Page 21 of Coach Me (Boston Blues #2)
Lucie
Oh my gosh, I’m getting Dex to talk. Finally ! I haven’t fully broken through his stony demeanor, but the chip from this morning is definitely a crack now. I can see some of the light I know he’s hiding behind that weight of the world and stressed dad armor he’s wearing.
I put one slice of my pizza from earlier on a plate and pop it in the microwave. “So, how’d the game turn out? Miles and I didn’t make it to the end.”
“We won by three runs. I think I’m secure enough to admit that your brother’s a damn powerhouse. Between him and the changes Olsson’s made, I think we could have a World Series season if we keep it up.”
Dex steals a cold pepperoni off one of his slices. I wish he had just made his food first, I’m really not even that hungry, but I don’t want to mess up this progress I’m making.
“Hey, I love my brother, but the main thing the Blues needed for a winning season was Olsson. The last GM was a joke.”
“Ain’t that the fucking truth,” Dex agrees right away then pauses. “You watched our last season? Wasn’t Will playing for the Mavericks?”
I nod and turn to watch the time on the microwave. Not sure how it’ll come off to Dex that I’ve always loved watching him play…maybe I’ll just stick to the Blues in general.
“I guess I should come clean. I’ve always been a fan of the Blues. Will may be my favorite player, but?—”
Dex gives me a rare chuckle, and I really like it. “Why’d you say it like that?”
“Like what?” I look at him for one second, and just as I do, the microwave beeps. “Ah, fudge,” I mumble and whip back around, opening the door to make the noise stop.
“You put a weird emphasis on favorite. Almost as if Will isn’t actually your favorite.”
Yeah, because technically he’s not.
I turn back to the island, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear and avoiding all eye contact. “Microwave’s all yours.”
“Changing the subject won’t work,” Dex says.
“What? Will is my favorite.” I step around him to sit on the barstool as he puts his food in the microwave next.
“Will is your brother; he’s a different kind of favorite. So, him aside—who’s your favorite?”
“No, no way. I stand by my answer.”
“Oh, come on, you have another favorite. Tell me.”
Not happening.
“I changed my mind. Can you go back to ignoring me now?” I joke.
Dex doesn’t look my way, and for a minute I’m afraid he actually might. But then I see the corner of his mouth tilt up. It’s not a big smile or his laugh, but the crack is still there.
“Alright, I’ll find out eventually.”
“You know now—it’s Will!”
Dex shakes his head and opens the microwave before the beep sounds. He sets his plate on the counter across from me. He doesn’t walk around to sit on the extra barstool like he did earlier.
Winning over Dex Larsen seems like it might be a rather slow process, but at least now I think I’ve actually taken some steps.
He doesn’t say anything while we finish our slices. Other than my quiet “thank you” when he takes my plate, it’s a peaceful silence instead of the normal tension-filled one.
Dex takes them over to the sink. I prep my small good night spiel because I’m sure he’s exhausted, but he turns back around and speaks first. “Hey, I wanted to tell you thank you for the pictures of Miles today. I really appreciated it.”
I swallow down my squeal. “You’re welcome. I hope it wasn’t too annoying.”
“No, it was…great. If I can’t be with him, it’s nice to see what he’s doing and know he’s having a good time.” Dex sighs, avoiding eye contact again.
It’s not that I can feel him reverting back to the complete shutdown he would usually give me, but I’ve pushed enough for tonight.
“Of course. I’m happy to keep sending them.”
“I’d like that.” Dex’s voice stays barely above a whisper. “I’ve got to ask. Why’d you take this job?”
His question takes me by surprise. I was fully convinced our night was coming to an end. While I can’t say I hate that Dex is talking more, I didn’t expect this question.
I suppose me being here has been a really vulnerable experience for him. I’m not going to tell him he was actually my favorite player to watch, but I think I owe him a little vulnerability too.
“Well, to be fair, I didn’t think you’d offer it to me in the first place. When Callie told me about her plan to annoy you into hiring me, I told her not to waste her breath, but you know how she is.”
Dex lets out a huff. Yeah, I’m sure she gave him earfuls.
“I thought taking this job would be good for me. I’ve recently discovered that I have zero clue who I am as a person?—”
Dex snorts a small laugh. “Luce, you just told me off in the calmest and clearest way I’ve ever experienced maybe fifteen minutes ago. You’re going to tell me you don’t know who you are?”
My smile is involuntary at him calling me Luce again. I might like it a little too much, but that’s beside the point.
“I did not tell you off. I just told you the truth.”
Dex shrugs. “Seems like it came from someone pretty confident in herself, if you’re asking me.”
“Yeah, you’re confusing that with the fake it till you make it personality.
Everything about me feels like it was molded from Will and Reagan.
I don’t have funny stories from growing up where I was the ‘leader’ of the group.
I’m the side character who went along with things.
Scratch that, I’m more of a supporting actress.
You know my career and superficial things, but I have no lines and no backstory.
Whether I got this job or not wasn’t really going to change my plans to figure out who I am, but I am happy you offered it. ”
Dex looks off to the side as he scratches the back of his neck. “Yeah, me too.”
I can’t say I entirely believe him, but at least I think I actually have a chance of making him believe it one day.