Chapter 11
eleven
Sean
The day has been great. Teaching kids of all ages about volleyball and how to improve their playing is fulfilling. The thank yous and compliments from parents have solidified an action I’ve been contemplating for a few months. I’d like to increase the time I spend volunteering at the volleyball camps. No, what I really want to do is look into forming my own camp. Or a year-round facility.
I’ll ask Maya to do some research on the subject while she’s rehabbing her knee. The more information I have, the easier it will be to make a decision when the time comes.
What about Ellie? There’s no way I’d ever consider leaving her without a coach. Earlier I watched her work with Olivia while her mom sat chatting with Maya. The bright smile on Ellie’s face matched the girl’s. I think Ellie was surprised at how much she enjoyed working with kids today. And the future volleyball players loved her, too.
She’s so at ease with the kids it's nearly impossible to squash the dream of having our own children. Raising them. Teaching them. Loving them. She’ll be a great parent.
The time arrives for when their first match had been scheduled. As though they sense they should be somewhere else, both Maya and Ellie turn toward the court they’d been assigned. From the sadness weighing down my chest, I can only imagine how they must feel. There’s a break in the kids’ schedule so I join Maya where she sits like a queen on her throne.
“You okay, baby sis?”
After a long moment her gaze locks with mine. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s hard not to think about what might have been though. Especially when I’ve let you and Ellie down.”
Dropping to the sand in front of the bench, Ellie shakes her head. “You haven’t let anyone down. Yeah, I sure as hell wish today was playing out differently. But you can’t help what happened. There’s no way you could have prevented the injury. I know that. Sean knows that. And you know that. We play the hands we’re dealt.”
Maya crosses her arms. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Then she relaxes and rubs her knee. “Ice isn’t lasting long out here and I’m due for a session. Could you guys find me some relief? There’s an ice bag in my tote.”
“Want me to stay?” Ellie asks.
Glancing from her to me, Maya shakes her head. “Nah. And if you decide you need to recharge with some street tacos from the food truck over there… or a hot dog from that truck…” She points to indicate the food trucks lining the edge of a parking area. “Take your time. As long as you bring me food when you come back.”
“Hungry?” I ask.
“It’s hard work just sitting here watching the world go by on healthy knees. Takes a lot of energy.”
I kiss her cheek before I stand. Food has always been a comfort to my sister. And today she needs comforting. “Any preference?”
Her half-smile is grateful. “Nope. Whatever looks or smells the best. Thanks.”
Ellie takes my outstretched hand and I pull her to her feet. Before we leave Maya, Ellie digs in through the collection of totes we brought along. “Here,” she says, handing Maya a tube of sunscreen. “You’re getting a little pink.”
Once she’s also arranged the huge umbrella to better cover the bench, Ellie returns her hand to mine and we cross the hot sand. We eat first, finding a truck serving single large potatoes spiral cut and fried. One giant curly French fry topped with just about anything we could imagine. After deciding to share one of the head-sized, fried treats covered with traditional nacho toppings, we sit on the sand to devour lunch.
We don’t talk much. Listening to the announcer from the nearest match, Ellie is lost in thought. Her expression is neutral, and beautiful. This is how she works through things and there’s a lot to figure out in our lives right now. I hope I’m included in her thoughts and possibilities.
Any decisions I make from now on will include her. Her thoughts, her needs, what she wants, how our relationship will be affected are all part of my decision making process now. That’s what a partnership is. Whether we’re in a work relationship or a love match, these decisions we’ll make together.
I can wait to add my concerns and hopes to how we figure out this situation. When she’s ready, we’ll talk.
She pokes my arm with her plastic fork. “What time is the next kids’ session supposed to start?”
“One.”
“It’s almost that now. We better get going.”
We’ll need to split up to get back on time. “How about you grab food for Maya and I’ll go to the first aid tent for ice. Meet back at the bench?”
She nods and gathers our trash. Once it’s dumped in a nearly overflowing barrel, I pull her to me for a kiss. “It’s been too long since I’ve felt your lips against mine, sweetheart.”
“Right back at ‘cha, babe.”
Conscious we’re in public, we keep the kiss short, sweet, but full of promise.
I get drawn into a discussion about my sister’s prognosis with the medical staff so I’m later returning than I’d planned. But I needn’t have worried. There’s not as many kids as there were this morning. Ellie has them lined up and is passing the ball to each in turn, having them return it with a pokey. Kids love the air punching technique and cheer each other on to see how high they can get the ball.
