Chapter 27 #2
I shake my head as I become aware of the significance.
He’s lived here for years? Did he ever wonder about me?
I glance up at him and look away quickly when I see him staring at me.
I pucker my lips and try not to smile, but I can’t help myself.
My lips curl upward unwillingly, and I have to take a deep breath to steady my hands.
“Mom, can I have a dollar for a snack?” Kale asks as he runs over to me. I reach in my purse and hand him the first green bill I see.
“This is a five! Can I spend it all?” he asks.
In my distracted state, I wave at him. “Uh huh.”
“Oh shit!” Gwen laughs as she grabs hold of my arm, forcing me to look at her. “Not only are you incredibly distracted, but you’re also going to have an over-sugared child on your hands later. What’s gotten into you?”
Her tone snaps me out of my lustful thoughts and I clear my throat. “Nothing! Nothing at all! I was just surprised. I’m fine.”
“Mom!”
I hear Marlow’s voice and search the crowd of blue-chested children for her. The game’s about to start, and she wants to make sure I see her. I smile proudly and give her a thumbs-up, trying not to let my eyes wander toward Nick. I sense he’s watching me.
Kay, Gwen, and I huddle together, sharing the blankets as the game begins. Nick is standing on the side by the bench with his hand over his mouth. He’s watching the game intently, and his focus makes him look even hotter than before.
“If you’re not interested in him, can I have him?” Kay questions.
“Would it be weird if I drooled in his direction?” Gwen asks through a laugh.
“Ha ha.” My voice drips with sarcasm.
A few minutes into the game, the ball is passed to Marlow.
She runs the field. She’s fast and handles the ball with amazing skill before she shoots and scores.
All three of us jump out of our seats and cheer.
Marlow fist pumps the air and smiles at me.
I’m filled with pride as I high-five Gwen and Kay.
I almost miss seeing Marlow run into Nick’s open arms for a hug before she’s back on the line for the next kickoff.
I force my gaze away from him and notice Mike is watching me, watching Nick. I do a double take at him before I huff to myself.
Throughout the game, Nick’s eyes meet mine several times.
At one point I try to act as if I’m glancing past him.
He grins at me from the tops of his eyes before his head bows briefly.
His gaze meets mine again, and his expression turns serious and stern.
It’s such a drastic change that I can’t help but shake my head and smile, and he grins back.
He knows I’m watching, and it makes me mad at myself.
I can’t take my eyes off of him. Grandma Kay was right.
It’s as if there is an invisible rope between us, and every time he smiles I feel myself getting pulled into wanting him again.
I can feel myself doing a Kegel exercise just to break off the intensity with which I desire him. It’s utterly ridiculous.
Before the start of last quarter, Mike steps over to me and asks if he can speak to me in private. I watch Gwen purse her lips, and I know she’s holding herself back.
I hand Kay the blanket and inch over to where Mike has led me away from listening ears.
“What?”
“I just want to talk. It’s been a while. How are you?”
I laugh to myself. I know exactly why he wants to talk to me, and it isn’t to catch up. “Nothing’s going on between us, Mike. Not that it’s any of your business.”
Mike acts shocked. “I wasn’t asking—”
“Oh please, Mike. I’m not stupid. I’ve seen the way you’ve been staring between Nick and me the whole game. Did you notice your daughter score three goals?”
“I wasn’t staring. I just noticed he seems to be more focused on you than on the team.”
I roll my eyes and cross my arms. Not only because I’m cold but because this conversation is pissing me off. “What do you want, Mike?”
“Like I said, I just wanted to see how you are.”
“I’m fine. Thanks.” As I turn to move toward Kay and Gwen, he grabs my arm and pulls me back to him. The force of his pull causes me to crash into his chest. He pulls me inward, and I push away. I lift my eyes to the field and see Nick regarding me. His eyes narrow and his expression darkens.
“I was thinking you and I should have dinner sometime. You know, to talk about the kids.”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, why does that surprise you?”
I see the way he’s gazing at me, and I’ve seen it before. He couldn’t possibly be flirting, could he? “Will Krista be joining us?” I ask, more to make a point rather than because I care.
“Krista and I are taking a little break.” He sighs. He seems beaten and downtrodden.
“I’m… I’m sorry.” My eyebrows furrow, and for some reason I reach out to touch his arm. He places his hand on mine and I immediately recoil. My eyes search for Nick, but I no longer see him near the bench.
