Page 45 of The House on Firefly Beach
She was about to put her phone in her back pocket when the screen lit up, drawing her attention back down to a text. Sydney swiped it open.
It read:
Hey, it’s Nate. I just wanted to warn you before you got here. I’m coaching for the Firefly Little League, and Robby’s on my team. I just got the roster.
A barrage of conflicting emotions swarmed her: the thrill that he had her cell number and they were still somehow connected, the fear that she’d have to face him tonight after their talk on the boat today, the unsettling idea that Nate might be sticking around in Firefly Beach, and that he and Robby would be spending an entire football season together.
She texted back:
Thanks for letting me know. See you soon.
“Ready to go?” Robby asked, hopping down the last step from upstairs. He had his ball under his arm, his favorite jersey and shorts making him look more grown up than he usually did. He was visibly buzzing with anticipation.
“I sure am!” she said, sliding her phone into her pocket. “Let’s go!”
Sydney opened the car door to let Beau out. She’d decided to leash him up and bring him with her since he’d been cooped up at Firefly Beach since Ben had left. She unhooked his lead and grabbed his tennis ball from the floorboard. “Ready?” she said to him.
Beau’s feet were tapping unmercifully against the dirt, his tail swinging wildly in circles. Sydney chucked the ball across the field, and Beau went tearing after it. He retrieved it in seconds, and galloped back to Sydney, dropping it at her feet, his tongue hanging from the side of his mouth as he panted, his loyal eyes on her.
Sydney threw the ball again and Beau chased it once more.
“I know a little secret,” she said once Robby had exited the car and walked around to her side.
“What is it?” he asked.
Beau dropped the ball and nuzzled Robby’s hand until he picked it up and threw it again.
“I already know who your coach is and I think you’re gonna be really excited.”
At the end of the day, no matter what her problems were with Nate, one thing she knew without a doubt was that he’d be an amazing coach. He was so patient with Robby and he knew the game of football inside and out. Plus, the end of football season might provide her a nice, clean way to break the relationship with Nate and Robby. With Ben and Hallie staying primarily in Firefly Beach this year to be near family and prepare for their adoption, Ben would be right there to jump in and fill Nate’s shoes. Then Sydney could finally cut him out of her life and move on. “Want to know?”
Robby’s eyes grew round. “Who is it?”
Just then, she caught sight of Nate and turned Robby around, pointing toward him.
“Nate’s my coach?” Robby broke into an enormous grin and went running toward him, Beau trotting after him. Sydney picked up Beau’s ball and followed them.
“Hey, buddy!” Nate said. He reached down and petted Beau, the dog’s tail spinning circles with pleasure. He met Sydney’s eyes but then turned his focus back to her son. “Are you ready for some football this season?”
“Yes, sir!” Robby stepped back a few paces and lifted the ball into a pass position.
Nate put up his hands, catching the ball when Robby threw it. He tossed it back. “Let’s go to the table and find out who else is on the team.” He turned to Sydney. “May I take him?”
“Of course,” she said, reaching down to take Beau’s collar so she could hook up his leash. Beau sat dutifully and allowed her to get a hold of him.
As she let them go, Nate and Robby walked together, their backs to Sydney. Robby was looking up at his new coach, talking animatedly, the football under his arm, while Nate laughed at something he’d said. The sight of it pinched her chest.
All of a sudden, her phone went off, startling her. She peered down at the caller. “Ha!” she said to no one, wishing her mom was there to witness Hallie calling. She answered it immediately. “How is Barbados?” she asked without even a hello.
“Amazing! I got you a coffee mug.”
Sydney smiled. “You know me so well.”
“How’s everything at home?”
“Apart from Robby running off with Nate, his new best friend and football coach, not much.”
“What?!”
