Chapter 14 Isla
ISLA
When I pull up to the warehouse that holds the indoor sports facilities the Little League uses for some of their winter training sessions, Charlie’s quiet.
“You don’t have to do this,” I say. The last thing I want to do is give him excuses or make him feel like he can avoid hard things, but at the same time…
my mama-bear instincts are clamouring to protect my boy from any embarrassment.
“I know, but Coach Rhett invited me and Miles said it’s fun.
” He squares his shoulders, his one hand tightening around the glove he’s spent the past week breaking in.
“I wanna try.” Turning to me, his lips quirk up in a wry grin.
“You sure you wanna be here? I’ve got a good reason to suck, what’s your excuse? ”
I lightly punch his shoulder as he chuckles. “Watch it, kid, maybe I’m a baseball prodigy just waiting to be discovered.”
Charlie gives me an epic preteen eye roll. “Sure Mom, sure. Watching the game and playing the game are two different things, y’know.”
With that, we get out of the car and hurry into the building to get out of the freezing November rain.
Charlie heads over to the group of kids and adults standing around a small set of bleachers behind floor-to-ceiling netting.
There’s a lot of energetic talking and laughing, but that’s not what draws my attention.
No, it’s the fact that the adults sitting on the bleachers are predominantly female, while the group holding gloves or carrying equipment are male.
I’ve never been a fan of gender stereotypes, but they’re everywhere in sports.
Apparently, even here, to my annoyance. Is there really not one female parent willing to throw a ball around with their kid? That’s disappointing.
Most of the time, I don’t begrudge Charlie’s dad a thing. In fact, I’m grateful he walked away completely, avoiding any messy custody issues. We were kids ourselves, and he wasn’t ready to raise one. Even with Charlie being born different, I rarely found myself wishing he’d stuck around.
But there are times, in moments like this, when I hate him for denying Charlie a father in his life.
He could’ve at least agreed to stay in touch, to be available if or when Charlie ever wants to reach out.
At least then, there could have been a way for my son to not be the odd one out, with his mother as his partner for this skills day, or whatever it is.
Charlie came home one day, so excited about it.
And when he said the parents were to participate, I went out and bought myself a baseball glove.
It’s got purple stitching. And I kind of love it.
I just didn’t expect to be the only woman holding one today.
I also don’t love the anxious nerves I feel inside, worrying I might do something to majorly embarrass my kid. Charlie’s right, my love of watching baseball doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be any good at playing.
“Alright everyone, c’mon over, let’s get started.” The ridiculously handsome guy I immediately recognize as Rhett Darlington speaks with a loud southern drawl.
So that’s the former pro ballplayer who’s got my kid finally wanting a prosthetic arm.
I watch him interact with the kids, his smile genuine and wide for each of them.
He gives Charlie a fist bump, and I guess Charlie must point me out because then I’m treated to a grin of my own as he makes his way over.
“Nice to meet ya, Isla. I’ve heard a lot about you from your boy. He’s got a good arm for a rookie, I’m glad he’s givin’ it a try.”
Dang, that southern accent is swoony. “Thanks, he’s enjoying practice. We’ll see if I can keep up.” I smile as Rhett chuckles.
“Don’t worry about it, darlin’. We’ve got plenty of other adults showin’ up today to help out if needed. But you already know that, I’m guessing.”
My brow furrows. “Know what?”
“Hey Rhett, I didn’t have a chance to fill Isla in on our plan.”
I spin around at Luca’s voice and see him walking up to us with an easy smile.
He’s wearing black joggers and one of the new Cedar Creek Thunder hoodies.
Behind him come the two players I recognize from the gala, Griff and Foxxy, if I remember their nicknames correctly.
They’re each carrying a large bag full of what looks suspiciously like our new merchandise.
They veer off, over to a group of kids, obviously following instructions, and start pulling out Thunder-branded balls and caps, handing them out to all the kids present.
“Luca. What…what’s going on?” I ask quietly, doing my best to not think about how good he looks, or how amazing our kiss was the night of the gala, and focus instead on how he pulled this off without me knowing.
“I completely forgot to mention it the other night, I was so…distracted by other things.” He flashes me a wink that thankfully, no one else notices.
“But when Rhett called me up earlier in the week to ask if we could join forces, he mentioned today and I figured it was the perfect opportunity.” He leans in close enough for our shoulders to brush, his gaze going between Rhett and I. “Community engagement, right?”
