Page 1 of Rain Delay

Prologue

Wyatt

THEY NEVER PREPARE YOU FOR THE MOMENT.

The feeling of your phone buzzing in your hand. The anticipation that builds in your chest as you stare at the screen, the unknown number waiting for you to swipe and answer. The way your entire future could change with a single phone call.

Then I hear the voice on the other end. The general manager of the Philadelphia Comets. “We’re selecting you in the first round, Wyatt. Are you ready to be a Comet?”

I’m in disbelief. I lean back against the couch, one hand going on top of my head. “I, uh, absolutely. Yes, sir, I’m ready. You won’t regret this.” I stammer out, glancing over at my family as I try to process everything.

When I hang up, all eyes are on me. Waiting to hear the news of what that call entailed.

“I’m going to Philadelphia,” I announce before my girlfriend, Eliana, embraces me in a tight hug.

She’s in tears; she wanted this so badly for me. I can feel the tears soaking through my shirt, and I hold her tighter, breathing in the familiar scent of her floral perfume she always wore.

“I’m so proud of you, Wy,” she whispers against my cheek.

Nobody else ever called me Wy, unless it was Eliana or my family. But it felt the most meaningful coming from Ellie.

It still feels crazy. What do you mean I’m finally going to the big leagues?

I’ve dedicated my entire life to this sport. Ever since I was a little boy playing T-Ball, this has been my dream: Being selected by a team and making it to the big show. This is what made all the hours of traveling, hard work, and commitment worth it.

The thought alone is almost impossible to wrap my head around. All I could think about was the little boy who spent every summer pretending like he was in Game Seven of the World Series, making the game-winning play at shortstop.

My mother is next to pull me into a tight hug. She’s crying so damn hard, I can’t even understand what she’s saying to me. I can only imagine the Facebook posts now; some sappy post about how her little boy was finally making his dreams come true and going to play professional ball.

My sister, Willa, next for the hugs, ruffling up my hair before she embraces me. As much as she complained about traveling to all of my games across the country for travel ball, she’s thrilled for me. She always talked about how she couldn’t wait to brag that her brother was a professional baseball player.

Even if I started in the minor leagues, I didn’t care. Being a junior in college and getting drafted is huge. Being able to say that I was drafted in the first round, is something definitely worth bragging about.

Not that I would necessarily brag about it to everyone. I’m not that type of guy. I never flaunt my successes like that. Because others would kill to be in my position. Others dream about seeing their name roll across the screen and have sports reporters talk about them being selected in the first round.

“I guess traveling with you to all of those tournaments was worth it.” My sister says to me.

I laugh. Just admit, you’re excited I’m going to the big leagues.”

“Obviously,” she responded. “Do you know how excited I am to tell everyone that my brother plays for a professional team?!”

The room fills with laughter and I glance back toward Eliana.

She finds her way back to my side, slipping her hand into mine. Her fingers lace with mine and she gives me a gentle squeeze.

“How do you feel?” she asks, those warm eyes searching my face.

I felt like I was seeing stars. “Feeling like I just won the lottery.”

My phone was buzzing with texts from former coaches, some scouts, and numbers I didn’t recognize. Somewhere on the television, there were already analysts talking about me; wondering if Philadelphia made the right choice with me at seventh overall.

“You’ve worked so hard for this, babe,” she starts, and tears well up in her eyes again. Her other hand rests against my chest, right over my heart. “You deserve this.”

“What she said,” Willa chimes in. “You should be super proud of yourself, Wy. You put in the work for this.”

“But you guys did too. You guys were there for me through everything. This is your moment just as much as mine.”

I started thinking about all of the opportunities this was going to bring me. I’m going to be able to prove myself with the big guns.