Chapter 51 Olivia
FIFTY-ONE
olivia
I loved Nate’s mom. Maybe it was because I was desperate to have another woman’s guidance after feeling aimless without my mother, but I loved everything about her.
And Donnie? I could see not only the friendship they had, but the deep love they shared for each other—and Nate.
As his coach, Donnie had been a father figure to him; he had years of history supporting both Nate and Darla—even when he didn’t have to.
Another example of how parenting isn’t always about biology.
After the game, I followed Darla and Donnie to where the families waited for the players after the game. The media had been waiting for Nate, and I quietly watched as they interviewed him.
“Happy Birthday, Nate. At twenty, there’s now a shot that someone else will be in here taking the spot of the youngest player.”
“Odds are good that’ll happen.”
“Did you think when you signed with the Minutemen, this is what your season would look like?”
“Everyone hopes that they’ll be on a winning team and they’ll be part of that. But this team, we’ve got a lot of good, a lot of players who are busting their tails to win games. But you all know, it’s not one or two players—you need every position.”
“Are you frustrated? Do you regret anything?”
“That’s a stupid question. But no, I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Personally and professionally.”
I held back a giggle. Nate calling out the ‘stupid question’ was likely going to buy him some media training. But I couldn’t help but feel proud of him for answering the questions in a way that spoke his truth.
And when he caught my eye, smiled so his eyes crinkled, and he looked at me like I was the only one around, the truth slammed into me. My hand flew to my chest, almost as if I could soothe away the ache that had settled there.
I loved him. I loved Nate Reaves, and I didn’t care that he was too young for me. I didn’t care that the cards were stacked against us. But I did care that this could affect my son.
Earlier that day, Cooper and I had baked him a cake.
Darla had told us his favorite kind, carrot cake, so while Cooper happily helped, I bought a chocolate cake for him to share with us.
We had a chance he would eat Nate’s cake until he realized it had actual carrots in the cake, not just carrot flavoring.
After singing happy birthday, Nate’s mom mentioned that we’d made it for him.
“You made it? For me?” All eyes turned to watch, including Austin’s.
“Yeah, I love baking.”
Austin laughed. “No, you don’t.” He might have talked me off the ledge several times when I’d over-committed to making a lavish cake for Cooper.
“It’s not the baking that was the problem; it’s the decorating, Aus.”
Nate dug into the first piece. “Delicious, thanks, Livvie.”
“Livvie?” Austin made a face at Nate’s nickname, and I tried to remember if he’d ever used it in front of people. But for whatever reason, Austin seemed to pick up on everything tonight.
Cooper helped himself to the chocolate cake, eating silently.
The end of summer was coming fast, so these late nights would need to end.
It’s crazy how easily I fell into the guys’ schedule.
It almost felt normal eating dinner at 10:00 pm.
I never understood the mothers cheering for the end of the summer; I loved the extra time with my son.
“Did you make a wish?” Darla asked.
“I did.” His eyes flitted in my direction before quickly returning to study the remnants of his cake.
“Hopefully, it includes a third baseman,” Austin said.
“Yeah. Third base—that’s exactly what was on my mind.”
I choked on a bite of cake, and Austin ended up smacking me on the back. “I’m good.”
“Are we still sightseeing tomorrow?” Donnie asked.
Nate had planned the day, filled with a bit of history and a lot of food. We’d tried to find an excuse to let me tag along, but Austin would have questioned it.
When Coop slipped away and headed to bed, I reminded him to shower.
“Yeah, Mom. Got it.”
“With soap, please.”
Darla smiled. “I’m not sure what boys have against soap.”
“I love soap now.” Nate killed me because on his last road trip, he had described how soap made his cock slippery enough to jerk off in the shower. I excused myself and brought my phone with me into the bathroom.
Me: Third base tonight - does that mean you’re on your knees, or me on mine?
Take that.
Nate: Hmm. I struck out, too. I think a 69 would be a good compromise.
Me: Get all these fuckers to bed. I’ll be waiting.
Nate: My mom is yawning.
I finished in the bathroom and rejoined everyone around the kitchen island. Fully aware that we were pushing limits with our nighttime meetups.
“Are you still talking to that girl?” Austin asked.
“Kind of.”
Austin looked at Darla and Donnie and then realized he had said something he shouldn’t have, and dropped the subject. Little did he know that Darla and Donnie had met the girl.
Darla stood and attempted to clear the plates. I jumped up and took over. “Thanks, but tonight you can relax and enjoy your son.”
She yawned again, and Donnie took her arm. “Should we?” he asked.
“Sounds like the best idea.”
Austin took off to his wing of the house, leaving Nate and me alone.
“You want me to visit tonight?” He searched my face, looking for something.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
“Feeling needy?”
“Yeah.”
“Me too.”
I planned to enjoy the heck out of tonight, but while Nate was away on his next road trip, I needed to figure some shit out.
Did I see a future with Nate? Was it even possible?
How would he feel about me when he’s my age, and I’m pushing forty?
Shit, could I be comfortable in a relationship with him?