Page 66 of The Future Play

“Are we okay?” I ask.

She smiles up at me. “We are. And we have been.” She rests one hand over my heart, and it’s almost too much.

It’s not even that no one else has ever made me feel like this,it’s that I never conceptualized what this would be like. It was impossible to imagine because I couldn’t have imagined her.

“Has your room always been like this?”

She laughs and steps back. “Definitely not. It’s always been an extension of me, and that has changed over time. I think the first design of my room was mostly rainbows and unicorns. That was in elementary school. Then there was the middle school makeover, which featured a lot of teal for some reason, and aggressive patterns that felt moreadult. Then there was the early high school makeover. My mom didn’t let me paint my room black, so I hung black blankets on the walls. It looked like a witch’s den. It was the tipping point to finding what I like though. It morphed into black and tan and then black and white with pops of neon color—especially pink—to what it is now. I think this is most reflective of me. It has the vibrance I crave, then some of those dark hues from my witchy era. Along with the quotes on the wall, most of which are feminist or empowering in some way. Everything is more toned down now. I’d like to believe I’m the same way. Maybe not toned down, but refined.”

“It definitely is. It’s all blended together seamlessly and totally fits the vibe I get from you.” I look around. “Except maybe those.”

She turns and looks at her bookcase. “Ah, yes. My bears.”

I follow her over to the bookshelf. On one shelf sits a row of bears with shirts from various places. One is a Winnie the Pooh from Disney World. The rest all have names of places on them.

“Souvenirs?”

“Not exactly. Souvenirs are things you collect from anywhere you go. These are meaningful. I only get bears from places I really loved visiting or that hold special meaning to me.”

“Is that why there’s one from SUNY FL?”

“Yeah. I didn’t buy it until the end of the year. That’s when it became special. Because I knew the friendships I made there would last forever.” She elbows me lightly. “I’ll have to add one for whatever team you get drafted to.”

“To go with this?” I pick up the baseball I signed for her. “You kept it?”

She shrugs, that deep vulnerability shimmering in her eyes. “I was hurt, but I didn’t hate you. My feelings for you didn’t disappear, so I kept it. Probably would’ve kept it either way, since it’s going to be worthsomuch money one day.”

I set the ball back down. “Don’t ruin it by joking around.”

“Maybe a part of me didn’t want to give up.” We stare at each other for a moment, the weight of it all settling between us. “So, uh, you really think you’ll play for the Metros?”

I take half a step back, letting the tension dissipate. “I don’t know. I hope so. Plus, I like the idea of being somewhat close to Ida.”

“There are other teams in the Northeast. Like maybe the Revs?”

I tilt my head and she smiles. “How did you know I like the Revs?”

It’s not exactly a secret, but the Revs and the Metros are rivals, and if I had to pick, my loyalties would lie with the Metros every time. But I have to admit, the Revs are a damn good team.

“One of their games was on last weekend at Mixed Brews. You kept looking out of the corner of your eye, and I saw you restrain your excitement when Kyle Bosco hit a home run.”

Damn.I’m not the only one who’s been paying attention.

“I’d be an idiot to turn down the Revs—or literally any chance at playing professionally. If I get to play for the Metros, that’s the dream, but I’ll be happy anywhere I make it.”

She shifts closer, trailing her fingers down my arm. “Well, wherever you end up, I’ll be there to watch you play.”

My already soft heart melts at that. Her words show me she’s not giving up on this… whatever’s growing between us. She sees the potential there too. A future. For so long, when I imagined making it to the majors, it always felt a little lonely. Sure, I’d have my family and friends to celebrate with me, but the idea of having someone who’s by my side through it all? It’s almost too much to hope for, but I won’t stop hoping, because Amanda deserves to be someone’s hope. Someone’s dream. Someone’s wish. There’s no doubt anymore, she’s mine.

10

CHOOSE YOU

Jamie

“Henderson!Get your head in the game!”

Signing up to be part of the first year of a baseball camp run by my coach has been one of the best and worst decisions I’ve ever made.

---