Page 75 of The Future Play

His smile lights up the room. “It’s cute that you think we haven’t been dating for the last few weeks. But I do have a special date I want to take you on. Once you’re better, I’ll officially ask you the way you deserve to be asked.”

“Jamie,” I whisper, cupping his cheek. Then I press my fingers into his skin and pull him to my lips.

His breath hitches, then he wraps his arm around me, fingers curling into my hair as he deepens the kiss. His tongue twists with mine and every thought drifts away. Every fear. There’s nothing but the two of us. And unlike the last time, there’s no hesitancy, no holding back. Every swipe of his tongue is more powerful than the last. I claw my fingers through his hair, pressing against him.

He breaks the kiss long enough to look at me, then dives forward, claiming me all over again. It’s so easy to get lost in the connection between us, the tension swirling around us, the heat growing more intense with every second.

We untangle slowly, and as he pulls away, he brushes his nose against mine, then he shifts so he’s lying next to me and wraps his arms around me.

There’s a comfortable silence as we hold each other. And then, letting myself be vulnerable one more time, I say, “Jamie?”

“Yeah?”

“After training camp tomorrow, would you come over? Stay the night again?”

He buries his face in my neck. “I’d love to.”

With those words, another cracked piece of my heart heals a little.

11

OUR FUTURE

Amanda

“So,are you guys excited to go to Charleston later this week?”

We’re having a girls’ night at Rae and Sarah’s house. Our first one since I was horribly sick a little over a week ago. Though they were all ready to storm my house, I told them I was okay. I just didn’t mention that Jamie was the reason for that. They know he stopped by, but not that he spent days taking care of me. I’m pretty sure Aaron knows a bit more, but if he does, he hasn’t told the girls.

It’s not that I’m trying to keep secrets, but there’s something about what Jamie and I are doing that’s sacred. It’s ours. And I’ll happily gush to the girls when I’m ready, but for now, I’m happy that it’s just for us.

“I’m ready for the beach,” Sarah says. “And a vacation.”

“Same,” Mackie says.

“I am trying not to get my hopes up, but… I don’t know. It’s mine and Aaron’s special spot. Maybe we’ll find the magic we need to finally fix things.”

I grab her hand and squeeze it tightly. “I hope you do. Macks, what about you and Hyla?”

I may not love how Hyla treated her, and it’s hard to trust Hyla’s intentions, but I know Mackie still loves her, and I never want to see one of my friends hurting.

Mackie shrugs, but she can’t hide the pain in her eyes. “I guess I’ll see when we get there.” She waves a hand in dismissal. “Anyway, what are you going to do while we’re gone?”

“Enjoy the peace,” I say playfully.

“Ugh, rude,” Rae says. “You know your life would be boring without us.”

And empty. But I don’t say that.

“Less drama at least.”

Rae sticks her tongue out at me.

“Well, I still think you should come with us. You can be Mackie’s plus one to the wedding. Or just lounge on the beach,” Sarah says.

“That does sound good, but I’d feel like an… I don’t even know what number wheel. Odd man out.”

Which isn’t really the truth. The truth is Jamie isn’t going to the wedding either. It’s some friends of the friend group. Hyla and Trevor’s besties, I guess, but Jamie wasn’t close with them. And the idea of having Jamie all to myself for a whole week—especially since baseball camp will be done—sounds even better than lounging on the beach.

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