Page 16 of Every Beat of My Heart

“Do you have suggestions on what to do? I wouldn’t know where to start.” I asked as I moved the lettuce around my bowl.

“I can take him to the gym and show him around.”

“Couldn’t he do some things here?” I asked, nervous about what a gym membership would entail.

“He could get some dumbbells, but the gym will have more. I looked into one nearby, and they have a student membership. It’s cheap.” Jameson mentioned a figure, and I nodded. It wasn’t much more than the cost of a subscription channel on TV. I could swing that if it meant that Owen would be more prepared for sports.

Owen finished his meal and reached for seconds.

“He’s a growing boy. He needs to start thinking about eating food that will give him energy and exercising his body so that it works for him.”

“Yeah, Mom. I’m a growing boy,” Owen said with his mouth full of meatball.

“Please close your mouth when you’re eating,” I reminded him, earning an eyeroll. “And I’ve noticed that.” My grocery bill had exploded in the last year. It was like his stomach was a bottomless pit, and there was no hope of ever filling it.

“Homework is just as important. You can’t go to practice or games if you’re neglecting your schoolwork.”

Owen raised a brow. “Now you sound like Mom.”

Jameson grimaced. “Any good coach will tell you the same thing. School comes first. Sports are fun, and they can teach you a lot of things, including mindset and discipline. But the most important thing you’ll learn is how to juggle your schoolwork with your sports schedule.”

“I can do it,” Owen insisted.

“He hasn’t made the team yet. That’s why we asked you to come over. He’s not sure what to expect. He’s played sporadically over the years.”

“I can help with that. I’ll come over a few times a week until tryouts. How does that sound?”

“Yes,” Owen said at the same time I said, “We can’t ask you to do that.”

Jameson’s expression was soft, like he’d anticipated my protest. “You didn’t. I offered.”

“Come on, Mom. He wants to help me.”

“Are you sure?” I asked Jameson.

“Absolutely. I love football. I have two nieces, one who I don’t see as much as I’d like and another that’s too young for sports. I’m happy to help.”

“If you’re sure,” I said, still feeling uncertain and confused about why this single man would want to sign up to help a kid practice football. Especially when Owen’s own father couldn’t find the time.

“I’m positive. Especially if you continue to cook for me.” Jameson flashed a smile that had my insides heating up.

“That won’t be a problem. I’m grateful that you’re here.” I felt like I was failing Owen. He wanted things that I couldn’t provide for him. There was a facility that offered lessons, but it was private coaching and cost a hundred dollars an hour. That was something I couldn’t afford. Jameson was helping me in more ways than he knew.

“It’s fun. Besides, I had four brothers to play with. I can’t imagine not having any.”

I shook my head. “I can’t imagine sharing a bathroom with four brothers.”

“Yeah, my poor mother. She was always complaining about how messy we were. No matter how hard we tried, we weren’t as clean as our sisters.” Jameson winked at me.

“I remember you saying that your sister was a single mom. But you have another?” I asked him, curious to know more about him.

“Four brothers and two sisters. Fiona is the oldest and Daphne is the youngest.”

“I can’t even imagine growing up with so many siblings.”

“It was great. Especially living on a tree farm. We had plenty of space to explore and run around.”

“I bet that was fun.” I thought I was doing a good job by living in a development where Owen had friends to play with. I couldn’t even imagine growing up where there was a lot of property to roam.

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