To the crowd.
Saluting the heavens in a mirror of me.
My eyes burn, and I blink hard against the threatening tears.
Somehow there’s beauty lurking in the sorrow. I stand and lift my hand to the crowd, turn slowly to acknowledge the stadium. I don’t think these fans will ever understand what this moment means to me.
It might not be how I always envisioned my dream coming true.
But I couldn’t be happier to be standing here and calling myself a Jetty.
It’s time.
All right, Dad. Stay with me.
Let’s play ball.
“What a game,”Araujo says as we lean against the elevator in the hotel on our way up to our floor. We’re both staying at a hotel by the stadium until we get housing sorted out.
“Was that only one game?” We won, but it was one ofthose games where every inning felt like it was an hour long.
He chuckles.
We went through six pitchers because it was walks and foul-tips all night. I think there was one at-bat that took twelve pitches. The Jetties’ pitching has really been struggling. The only times we’ve brought in a win are when our bats are on fire. Which I think is a big reason they called me up and relegated Sanders to the bench. I had a two-run home run in the third. Sent that one to the heavens for Dad to catch.
“Tomorrow will be a whole different story with you on the mound.”
“I sure fucking hope so.”
Araujo’s got a unique delivery, and it really throws batters off. Hopefully, that’ll bode well for the Jetties.
The elevator doors open. We step into the hall?—
And there’s Shane.
He’s sitting on the floor outside my hotel room, bent over himself awkwardly. He’s fast asleep, duffle bag at his side.
I halt in my tracks. Araujo bumps into my back.
“Sorry, man—Is that…is that Michaels?”
“Yeah.” I try desperately to keep my voice level, but it still comes out rough.
Araujo studies me, brown eyes soft. He gives my shoulder a squeeze, the corner of his lips tilting up in what I think is understanding. “See you tomorrow, man.” He turns and heads the other way down the hall to his room.
I make my way over to Shane. I crouch in front of him, glance down the hall quickly, but Araujo is already disappearing into his room. I gently cup Shane’s face and lift it from where it’s dangling on his knees.
“Sunshine,” I whisper.
His eyes twitch.
“Shane. Wake up, babe.”
Golden lashes flutter, and then I’m blessed with blue. So much blue. They’re hazy, but as the sleep fades, a soft light fills them. Recognition.
“Storm Cloud.” It comes out with a happy little sigh. “Great game.”
My heart leaps. “Come on. Let’s get inside.”
