The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game 1)

“No, it’s okay. I’m not mad or anything. I’m really excited for you, but the whole TV thing is a little overwhelming. ”

“It only happens if you’re getting drafted really high. They don’t send camera crews to everyone’s house,” Dean said, and I couldn’t read her expression any longer, her face blank.

“Oh. When is it, anyway?”

“The first Monday in June,” Dean answered before I had the chance.

“And then when do you leave?” Cassie asked softly, her green eyes searching mine for answers I didn’t have yet.

“I don’t know for sure, but I think right after,” I answered, my chest suddenly feeling like it weighed a thousand pounds.

“Like that day?” she asked, as her eyes started to get that shiny look.

“No. But within a week, I think. ” Her face twisted at my words.

She was upset. Of course she was upset. I hadn’t told her any of this and now it was all being sprung on her without any warning. I could be such an idiot sometimes.

“So what’s the plan, Jack? What do your agents think is going to happen?” Gran asked from across the table.

“They think I’ll go within the first round and that should come with a solid signing bonus. If we like the deal, then we accept it and I’ll have to move to wherever their Single-A farm team is. ”

“What’s a signing bonus?” Cassie asked, her forehead creasing.

“A signing bonus is exactly what it sounds like. It’s money used as an incentive to get the player to sign with the team instead of returning to school for another year. The minor league pay scale is barely enough to live off of each month. That’s why the signing bonus is so important. But not every player gets it. ” I tried to clarify without confusing her.

“So not everyone gets a signing bonus, but you will because you’ll get drafted in the first round?” she asked, her voice stumbling a bit.

“Exactly. ”

“How many rounds are there?”

“In the draft? About forty. ”

“Holy shit, and they think you’ll go in the first?” Her eyes widened as I stifled a laugh. “I’m sorry,” she said before clasping her hand over her mouth, her face embarrassed.

“We’ve heard far worse,” Gramps said with a laugh.

“What happens to those guys who don’t get a signing bonus?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you said they can barely live off of the money they make without a bonus. ”

“No one plays this game for the money, Kitten. We play it because we love it so much that the thought of being without it causes unbearable pain. It’s a game that one day ends for every single person who plays it, but we all want to put off that ending as long as possible. ” I took a quick breath. “When you only dream of doing one thing for the majority of your life, it’s almost unfathomable to think about doing anything else. You don’t know how. It’s all you’ve ever wanted and you’ll not only fight like hell to get there, you’ll fight like hell to stay. ”

“I love how much you love it,” she said, her eyes beaming.

“I wouldn’t play it if I didn’t,” I admitted, grinning at her.

“Do Marc and Ryan have any idea what team is going to try to draft you?” Dean asked while ripping apart a piece of bread.

“If they do, they haven’t told me. ”

“So you have no idea where you’ll be going?” He chewed thoughtfully while he waited for my answer.

“Not yet. ” I smiled.

“The teams are all over the country, right?” Cassie asked, her expression a mixture of excitement and concern.