14. Wyatt
WYATT
“The board feels you pulling away. They’re getting nervous, so they want to sweeten the deal.
They’re willing to hire an assistant for you.
Someone to manage your calendar, the responsibilities with the players, your child.
” I could feel my neck on the chopping block as the athletic director spoke to me like I was an inconvenience. I ground my teeth to keep quiet.
The fact that Penny was last on that list of priorities showed me how much less the board cared about me as a human than as a successful coach. They were looking to solve the problem. Namely, me.
Whitman continued. “There are several administrative assistants that have open hours during the summer,” he rambled on. “We will assign one to you—”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“You need a personal assistant so you can handle your obligations.”
“I’m aware. I spoke with a few members of the board yesterday and got approval to hire my own assistant. It’s taken care of.”
Slightly miffed at my dismissal but pacified, Whitman ended the call, and I pressed my fingertips into my eye sockets. In a moment of utter panic, I’d hired Lark to be my assistant.
I’d nearly laughed in her face when she’d suggested such a low salary for herself. The board would cover a few hundred a week, and I was more than happy to throw in the rest if it meant this problem would go away.
She was the last person I needed complicating my life, but when I saw her sweet face next to Bootsy, staring out of the bakery window with a look of pure amusement, I just did it.
Plus, hiring Lark as my employee meant I definitely couldn’t fuck her. That was a good thing.
Isn’t it?
A gentle knock at the door had me straightening. It had to be Lark.
Game time.
“Morning!” Lark was fresh faced and sunny for so early in the day. Pickle was just getting up, and the boys would probably sleep a few more hours.
I took in the way her chestnut hair was bouncy and smooth. My fingers itched to run through it and feel its softness. I clenched my hands into fists and stepped aside, welcoming her into the house.
Lark followed me back to the kitchen. I reached up and grabbed a mug, filling it with coffee from the fresh pot I’d brewed. I lifted it. “Cream and sugar?”
Lark looked surprised that I’d made her coffee and blinked. “Oh, um... both, please. Thanks.”
I nodded and set the cup on the table between us. I plopped down the sugar bowl and box of creamer and pushed it toward her.
After she doctored up her coffee, she blew over the top and took a tentative sip. My eyes tracked the shape of her lips and the dart of her tongue as she tasted. A part of me wished I could lean into her and brush my fingers down the length of her arm.
“So what are my marching orders, boss?”
My jaw locked tight. “I have a few meetings at the university this week. One in person today and the rest I can take remotely from here. Michael and Joey can pretty much do whatever they want—but I gave them your number, and they need to check in at least once.” I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Just... keep them out of trouble, if you can.”
Lark nodded, taking in my instructions.
“Kevin should spend some time at the library studying. He’s retaking a class online and has a test coming up. I have your email, so I also shared my calendar with you last night.”
Lark laughed. “Oh, I saw. That thing is a mess.”
I just stared at her while her eyes danced with teasing amusement.
“If you need me, call or text. I’ll leave whatever meeting I’m in. Penny and I will be in and out of the office, so it’s best to just call my phone.”
From the living room, Penny flopped herself lengthwise on the couch. “No, Daddy, no. I don’t want to go to St. Fowler. That car ride sucks, and your office is so boring. I want to stay home and go to the beach with Lark.”
“Pickle,” I warned. We weren’t having this conversation for the twelfth time this morning.
Lark shrugged. “She can hang with me today. I don’t mind.”
I immediately shook my head. “You’re not a nanny.”
Oh god. Now all I could think about was fucking the nanny. Awesome.
Penny immediately perked up, and hope filled her big brown eyes.
“Please, Daddy. Please. I’ll be good. I promise.
” She held up her hand, her two fingers crossed.
Pickle still didn’t realize that crossing your fingers while you promised meant you’d break it, and it hit me just how damn cute she was sometimes.
Lark’s eyebrows raised up, and she smiled, like it wasn’t a thing in the world for her to look after my kid.
I considered it. So far, Lark seemed completely normal and had settled comfortably into Outtatowner.
Tootie adored her, and I trusted her enough to be my assistant.
I had to go with my gut on it and was comforted knowing, deep down, that Lark would care for Penny.
Plus, I had an entire town that would look out for her too.
Lark smiled down at Penny as I weighed my decision. “I think we can find some trouble today.”
I grumbled.
“Fun,” she corrected with a laugh. “We’ll find some fun .” Lark winked at Penny as she moved to take over the couch.
“Fine. We’ll use today as a test run. Just be safe and have a good time.” I looked at Lark again. “I’ll add extra for today.”
She rolled her eyes and batted a hand in the air. “It’s really no big deal. Penny mentioned on our walk that she’s starting to read small chapter books but doesn’t really have any. We could head into town and get her first library card. Would that be okay?”
