Chapter 11
Maverick
The entire time I'm playing with Bree and Sydney’s making dinner, I can feel her gaze on me. She can't figure me out and I find it funny.
I know as soon as the kids go to bed, she’s going to pounce and ask the dozens of questions ping ponging around in her head.
“You have to sit next to me at dinner, ok, Maverick?” Bree blinks up at me with big doe eyes.
She looks so much like Sydney with their dark brown curly hair.
There’s just enough curl to give their hair body without being ringlets.
They both have the brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen and a smile that lights up the entire room.
“I wouldn’t want to sit anywhere else.” I tug her onto my lap and tickle her. She shrieks with laughter and wiggles around until I finally let her go. “I'm going to see what Mommy needs help with.”
I go in search of Sydney. I have a feeling she was left to handle everything with the kids and household when she was married to Rob. I want to make sure that isn't the case when I'm here. I want to pick up some slack and make her life easier.
“What can I help with?” I murmur in her ear as I place my hands on her hips.
She jumps a good three inches off the ground and her hand flies over her chest. When she realizes it’s me, she leans into my chest and rests her head against me.
“You scared me,” she says softly.
“I'm sorry. I just wanted to help you.” I place a kiss on the crown of her head, then rest my chin there. She’s so much shorter than I am, but she’s probably around five and a half foot tall. She just feels so tiny compared to my six and a half foot tall frame.
When I showed up at the batting cages today, I didn’t know Danny would be one of the players I’d be working with.
After Tom saw how well he was doing, he told me to stick with him today and not to worry about the rest of the players.
He’s been worried about Danny since Rob left and didn’t want to disappoint him by switching him out so I could work with another player.
I didn’t expect to hang out with him and Sydney all day. I never imagined I’d be standing in Sydney’s kitchen with my hands on her hips and her leaning into me, but I'm happy with the turn of events.
Kissing her was a craving I couldn’t resist any longer. It’s been something I’ve dreamed of doing since I met her. Back when I didn’t know she was married or that she had kids. I’ve kept my thoughts and feelings to myself for years, but now that she’s single, it’s hard to hold back.
It’s been over five months since Rob walked out and she doesn’t seem broken up by it at all. And when life hands you the woman of your dreams, you take your chance and put it all on the line.
“It’s almost ready. I just need to set the table.” She tries to move out of my grasp, but I tighten my hold on her hips.
“Nah, I can get it. You need to relax and let me help.” I press a gentle kiss to the soft skin right behind her ear, then take a step away.
I open the cabinet I would put plates in and smile when I find them sitting there, perfectly lined up and waiting to be grabbed.
After I place the plates and cups on the table, I go in search of the silverware. Once again, I find them in the drawer I would put it in if this were my kitchen.
“Have you broken into my house and memorized where everything is when I wasn’t home?” Syd watches me with amusement.
“No. I just checked the cabinet and drawer I would put these things in. We must think alike.” I grin and quickly grab the rest of the things to set the table.
When I return to the kitchen, Sydney’s reaching into a high cabinet, trying to get something off the top shelf.
“I got it.” I plaster my body against hers and reach up, easily grabbing the serving dish. I place it on the counter in front of her and grip her hips again.
I swear I can't stop touching her. Years of controlling myself around this woman has me spiraling out of control since I kissed her. Since I hugged her at the batting cages. Since she brushed her soft fingertips over my thigh.
“What else can I do?” I murmur.
“Stop touching me,” she whimpers.
I step back, my hands flying off of her like I just got burnt. I never would’ve touched her if I had known she didn’t feel the same way I do. I thought she was enjoying it. Hopefully even longing for it.
“I'm sorry. Maybe I should just go.” I run rough hands through my hair before stuffing them in my pockets so I don’t touch her by accident. “I'm sorry, Syd.”
“No! Stop. That’s not how I meant it.” She hurries to me and places her hand on my chest. “Mav, you misunderstood,” she whispers.
“Then explain it to me because I'm seconds from walking away and keeping my distance from you. I thought there was someth-”
“There is,” she cuts me off. “I wanted you to stop because I don’t want you to stop.”
