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I didn’t, but I was pretending Nick was a photography client to do so. I moved out of the room into the empty lobby where I finally pressed accept.
“Hello,” I said more breathlessly than I felt.
“I got your message. You had a question.” His low voice sent a shiver down my spine.
“I’m so sorry to bother you.” I didn’t even know what he did for work. “I forgot to ask about the distance the team will travel for games the last time we spoke on the phone.”
“I’m sorry. I must’ve forgotten to go over that.” His tone was so sincere it hit a note with me.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“In our league, teams don’t travel more than an hour away.”
I sighed, the relief palpable in my body. “That’s not bad.”
“Abby, if you need help with Hunter, just tell me. I don’t mind picking him up.”
My heart rate picked up rather than slowing down like it should have. Nick at my house, picking up my son. It felt good and a little weird. It was something Hunter’s father should be volunteering to do, not Nick. “That’s nice of you, but I’m sure I could handle it. My sister helps out, too.”
I was so used to turning down help, I didn’t even consider his offer.
“It’s good you have her.”
I was thankful he didn’t ask where Hunter’s father was. When I filled out the paperwork, I didn’t list Seth as the emergency contact because he wasn’t reliable. He was incapable of being responsible for anyone or anything. Instead, it was my sister and then my parents. The people who’d proven themselves to me time and time again.
The line fell silent, and I wasn’t sure how to fill the space between us. There might come a time when I need his help, so went I with, “Thank you for offering.”
“I want the team to be close, like a family, and families help each other out.”
It felt good that he’d said that, but even so, I wanted it to be more personal for him. Like he was helping me out because he wanted to. Separate from any obligation as a coach. “Of course.”
“Are you able to meet on Thursday night for the first team meeting?” he asked, his voice more professional.
I checked my calendar, noting I didn’t have any clients or events scheduled that night. “I can make it.”
“Good.” His approval washed over me, easing the tension between my shoulders. “We have a lot to go over.”
It was a good reminder that it wasn’t personal. Nick coached the team, and I was just one of the parents.
Staying on the team meant Nick was in my life. I knew in my being that Nick was the coach Hunter needed. I wouldn’t do anything to screw it up.
“Can Hunter come to the meeting?” I didn’t like asking anyone to watch him when I wasn’t working.
“Of course. I want the kids to bond. It’ll be at my house. There’s plenty for the kids to do while we talk.”
I had to remind myself it was a team meeting. He wouldn’t be talking to just me. It made it easier when I did that. Created the necessary distance and separation between us. Eventually, it would get easier. I wouldn’t need to keep reminding myself that Nick was Hunter’s coach. That he was completely off-limits. Or at least, I hoped it would.
“If you have any questions, please call me. I want everyone to feel comfortable with their decision.”
The way he’d said “everyone” was a good reminder that I wasn’t the only parent in the situation. It wasn’t a personal call. Nick wasn’t interested in me. I’d ruined any chance of that by walking out of that hotel room without leaving a note or even a kiss.
Severing our connection when I walked out was physically painful. I’d felt something far deeper than a one-night stand that evening. I’d felt a soul-deep connection with a virtual stranger. Something I’d never experienced before. Walking away from that had been difficult. But I’d done it. Because my life wasn’t my own. Not until Hunter was eighteen and safely moved to his dorm room at college.
Then I could relax. Until then, Hunter and my business had to hold my focus. I didn’t have time for distractions.
“Thanks for being so responsive.”
He chuckled. “I want to be a good coach.”