I paused to take her in. Penny’s first library card. Fuck, I hadn’t even thought of that. Part of me felt terrible that I ever thought Lark wouldn’t take this seriously.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, that would be great. Thanks.”
Lark smiled and lifted a shoulder like it wasn’t a thing in the world to step up for my kid. When my phone buzzed again, I slid my keys into my pocket, strode toward Penny to kiss the side of her face, and headed toward the door.
I didn’t look back when Lark stood in the doorway, waving, as I walked to my car. “Have a good day, dear!”
And her playful words stayed with me all damn day.
* * *
The hectic day had gotten away from me. There was really no other way to describe it. I took calls, reviewed game footage, started on practice drill outlines, and spoke with Kevin’s academic counselor about his requirements to be eligible to play in the fall.
I also had to prep for an upcoming press conference.
My plan to head back to Outtatowner by midafternoon was shot to hell after the portly athletic director shouldered his way into my office and filled the chair across from me.
By the time the afternoon hours melted into early evening, I had to call it.
My last meeting of the day could be taken from my car as I drove back home.
When I pulled across the gravel driveway, the farmhouse was lit up. Soft music wafted out of the open windows. The front door was open, and I could see movement just inside.
Trying to leave the stress of work behind me, I checked my calendar app one last time. I looked at it, closed the app, and opened it again. Curiously, it was now color coded.
Huh. Hadn’t thought of that.
There were clear distinctions—virtual meetings, in-person meetings, press conferences, practices, and team meetings—all neatly arranged, time stamped, and simple to find. Noting there was nothing pressing for the next day or so, I let a tiny bit of stress melt away.
I climbed the stairs, ready to see what new disasters awaited me at home.
I figured we could grab a pizza or something in town because there was no way in hell I had the mental energy to cook something after today.
When I pushed through the door, my players looked as if they were getting ready to leave.
“Hey, Coach,” Michael called.
“Guys.” I dropped my keys by the table at the entrance. “What’s up?”
“We’re headed out. There’s a thing down by the beach.”
The boys filed out of the house, and I watched them bound down the porch stairs.
“See ya later, Lark!” Joey called out before he let the screen door slam behind him.
I looked at Lark and popped a thumb over my shoulder. “The beach?”
Lark stood in the kitchen by the stove, stirring something that made my stomach growl.
She shrugged. “While we were at the library, I saw on the bulletin board that there’s a hangout at the beach where people pick trash and then have free pizza in the pavilion afterward.
The librarian there said it’s a lot of kids the boys’ age.
Michael needs service hours and they were getting stir-crazy so. ..” She shrugged. “Win-win.”
Well I’ll be damned.
“Hey, Dad!” Penny skipped down the hallway from her room.
I ran a hand down the twin braids at the back of her head. “You’re looking cute.”
She beamed up at me. “Lark can do dutch braids!” Penny spun in a circle. “They’re not even all wonky.” She left off the like yours always are , and I smiled in appreciation. “Can I watch a show?”
“Sure thing, Pickle.” I turned toward Lark, whose attention was back on the stove. “Busy day?”
Lark smiled, but I saw the fatigue in her eyes. “A good day. When you texted that you’d be a little late, I threw this together.” She smiled. “It’s edible.”
We stood silently assessing each other as the bouncy music from Penny’s show chirped in the background.
Subtle tension grew thick around us. I felt a pull toward Lark, like it would be the most natural thing in the world to draw her in close and hold her against my chest.
Eventually Lark cleared her throat. “Okay, well, I’m going to go. Same time tomorrow?”
I frowned. Part of me hoped she’d sit and eat whatever delicious-smelling dinner she’d made for us. It looked like spaghetti, and my stomach turned on itself again as I realized I hadn’t eaten much all day.
It felt easy. Comfortable. Coming home after a long day to Penny’s smiling face, a warm meal, and Lark in my home? It felt too easy .
Instead of doing what I wanted to—asking her to stay and have dinner with us, I only nodded. “Same time works.”
A pinch twisted under my ribs when her eyes lowered and she moved toward the door.
I fucked that up.
“’Night, Pen!” she called into the living room, and Penny leaped from the couch to wrap Lark in a hug. “See you tomorrow.” When Penny released her, Lark’s eyes met mine. “Good night.”
Every part of me wanted to step forward and offer to walk her up to her apartment so I might steal another kiss.
My eyes shifted down to her lips. She didn’t move.
A lump formed in my throat, but the music from Penny’s show pulled me out of the moment, reminding me of my ever-accumulating responsibilities.
“’Night. Thanks again for today.”
Lark only smiled and gently closed the screen door behind her.