Page 112 of Coach Me
Skipping after her, I follow her back out into the stadium, down some stairs, and over to this far side. I keep calling her name, but she doesn’t turn around. It’s weird, can she not hear me with all the people?
When she stops and takes a seat, I see it’s not actually Callie.
Oh no.
Spinning around, I race back. Maybe Lucie’s still sitting down. But wait, how many stairs did I do? One. I think it was one. Or was it two?
People move so fast around me. I don’t know which way to go. I feel the tears start to trickle, but I’m a big boy. I don’t want to show that I’m crying. Maybe if I just run really fast, I’ll find Lucie again.
Finally, I get back in the hall, but I don’t see the concession.
Looking around again, I find Shannon. I know I’m usually supposed to hide from her, but I really want Lucie.
“Shannon! Shannon!” I call, and she actually seems to hear me.
She turns around, holding her phone up to her ear. “Miles, what are you doing?”
“I can’t find Lucie. Do you know where she is?”
“Hold on.” Shannon holds her phone out weird, then leans down. “Nope. Go find your nanny, kid. I don’t have time for this.”
“B-but…but I don’t know where she is,” I tell her, but she’s already walking away.
Chapter 38
Dex
So, how’s it going?
My message sits unread. Things feel weird. I can’t explain it, call it a dad’s intuition if you want, but something feels off. Especially with Lucie not answering my text. Then, add in the fact that I can see the seats I know they are supposed to be in, but there’s no one there.
I know it was unfair for me to stick Lucie with this today, but I meant every word in that closet. I want to tell Miles about us. I want him to know what she means to me. What she could mean for both of us, really.
Kate is Miles’s mother, no one can take that from her, even if I know she doesn’t really want it. But Lucie…I think it’s very possible that she loves Miles more than she could ever love me and something about that thought makes me so fucking happy.
I want that for my son. I know Miles deserves Lucie’s love more than I do, and maybe a good father would have lether stay the nanny, but I think I’m so fucking in love with her that I can’t stay away.
The first inning sails by with neither team scoring any runs. When Beck steps up to the plate for the start of the second, my eyes drift back over to the seats. Fucking empty.
They’re probably getting food or something, and there’s an insane line. But something deep in my gut isn’t sitting right. I should just step out and call Lucie to alleviate all this worrying.
I step back to make my way out of the dugout, but then Olsson calls, “Hey, Larsen, come here for a second.”
I pinch my eyebrows and weave through the players. I recognize the security guard who’s posted outside our entry to the dugout with Kate right next to him.
I can feel my blood pressure rising.Fuck.I knew something didn’t feel right, but then again, it’s just Kate here…no Miles or Lucie.
The security guard clears his throat as I reach them. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but this woman is stating she needed to speak with you?—”
“I’m the mother of his child, I think I?—”
For fuck’s sake.“Kate, what’s going on?”
Her face pales. “It wasn’t my fault, Dex, really.”
Bile immediately climbs up my throat. What wasn’t her fault?
“Where are Miles and Lucie?” I grit out, my volume rising like my oncoming anger.
