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Now, seeing her after all those years makes me realize that they aren’t just memories; they’re feelings I’ve never let go of.
I slide open the old wooden door to see Chris already inside. He’s my star student, someone I wish I had been in high school. Not only does he have the athleticism to make it far, but he’s also huge, standing at six foot three, and he’s going to be a freshman in high school.
He’s on the elite team I have going, but he also comes to me for extra practice.
“What’s up, man?” I say as I turn on the fan, hoping it will help with the heat in here today.
“Hey,” he answers as he works his arm back and forth on the bands I have attached to the wall. “What, no coffee for me?” he asks.
“Nope. It will stunt your growth,” I volley back.
“Yeah, right.” He laughs. “What’s the plan today?”
“Let’s get started on some agility stuff, and then I want to work on your swing some more.”
“Sounds good.” He heads to the corner—where I have cones, ladders, and boxes for box jumps—and sets everything up.
He gets going, and my mind is only on Hannah.
Does she really not know what happened? How can that big of an event be kept from her in a town like this? Her mom must have known.
“Hey, Coach,” Chris says, and I turn to him, almost forgetting he was even here. “Should I work on longer distance or short bursts?”
“Short bursts,” I respond and take a sip of my coffee as I walk to the cones and move them to where I want him running to and from.
He gets to work, and my mind wanders again.
I can’t believe how good she looked. I always thought she was beautiful, but she nearly took my breath away. She’s matured, and it’s only made her sexier.
“Um, Coach?” Chris asks.
I turn to him. “Yeah?”
“You’re, um, kind of in my way.” He motions to where I am compared to where he needs to run to.
I mentally kick myself and jump out of the way.
Instead of starting the drill, Chris heads to his water bottle, picks it up, and looks at me to ask, “Girl problems? Want to talk about it?”
I let out a sharp laugh. “What do you know about girl problems?”
He shrugs. “Not much, but you look just like my brother after his girl dumped him. I didn’t know you were dating anyone in town though.”
“You following my love life now?” I tease.
He laughs. “Love life? Unless there’s something you’ve kept in the closet and you secretly have a thing going with one of the college guys you’re coaching, we all know you don’t date anyone. You live here.” He holds out his arms wide to prove his point. “How would you have time to date anyone?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not gay. And I date.”
“Oh, really? Who?”
I narrow my eyes, letting him know he’s got me, and he lets out a loud laugh.
“Hey, I’m not one to talk. I don’t have a girlfriend either. Mainly because my parents won’t allow it, but also because there’s no one I’m really interested in with thelargepool of girls I have to choose from at my school,” he jokes, making me laugh as well.
I remember feeling that way at his age with the small amount of girls I had in my class. Until I saw Hannah in a different light. Everything changed in that moment.
“Your parents are smart.” I point at him. “Focus on your baseball.”
