Page 131 of Hiding in the Outfield

I sit and shift in my seat, my gaze darting from Sherry to Phil to Chuck. Chuck’s expression is polite but unreadable.

“Before we get into why you asked for this meeting, there’s something important I need to go over. I’m going to get right down to it,” Sherry says. “This all came together extremely quickly and has been a whirlwind of twenty-four hours with the deadline looming.”

“I’ll say,” Phil agrees.

“Jackson, you’re being acquired by the Berkeley Dune Enforcers.” Sherry’s voice rings through the room.

Her mouth keeps moving, but her words waver in and out. Chuck is speaking fast, too fast for my stunned brain to process. Phil is talking now. I think. Or maybe they’re all talking at once.

Blood rushes in my ears.

I’m being traded.

My insides ice over, but somehow, even though I’m frozen, my heart is pumping in overdrive.

Where is Berkeley’s Triple-A team located?

I rack my brain, but there’s nothing up there. Just blind panic.

“Where?” my croak slices through the room.

Phil and Chuck share a concerned glance, identical furrowed brows staring back at me.

“Where is their Triple-A team?” I ask hoarsely.

Oh God. Triple-A teams are usually pretty close to the franchise team for easy call-ups. Which means one thing. I’m most likely heading to California.

Ohgodohgodohgod.

“Jackson,” Chuck says gently. “You’re getting traded to Berkeley. You’re heading to the big leagues.”

I blink once. Twice.

I’m…going to be playing major league baseball.

In California.

“When?” I don’t even recognize the choked sound that just came out of me.

My gaze catches on the plane ticket in Chuck’s hand.

“Your flight leaves at 6:30 tonight.”

Tonight.

I leave tonight.

FORTY-EIGHT

JACKSON

JUST THE TIP GROUP CHAT

*Nebs has been added to the chat*

Michaels

Have a safe flight, Olliebear!