I blink at her three times, trying to understand what she’s saying, but I still come up blank. She wants me to stop because she doesn’t want me to stop?
“What?”
“I don’t want you to stop touching me. Honestly, I don’t want you to take your hands off of me the rest of the night,” she groans, letting her head fall back so she’s staring up at the ceiling.
She blows out a long breath and tries to make sense.
“Danny and Bree could walk in at any second. And every time you touch me, my brain short circuits. I need you to stop, but I don’t want you to. ”
“So… You don’t want me to leave and never come back?”
“Absolutely not.” She grins up at me.
“Can you tell me what you do want? Because I'm not sure what I should be doing.”
“I want you to eat dinner with my kids and me. Then, play a game or watch a movie with us. After they go to bed, I want you to curl up on the couch with me and kiss me like you did on the front porch.”
“The kids won't come out of their rooms?” I arch a brow.
“No. They both fall asleep really quickly. There’s no chance.”
“I like the sound of that.”
I glance around to make sure there isn't a kid nearby, then I lean in and capture her lips in the world’s quickest kiss. She instantly sags against me and clutches my shirt in her fists.
“That should hold me over through dinner. Though I might need another one before the movie.”
I let my fingers trail across her hip as I walk past her. She shivers when her shirt rides up and my skin brushes hers.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” she mutters under her breath. I chuckle and grab the bowl of spaghetti out of her hands and place it on the table. “Let me just get the kids, then we can eat.”
Her voice is calm and steady, but she looks like she’s trying and failing to keep herself composed. I grin, loving how I affect her so much.
“I’ll get them, sweetness. You sit down.”
Heading down the hallway, I peek into one room after another, until I find Danny sitting on his bed with his video game remote in his hands.
“Hey, Slugger. It’s time for dinner.”
“Ok. I’ll be right out.” He saves his game and quickly turns off the console, surprising me in the process. I thought there would be a slight fight on this.
With him following behind me, I scoop Bree off the couch and hold her upside down.
She shrieks with laughter and holds onto my legs to keep from swinging in the air.
I'm careful to make sure she doesn’t hit anything or get hurt.
After flipping her around, I place her on her chair and take the seat next to her, just like she asked.
“I like having you here, Maverick. You should come to dinner every night!” Bree bounces in her seat.
“I'm not sure that would work, sweetheart.”
“Why not?” She folds her arms over her chest and scowls at me.
“Well, I own a restaurant and bar. We don’t open until four o’clock in the afternoon. If I'm not there, who’s going to do everything?”
“Can't you just hire people? Mommy’s shop is open twenty-four hours a day and she isn't there that much.”
“Bree! Don’t be rude. If Maverick can't come, then he can't come. You aren’t allowed to make him feel bad about it.” Sydney’s brows knit together as she frowns at her daughter.
“How about this, the days I don’t work, I’ll try to come over. Deal?”
“How many days do you have off a week?” She arches a brow. For being six years old, she sure does know how to argue like a pro.
“Two, sometimes three.”
“And when is your next night off?”
“Monday.” I grin. I love this little girl. She’s so sassy and adorable.
“Fine,” she groans. “I expect you to be here in two days for dinner!”
“Only if Mommy’s ok with that.” I arch my brow right back, hoping to remind her she’s not the boss of this house. She doesn’t get to dictate what happens.
“Oh, right!” She facepalms herself before turning towards Sydney. “Mommy, can Maverick come over on Monday for dinner?”
“Let’s see if he likes my cooking first. I'm not sure if I’ll have to work on Monday night though. One of my employees was sick today. If I don’t have anyone, I’ll have to go in.”
“Will Uncle Pecker be here with us?” Danny pipes up for the first time since sitting down.
“I'm not sure. I think he’s working.” Sydney frowns again.
I can only imagine how hard she works between being a single parent and running her own business. I know some days I struggle with it and I'm only one person. I never have to juggle anyone else’s schedule or worry about having someone home with the kids.
