Page 10 of Coach Me (Boston Blues #2)

Lucie

Weaving through the stadium, I stop by the concession stand for the ever classic Diet Coke and a hotdog. I texted Callie that I would be in Will’s reserved seats if she needed to bring Miles to me, but I’m not holding my breath over it actually happening.

I told myself that whether Miles came to sit with me or not, I was going to enjoy this game—all by myself. I didn’t invite Reagan, and when Jensen offered to try to get someone to pick up her shift for today, I told her not to worry about it.

With much reflection on my predicament over this week, I’ve decided that while I may not exactly be afraid to be alone, I don’t know who I am well enough to even know my own company.

My whole family goes on and on about how I’m the one sibling everyone likes.

The “angel sister,” as Reagan says, but after the said reflection, all I can see in those comments is that I’m the boring one, the one who hides behind her siblings' personalities. Not to mention the one who’s too reliant on her siblings .

All week, I worked on a list of things I want to work on this year.

I’m sure I’ll add more stuff to it, but for now it’s a start.

I want to try to venture out by myself more, or at least without my siblings.

Have a day where I don’t say no to myself and find a hobby I enjoy.

I also want to try to be a little more spontaneous and do more things that scare me—i.e.

, coming to this game even if that means I’ll be completely by myself.

Plopping my butt in my seat, I exhale any anxieties I’m harboring about my new plan. This will be good for me. I’ve allowed myself to be a supporting character long enough. It’s time I actually be my own main character—now just to figure out what that role even is.

“Lucie!” Miles hollers as he hops up each stair to get to me while Callie trails behind him.

He looks so much like his dad with his deep brown eyes and dark curly hair. The faint freckles on his nose and cheeks must come from his mom, but when Miles gives me a smile, it’s all I can do not to see a smaller, happier version of Dex.

“Hey, Miles! You coming to hang out with me?” I ask with a smile.

“Yes!” Miles jumps and plops down into the seat next to me. “How are your turtles? Did you bring them with you?”

My smile comes with a small chuckle. “Sorry, no turtles at Blues Stadium, I fear that might be a rule. But they’re good. I've been looking forward to hearing all about what you’ve been doing this week. I heard there was quite the shutout at the last game.”

Miles’s eyes go wide. “Oh, Lucie, you missed it! It was so cool! Dad said he’s played a couple of games like that too, but I don’t remember. ”

I definitely do.

Callie chuckles as she ruffles his hair. “Alright, before you get on a classic Callie ramble with Lucie, I’m going to get to my spot. You’re good here?”

Miles looks from me to Callie. “Yes, I’m good. I’ll miss you a little bit, but I want to sit with Lucie for the game.”

Callie and I both chuckle at that. “I want to sit with you too, Miles, but if you change your mind and want to see Callie or your dad, let me know.”

Miles bobs his head up and down with a sharp nod. “Okay, I don’t think I will but maybe.”

I chuckle. “Either way is fine. I like you sitting with me, but I can’t read your mind, so if you want to leave, I promise it’s okay.”

“Boy, I wish I could read people’s minds,” Callie says. “Or maybe not, I’d rather not know if Will ever wants me to actually stop talking.”

“Something tells me that’s not what he’s thinking, but?—”

“I never want you to stop talking, Callie,” Miles cuts me off, not wanting to miss his opportunity.

“I know, bud, and you’re the best for it.” Callie squats in front of Miles and holds up her hand for a high five. “You gonna behave?”

“Always.” Miles smacks his little hand against Callie’s. “I’ll see you after the game?”

“Find you after, Hotshot.” Callie turns to me next. “I’m still working on our other little thing by the way. Someone’s being stubborn.”

“I’m not holding my breath, Cals, don’t worry about it.” I’ve got my new plan and new motivations—whether I work for Dex or not .

Callie stands back up with a shrug. “Eh, I’ll waste my breath until he caves.”

“Go to work.” I shoo her off with a wave of my hand, and Miles laughs.

“Yeah, go to work, Callie,” Miles mocks, but when he sees Callie’s jaw drop, he adds, “That way I can start missing you!”

Callie’s lips turn up for a smile. “Yeah, yeah, you two have fun!”

With Callie now headed to her spot, I adjust in my seat to face Miles. “So, tell me all about the games I missed.”

Miles beams. “Okay, but it’s a lot so you need to pay attention. Beck and Mateo had three double plays. Three , Lucie. Then Tripp did a bunch of bunts last game, which I think are really cool. It’s almost like a trick because you could never tell when he was going to do it again.”

I nod along at his excitement. Some of his recaps might be a little stretched considering I watched all of this week's games on TV, but I hope these guys realize what a hype man they have in Miles.

After the game ends, I walk a wired Miles to the family waiting area. I fully anticipate Dex meeting me halfway like he did last time.

Callie may claim that her talk until he caves is full proof, but with the glares I got during the game, I’m not so sure.

I welcomed Miles’s nonstop commentary on the games because it felt like every change in inning, I could feel Dex’s eyes on us.

As if we would have just vanished into thin air, or I’d have Miles chugging beers with me.

“Do you think you can come to one of the games next week?” Miles asks as he bounces down the hall. “I’m supposed to go to my mommy’s house tonight so I won’t be at the game tomorrow. But then Daddy picks me up two sleeps later.”

“Oh, that sounds like a lot of fun, Miles, but I’m pretty sure you guys are hopping on a plane to Phoenix for the next week of games.”

Miles comes to an abrupt halt and turns to me. “So, does that mean you’re rain checking?”

I chuckle softly. “Yeah, I’ll have to rain check, but maybe another home game.”

“I guess that’s okay.” Miles’s shoulders sag for a moment but then he bounces back.

