Page 5 of Work with Me

While the other kids clapped, Tamika ran up, her braids flying. “Noah, you okay?”

“Yeah.”

She hugged him, ignoring his arm sticking awkwardly out at his side. “Feel better, ’kay? I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

He nodded and untangled himself from her hug. Poor guy had to be really hurting. Normally, he’d have talked to his best friend until we dragged them away from each other.

“Alicia!” The familiar voice made my stomach clench. Running feet approached, and Rick stood there, barely breathing hard from his jog across two soccer fields. “What happened?”

I looked up into his rugged face. I used to think he was handsome; now the sharp angles of his cheekbones looked harsh. Nothing at all like the soft crinkles around Jackson Jones’s chocolate brown eyes. I blinked away the memory. “Noah fell, and I’m taking him to the doctor.”

Gently, he lifted the arm Noah cradled and examined it. “Hurts a lot, huh?”

“Yeah, Coach—I mean, Rick.” Noah’s mouth pinched tight.

Rick ruffled his hair. “I might not be your coach this season, but you can still call me that.”

I grimaced. I’d pulled strings to ensure Noah wouldn’t be on Rick’s team this season. I’d hoped never to see him again after we’d broken up earlier in the summer, but I should’ve known better, considering how much time we all spent at the soccer complex.

“Looks like it could be broken. I’d take him to the doctor.”

I blinked hard to avoid rolling my eyes. Hadn’t I just told him that’s where we were going?

“I can go with you. Talk to the doctor. Palmer’s staying with his mother tonight.”

“No.” I’d said it louder than I’d meant to. “I mean, we’re fine. I’ve got this.” When Rick didn’t release Noah’s arm, I said, “I’d like to get him there before they close.”

“Sure.” He ruffled Noah’s hair again. “Good luck, Noah. Hope to see you back on the field soon.”

“Thanks, Coach.” Noah’s eyes were narrow with pain, but they still shone at Rick. Shit. I’d known it was a bad idea to date a man who was both his coach and the father of one of his friends. Noah probably hoped we’d get back together. But I wouldn’t be doing that. Not even for him.

“You sure you don’t need me?” Rick’s voice was low, only for me. His green eyes glinted.

“Thanks, Rick. We’re good.”

“But—”

Tiannah’s voice cut over him. “She said she’s good. Besides, I’m going with her.”

I blinked at her. “But what about—”

“Orlando’s got the kids.” In a lower voice, she said, “You could use some help. But not from him.” She hitched her purse over her shoulder.

Rick’s mouth tightened, but after a beat, he nodded and walked away. I didn’t even watch him. Well, okay, I may have briefly let my eyes wander over his backside. Those soccer shorts made me remember why I’d caved when he’d asked me out. If only he’d been able to deliver on what those muscular glutes promised.

Tiannah muttered what I was thinking. “Damn waste of a fine ass.”

I bit back my response, mindful of the many little ears around us.

“Let’s go, Noah.” I opened the car door for him, and he carefully slid into the back seat.

Tiannah put her hand on my car’s front passenger door.

Guilt washed through me. “Really, Tee, I’ve got this. It’s not our first trip to urgent care. You have enough going on with a toddler, a kindergartner, and a fifth grader to bathe, feed, and put to bed.”

She opened the door. “But you don’t have to do it alone. Besides, I want to hear all about your first day as a consultant.”

I smiled despite the clench in my stomach. We’d worked together until she’d quit two years ago to be a full-time mom. I’d been planning it even then, and she was almost as emotionally invested in Weber Technology Consulting as I was. “Okay, then. Hop in.”

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