Page 25 of The Way Love Heals

“Aren’t I the parent, AJ? What if I want to sit with Coach?”

Brittish winked at me, and I swear, my stomach did somersaults. I adjusted my cap to keep from smiling too hard. She knew exactly what she was doing, and I couldn’t wait to tell her about herself.

Wagging his head, AJ said, “I’m not feeling that, Mama.”

“Alright.” Brittish held her hands up. “I’ll sit with Zaina.”

Before I could say anything else, AJ grabbed Brittish’s hand and started to walk away. He rambled where we were going to eat over his shoulder but never looked back. I would need to tread lightly around him when it came to Brittish.

I let Weston know where we were going and headed to my truck. It didn’t take long to make it to the restaurant where the boys and their parents were taking up most of the seating space. When they noticed me, they waved me over, letting me know they had saved me a seat. I sat with them and chopped it up, talking about any and everything they wanted to.

The feeling of someone staring at me made me uncomfortable. I knew for a fact that it wasn’t Brittish, or my feelings would’ve been different. Discreetly, I observed my surroundings to see it was Chyna. She elbowed one of the other moms, bobbed her head toward me, and waved. I chucked my head back and reverted my attention back to the boys.

Seconds later, my phone vibrated against the table.

Brittish:

Let me find out you’re making new friends that I don’t know about.

I couldn’t help but to chuckle and look her way. She was glaring at me with her brow raised. Winking at her, I texted her back.

Me:

Never that. You’re the only friend I need, Pretty Lady.

Brittish:

Sure doesn’t seem that way.

Me:

Don’t tell me you’re jealous and possessive. That’s the type of shit that turns me on.

Brittish:

Bye, Nyle.

Me:

What you doing after the game?

Brittish:

Nothing. What’s up?

Me:

Let me take you out. I want to spend some time with you.

Three dots appeared then disappeared. My eyes found hers. She held her phone in her hand but wasn’t typing anything. I allowed a few seconds to pass before excusing myself from the table and going to hers.

“Coach! Where you going?” AJ yelled at me.

“To talk to my friend,” I replied and laughed when he scooted his chair back and followed me. Before I could sit in the chair next to Brittish, he slid in the seat and crossed his arms. Taking my L, I sat next to Zaina. “Hey, Zaina.”

“Hey, Nyle.” She snickered and leaned over. “AJ doesn’t play about his mama, so I don’t know how you’re going to navigate this.”

“I can tell, but I’ll figure something out. I guess I gotta win his heart in the process of winning hers.”