Chapter 9 #2
“The Bay was a terrific place to be a kid. The beach being so close makes it a magical place. Michael is four years older than I am, and he was always a protective big brother. We would get on our bikes and just roam. I mentioned my two best friends to you—Layne and Piper—and I was just as at home in their houses as I was my own. The three of us did everything together in elementary and middle school. We pursued our own interests in high school, though. Layne played soccer and was a debater. Piper danced on the drill team and was editor of the Pirate Press, our school newspaper. She also was big into choir and theater. We went to each other’s events and supported one another.
Even though we’re far apart now, we have that shared history. ”
“That’s great. I don’t really have any childhood friends.
” Carson paused and then said, “My younger brother was my best friend. We were sixteen months apart and did everything together. Then he and my parents were killed in a car wreck when I was twelve. I had to leave behind my home and everything I knew to move in with my aunt Jayne, Dad’s sister. ”
Mila couldn’t believe how tragedy had struck Carson not once, but twice. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
He shrugged, biting off a piece of his crust and chewing a moment.
“She wasn’t a warm, fuzzy person, if you know what I mean.
Never came to a single game I played in.
Didn’t attend either my high school or college graduations.
I studied hard for my grades in college and also worked a part-time job.
There wasn’t a lot of time left over after that for friends.
Angie became my best friend and then my girlfriend. We had each other.”
“What about after college? Were you close to anyone at work?” she asked.
“To my assistant coach. Rudy was offered my coaching position when I left. His wife Juanita and Angie were good friends. They had a baby six months ago. They’re the ones who kept Lily when I came here to interview. Other than that, I’m a bit of a loner.”
Trying to lighten the mood, she said, “Loners still have interests. What do you like to do, Carson? Apart from playing dad to Lil?”
He chuckled. “Lily takes up a lot of time. I am fascinated by anything related to World War II. I’ve read a lot of books on the subject and see every war movie ever made about that era. I also enjoy running and Pilates. How about you, Coach Perry?”
She took a sip of her wine. “I’m also a runner.
I’m into photography, especially black and white.
I think shooting in black and white adds so much more depth to a photo.
I teach US history, so I’m interested in that, too, especially the Old West after the Civil War.
Give me a Western to watch, and I’m happy. ”
They finished off the pizza, talking about different movies and historical documentaries they had enjoyed. Mila told him about the 5K run held on Labor Day each year.
“The city hosts that one, and the local Y sponsors another 5K on Thanksgiving Day. You should enter.”
“I don’t run as much as I used to,” he admitted.
“Before, I would strap Lily into her stroller and run for an hour or more. She’s not big into that now, so the running is more if I have time at school.
With the AD position, I doubt I’ll have much free time to work out.
It’ll probably be at-home Pilates on my app for the foreseeable future. Tell me some more about my new town.”
They talked for another half hour, with Mila talking about traditions at Christmas and what the summer tourist season looked like versus when school started and the tourists abandoned Driftwood Bay.
“We do have a small group of snowbirds who come down from the north each year. Minnesota. North Dakota. Montana. Most of them reside at the trailer park in motorhomes they drive down, but a few have cottages near the shore.”
“We made a big move today,” Carson said. “Lily and I chose Happy Hearts for her. She’s in Bobby’s class. I’m glad they met last night because he really made her feel welcomed.”
“I’m glad you’ve found a preschool for her.”
“Also, our next-door neighbor, Dotty Williams, will probably watch Lily when I’m gone for basketball. She’s great with kids, and Binky and her dog Ginger really get along.”
Mila nodded. “I’m happy for you, Carson. All the pieces seem to be falling into place for you.”
He set his empty plate on the coffee table in front of them. “Most of the pieces. The biggest piece is one I’m struggling with, Mila. And that’s you.”
“Me?”
Carson nodded. “I haven’t even thought about going on a date since my wife died.
Then I came to Driftwood Bay and met you.
Suddenly, you’re all I can think about. Then you told me the same thing.
I’m not sure if I’m ready for a relationship.
Part of me is holding back, wanting one, but scared shitless to try again. ”
He had taken her hand as he spoke, his thumb stroking her palm, sending shivers dancing along her spine.
“What about you? You’re an attractive woman. Have you ever been married? Or had your heart hurt?”
“No, to marriage. Yes, to the heart,” she said quietly.
“I dated a guy who coached at a rival high school when I first got out of college. We were together two years. I saw a future for us, but Mark wasn’t ready to make that kind of commitment.
Then he got a job offer and left me behind, brokenhearted.
It took a long time to get over him. I finally left San Antonio when I got the call to come and coach here.
Then last November, I started dating our basketball coach. The one you’re replacing.”
“Ouch.”
“I know, right? It wasn’t serious, but I had fun with Sam. When he left the Bay, I swore off dating coaches.”
“Double ouch,” Carson said, his hand wrapping around hers now. “Yet here we are.”
“Exactly. I’ll be honest, Carson. I don’t know if I have it in me to invest in another relationship with a coach who’s going to leave when greener pastures call.”
He took her other hand. “I’m not going anywhere, Mila.”
“You say that now.”
“I mean it. I like the slower pace in Driftwood Bay. The opportunity to remain a head coach while also serving as a district athletic director means I’m not interested in looking elsewhere.
Professionally, this is a great situation for me.
Personally, I want to give Lily consistency.
That means staying in one place. I don’t want her to have to make new friends every few years when I change jobs.
I want to raise her here in the Bay. Give her a real home, with a community that is like extended family. ”
Carson gazed deeply into Mila’s eyes. “I plan to be here a long, long time. I’ve realized that while I put my life on hold these past two years in order to focus on Lily, I’m ready to do something for myself now.” He paused. “And that something is getting to know you, Mila.”
“Would we be making a mistake, though, starting something between us?” she asked.
“You’re my boss. You oversee all aspects of athletics in the district. You’ll be responsible for evaluating my performance and deciding whether or not to keep me on contract. The optics of dating your subordinate don’t look good, Carson.”
“Is that the only thing holding you back?”
She was afraid to voice how she worried about living up to his memories of Angie, and so Mila said, “That’s a pretty big concern.”
“If I can get that straightened out, are you willing to take a chance on me? On us?”
“More than anything. That’s exactly what I want,” she replied truthfully.
“We seem compatible. My gut tells me that we have the same values. I know innately that you’re a good person and wonderful coach. But I think before we decide to pursue this any further, there’s something we need to do.”
“What’s that?” she asked, her heart hammering against her ribs.
“Kiss. If we’re going to fight for this relationship, we should see if we have chemistry. I already feel the pull between us, but I think we need to see if that spark is real.”
Carson gazed at her. “May I kiss you, Mila?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”