Page 70 of Coach Me
I look over to Dex again as he talks to one of the closing pitchers. I’ve been meaning to talk to Dex about his retirement. I don’t want to pry or overstep—we’ve been making good progress on our daily work routine, minus this attraction sparking up fast—but I really think we could make it work so Dex could actually play again.
“That he was. Did you know that your dad was my favorite player to watch?”
Ope, that was a mistake.
Miles’s eyes go wide. “He was?”
Oh no, that’s definitely going to come back up with horrible timing, I’m sure of it. I open my mouth, unsure of how to dial this admission down, but then my eye catches on Will walking our way.
“Yeah, he was, but let’s keep that between us because I don’t want to hurt my brother’s feelings.” Not a big fan of suggesting secrets between me and Miles, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and I’m not afraid to use Will as my out.
When Will reaches us, he slides in on the bench next to Miles. “Hey, what are you two doing?”
“Watching.” Miles giggles an evil laugh.
Will gives me a small look, but I only shrug. Yep, Miles won’t be able to keep this quiet for long.
“Well, I’m done warming up, and I happen to know that Beck brought his PlayStation if you want to come play some games with us?”
Miles’s eyes go wide. “Really? Can I go, Lucie?”
“What kind of games?” I can see it now, Dex going into the locker room to find Miles playing a game he’s not supposed to, and there goes all my good progress.
“Normal games,” Will snarks back. “I already talked to Dex about it.”
“Please, Lucieeeee?” Miles begs.
“Okay, but?—”
Miles jumps off the bench, cutting me off. “Yay! Let’s go, let’s go!”
“So, all I need to do is bring video games for you to like me?” Will laughs as Miles tugs on his arms to pull him up. “Head to the Clubhouse, I’ll be right behind you.”
Miles races back into the stadium without even a goodbye.
I chuckle. “Text me when you need me to take back over.”
“I will. Now go take a break. You look tired.”
“Hey, Miles said I looked pretty today.”
“You do, but I’m your brother—I see the tired.”
That’s the sibling radar for ya. I guess I shouldn’t mention that I’m tired from being up and thinking about his coach all night.
“Thank you,” I mutter as Will squeezes my shoulder on his way to chase Miles to the Clubhouse.
I’m not exactly sure what to do now. I guess I could go find Callie, but she’s usually running around just as much as I do with Miles. Looking over the bullpen, I find Dex thoroughly occupied talking to Jordan.
The tense face he’s making gives me all the context I need. I nearly laugh when I see the deep breath he takes before speaking again all the way from here.
It seems like he might be here for a bit, maybe I can hide out in his office. Can’t say I wouldn’t mind some peace and quiet before the game starts.
Walking through the hall, some of the players say hi as I pass them by. You’d think that having my brother play in the MLB for years, I would be completely immune to this, and in a way, I guess I am. But considering the Blues are secretly my favorite team, I still feel a bit like pinching myself as I walk through the halls.
Turning on the lights in Dex’s office, I look over his setup. It wouldn’t surprise me if this office didn’t change at all from the person who had it before. It’s basic, with a picture of Miles on the desk as the only form of decor. Well, that and a plant that looks like it’s seen better days. I bet it’s missing its previous owner.
Grabbing a water bottle out of the mini fridge, I pour a little into the small wilting thing. I’m not a wiz with plantslike my sister, but I can’t imagine a little water will hurt. Really, I can’t even say if it can be saved.