Maya’s holding court with the B Boys, looking like she’s actually having a good time. I approach with the ice bag and Brett takes it from me. “We’ll take care of this,” he says with a grin.
Maya shoos me away so I join Ellie and the kids. We run through drills and play some silly training games that get everyone shouting and jumping until the beach looks like a field of jack in the boxes. When the session is over, many of the kids whine and drag their feet in the sand.
There’s a lot of interest in volleyball here at Love Beach. I like the town’s atmosphere and how they support the other sport’s professional teams in the area. Maybe this would be a good place for my facility. I think I’ll ask Maya to start her list and research for possible sites with Love Beach.
Once the kids have all been picked up by parents or drifted away with friends, Ellie and I join Maya and the boys. Maya shades her eyes with her hand. I need to move the umbrella again. “Blaine says the next center court match is the team we would have faced today. I’d like to go watch.”
I study her for a long moment. There doesn’t seem to be anything other than curiosity behind her statement. No self-deprecation or other negative feelings. I don’t want her to go alone though. “I’ve got to clean up the area then I can?—”
“No worries,” Blaine says. “We’ll get her there safely.” He turns to Maya. “Unfortunately we’ve got to warm up for our match so we won’t be able to sit with you.”
“I’ll be fine. Your match is right after this one? Maybe I’ll stick around and watch you win.”
Brett leans in and kisses her cheek. “That would be fabulous, doll.” I struggle to keep the protective big brother at bay. Maya doesn’t need me growling at any guy interested in her. Brett glares at his teammate. “And it’s my turn to, uh, provide transportation.”
The three of them laugh together and something in my heart twists. How long has it been since I’ve seen Maya so relaxed and having a good time? A fantastic player, she’s never had the intense focus or drive that Ellie has. Maybe we’ve been pushing her too hard.
Ellie takes my hand. “I’d like to watch the match, too. Scope out the girls in actual play. There’s a rumor they may be splitting.”
“Really?” Blaine’s eyebrows arch. “I hadn’t heard that.”
Ellie ignores his subtle push for more information. “Let’s get the equipment stowed then I’ll join Maya.”
“No, you go on ahead. I’ll take care of the equipment and clean up.” Ellie’s eyes are bright so I know she does really want to watch the other team perform. And if she goes with Maya now, maybe the B Boys will back off. Unsure if their teasing glances mean interest in Ellie as well, I stake my claim. Cupping my hands over Ellie’s shoulders, I draw her close for a kiss. “Go have fun. I’ll join you quick as I can.”
Statement made, I turn toward the scattered balls, orange cones, and the small, junior net. Shouldn’t take me too long. Of course I don’t start until Maya is carried off, followed by Ellie and Blaine carrying all of our totes.
I’ve got the net returned to its case and the cones stacked. I left the balls for last because some of them have traveled a good distance outside the area indicated by brightly colored vinyl tape. I grab the carry bags to get started.
“Want some help?”
Huffing out a breath I compose my expression before turning to face Karol. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Look, Sean,” she says and takes a step closer. Thank god she didn’t call me Seansy. “I really am sorry about what happened to Maya. I know being sorry doesn’t help, but I want you to know that if you or Ellie need anything, just give me a call.”
She picks up a ball and lightly tosses it from one hand to the other. “Is Ellie going to be looking for another partner?”
So, she’s on an information gathering mission. I’m not telling her anything. “We haven’t talked about it.”
Trying to look demure, she looks down then back up at me through her unbelievably long fake lashes. “If she is, I’d like to be considered.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Now, I need to get the area cleaned up so I can watch a few matches.”
She grins. “So I’ll help. I’ll get the rest of the balls while you carry the other stuff back to the equipment tent. How’s that sound?”
Her help will get me back to Ellie’s side sooner so I shrug. “Okay, good. Thanks, Karol.”
Hefting the bags, I cross the sand and stow everything in the small tent. When I turn, Karol is right behind me. Right behind, only inches away. She tosses the ball bags to one corner and moves in even closer.
“If I team up with Ellie it means you and I will be together all the time.” She backs me against a tent pole. “We wouldn’t have to be professional when we’re alone.”
Her fingers dance up my shirt front until she rests the tips against my jaw.
“Karol, I have no interest in?—”
“Oh, Seansy, don’t say what you don’t mean.” She gropes me with her free hand.
A noise at the tent entrance only slows her pursuit. A throat clears and Ellie’s cold glare captures my gaze. She winks then focuses on Karol. “Get your hands the fuck off my man, bitch,” she growls.