“That’s right. Now, we better get things started.” Rhett claps his hands and moves back to stand in front of the larger group. “A’right. Here’s how today is gonna go.”
I tune him out almost immediately, too overcome with the close proximity of the man who rocked my world with a single kiss a few nights ago.
Oddly enough our paths haven’t crossed at the office, not even once, since the gala.
Which means somehow, I’ve got to hold it together, maintain composure, and not let anyone see how affected I am by his presence.
The kids all stream out onto the turf area. I hang back, feeling even more uncertain about my involvement. It’s one thing to make a fool of myself in front of my son and his friends, it’s another thing entirely to make a fool of myself in front of my boss.
Who happens to own a baseball team.
“You joining them, Forrester?” Luca’s low voice is full of amusement.
“Mm-hmm,” I say, staring straight ahead.
“Mom? Let’s go.” Charlie hangs back, looking from me to Luca. “Hey, boss man. What are you doing here?”
Luca cracks a grin. “Making my players do some community service. Actually, it wasn’t hard to convince them. They love any chance to play ball. That hat looks good on you.”
Charlie lifts his hand up to touch the brim. “Thanks. Do you play?”
Luca nods. “I’m alright. Not the fastest runner, but I can hit.”
Charlie’s head tilts to the side, his eyes narrowing slightly. What’s he up to? I know my kid, and that’s the expression he gets when he’s plotting something.
“Is it just your players that are participating or are you here to play, too?”
Luca’s deep chuckle makes me feel warm. “I’m here to do whatever I need to do.”
Charlie nods once, as if he’s reached a decision. “Cool. Wanna be my partner? I’m guessing you’ll be better than my mom.” He turns and gives me a shoulder shrug. “No offense.”
“None taken,” I say, fighting my own grin, and let’s be honest, a sigh of relief.
I’d much rather watch baseball than try to play it. Hand-eye coordination is not my strength.
I drop down onto the closest bleacher seat without looking around me.
My gaze is fixed on the group setting up for a throwing and catching drill.
I start to stand up, suddenly realizing there’s no way for Charlie to do this with one hand, but freeze when I see Foxxy jog over to his side.
He leans down and says something to Charlie, then calls over to Luca.
The three of them laugh, and then to my amazement, Foxxy throws the ball for Luca before stepping back and letting Charlie field the catch.
“Your son is going to be the envy of the entire league,” a kind voice from beside me says.
I look over at a young Asian woman wearing a sparkling diamond ring on her finger and a wide smile.
“Trust me, none of this was planned. I work for the team, but I had no idea this was going to happen.”
She laughs and puts her hand on my leg. “Oh, I know. I’m engaged to Rhett. I heard him and Luca talking the other day, and I saw how surprised you were when he showed up. It’s sweet, though. He obviously cares about you and your son.”
I must look uncomfortable, because she leans in closer and drops her voice quieter.
“Don’t worry, I know all about unconventional relationships.
Rhett is my older brother’s best friend and we started out as roommates.
Now look at us.” She straightens and lifts her hand to shake mine. “I’m Evie Yamaki.”
“Isla Forrester,” I say weakly, trying to catch up. “Nice to meet you, but me and Luca, we aren’t… There’s nothing going on. He’s my boss.”
Evie just gives me a knowing look. “If you say so...but from where I’m sitting, that” —she nods her head to the field, and I look up in time to see Luca walk over to give Charlie a high-five— “is not nothing.”
Someone draws Evie’s attention away, but I continue staring at the two men on the field. My boss and my son.
They barely know each other, and yet, there they are, laughing and interacting as if they’re old friends.
My heart twists. I know Charlie misses my dad.
If he were still alive, he’d be here throwing the ball back and forth.
Instead, Luca’s stepped up. And he probably has no clue how big of a deal that is.
I watch Luca give Charlie a tip on how to hold his glove, even going so far as to catch a ball with one of his arms behind his back to show him how it would work.
Charlie seems to be soaking it up like a sponge.
Even from here, I can see the focus and enthusiasm on his face, and it makes my heart ache for him all over again.
Yes, partly for the things he’s missed out on and the struggles he’s faced, but also with pride at how hard he works to overcome every obstacle and go for whatever it is he wants in life.
And when my eyes are drawn to Luca, that ache in my heart turns to something different. Something soft, and warm, and fuzzy.
Something I have no business feeling but can’t stop.
Correction, something I’m not so sure I want to stop feeling any longer.