pinky promise - jamie tartt

‟ UNCLE'S DAY „

˗ˏˋ 'ˎ˗

"Yeah, yeah, thank you so much."

Tate had her knees pulled against her chest as she sat nervously on the couch, watching Jamie pace back and forth across the living room with his phone pressed against his ear. In her opinion, he'd been on the call for far too long, and she was waiting not-so patiently for him to hang up so he could tell her whether or not he made it.

"Yeah, got it." Jamie spoke into the phone, sounding confident. But then he spun quickly on his heel, doubling back across the living room to continue his pacing. "Actually, can you send it to me in an email?"

She rolled her eyes, grinning, both endeared and amused by his aloofness.

But finally Jamie ended the call, and Tate caught her bottom lip between her teeth as he turn to face her, an unreadable look on his face. Brows knitted in a silent question, she held her breath and waited for him.

"I made the team." He breathed, like he was going into shock. Tate gasped as she jumped off of the couch and into his waiting arms, kissing all over his face in celebration.

Jamie Tartt had made the national team, and would be playing at Wembley Stadium.

"I'm so, so proud of you, baby!" She cheered, holding his face between her hands. She could read the nervousness in his face, the subtle disbelief that they had chosen him over so many other great English players.

"Will you come to watch?" He asked, hands flexing against her hips, just another tell that he was anxious about the match. She kissed him quickly, unable to find the right words to quell his fears when all she could think about was how proud she was of him. "It's just, I already know me mum won't be able to make it out, and I really need someone cheering for me there."

"Of course I will." She kissed him once more, her cheeks sore from grinning so much. "But I don't think I'll be the only one cheering for you."

"You know what I meant," He rolled his eyes teasingly, but she could see the grin starting to form on his lips.

"I'm so serious, Jamie, there's going to be thousands of people cheering your name at Wembley Stadium, and even more all across the world. You've put in the work and earned this spot." Her tone took on a more weighty edge, in an attempt to convince him that what she said was the truth. Because to her, it was. "I might be the loudest one, but I definitely won't be the only."

"Thanks, love." Jamie mumbled, and she kissed him once more because she could, and suddenly he was full-on grinning and ready to celebrate his monumental achievement.

"Anytime, baby."

「☺ ☺ ☺ 」

Tate had been frowning since the moment the news leaked and she had gotten a million and one articles forwarded to her.

Nathan Shelley has left West Ham United Football Club, though the reasoning was unknown.

"Coach?"

"Tater Tot! What can I do for you?" Ted's voice was bright and such a contrast to her frown it was nearly jarring. She slipped into his office, dropping into Beard's desk chair and propped her elbows on the ledge, her chin held up by her hands.

"I don't know how I should feel about Nate."

"Well, I'd hope you only feel platonic things, or else Jamie's gonna be an absolute wreck. And me, too, honestly, because you and Jamie are about the only thing that truly makes sense in this messed up world we live in."