Page 16 of Coach Me
I give Miles a soft smile as I hold back my laugh so I can finally swallow. “It’s good manners. Your dad is teaching you right.”
Miles shrugs. “I guess so, but sometimes it’s hard to remember.”
Callie snorts a laugh. “Sometimes you just have to get what you need to say off your chest, kiddo.”
“While still trying to remember to listen to your dad.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Callie waves off my addition in your typical fun-aunt style. “I, however, have a predicament. Shannon just messaged me that our snooty first pitch guest is a major diva and wants more photos taken for PR. I hate to do this, but Dex is in a meeting…could Miles hang out with you in the stands?”
I glance back and forth from Miles to Callie. Of course I would love to help, but… “Would Dex be okay with that?”
“As much as I respect Dex as a father, my hands are tied. I trust you more than anyone else here. Bringing him to thephotos isn’t an option, and—” Callie places her hands over Miles’s ears— “Dex has been hella stressed this past week. Dude needs a break.”
“Hey, Cal-lie.” Miles drags out her name as he attempts to wiggle out of her hands. “I want to stay with you. I thought I was a good helper?”
Callie kneels in front of him. “Oh, bud, you’re the best helper! You know I love having you help, but sometimes it’s just not possible. I promise you can come to the photo cave when the game starts if you want. But trust me when I say that Lucie is major fun! Did you know she’s a teacher who had turtles in her classroom?”
Miles’s eyes go wide. “Turtles?!”
My heart aches a little at the mention of my classroom, but I know Callie didn’t mean it that way. When I called to tell Will about my…termination, he did exactly what Reagan thought he would—offer to make a huge donation to the school.
As tempting as the idea was, I’m getting spoiled by my brother, and if adding Callie to our family has shown me anything, it’s that compared to her, I can’t do jack on my own—and that has to change.
Starting with a job that doesn’t come from my brother’s wallet, and expanding into ways I can be more independent. Maybe Reagan abandoning me is a good thing. Let’s have this be the first act in figuring out who I really am.
First up, doing this game by myself, or well, with Miles partially, at least. Baby steps, I suppose.
“I think we can have a good time together,” I tell Miles. “I know Callie is awesome, but I would love some company.”
“Are you here all by yourself?” Miles quirks an eyebrow.
“Yep!” I force some confidence. “If you want to goback with your dad or Callie once the game starts, I’ll take you straight to them, but I wouldn’t mind having someone to help me understand the game.”
The last line is a major lie. I know baseball like the back of my hand—the Blues, specifically—but I’ve gathered Miles likes to be a helper, so I’ll lean into it.
Callie gives me a knowing grin. “That would be so nice of you to do, Miles.”
And with that, Miles couldn’t be more onboard. “Okay! Let’s do it!” Miles cheers.
“You’re a lifesaver!” Callie gives me a quick hug, then looks at Miles. “Best behaviors?”
“The bestest.” Miles nods.
I chuckle lightly and hold out my hand for Miles. “Perfect, let’s go find our seats so Callie can get going.”
“Okay,” Miles agrees as he takes my hand. “You know…you look really familiar. What is your name again?”
Chapter 6
Dex
“Okay, I think that just about covers it.” Olsson taps on his desk. “Let’s take a beat and I’ll meet you guys in the dugout.”
Thank fuck. I get why we have pregame meetings to an extent, but honestly, with the day I’m having, I just need a break. Five minutes tops where I’m not dealing with anything related to baseball or dealing with the repercussions of taking this damn job.
On top of having another close call on being late this morning, my mother called me asking a million and one questions about things I don’t have answers to.
What school am I going to put Miles in? Why haven’t I decided what school? Didn’t I know that the sign-ups were most likely already closed? And about fifteen more, but when I kept answering “I don’t know,” she hit me with, “Well, these are all questions stemming from your actions— time to make some decisions.”
