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“Is somebody causing you trouble?” he asked.
“Not me. Lachlan and I are a team, so people don’t mess with the two of us.”
Jase didn’t doubt that. But if it wasn’t him dating her mother and it wasn’t school, what was all the buttering up about?
“You know you can talk to your mom about anything, right?” Jase asked.
“She was contra…contradicking herself. So, since this is about you, I decided to just go to the source, and ask.”
“Okay, ask,” Jase smiled.
I’m rocking this boyfriend gig.
“My softball team needs a coach. I told the girls I knew someone who would be perfect.”
“What happened to your old coach?”
“He got a job in Utah and had to move. Which is good because he always put his daughter in as first base, but she could never catch the ball. So can you do it?”
“You want me to be your team’s coach?” Jase repeated the question to give himself more time to think.
Amber nodded.
Jase turned off the TV and waved her to the chair that was kitty-corner to the couch. “Amber, I have a job that requires some traveling. I’m not sure I could always make it to the practices and games.”
“I told them you were a Navy SEAL and would have to be called out on missions sometimes. All they cared about was that you made it so I could hit the ball. Mrs. Schwartz is our assistant coach. She helps out when absolutely nobody else can be there. So, if you’re on a secret mission, she can always look in your book and follow the instructions.”
Ah shit.
“Honey, you’re not supposed to tell people what I do for a living,” he told her.
“It’s okay. Remy’s dad and Kirk’s dad are both Navy SEAL’s too.”
Ah shit.
“Horace’s dad is Navy SEAL support. He got injured. His leg is all fucked up so he’s not out in the field anymore, but Horace likes having him home more.”
Ah shit.
“Amber Lee Larkin! What did I tell you about not doing an end-run around me to get to Jase?”
“That I’m not supposed to do it.”
“What else did I tell you?”
“Don’t try to compliment him into doing something he doesn’t want to do.”
“And, what else?”
“Don’t try bribing him, neither.”
“And what else?”
“No flirting.”
“That’s my girl.”
Jase burst out laughing. It was either that or cry. The brass always worried about the wives gabbing too much, and instead it was the seven-year-olds.
