want me there, sure,” I answer, feeling a little out of place. Yeah, I’ve known Carson for almost the entire season and we’ve been dating for a little while now, but handing him a plaque seems like a big deal. Then again, he took me to the locker room . . . so . . . I guess this is the next step toward our future, right? Being a part of his last game ceremonies?
“It will be nice. We know Carson’s dad works hard and tried his hardest to get here, but he couldn’t get the time off. He also told us there’s been a girl Carson’s been talking about. He couldn’t remember your name but suggested I asked one of the boys.”
Carson’s talked to his dad about me? I had no idea, but the thought makes my stomach flip in all different kinds of directions.
“Well, if you think it would be a good idea, I’m in.” I take in my short denim shorts, Brentwood baseball tank, and say while pulling on the brim of my hat, “Uh, am I dressed okay? If I’d have known, I could have put on something nicer.”
“What you have on is absolutely perfect.” She gives me a pat on the shoulder and then gets back to work.
For the next ten minutes, I’m walked through the ceremony, where to stand and what to say. Then I’m surprised when Maria—the lady with the clipboard—says, “And then we play the video from your brother.”
“Uh, excuse me. Did you say video from my brother?”
Maria nods, eyes focused on her clipboard. “Yes, he sent us a video of congratulations and good luck for the team in regionals.”
Why does Cory have to make me love him even more? It’s so not fair. I’ll never do enough to match his kind gestures, but I make a mental note to send him a text after the ceremony and tell him how much his message meant to everyone, because I’m sure it’s going to stagger Carson. At my family’s graduation dinner, I noticed—and was highly amused by—Carson’s awe-filled reaction to meeting Cory. And then as the evening progressed, how he just seemed to fit in. I knew he was a little on the crazy side already, the goofball, but I hadn’t realized how important bantering back and forth with my dad and brothers was to know I want a future with someone. No doubt he envies our family’s close relationship, but I hope he understands that the Potter family welcomed him into the fold that night. They love him. This day is going to be amazing.
Before I know it, the ceremony is starting, and I’m waiting behind the scenes with the plaque in hand and nervousness in my veins. I’ve never been in front of such a big crowd before, and I’m pretty sure this is the first time we’re making a statement about our relationship. Locker room chasers are going to hate my guts after this.
Oh well . . . sorry, not sorry, ladies. He’s mine.
I tune into David’s voice as he speaks about Carson’s many accomplishments since he’s been at Brentwood, his dedication to the team, the game, his injury, and his comeback. David also talks about the teams interested in him with the upcoming draft and his potential for being picked early. The crowd cheers boisterously when they announce the Bobbies interest, which if it comes to pass, would be amazing because Carson could reunite the bromance with Knox Gentry, his best friend. The Storm, Cory’s team, also announced their interest. That’s something I could be happy with as well, my brother and boyfriend playing on the same team. I could be really, really happy with that.
“To honor Carson’s time at Brentwood, we have a few gifts to present. Carson, please stand at the pitcher’s mound.” The guys push him out on the field and the crowd roars, the sound deafening. Fans chant his name and his teammates join in. Shyly, Carson’s lifts his cap to the crowd and immediately my eyes start to well with tears. This will be one of the best moments of my life, watching Carson play his final game at Brentwood. It’s coming to an end. After this, the team takes off to regionals, he’s drafted, and then goes straight to his new team, wherever that will be. In my head, I’ve understood this. But my heart’s breaking a little. I know there’s life post college, yet a part of me wants to press pause.