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“That’s good. A good coach can make all the difference.”
“I’ve heard horror stories about other travel teams. Kids feeling pressured about losing their position, stomach aches, and stress. I don’t want him to have that experience.”
Ben tapped his fingers on the table. “This guy sounds good. You want me to come to the first practice?”
“You can come. I’m getting there early to do a bullpen,” Hunter said.
Ben raised a brow.
“Apparently, the pitchers and catchers warm up ahead of time. Nick wants to show them their bullpen routine tomorrow,” I explained.
“I’ll be there,” Ben said.
“We should all go. It’ll be fun,” Brooke said.
“It’s practice. Not a game,” I reminded them.
Everyone ignored me like I hadn’t just spoken. They wanted to support me, and I appreciated it.
My heart warmed toward Ben even more. He’d included Hunter in his life when he moved back to Annapolis and started seeing Brooke. Brooke and Ben reconnected because Hunter and Cammie were on the same baseball rec team.
“Will it interfere with school?” Brooke asked.
“It doesn’t sound like it. The season is in the spring. Fall is just practice and scrimmages. If he doesn’t do his schoolwork, then he can’t go to practices.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Hunter said.
“As long as you’re doing your homework and getting decent grades,” I reminded him.
“Yeah, yeah,” Hunter said, shoveling a huge portion of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
I didn’t push because I knew he was motivated to stay on the team. He wouldn’t do anything to mess it up.
“He acts like I didn’t just feed him dinner,” Brooke mumbled when she placed a glass of ice water in front of him.
“Will you throw the ball with me?” Cammie asked Ben.
“You know it,” Ben said.
I took a deep breath, enjoying being surrounded by my family. I was happy that Brooke reconnected with Ben, put aside their differences, and found common ground.
We used to connect with our mutual distrust of men, but now, she was happy. She was open to possibilities and thought I could have what she had. I didn’t have the heart to tell her a single mom dating was different than a single dad. Some guys wanted nothing to do with kids.
I helped Brooke clean up again, and we went outside to sit on the back porch.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.”
I tensed because it sounded serious.
She turned, so she could face me. “I heard some rumors around town about Nick.”
My stomach sunk. “What did you hear?”
Brooke leaned close and lowered her voice, “They’re saying Brody isn’t his son.”
“What?” I racked my brain for any clue I’d missed. “I guess he never said. I just assumed.”
“Apparently, Brody’s his nephew.”
