Page 67 of Embers in Our Souls
His coach comes walking over to greet me. He’s a dad on the team, close to my age, and I won’t lie, he’s easy on the eyes.
“Indiana, right?” his coach says. I’ve met him a few times, yet I’ve always been in a rush. When they’ve had games, I’ve been with Kalli and never really stayed around afterwards to talk to him one on one.
“Yes. You can call me Indy.” I smile and shake his hand.
“I’m Zach. I’m the coach.” He smiles. I can’t help but notice his smile doesn’t light a spark in me like Tyler’s does.
Don’t think of Tyler right now. We’re forgetting about him, remember?
Am I though after those letters?
The push-pull of my emotions is too much.
“Yes, I remember. It’s good to see Noah having so much fun.” I smile in the direction of the boys running around.
“Yes, they’re really a good group.” He looks over and smiles wider. “Um, listen. Chase is mine right there.” He points to a little blond boy chasing Noah. “And I…” He hesitates and looks nervous suddenly. “… this isn’t something I do often, but I noticed you a few times and I think you’re really beautiful.”
Holy shit. Is he going to ask me out? I can’t help the blush that creeps up my cheeks. Of all the days this could be happening, today is not the best day.
“Oh, uh,” I stammer. He takes it as flirtatious, while really I’m at a loss for words.
“Yeah, so I was wondering if you’d like to go out sometime.” He smiles wide, hopeful even. He’s got a kindness to him, and I feel awful doing this to him. I’m a mess and this guy is simply shooting his shot.
I look down at his hand, searching for a ring. He catches my eyes, then follows with, “I’m divorced.” He holds his left hand up, as if to confirm it.
I open my mouth to speak, but Noah and Chase run up, out of breath, yet smiling from ear to ear.
“Hi, Mom!” Noah’s practically bouncing. “Can we grab a pizza with Chase and Coach Zach?”
I smile, when inside I’m honestly groaning. I look up, wondering if this might be better than letting Zach down. I smile, shrug and say, “Sure, why not?”
I really don’t feel like saying no right now and I’m too tired to cook. We’ve gotta eat, right?
That’s how I find myself sitting at a local pizza place. I’m sharing a cheesy pizza and laughing with a cute coach and two adorable kids. As hesitant as I was to be out tonight, I’m having fun. The conversation has been nonstop, and I’ve found myself laughing quite a bit. Coach Zach is a lot of fun. Had we met at a different point in my life, I think we would hit it off, but I know my heart isn’t one hundred percent able to invest itself in this. My brain is consumed by someone that I’ve known for far longer, even though we have way too much to unpack.
I’m smiling at something Noah said when someone clears their throat next to our booth.
That’s when I realize the universe really might have a vendetta against me; at least, it does today. Actually, it’spunching me in the face. No, let me rephrase, it’s going a few rounds and I’m definitely losing.
I nearly choke on my bite of pizza when I look up and find Tyler staring down at me, his face hard as stone. I can see his molars grinding as his gaze swings from me to Zach, trying to figure out what the hell is going on.
He only softens when Noah calls his name and he brings his little fist out to greet him.
“Hey, buddy,” Tyler says to Noah.
“Hey, pal, what’s up?” Zach’s enthusiastic voice calls to Tyler, holding out his hand, completely unfazed by the tension.
The irritation returns to Tyler’s expression when he looks at my son’s coach. He shakes his hand, with what I assume is quite a forceful grip, from the wince Zach gives.
I look at Tyler in annoyance. His problem is with me, not with anyone else at this table.
“Looks like you’re having a nice little dinner,” Tyler says, his tone clipped.
“I had tee-ball today, Hunter!” Noah says, his excitement palpable.
“I bet you did great.” Tyler smiles at Noah, then brings his attention back toward me.
“How do you know each other?” Zach asks, his eyes volleying between myself, Tyler, and Noah.
