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“Grab a towel and dry off before going in the house and grabbing some sweets,” I say.
Brodies pulls a dry shirt from his bag and throws it on, and marches inside with the kids.
“Seriously, stop. You made me insult him for god's sake.”
Tina shrugs her shoulders and follows me inside where the kids are gathered around the island stuffing their faces before their folks arrive. They are going to go home sugared up, and I’m glad the only person I have to worry about is Sherrie. Lee will be here to pick her up, but I’m glad he didn’t mind me keeping her for the party.
Brodie doesn’t even make eye contact with me, and if Tina wouldn’t have stuck her nose in my business, this wouldn’t be awkward. I love her to death, but sometimes she needs to learn to keep her mouth shut. She only made matters worse for me.
I get Ziploc bags out and start stuffing treats inside for the girls to take home. They didn’t even make a dent, and I only have so much space.
Cars start pulling up, and the kids head outside with their bags. “Don’t forget to take some of these home with you. Share with your parents or siblings.”
The girls avalanche over until all the bags are gone. Brodie helps me round up the kiddos when their parents arrive, and by six thirty, they have all been picked up.
Sherrie is inside packing her bag, and Brodie just stands around with his hands in his pockets next to me. Is he scared to talk to me now?
“I’m sorry about that. She means well…”
He shakes his head. “No need to apologize. Rejection sucks, so let’s not harp on it.”
Lee pulls up in the driveway, and Sherrie comes running out, and straight to the back door.
“This is the coach. I’m sure Sherrie has mentioned him,” I say.
Brodie shakes Lee’s hand.
“I’ll pick her up tomorrow if you need. Just let me know.”
Brodie and I go inside and help Tina clean up the madness that ensued from the back door to the kitchen. Water is tracked throughout the house, but I expected that.
“It’s tricky since we are co-coaching, but one date wouldn’t hurt. If you despise me afterward, then Tina will leave us alone.”
He turns to me. “Are you kidding?”
“Not in the slightest. She is going to harp on this for weeks and I don’t want to hear it. So, I’m agreeing to one date. You game?”
He stops at the door, and turns his head. “Pick you up tomorrow at six?”
I smile, and Tina shakes her head. “Should’ve just listened to me from the jump.”
It’s only one date and then we will put this behind us.
12
BRODIE
I’m beyond surprised to be going out with Vanessa tonight. She is one of the players' moms, but I can’t overlook the pull. When she’s close to me, I just want to pull her close. So that has to count for something. It’s one date and if it goes horribly then we will put it behind us, but what if it goes great? Am I ready to be in a relationship with someone who has a child? Someone who has ties to another man for the rest of her life? How is their relationship? It crosses my mind that he will be in her life forever. I’m always said I didn’t want someone with baggage, but maybe that’s my problem. I need to throw all that out and start over.
I knock on Tristan’s door and he calls out for me to come in. He is going to be mad, but I owe him the respect to tell him.
“How’s it going? Whatcha watching now?” I ask, plopping down on the couch.
“Don’t ask. Same bullshit. How did the party go? Kids drive you nuts?”
When I don’t answer right away, he turns his attention from the TV to me.
“It went great. Kids were a blast.”
