13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
Evalina
Dustin has been frustrated with me since the game last night.
Sparkly’s had a sudden burst of customers, which led us to a late closing, making us late for the game.
My son missed the first several innings, then after the game when I told him that it was late and we needed to get home for bed, I was informed that I was a mean mom.
Pardon me for believing school to be more important than meeting baseball players.
Evidently, my line of reasoning was atrocious to a young boy.
When we arrived at the game, I was beyond shocked to find Nick, my regular, in the seat next to us.
It was odd chatting with him outside of the bakery, but he proved to be the same sweet, level-headed guy he has always presented himself to be.
He even explained some of the finer details of baseball stats, though I’m not entirely sure I needed to know them to enjoy Koa’s game.
Koa, the guy I could never make happy enough for long, could never keep if I wanted to, and who has managed to occupy my thoughts more often than I am willing to admit.
Nick, though, is more like me. Financially, we’re closer together.
More down to the same earth, where Koa is far, far above the sort of worries that people like Nick and I have.
Which was why, despite the lump that lodged in my throat when he asked me, I accepted Nick’s offer for a date.
This also irked Dustin, but I have a feeling I know exactly why. Nick is not Koa, but I can’t let my son’s obsession with a baseball player dictate how I run our lives.
Dustin is slightly less annoyed with me now that we are on the way to his one-on-one practice with Koa, but I’m not so sure I’m ready for it.
When a person opens her entire backstory up for the scrutiny of a relative stranger, she does tend to regret it.
I sincerely regret telling Koa so much about my past, but now that it’s out, there’s not much I can do about it.
I wouldn’t have thought Koa would be so easy to talk to, but it turns out when he’s not fighting for his peace, he’s quite agreeable. A little on the diva side, but mostly likeable.
“Hurry, Mom, or we’re going to be late! Again!” Dustin huffs from the back seat.
“Excuse me, young man, but who do you think you’re speaking to right now?” He quiets down and sinks into his seat with nothing more to say.
Easing into the parking lot, I run through my game plan once more.
I’ll be cordial. Friendly, but not too open.
I’m here for my son’s lesson, not to meet Koa and chat.
My heart flutters when I spy his oh-so-recognizable car in the lot, and it goes absolutely wild when I spy him hitting a few balls on the field while waiting for us to show up.
I check the clock. Okay, so we are a few minutes late.
When the car is in park, Dustin bolts and makes it all the way to the field before I’m even out the door.
The kid is getting way too attached to a man who, despite showing interest in him right now, probably won’t be a part of his life for the long term.
Somehow, I have to remind him that Mr. Keaton is not a friend.
He’s merely doing something kind for a child he thinks has potential.
As for me…he’s…a professional helping my son.
Dustin practically leaps onto Koa when he reaches him, but stops just short and gives him a high five before pointing back to his slow-moving mother.
The sun beats down on me just as fiercely as it did during the first one-on-one, but I notice the benches have been moved to the shade.
Mercifully, it isn’t as miserable as I anticipated.
Koa nods a hello and returns his attention to Dustin.
Within minutes, the two are in the zone and I’m lost in my own thoughts.
How did I get here? How did I end up in this traffic jam of bad luck and dead ends?
Life seems to throw me one curveball after another, and despite praying—and doing my best to follow Annie’s advice to listen and be patient—it seems like there’s no light at the end of this tunnel.
If there is, it’s probably a train. Life feels sped up, going so fast that I can’t keep up.
I’m falling behind in everything—business, motherhood, and even friendship.
With Annie as my only real friend, I feel stuck.
Spinning my wheels in the same place, only that place will soon be ripped out from under me.
My thoughts are interrupted when Koa sits beside me on the bench, dripping sweat, but wearing a broad smile. “You all right? I was calling your name, but you seem not all right.”
My cheeks warm and I lower my gaze to the dirt. “I was daydreaming, that’s all.”
“Ah, well, nothing wrong with that.” He brushes his fingers over the back of my hand, regaining my attention. His grin fades into something more serious. “I wanted to talk to you about Dustin.”
My heart pauses. Whatever comes out of his mouth has the power to ruin my son, especially if it’s something akin to I have to stop meeting with him or he doesn’t have the talent I thought he did. Holding my breath, I nod for him to continue.
“I legitimately think he has the sort of raw talent that makes a pro. I’m not exactly sure how you feel about that, and I wanted to discuss it before we go any farther.”
Shifting my weight so I’m facing him, I zone in on that last part. “Go any farther? What do you mean? I thought I was already doing all I could.”
Koa raises his hand to calm my nerves. “No, of course you are. He’s doing great, but if you want to really hammer in and give him an option, there are camps you can send him to.
They help kids with this sort of talent to develop their skills and set them up for a chance to go pro.
At the very least, it could put him through college. ”
“He’s a kid. I want most for him to have a good childhood, not to be pressured into adult decisions. What are these camps like?”
Koa scoots closer. I take an inch back, but it doesn’t put much distance between us.
“Some of them are rigid and pretty intense. Others are a little more laid-back. I know what you mean about him being a kid, and I don’t disagree with your standpoint.
I only wanted to give you options you might not be aware of.
I can easily get him into any of them this summer. ”
“One that won’t impact his…” I wave my hands around a little, unsure how to explain that I want my son to be small forever. “You know, being a kid.”