I make a mental note to talk to Sydney later. If she needs help with the kids, I'm more than happy to help. Her kids are amazing and I think they both like me.
“Then who will watch us?” Danny almost sounds nervous about it.
“I'm not sure, Danny. I’ll figure it out and let you know when I do. I guess worst case scenario, you can hang out in my office while I work.” Sydney drops her gaze to the table and begins dishing out food to everyone.
“Could Mav… Could Maverick watch us?” He asks hesitantly.
“Danny…” Sydney trails off, shaking her head. “You can’t expect-”
“I’d be happy to hang out with you guys,” I cut in before Sydney can get her entire thought out.
“Maverick,” she sighs.
I'm not trying to push too hard, but I want a place in her life. I understand that means not only being in her life, but also the kids’. I need to be comfortable around them even when Sydney isn't with us.
If things work out the way I want them to, we’ll be living with each other sooner or later. We’ll be like a real family.
“How about we discuss it later?” I suggest. I don’t want to argue about this in front of the kids, but I want her to know how I feel about all of this. Where my head is at.
“That sounds like a good idea,” she says softly.
She hands me a plate piled with spaghetti and meatballs. I wink at her, making her cheeks flush. She’s adorable. Absolutely perfect and exactly what I’ve been looking for.
I cut into a meatball right away and take a bite. So many flavors wash over my tastebuds, making me groan.
“Where did you get these?” I take another bite, twirling some spaghetti onto my fork this time.
“I made them.”
“When? You couldn’t have done it since I got here.”
“This morning.” She chuckles. “They’ve been cooking in the crockpot all day.”
“Well, Bree, I’ll be here on Monday for dinner and every other day I have off if Mommy’s going to cook like this.” I point my fork in her direction.
“Yes!” She fist pumps the air before settling down and digging into her food.
I'm already halfway done with my plate. This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time and I want more of it.
“Maverick, would you be able to teach me how to pitch the way you do? None of the coaches teach that yet and I want to be ahead of everyone else. The other teams won't know what hit them if I come out pitching like you.” Danny pushes his food around on his plate.
I'm not sure if he’s not a fan of spaghetti and meatballs or if his mind is too preoccupied with baseball.
“Of course. It’s going to take a while though. You won't get it down overnight. This will take hours and hours of practice and commitment to get it right. Do you think you’re ready for that?” I arch a brow.
I know the kid can do it, but he has to put in the work. Something tells me he’ll enjoy the hours required. It will help him forget about Rob and the emotions he caused when he left.
“I’m ready. I want to be as good as you one day.”
“Alright. Then I’ll work with your mom and see when we can get together. I need you to practice even on the days I can't work with you.”
“I will. I promise.” The excitement in his voice brings a smile to my face.
I remember being that excited about pitching when I was his age. My dad would go in the backyard with me every day after school. We’d throw the ball around and I’d practice until he had to go into the bar. I cherished that time with him. I’d love nothing more than to do the same thing with Danny.
The rest of dinner is spent with Danny and Bree telling us stories about school and how Skylar scheduled a light show assembly for Monday. They both can't wait for it and I’m sure they’ll have a lot of things to tell me on Monday at dinner.
After dinner, we settle on the couch and watch a movie Bree picks. I'm surprised when Danny doesn’t complain about it being too much of a kid movie or when there’s a princess in it. He’s a good sport and you can tell he loves his sister very much.
When the movie is over, the kids give us each a hug, then head down the hall to complete their bedtime routines.
“That’s it? They don’t fight about going to sleep? You don’t need to make sure they brush their teeth?” I stare at Sydney in shock.
“Nope. I told them when they were younger, they had to go right to bed when they were told to. I didn’t tolerate them disobeying. They know what’s expected of them and they listen.” She lifts her shoulder in a shrug like it’s not a big deal.
“That’s crazy. I was an only child and I think I took an hour to finally get in bed. I was a pain for my mom.”
“I'm sure you were.” She giggles. “You’re a total trouble maker.”
“I’ll show you exactly how much of a trouble maker I am,” I murmur.