Playing for Keeps

Beginnings

Jack POV:

I am laying in bed staring at the ceiling when my phone vibrates. I have been ignoring  Scott's calls and texts all day because I just can't talk about what is going on. The uncertainty of where we stand is too much. My phone vibrates again, I peer over and see the message is not from Scott, but from Lily. 

Reaching out for it as fast as possible I open the thread. She texted, she actually reached out. I can feel myself coming back to life. I had never felt like this, and it's scary. I realize that what I had with Sam was a comfort zone. She had been my first girlfriend and we had been together for so long, our relationship had turned into a shielding comfort. I realize now what she always said was true, she did come second to Baseball. With Lily, I don't feel the same way. 

So where are you taking me to dinner Jackie boy? 

It better not be a fancy smancy place 

What in the miracle is this, she is accepting to go out!

Tonight?

I'm still full from all the food Tanya brought over. 

When are you available? 

I bite my lower lip, staring at the phone, I would have loved to see her today, even if we didn't go for dinner, but I can't push it. I pause as it hits me, I am out of my element. This is new territory, and it is both thrilling and terrifying. 

I'm back Thursday, wanna come to the game 

Then dinner? 

you can invite Tanya?

Tanya and her boyfriend?

Is he gonna punch me in the face?

No, but he might try to kiss you.

:p Yes, Tanya and her BF, but tell him I don't kiss on the first date. I have standards.

I'm sure you do

see you Thursday

The grin on my face spreads like wildfire. I can't contain my excitement. This is new and nothing like I have experienced before, it is also taking our relationship out of the digital world and into real world. I have never been an insecure motherfucker but with this I feel very self conscious, thinking if I will be enough for her in real life. 

She is amazing, a great friend, loving, caring, has a sense of humor, she is free, honest and raw. I've never been half of those things. I have never felt like I can just be free and funny, always having to keep it professional as everywhere I go people can know who I am and I don't want to be called out. I've never been able to fully be honest about how I felt, because I always wanted to bend to everyone else's needs and expectations. Now here I am, getting ready to move forward with the only person I have been able to feel me, truly and freely me. 

Thursday couldn't come any slower, but here we are. I had only texted with Lily a bit, mostly about my nerves on the upcoming games. She, as always, calmed me down saying she didn't know shit about baseball but knew me, and I was amazing to just roll with it. Thanks to that and the high of coming back to play at home and seeing her, I had an amazing series.  I grab my phone to text Lily before I head out to start warm up and meet and greets when I find a text on my phone from her. 

I'm excited to see you. 

the thudding in my heart picks up like crazy, the smile spreading wider across my face. "You look ridiculous with that big ass grin" Boe tells me as he passes me, a smirk on his face. "So, it's going good with your girl?" he asks. 

I look over at where Tyler and Scott are also standing looking over at me. I smile broader, I am not trying to hide the fact that I am really happy.  "Yeah, my girl is coming to see me play, feels fucking great man".  

"Fucking amazing man, I'm happy for you. Let's just try not to get hit in the balls, that would be embarrassing... And please play like you played the last series." Tyler says as he pats my back and heads out to the field.  "Geeze, I hadn't thought about getting hit in the balls, but now should I?" I ask Boe and Scott. Boe starts walking out laughing, Scott grabbing my shoulders says " Damn right you got your girl" and walks towards Boe. 

I miss you, see you in a few 

See you in a few, and I apologize if Tanya starts acting like a fool

she is more excited than I am

I place my phone back in my bag as I walk out of to the field feeling like I am floating.