s accomplished building her own business at such a young age.”

Amanda softens, her eyes growing big. “Thanks, Mom.”

Her mom leans over from her chair and kisses Amanda on the cheek. “You know we’re proud of you.”

But something in Amanda’s eyes tells me she doesn’t inherently know that—and even if she does, she needs to hear those words and receive that praise, but she usually doesn’t.

Yet another thing I want to make sure I do for her.

She deserves to be told and shown how amazing she is, and I’ll do it like it’s my damn job.

“Want a tour of the house?”Amanda asks as we walk across the driveway, carrying some plates inside.

“And get to see where the event queen grew up? I’d love to.”

So far, Amanda’s family barbeque has been fun and low-key. I’ve gotten a little grilling, mostly at the hands of Jace and Pete with a few snarky barbs from Josh, who I admittedly don’t like. He doesn’t seem to like me either, but I don’t give a fuck. If he treats my girl badly, I won’t mince words. Her family seems nice overall, but what Amanda told me all those months ago about herparents being too burned out from her brothers to give her much attention definitely tracks. It’s clear they love and support her, but I don’t think theyseeher. They don’t see what she needs from them—especially not emotionally. Amanda doesn’t like to tell people what she needs. But as her family, they should know her well enough to see through that.

I can’t change how everyone else sees her, but I can show her how I see her.

We set the plates in the sink. Then Amanda takes my hand, looking adorably nervous.

“It’s this way.”

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