Page 6 of Sliding Into Love
“Jacobs is the guy you replaced?”
Derek nodded, his body language shifting. Reaching out, she laid her hand on his.
“He sucks, you know. Have you told anyone?”
With a dry laugh, Derek squeezed her hand. “What can I say? ‘My coach pretends I don’t exist?’ Maybe that’s better than the alternative.”
Angry tears burned Ivy’s eyes on Derek’s behalf, and he must have sensed it because he changed the subject.
“Hey, do you want me to get you tickets for tomorrow’s game too? There might be a few spots left with seats together.”
“Ooh, yes!” Ivy paused, thinking. “They’ll love it! Jase seemed to enjoy this game. Hey!” She squeezed Derek’s hand again, excited. “When does small league start? Do you think he’d like it?” Her face fell. “Is it expensive?”
“Did you say small league?”
“Yes?”
“Ivy. Honey. It’s calledLittle League.And don’t worry about buying equipment.” He leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. “I’ve got some old stuff he can use. We’ll figure it out.”
“That would be awesome. You think he’d like it?” Her mind was already racing with the possibilities. Maybe he’d be less tense, more like a ten-year-old than the world-weary adult he pretended to be.This could work,she thought.
For a few moments, Ivy imagined Jase making new friends and coming out of his shell. Maybe Janna could find a sport too, though the gregarious little girl had no trouble making friends, like the pitcher with the balls. “Will you tell—what’s his name—Ethan? Thanks for his sack of balls for me?”
“I willnot.”
“Please?” Ivy fluttered her lashes at him, trying to look angelic but ruined it by giggling.
“Absolutely not. What Iwilltell him is my very attractive,verysingle sister is grateful for his lovely gift. And she also thinks he’s super hot.”
“Derek! NO!”
“Well, don’t you? He blushed when I told him who you were, so he’s hot for you, too.” White teeth flashed in the dark car with his grin.
“Aren’t you supposed to do the protective brother thing and keep me from dating your teammates?”
“That’s so gross. You can date whoever you want.”
“But you said he had a bad reputation!” Ivy scowled at the steering wheel.
“Andyousaid he was nice.”
“Ugh!” She grunted, glaring sideways at Derek.
“Uh-huh. I win. Besides, you’re lonely.”
“I have Jase and Janna. Lily. You.”
“You know what I mean.”
“And I know nobody will want a chaotic disaster like me.” The car bounced as Ivy shifted to park a little too early.
“You never know,” Derek said. “Maybe a little chaos is exactly what Ethan Ford needs.”
Another morningwithout the ability to sleep in. Not that Ivy would trade Jase and Janna for anything; she loved them with all her heart.
What she did not love, however, was early mornings. Still, transitioning into being a full-time mom from occasional part-time emergency placement foster had been so gratifying. Ivy loved the little moments she got to share with them: helping Jase with math problems and figuring out cute new hairstyles for Janna each day. Ivy was spectacularly bad at things like organization, but she made damn sure her kids were happy, healthy, and always fed. Their short lives had been fraught with worry, and Ivy wanted nothing more than to give them all the things she never had at their age.
Like easy social worker visits.
