Page 92 of Saving The Shortstop

All of the athletes stand side by side, watching to see how this plays out. Harley will be playing in the pros next year with the AUSL, but no one is sure where yet. This ticket straight to the league though … it could be anyone’s.

“And now, we have a special guest here to deliver one player from NE University the golden ticket!” the announcer says.

My heart feels like it may explode because I’m so fucking worked up right now. There are a lot of players the golden ticket could be going to today, but there’s one I’m hoping gets it because I personally know how much she wants this.

In about five hours from now, my entire family will be gathering at my parents’ house as we all watch the NFL draft together. It wasn’t easy entering the draft and having no idea where I’d end up, but that was something Haven assured me we would deal with together once it happened. Now, she could be headed to play across the country at any one of the AUSL softball teams’ stadiums.

No matter what happens, I want her to have her dreams come true. I want to play professional football, sure. But I want to be with her even more. Whatever happens today, we’ll get through it. Together. I know it.

As the special guest walks out, I look at Haven’s face because I know that even if it isn’t her who gets the golden ticket … she’s about to meet her idol.

HAVEN

Sis Bates?

My heart thuds in my ears. Sis freaking Bates, one of softball’s best infielders is here, right now. She holds a golden ticket in her hand, but I try not to let myself get excited for that because there are a lot of girls here today who deserve it. She could call anyone’s name.

And whether she calls mine or not, I’m going to force her to meet me. I’m not much of a hugger, but oh … she’s getting a hug. As a kid, I studied her fielding moves, determined to learn how to be as fast and smooth as she is. Now she’s here. At the Eagles’ softball stadium.

I have died and gone to heaven I believe …

I glance toward the fence behind me, widening my eyes and giving a cheesy yet nervous grin at Dallas, and of course I can’t stop myself from looking at my adorable baby boy, Boston, while he sits calmy at Dallas’s side.

That dog was one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to me, and I hope he feels the same way about me and Dallas.

My attention turns forward again, back to my literal idol.

“This golden ticket is going to a player who shows grit and fight, is a leader both on the field and off, and I’m told is one of the team’s greatest hype girls, always positive and constantly praising her teammates and making them feel good.” Sis pauses. “Also, someone who has impeccable backhand skills and can run the bases with the best of them.” She grins, looking around at all of us. At the word backhand, my heart skips a beat because it’s an ongoing thing among our team that I’m the queen of fielding backhand.

I’ll admit … I like to show off a bit with it, too.

When her eyes land on mine and she’s beaming, I attempt to force my heart to calm down. She’s probably not even looking at me, but gosh … it feels like it.

“Haven King,” she says, and I feel like I may actually pass out. “You are our golden ticket recipient today.”

There’s been a lot of moments in my life that have been really cool, a lot of things I’ve done within this sport that I’m proud of. But right now, someone I’ve looked up to for so long, a woman who, in my eyes, is the heart of fielding in softball … is telling me I have a ticket to go join the pros.

Yeah. I’m pretty fucking proud right now, really.

My father is a retired NFL player. I’ve been around fame, and I’ve had money. This isn’t about that though. This is about proving that if you want something hard enough—if you’re willing to work exceptionally hard and push through the times when you may feel like you hate it—anything can happen. I dreamed of this. I worked early mornings and late hours, and even though I could have just ridden my father’s coattails, I wanted to make a name for myself.

I want to show every girl out there who has dreams of playing for the AUSL that she can do it. She just has to be willing to put in the work.

My team jumps up and down around me, all slapping my back and cheering. It takes me a few seconds to force my feet forward, but as I walk toward Sis, she heads toward me, meeting me in the middle—stopping when we are almost toe to toe.

Flashing me one of her signature smiles, she hands me the ticket. “Congratulations, Haven. The day you’ve dreamed of is here.”

Without warning, I throw my arms around her.

“Thank you,” I sob. “Thank you so much.”

“You’ve earned it, girl,” she says, patting my back. “You’ve truly earned it.”

Pulling back, I don’t even bother to wipe my eyes because I know the second I see my parents, Dallas, Coach, or Boston, I’ll just be balling again.

“Can I get a picture with you?” I sniffle. “You’re my favorite softball player. You’re the reason why I wanted to be a shortstop.”

“Well now I’m going to cry,” she says, pouting slightly. “Yes. I’ll be here for a while. Go see your family, celebrate with your team, and find me after so we can get that picture.”