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It wasn’t the first time I wished he said boys and meant us as a family—Nick, Hunter, Brody, and me. We’d live together and get the boys off the bus at our home. It was an unrealistic dream because it couldn’t happen. Not with our pasts. We were better off alone. Even if it hurt. Even if I wanted more.
With a sigh, I grabbed my bra and panties and slid them on. There was no point in wishing for something I couldn’t have.
“What do you have this weekend?” he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed to put on his socks and shoes.
“A wedding. It’s a big one.” The bride agreed on a package but had gone beyond it several times to make special requests. It drove Gia crazy, but she wanted to meet every bride’s expectations. We needed to be more careful about being firm in the future. Gia charged her more to make up for the differences because our time was important.
He stood in front of me. “You’ll be busy then?”
“I usually am on Saturdays. It’s a good things baseball is on Sunday.” I tried to smile, but I couldn’t quite make it happen.
“Do you think Hunter would be okay hanging out with us?”
I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right. “I usually take him to Brooke’s.”
“I know. I thought he might want to work on some baseball stuff.”
“He’d love that.” There was no question Hunter had grown closer to Brody than Ben’s daughter, Cammie. They had similar interests and were on the same team. Plus, both of their dads had let them down.
“So, what do you say?”
“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“It seems silly to send him to Ben and Brooke’s when he’d love it here. We can play baseball, video games, eat dinner. It’ll be fun. Brody gets lonely not having a sibling.”
I wasn’t sure if that was the truth or if Nick was just saying that to convince me. “I’ll double-check with Hunter, but I’m sure he’ll be on board.”
Nick smiled wide and stepped into me, taking me into his arms. “I’m happy you trust me.”
That made me pause because I wasn’t sure I did. Sure, I trusted him with Hunter. Nick was a great person, uncle, and coach. I just wasn’t sure I trusted him with my heart.
To save myself from answering, I glanced at the clock on my nightstand and said, “You’d better get going.”
Nick nodded, not acknowledging the way I’d avoided his remark.
I watched him walk out, a mix of longing and frustration coursing through me. I wanted him, but I knew it couldn’t work out. He did too. So, why was I getting in deeper with him by letting him get closer to my kid?
A band wrapped around my chest, tightening more as I thought about the repercussions of Nick and Hunter’s relationship. He was his coach. Someone he respected and looked up to. Now, he was spending time with him, alone, outside practice. It would only confuse him.
When Hunter got off the bus, I smiled and touched his shoulder, knowing he wouldn’t appreciate a hug in front of the other kids.
“What’s for dinner?”
I laughed. “Always thinking about food.”
Inside, I gathered pots to make spaghetti and meatballs. “What do you think about spending Saturday with Coach Nick and Brody?”
“Do we have practice?”
I shook my head slowly. “No. He invited you over.”
“I always go to Aunt Brooke’s.”
“Would you prefer to go to Nick and Brody’s instead? Just this once? He said Brody wants to play baseball. He doesn’t have any siblings either.”
“Or a dad,” Hunter mumbled, and my heart broke for him.
He did feel a connection to Brody because of their similar circumstances.
