Page 41 of Every Beat of My Heart

I raised a brow. “Then you didn’t see what I saw. I saw a team that persevered, that overcame mistakes, and played stronger. I see the potential.”

Brian’s mouth opened, then closed.

“I’m proud of these kids. They played their heart out.” And it wasn’t even a championship game. It was game one of a new season. “I’m so excited for what they can do. I hope you are too.”

Then I moved past him to the next parent who thanked me for being so positive with the kids. By the time I was done talking to parents, Claire was nowhere to be found.

I tried not to let that get to me. We’d said we wouldn’t let on that we knew each other. And my brothers were still hanging around.

“You want to grab a beer?” Wes asked.

“Sure. Why not?” I said, feeling high from the game.

We ended up at Teddy’s house which was closer to town. He had a bar in the basement, and we all sat on the stools while he grabbed beers, twisting the tops off, then handing them to us.

Teddy lifted his bottle in the air with a grin. “To our little brother, who’s all grown up.”

“I’m not little,” I grumbled, wondering when my brothers’ ribbing wouldn’t bother me anymore.

Wes lifted his beer, then clinked it against mine. “Yeah, we know.”

I raised a brow. “Do you? Because you never fail to mention it.”

“If it bothers you, we’ll stop,” Wes said. “Right, Teddy?”

“If you can’t handle a little fun.” Teddy tipped his bottle back and took a long pull.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m all grown up with a paying job times three.”

“And we’re proud of you,” Wes said.

I snorted.

“What? We are,” Wes insisted.

Teddy braced his hands on the counter. “I thought how you handled those kids was impressive. You didn’t let them get down on themselves. It was the perfect mix of pushing yet letting them figure things out for themselves.”

Wes nodded. “I wish I had a coach like you when I was that age.”

“Seriously? You’re not fucking with me?” Because Teddy was known for that when we were younger.

Teddy shook his head. “You were good out there. I think you’re doing what you were called to do. If you’re half as good at teaching as you are coaching—”

“But—” There had to be a catch.

“Why the hell did you become a firefighter?” Wes asked, shifting on the stool to get a look at me.

“I like being a firefighter. I feel like I’m living my best life.” The only thing missing was someone to come home to. I’d much rather be drinking this beer on Claire’s front porch than shooting the shit with my brothers.

Wes nodded. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

“How about you?” I asked them, wanting to get the attention off my inability to choose one thing to do with my life. I was fairly certain that criticism was coming next.

“We’re meeting with Charlotte soon. Can you come?” Wes asked.

“Let me know which day. I’ll be around helping Dad tag the trees for the season.”

“I don’t know why we have to meet with her. We don’t need a marketing person,” Teddy grumbled.

---