Page 31 of Coach Me (Boston Blues #2)

“Necessary isn’t the word to use here. I’m flexible, but we have to have boundaries. It’s her job, and she knows the routine on game days.”

Kate rolls her shoulders back. “We’ll talk about it later.”

You know what, it’s not worth the argument right now. “Fine. You guys have fun. Let me know the time for Sunday.”

I don’t wait around for her answer; I know she’ll decide on the time based on Miles’s energy level over the next two days.

Back in my car, my eyes catch on Lucie’s paper. There isn’t a single rational thing that goes through my mind when I look at that list written in red…

My resolve is fucking breaking.

Lucie

I’m done with the yoga class, I’m going to go around to some stores. I might have an idea to help with our turtle situation but we’ll see.

I’m back. I’ll head over to the stadium around the start of first pitch. Let me know if you need anything.

Okay, leaving now. See you soon, Coach.

I think I’ve typed and erased at least fifty messages to Lucie today. As a saving grace, she wasn’t home when I got back from dropping off Miles, and I didn’t wait around to see when she’d come back.

I immediately got ready and did a two-hour workout in the gym. It helped me in no way—all I’ve been able to think about is her. How badly I want her but can’t fucking have her.

“So, are you ever going to answer her, or are you just going to keep looking at your phone all day?” Beck’s voice pulls me out of my trance.

I shove my phone in my back pocket and keep my eyes on the field, watching all the cameras as the people start the ceremonial first pitch. I’m not sure who’s doing it today, some comedian or something, I think. “What’s up, Beck?”

“Just wondering what’s climbed up your ass today. I think I’m the only player not afraid of talking to you right now.”

“That seems a tad dramatic. Will and Callie talked to me earlier with no complaints.”

Beck gives me this annoying hum. “I really want to make a very important distinction about what you just said, but I think it’s best I don’t.”

Yeah, he’s probably right.

“Want to tell me why you’re ignoring her?”

“Nope.”

“Do you think ignoring her is actually going to help you?”

“Go away, Beck.” I dismiss him and look into the stands for Lucie. I don’t know how well I’ll actually talk to Lucie right now without taking her back to my office.

The moment my eyes land on her I know I’m fucked. Her in damn yellow.

With each step closer to me, that magnet pull feels so strong.

She’s my son’s nanny, whom he loves. And he’s finally starting to heal at home since the divorce. She’s my player’s little sister. Twelve years younger than me, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

She’s…She’s…damn it, I just want her to be mine.

Walking away from Beck without another thought, I meet Lucie at the stands.

“Hey, Coach.” She smiles and everything else seems to fade away.

Thank God for this netting between us.

“Hey,” I grunt out. Hell, I’m going to fuck this up.

“I didn’t want to interrupt, but I just wanted to let you know I was here.”

“I knew you were, Luce. I think I spotted you the moment you hit the stairs.”

She looks so beautiful in this dress; I don’t think I’ve ever seen this one on her. I can’t help but let my eyes travel up from her white Converse to the dress that makes me want to fill my entire life with yellow, to Lucie’s lips that I need to taste, and the pink on her cheeks.

Wait. I know right now she’s blushing, but… “Where’s your hat?”

Lucie shrugs. “It’s back at the apartment. It totally slipped my mind to grab it, but it’s no big deal.”

“Yes, it is a big deal. You said you get sunburned easily, so—” I let out an exasperated breath. “Come over here.”

“Dex—” Lucie starts to argue, but it’s not up for negotiation.

Lucie follows a few steps behind until we meet where there’s a small gap in the netting. I take my hat off and hold it out to her. “Put it on.”

Lucie shakes her head with a stressed laugh. “I can’t take your?—”

“Put. It. On. Lucie. ”

I’m already going to be thinking about her the whole damn game, and I’d rather not constantly be thinking about her getting burned in the sun on top of that.

Lucie gives me a tight-lipped smile as she takes my hat and puts it on her head. “There, better?”

“Nope,” I clip out, because now I really want to take her back to my office. God, she can wear no other hat but my own from here on out. “I have to get back to the dugout. Keep that on or I’ll come out in the stadium to put it back, got it?”

“Got it.” Lucie’s voice is tighter than it normally is—not that I’m surprised. To her, I’m probably coming off like a total dick, but that’s essentially the only dynamic I can manage right now to keep me from walking away from this game entirely.

Making my way over to the dugout, I take some deep breaths. I just need a solid ten seconds of silence.

But do I get it? No. Instead, I get Will coming up beside me. Motherfucker.

“Ya know, watching you with my sister kind of makes me feel bad for Adam. That’s really the only unforgivable part here.”

Shit. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Will laughs. “Said that before myself. I’ll tell you what, though. I have an extra hat to give Lucie if the sun really bothers her that much.”

I clench my jaw to physically stop myself from telling him to not even fucking try it. But that’s all Will needs to see to know exactly what I was thinking.

“Yeah, Callie only wears my stuff too.”

My eyes wander over to where Lucie is sitting, my hat still on her head, exactly where it should be. “You know we’re talking about your sister right now?”

“Hey, I don’t need details. I want my sister to be happy.

I don’t know what’s fully going on here—and again I can’t stress this enough, I don’t need details—but if you’re worried about me, don’t be.

I’m not about to spend my time being upset about someone treating my sister with respect and making her happy. ”

I let his words register in my brain. Part of me knew he wouldn’t be upset, that’s just not Will. But using it as an excuse to not move forward with Lucie was one thread I had holding me back. It was a weak one, but it’s snapped completely now.

“I didn’t ask for your blessing, Anderson.”

“Yeah, the thing is, you don’t need it.” Will claps my shoulder. “Now I’m going to go kiss my teammate’s sister before the game starts, and her brother isn’t going to care because he knows I love her.”

Fuck.