AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Krystal rounded on me. Wasn’t she supposed to be covering lunch breaks for me and the other nurses? “That was nice of Holden to go to the clinic with you.”
I didn’t rush chewing my Stouffer’s masterpiece. Technically, she shouldn’t be talking about my son’s visit to the clinic in front of Lyric, but I didn’t mind. Okay, I did. I didn’t need the clinic to make any connection between me and Holden other than that he was one of Landon’s coaches. “Yes, Landon’s one of his players and he was worried, and I needed an extra hand.”
“Weird he’d be willing to do that. He hates kids.”
My fork froze in the layers of cheese and noodles. Holden hated kids?
Lyric answered first, her tone chiding. “Hating kids and being uncomfortable around them are two different things.”
He seemed relaxed enough around them. I agreed with Lyric. I wouldn’t have left a man who acted like he hated kids to watch three of mine. A guy who hated kids wouldn’t coach. Krystal wanted to spread rumors. I’d known more people like her in my life than like Holden.
Holden made me want to lower my defenses, not padlock them like Krystal did.
“He steers clear of women with kids,” Krystal said. “Stetson said he’ll never get into a relationship with a single mom.”
My appetite vanished. I had been so looking forward to leftovers too.
Lyric’s gaze flickered to me before going back to her book. “Holden doesn’t get into any relationships.”
Krystal snorted. “True.” She breezed out the door, and it was like fresh air got pumped back in.
Lyric took a deep breath and closed her book. “She’sa lot.”
I chuckled, but I was aware I was the new girl. I wasn’t going to get involved in anyone else’s conflict.
“How’s your son?” Lyric asked with genuine concern.
“Good. Upset he has to miss practice this week. You were right, though. Stetson and Holden seem to be really good coaches.”
“Yeah, they’re good guys. Not good boyfriends, but good guys.”
Uncomfortable around kids. Commitment-phobe. Good thing I hadn’t been looking for more. “Krystal doesn’t seem daunted.”
Lyric shook her head and her blue-tinted bun bounced on top of her head. “Stetson’s attracted to women who like to play games. It’s not like Krystal keeps how she is a secret.” She shrugged like she was saying whatever happened was his own fault.
“It’s like that, huh?” I said wryly. A tale as old as time—one partner was willfully clueless, the other was toxic. I thought I had escaped that type of relationship. But I’d been unwittingly clueless.
“It’s so like that.” She opened her book again, then paused. “And for the love of God, don’t worry about the pop fund. It was nothing but people leaving notes on the fridge to quit being an asshole and stealing the pop.”
I laughed and went back to eating. I dug out my phone just to have something to look at, but I didn’t see the screen. I couldn’t quit thinking about what had been said about Holden, and I couldn’t figure out why I was disappointed I’d found the one guy other than my ex-husband who would never want to be with me.
* * *
Holden
I parked in front of the little two-story house. A buddy from high school used to live next door. The neighborhood looked the same now as it had fifteen years ago. Different cars lined the street, that was all.
What the hell was I doing here?
Landon hadn’t been at practice, as was expected. But the entire hour, I’d been thinking about how crestfallen he’d been. Was he sitting at home, all dejected? He’d been so damn excited last week. Then he’d gotten hurt. And I couldn’t forget his face when he’d asked where his dad was.
I knew that feeling. I hadn’t been as old as Landon before I’d given up on my dad showing up for anything. The kinship I felt with the kid was a surprise and probably part of why I’d come here after practice. I wouldn’t consider the other reason.
I got out of my pickup and trotted to the door. I knocked a couple of times.
Yelling came from inside. “Mom! Someone’s at the door!” A pause. “Okay!”
Everything went quiet. Prickles ran over my skin as if I were being watched.