My heart breaks a little at seeing his pout, and really, I’d like to lie to myself and think Miles won’t even remember me over the next two weeks, so it doesn’t seem like I’ve left him for so long, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

“Oh wait, Miles,” I call as he bounces right past the waiting area. “I think we should wait for your dad in here.”

Miles turns around and tilts his head. “Oh no, let’s go to the locker room! I’m allowed in there, Lucie, I promise!”

“I’m not so sure I am.” I chuckle.

Miles looks completely flabbergasted at my words. “Of course you are! Come on!”

“Miles, I don’t think—” But it doesn’t matter what I say because he’s already halfway down the hall. Welp.

When I finally catch up to the little speedster, I thankfully stop him before he races inside. “Okay, you gotta wait on me, bud. ”

“Sorry.” Miles giggles. “I think I just want to see my dad real quick and then we can go back.”

I contemplate, looking at the door for a moment. Surely Miles is allowed to go into the locker room…I mean, his dad is a coach, and hey, I’m not actually his nanny.

“Okay, deal, but I’m waiting out here.”

Miles sends his eyes to the ceiling. “You can come with me, Lu-cieee. It’s okay, I promise!”

Gah, he’s so precious it’s hard to argue, but this is very non-negotiable.

“Right here.” I point to the ground. “I promise I won’t leave.”

“Okay, if you say so.” Miles shrugs before bursting through the door.

Goodness, he’s quite the rascal.

Unsure of how long Miles will actually be in there, I pull out my phone to see our girls’ group chat blowing up.

Fake PowerPuff Girls Meets Shego Crossover

Jensen

So are you the nanny yet?

Callie

Not from my lack of trying.

Reagan

Have I mentioned this seems like a very ill-planned idea? Lucie liked watching Dex as a player, doesn’t mean he needs to be her boss.

Jensen

Sorry, your vote is null and void.

Callie

We’re currently taking zero criticisms on this plan. Thank you for your input.

Reagan

*middle finger emojis*

Jensen

*picture of her flipping off the camera*

Callie

*picture of her flipping off the camera*

You all are insane.

“Lucie.” Dex clears his throat, and I jump at the sound. “Sorry, didn’t realize you were easily startled.”

“What—sorry. I just wasn’t paying attention.” I look around for Miles because he’s always a welcome distraction. “Is Miles good in there? He told me it was okay.”

Dex crosses his arms and with his biceps filling out his uniform a little too well, the sleeves ride up to show the tips of his tattoos. Hmm, yep, those are nice additions to this man’s already gorgeous arms.

“He’s fine, but I need to talk to you,” Dex grunts out, pulling me from my daze.

For Christ's sake, maybe Reagan is right; this is a bad idea. Based on Dex’s tone, I feel this job option is about to get the final nail in the coffin.

I fiddle with the hem of my brother’s fan jersey. “Um, yeah, what’s up?”

“So, I imagine Callie’s told you enough that I don’t really need to beat around the bush. I need a nanny and someone to teach Miles. Do you want to do it?”

Wait, what ?

I let out a small huff in disbelief, but that seems to come off wrong to Dex.

“If you don’t, just tell me because I really can’t afford to have someone half out right out the gate.”

Goodness, why is this man so sour around me? I feel like Will would be complaining about him as a coach a whole lot more if he treated the guys this way.

I straighten my spine. Nonetheless, this is an opportunity, and with my newfound plan to be my own main character, I’m going to need a job.

“Your enthusiasm really sells it, but I’m qualified, and I know I can do a good job.”

“Alright,” Dex breathes out. “When can you start?”

“I’m agreeing that I can do the job, Dex. I do have some questions first.”

Dex sighs as he takes a small step back. For what reason I don’t know, but as he uncrosses his arms, he holds a hand for me to start. “That’s fair. I might not have all my answers ready, but fire away.”

“I’m assuming I’ll be traveling with you to away games, what about home games? I live an hour outside of Boston, so it may take me some time to find a place, but I could crash?—”

Dex holds up his hand again, only this time to stop me. “I need a live-in nanny, Lucie. I have a spare bedroom, it’s yours if that doesn’t make you change your mind?”

“Oh—” Considering I was just lusting over this man’s arms, the ill-planned comment comes back in my head.

“If you?—”

“That’s fine,” I cut him off. No, no more second-guessing myself or letting my siblings have input. I know they want what’s best, but I have to start doing stuff on my own.

“What about days off? I know this schedule is very demanding, and my hours will be pretty much nonstop, but when it’s possible, I want to still have time for myself.”

“Done,” Dex agrees. “What else?”

“Pay?”

“Name a number.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Just like that? Just name a number and that’s what you’re paying me.”

Dex’s mouth dares to turn up into a small smirk. “I thought Callie would have made my desperation pretty clear. Yes, Lucie, just like that. Anything else?”

Oh, I don’t know! Goodness, he put me on the spot.

“Maybe…this is the weirdest job interview I’ve ever had, so I’m a little caught off guard.”

Dex shakes his head. “You’re right. Shit, I’m sorry. I can give you my number so if you think of any questions, you can text me.”

I take a moment before answering to contemplate this decision one final time, but when Dex runs his hands over his face, I see it. I see a dad who’s looking, albeit still gorgeous, but also tired and stressed out.

I think Dex needs me to take this job just as much as I need it.

“I mean it, Lucie, any questions. I want you to ask,” Dex states calmly. “If you decide it’s not going to work, then okay, no worries…but if you do want it, then can you start tomorrow? Miles’s mom was going to get him, but she canceled last minute and?—”

I shuffle on my feet for a moment, but then stand straighter. “Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll be your nanny.”