“Anyway, I just wanted to catch up on things. It’s been a while since we really talked.”
I sigh and hear the whistle to announce the beginning of fourth period. Still no sign of Nick on the field. Marlow’s coach is clapping and directing the kids into their places. I refocus on Mike as he lingers on my words.
“Listen…” And as I say the word I hate to hear, the irony of the situation has me elated inside.
It was a lifetime ago that he told me to “listen,” and now I have the control.
“I know things are weird between you and Krista and that you saw something between Nick and me, and now your panties are in a bunch…”
Mike crosses his arms and shifts his posture. His tongue plunges against the inside of his cheek. It seems the irony is not lost on him.
“…And you think now you’ll turn to me. But I’m not available to you, Mike. If there’s a problem we need to discuss with the kids, shoot me a text or call me. That’s as far as I’m willing to go to meet you on anything.”
He huffs in frustration, and before I get sucked into his drama, I rotate and walk away.
I stomp my way back to my seat. Gwen and Kay open the blankets for me to climb back into my warm spot, and I search for Marlow on the field. Once I find her, my eyes hunt for Nick. I don’t see him.
“He’s over there.” Gwen points. “He’s walking from behind the goal back to the bench.”
I spend the last period alternating between watching Marlow and watching Nick.
He doesn’t even glance in my direction for the rest of the game, and I feel a slight amount of concern.
I also have an overwhelming need to clarify to him what he might have seen between Mike and me.
I don’t know why I care so much what he thinks, but I do.
I notice him on his phone. He seems to be texting someone. I feel a sudden pang of jealousy.
After the game, Marlow shakes hands with the opposing team and the parents cross the field to the bench to hear Coach Dawson’s comments.
I’m not the first to reach Nick. There’s a mom ogling him and flirting up a storm.
I glare at her as if she’s my competition.
She’s wearing knee-high boots. I’m wearing Chucks.
She wearing tight jeans tucked into her boots, and I’m in my yoga pants.
I almost feel bad about myself, but then I consider how much more comfortable I probably am, and I feel better.
I focus my eyes on the coach as he talks about the next practice and how proud he is of the team.
I try not to listen to the woman talking to Nick, but I can’t help myself.
“You’ve really helped Johnny so much. I don’t know how to thank you enough.”
“It’s my pleasure. He’s a great kid.”
She touches his bicep as she says, “Well, if you think of anything I can do to repay you, just let me know.”
I can’t help the loud laugh that escapes my lips. Coach Dawson turns, and I clear my throat and cough, acting as if I have a cold.
My eyes can’t help but wander in embarrassment. I hate the attention it draws to me. I see Nick staring at me from the corner of my eye. I feel the heat of his gaze, and I’m stunned by how much his proximity causes my knees to weaken.
After the coach finishes speaking and the team gives a final cheer, Marlow rushes to me. “Awesome job, babe!” I bend down to hug her. She returns my hug briefly before she grabs my arm and pulls me toward Nick. I stumble in his direction.
“Coach’s friend? This is my mom, Everly Haley.”
Nick nods to Marlow and then his eyes search mine. I can tell he doesn’t know if he should act like he’s just meeting me or not.
“Actually, Marlow, I already know him. We were good friends a long time ago.”
“You do?” she asks excitedly as if I’m acquainted with a celebrity.
“Um hmm.” I nod with a smile.
Nick focuses on Marlow as he says, “You did an amazing job today, Mar. I’m so proud of you!”
“Since you know my mom and all, maybe you could come over some day and teach me some more stuff and have dinner and stuff like that?” Marlow asks with hope gleaming in her eyes.
Nick sighs. “I don’t know if that’s—”
“That’s a great idea, Marlow,” I interrupt. “We’ll definitely have to have Coach Nick over for dinner sometime.” I don’t know what possesses me to say it, but I’m pretty sure Nick’s attempt to say no made me want him to come over even more.
“Sure.” He nods uncertainly.
His expression concerns me, and I feel I need to clarify things. “Marlow, could you help Grandma Kay and Kale put the chairs in the car. I’ll be right there.”
“K. Bye, Coach Nick!”
“Bye, Marlow!”
Marlow runs off and I turn toward him, attempting to focus my thoughts.
“She’s a great kid.”
“Yes, she is.” I smile at him briefly before I continue. “Hi.”