Page 21 of Coach Me
I walk Miles to the team's family waiting room. He skips along happily until we spot Dex coming down the hall. Welp, there goes that hope.
I assumed I’d have Miles hanging out with me for at least a few minutes before Dex made his way out and I could prepare myself more, but I guess not. Based on the speed he’s walking toward us, I can't decide if it’s spurred by missing his kid or not trusting me to bring him back.
“Dad!” Miles takes off down the hall, meeting Dex halfway, and it’s just as bad for my kid-loving heart as it is for my ovaries when Dex scoops him up. Maybe it will be less awkward this time…
“Hey, buddy, did you have a good time?” Dex asks.
“Thebesttime.” Miles beams and my heart nearly explodes.
“I had a really great time with you too, Miles,” I say as I reach them. Dex looks my way for a moment, but I do what I did earlier—focus on Miles. “Thank you for keeping me company.”
“Can you come to tomorrow’s game?” Miles asks. “Maybe you could sit with me and Callie in the photo cave.”
Goodness, my heart. “Oh, I would love to, but unfortunately, I have plans tomorrow. Rain check?”
Miles purses his lips. “I don’t think it’s supposed to rain tomorrow, Lucie. Remember we talked about the clouds.”
“She means she’ll sit with you another time.” Dex letsout a low, amused chuckle that immediately puts some of my anxieties to rest.
That’s a good sign, right? Even though it’s a very contained laugh, it’s enough to make me want to hear it again.
“Oh.” Miles’s face drops and he wiggles out of his dad’s hold. “That’s okay.”
Ow, now that hurts.
I kneel in front of Miles so we’re eye level. “No sad faces. How about I come to the game on Friday? I promise to have some new embarrassing Will stories for you to use against him.”
“Yes!” Miles flings himself at me, his arms tightening around my neck. I nearly fall back on my butt when I feel two strong hands on my back.
“Whoa, easy Miles,” Dex grunts out as his hands guide me back up and linger for a moment as I steady myself.
I flash him a grateful look as he continues to hold me firm, but I don’t hold his eyes for long, or else I swear my face will turn ten shades of red.
Miles relents his grasp and takes a step back with a giggle. “Sorry, Lucie. I didn’t mean to.”
Dex’s hands leave my back the moment Miles lets go as well. It’s both disappointing and relieving at the same time.
I stand up quickly and tuck my hair behind my ears. “It’s okay, Miles. I’m excited to sit with you, too.”
“Hey, Miles!” Callie calls, walking down the hallway to join our little party. “I was just coming to check on you and Lucie.”
“Callie!” Miles hollers, and I know we have now completely lost his interest. He bounces off to meether halfway.
“And just like that, I’m chopped liver,” I mumble with amusement.
An annoyed grunt comes from Dex that I don’t know how to take. I rock on my feet for a moment, unsure of what to do next. Miles is fully consumed by Callie’s presence right now and, really, watching him talk to her is just as enjoyable, but this weird vibe is radiating off Dex. I don’t know if I’m just supposed to slowly walk away, go talk to Callie, or stay put.
Is this one of those weird things that comes with meeting your favorite player? They always say never meet your heroes, but I didn’t expect it to be this awkward. I’ve only ever heard good things about Dex’s fan interactions.
“Well, I guess—” I start.
“If you aren’t going to come to the game Friday, go ahead and let me know so I can prepare Miles,” Dex snaps in a hushed tone.
This time I have to face him, because what the heck does that mean? “I said I would come, so I’ll be there. I wouldn’t tell Miles I’m going to do something and not do it.”
Dex’s words ruminate in my head and it rubs me the wrong way. I may have forgotten my bad week for a moment, but I’m not about to let someone insinuate that I would purposefully do something to make a child upset. Even if they are a super hot baseball player I’ve always enjoyed watching.
I stare into Dex’s eyes. I know the irritation is showing on my face, but I still keep my voice low so Miles doesn’t hear. “If you have a problem with us sitting together, then I’ll tell him I can’t make it, but otherwise, the only plan I have on Friday is to come to the game and sit with Miles.”
