Page 27 of Feel My Love


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The first point on my agenda was my qualifications to coach and my plan for the season. I focused on the words in front of me and pushed out my concern for Abby and Hunter. She was probably just running late.

“I’m Coach Nick. I’ve been playing baseball since I was a kid.” I went through my history, then added, “I’m going to teach your kids the fundamentals. We have the fall and winter season to learn them before games start.”

The doorbell rang faintly inside. I rolled back my shoulders and stood. “Let me get that.”

Opening the door, I let out a breath of relief. It was Hunter and Abby. “Oh, good. You’re here.”

Hunter came inside first.

“Good to see you again, Hunter. You been practicing?”

His eyes lit up. “Every chance I get.”

Abby smiled sheepishly. “He watched that movie you suggested.Twelve, or something like that?”

“That’s right.” I was pleased Hunter had taken my advice.

Hunter paused and looked at me. “There’s that line in there about your competition practicing when you’re not.”

I knew that quote well. I’d repeated it to myself when I was in school. But I knew my obsession with baseball, pushed by my father, wasn’t healthy. I didn’t want Hunter to burn out. “Practice is good, but so is rest and eating the right foods to fuel your body.”

“And drinking water,” Abby added. “He gets so into whatever he’s doing, he forgets to eat or drink.”

“That sounds like me,” I said. “Why don’t you join the kids in the backyard. I have a basketball court.”

Hunter paused at the slider. “I thought the email said you had wiffle ball set up.”

“I do. Go see if you can convince the rest of the kids to join in.” It figured Hunter didn’t care about the pool or the basketball court.

Hunter stood there, hesitant for a minute. Brody must have seen him in the window because he ran over and opened the door for him. “Want to play?”

Hunter nodded and followed Brody to the field to grab the bat and balls.

Abby held up her phone, so I could see the screen. “Sorry I didn’t respond to your text. I was driving.”

I waved her off. “I figured. Don’t worry about it.”

“Did you already start?”

“We’re outside. You just missed my introduction, which I already gave you on the phone the other day.

She tensed, and I figured she was wondering if she was getting special treatment.

“Don’t worry. I’m treating you like any other parent.” I kept my voice low in case someone came in from outside and overheard us talking.

Her shoulders lowered. “Sorry. I’m probably overthinking this.”

I wanted to know if she was thinking about our night as much as I was. If she couldn’t stop thinking about it. If she wanted a repeat.

We stood there for a beat too long staring at each other. I was very conscious of the rising of her chest with her breathing. Was it more erratic than normal? Was she as affected by my presence as I was by hers?

“I should get back to the meeting.”

Outside, Abby said, “Oh, I didn’t bring a suit for Hunter.”

“The water’s too cold for swimming anyway. There’s enough for them to do that they won’t miss it,” I said as we walked outside.

I rubbed the back of my neck as I returned to my seat to alleviate the tingle I got whenever she was near.

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