Just What I Needed

July 30

"What are you going to do when Nate leaves town?" Holly asked.

Holly, Kari and I sat in our usual spot at the top of the bleachers. It was the last game of the Royals' season and since they didn't make the playoffs, all the players would be leaving town in the next few days.

"Ugh, it makes me sick to think about it," I said. My competition was tomorrow and Nate promised to be there, but we had both been avoiding the conversation about what would happen after the season.

"Well, you're going to have to deal with it soon," Kari responded. "Jeffries and I promised each other that we would keep in touch. I go to college in New York and he's in college in Maine. It's not that far of a drive so we promised to take turns driving back and forth to see each other."

"Oh Kari – getting serious this time? I thought your rule was to never extend a fling beyond the summer," Holly said.

"Yeah well, sometimes people change."

I watched Nate on the mound, as focussed as ever. Scouts were taking extensive notes on laptops and notepads behind home plate just as I had seen them do the first time I saw him pitch.

He pitched six scoreless innings before the coach pulled him out. As he was walking off the mound, the crowd gave him a standing ovation as a token of thanks for entertaining them all summer. He was one of the hometown favourites, and for obvious reasons, my top pick.

He entered the dugout and stepped back out, lifting his hat to acknowledge the crowd. He made sure to turn toward where he knew I was sitting and bowed his head.

A loud whistle sounded a few rows below and a young woman stood up to cheer. She sat back down and gushed and giggled with her friends. It was Cressida.

"Want me to take her out?" Kari asked.

"Listen, you almost tried to take him from me earlier this summer. I ought to take you out. She's harmless," I said.

"Oh snap!" Holly laughed. "Jordy's getting her sass back!"

Now that Nate was off the field, I could hardly wait for the game to end. Holly and Kari were right. He and I needed to talk about what was going to happen after the season.

As soon as the final pitch was thrown, the three of us made our way down to the backstop to wait for the players to change and finish their post-game team meeting.

Jeffries, Rodriguez and Nate came over.

"Are we all going out for food or what?" Rodriguez swung his arm around Holly.

"Not tonight boys," Nate responded. "Someone has a big competition tomorrow and needs to have a quiet evening."

"Ugh, I don't know how I'm going to relax. I'm so nervous," I said. Every time someone mentioned the competition, I felt like a group of butterflies was trying to escape from my stomach.

"I'm sure we can find a relaxing activity," Nate pulled me away from the group. "We'll see you guys later."

We walked away to jeers and whistles from the boys and "ooohs" and kissy noises from Holly and Kari.

"You played so good tonight. I'm going to miss seeing you step out onto the field," I said as we walked toward the boardwalk.

"Just when I'm stepping out onto the field?"

"Of course not," I smiled. "I'm going to miss you, period."

"Why?"

"Well, because after my competition tomorrow, you're leaving town..."

"And?"

"And... what does that mean for us?" I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I was trying to be brave but it wasn't going so well.

Nate started to laugh. Like a good hard belly laugh.

"Have you ever stopped to think about where we will be in the fall?"

I looked at him, puzzled.

"Northeastern," he pointed at me.

"Yes."

"Boston College," he pointed to himself. "Think about that."

"Oh my God. Oh my God, I feel so stupid! I never made the connection!" We would be in the same city in the fall.

"I know you're commuting from home but it's only an hour and maybe sometimes you could just... spend the weekend with me?" Nate said, snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me in for a hug.. "I mean, if you can handle being distracted from school every now and then."

"Mmm, you're not that big of a distraction," I looked up through my lashes at him.

He leaned his face down to meet mine, our lips connecting like perfectly matched puzzle pieces. 

"Want to go and get something to eat? I'm starving," Nate broke the kiss first, before adding, "not that you aren't delightfully tasty."

The boardwalk stores and restaurants were full this evening and several people stopped to shake Nate's hand and comment on his season. He graciously chatted with them all.

"You're quite charming, you know that?" I slipped my hand into his as we continued walking along.

As excited as I was for the competition, I didn't want this moment to end.

My dad wasn't waiting out on the porch tonight as Nate and I approached my house.

"Sweet dreams. I'll see you tomorrow. Time for me to cheer you on for a change," Nate gave me a long, sweet kiss before letting me go.

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