“There’s one that’s only two weeks and it’s closer to the end of the summer, but it is a little harder to get in. They focus on the child’s best skill, and truly, it’s meant for some a bit more advanced than Dustin. Still, I know the guy who runs it. I think he’ll make an exception.”
Two weeks isn’t that bad. Dustin can still do our church camp and other things with his friends. The other obstacle is cost.
“How much would something like that cost?”
Koa winces. “He’d need his own equipment, and the camp itself is a few hundred a week. I can get more details for you from my friend.”
Defeat swallows my heart whole. I brush the sweat from my forehead and clear my throat. “Uh, as much as I appreciate the offer, that’s really not in our budget this year. Maybe he can work on some things and try again next summer.”
“I think his best bet is for us to get him started as soon as we can. I can see if—”
Irritation flames through my body, forcing me to spring to my feet.
“With all due respect, I appreciate your investment in my child, but this is my decision. There is no we with regard to my son’s future, only me.
Cost might not be a concern for you, Mr. Keaton, but it certainly is for me.
I have to feed him, clothe him, educate him, and put a roof over his head, and that means some other things just won’t happen. ”
Koa sits, wide-eyed, as I give him a piece of my mind. Eventually, it seems his mind catches up and he stands to meet me. “Evalina, I was not insinuating that I have any say in Dustin’s future, only that—”
“Good. I’m glad we agree. Now, I have to go.”
“But his practice just started.” Koa motions toward the field where the other children and Dustin have joined their coach for the regular practice. In my frustration and annoyance, I’d forgotten we still had that to do. Wonderful. Now I have to put up with Mr. Perfect Life for another hour.
I huff and sit back down on the bench with crossed arms and a scowl.
Koa sits beside me. “Listen, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I thought that was behind us. Am I wrong?”
I grit my teeth. “No.”
His blond hair drips with sweat. He didn’t have to come out here in the hot Georgia weather to work with Dustin, but he did. Now I’m treating him like enemy number one because I can’t afford to do everything possible to offer my child a shot at a dream.
“No, it’s not behind us, or no, I’m not wrong?”
“I love my son,” is all I can manage to force from my constricting throat. My eyes burn with unshed tears, but I refuse to allow them to fall. I have to be stronger, hold it together for the sake of my child.
“I know,” Koa whispers. “I never doubted that.”
My frame stiffens. Arms tighter, jaw clenched. “People often do. Those who can afford all the good clothing brands, the expensive shoes, the—”
“None of that matters.” Koa settles his hand on my shoulder. “None of it. I’ve had everything handed to me my whole life. I’ve never known a day of want, and yet when I look at what you and Dustin have, I feel poor.”
A tear breaks free and I move to swipe it away, but all it does is give the rest permission to fall in a relentless stream.
“My actions caused you to lose money for two days in a row. I would like very much, with your permission, to pay for Dustin to go to my friend’s camp.
” He squeezes my shoulder. “Before you say no, think about it. It’s not a handout, but an offer of compensation.
I believe in Dustin, so really, it’s a little selfish on my part, too. ”
A chuckle breaks free and I manage to dry my face. “You want credit for making him pro?”
“Um, no.” He matches my chuckle and releases my shoulder. “I think we both know his amazing mother will be the reason he goes pro. My selfishness comes in the form of getting to spend time with said mother on the journey.”
The next morning, Annie works in overtime to convince me that Koa Keaton has feelings for me.
“For the last time, Annie, he is only helping us out because he still feels bad for what happened. At most, we’re friends. That is all.” I shove a tray of burned donuts in the trash.
“If that’s all he is, then why has your mind been wandering so much this morning? It’s not like you to burn perfectly good donuts. By the way, you threw the wrong tray in the trash. You…also…threw the tray in the trash.”
I glance down to see that I did, in fact, toss the baking sheet along with the not burned donuts. The burned ones stare at me from the counter.
“Can’t a woman just be distracted? Does it always have to be about a man?”
Annie adjusts her hairnet and washes her hands, ready to dive into the next batch. “Doesn’t have to be. Usually is.”
“You hush. I have things to do.” With nothing else said, I hurry to the front to prep for the day.
I did not mention to her that I have a date in a few days.
Not with Koa. My gut twists at the thought of going.
If only I could go back in time and take it back, but it’s too late.
Besides, Nick is a perfectly good option, where Koa is not.
Nick conversed with Dustin about the team and even caught a ball for him.
As nice as Nick is, though, I have a feeling after one date, he won’t ask me out again.
Most men aren’t really interested in dating single mothers, and once they realize we’re very involved in our children’s lives, they tend to back away into the abyss.
I mean, not that I’ve dated. But I’ve heard the horror stories from other single moms. On the internet. Still, it’s a totally logical and reasonable thing to expect.
I’ll go on the date, really lay out how much a part of my life Dustin is, watch him retreat, and move on with life.
Once Sparkly’s closes, I’ll probably never see him again, so no harm, no foul.
Now, if it were Koa, it would be different.
He’s proven he likes my son, believes in his future, and is willing to do what it takes to…
No. No, I will not entertain even the slightest affection for a billionaire pro athlete who has far better plans for his future than what I bring to the table.
I glance down and notice I’ve put the napkins and cups in the display case, and the donuts are stacked where the napkins should be.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” I grumble and work to fix my mistake, but Annie’s words echo in my mind, proving I might have a harder time watching Koa walk away when the time comes. There is no mistaking it will come. It always does.