Page 11 of Coastal Rewind

“The grapevine is saying another nanny bit the dust,” he said, a soft laugh coming from the stoic man.

“I’m figuring it out,” I bit out. I hated that I had to choose between MJ and baseball, but if it came down to it, then MJ would win every time.

“Don’t get all protective. You know I love that kid.”

I dipped my chin and took a sip from my water bottle. I knew I was being protective, but it was a reflex.

“What’s your plan now? We leave on the road in two days. I love MJ, but even if he came with us, he’d need someone to watch him. As nice as it is that Kelly helps out, he also has a job to do.”

He was right. I was, for lack of a better word, completely fucked. Even if I wanted to bring MJ on the road this week, he still had a month of school left. He’d have to finish virtually, and I wouldn’t have time for that.

“I’m figuring it out,” I gritted out. I needed to focus and my coach bringing up my biggest stressor wasn’t helping.

“I know you are. If we can help in any way, please let me know. Maybe when school lets out he can tag along on some trips.”

I just nodded again as he stood and headed back to the dugout.

Maybe I could ask Maeve or Keegan if they could watch him for a few days while I was away. It was a big ask but I wasn’t sure what other option I had. They were local and my hands were tied.

Nolan’s voice came over the speakers as he announced the singer for the national anthem. That was my cue to head out to the field and try to put all thoughts aside unless they involved the game.

five

Ryleigh

We walked through the security gates of KavTech Field and I actually started to get excited to just sit and watch a baseball game. When I was on the road, I was rarely near any form of large city. I mostly found myself in small towns off the beaten path, so a little dose of mainstream living felt refreshing.

“When did that happen?” I pointed to the KavTech logo in big, illuminated letters over the outfield.

“Dad invested about four years ago. Kind of surreal, right?” Aiden said.

It was surreal. When people heard that my father was Robert Kelly, founder and CEO of KavTech Industries, they assumed I’d been fed with a silver spoon my entire childhood. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth.

I mean, sure, we had money, but my father made a point to raise us with morals and values.

After my mom died when I was seven, he threw his entire soul into KavTech. Owen and I found ourselves taking on the role as parents, but Dad still taught us right from wrong and showed up when it mattered. I knew some of my siblings had struggled with their relationship with him over the years, but my dad and I had a special connection I couldn’t quite explain.

Maybe it was because I reminded him of our mom, or maybe because he worried I’d be sex trafficked while traveling alone, but I didn’t care. He called me every Sunday night; it was our own little tradition.

Over the years, my siblings had grown used to being in the spotlight as they attended charity galas and other media events with Dad.

Seeing KavTech in lights wouldn’t necessarily faze them, but it felt different to me. I didn’t belong here. I belonged with nature. Just me and my camera on a dirt path or the peak of a mountain. That was where I found peace. When I was there, I wasn’t the daughter of one of the richest men in the country. I was just me.

Aiden guided us up the escalator to the private suite level of the stadium. We walked up to a closed door that had a small golden sign reading Owner’s Suite. It was blocked by a man dressed in all black and holding a clipboard. Aiden whispered something into his ear and the man didn’t show a single expression before opening the door and ushering us inside.

Yep, I’m definitely not used to this.

When I stepped inside, I immediately raised my camera and started snapping pictures. The suite was huge with a full bar and a buffet set up of ballpark essential foods. There were seats that started inside and cascaded down onto an open air balcony that had a perfect view directly behind home plate.

“Hey, sweetheart,” my dad said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and placing a kiss to my hair.

“Hey, Dad,” I said, dropping my camera around my neck.

“I thought you were heading out today.” He looked down at me with concern in his eyes.

“Her van bit the dust. Little nomad is stuck for two weeks,” Aiden said as he passed us on the way to the bar.

“I’d like to say that makes me sad, but I can’t lie to your face.” My dad smirked.