Page 49 of Coach Me (Boston Blues #2)

Dex

The next morning, Miles sits at the small table in the suite.

His legs are swinging back and forth as he inhales his waffle.

Lucie would typically be sitting right next to him, but after finally getting food in her system yesterday, her adrenaline crash finally took her out.

She passed out on the couch while Miles cuddled up next to her watching cartoons.

It’s nearly nine in the morning and she’s still out like a light. Miles has asked me at least five times if he can go wake her up and even though I’m just as tempted to, I tell him we should let her sleep.

Bringing my plate over to the table, I run my hand over his head as I take the seat next to him. “You ready for today’s game, bud?”

Miles sends his bottom lip out. “Do I have to go? Can Lucie and I stay here?”

I sigh. Olsson offered me the day off and I considered it, but I don’t want to let yesterday ruin game days for Miles. “I know yesterday was scary. I was scared too, but I don’t want you to let what happened ruin the fun you usually have with the team and with Lucie.”

Miles crinkles his nose. “You weren’t really scared, though. You’re a dad, I didn’t think dad’s get scared.”

I humph a laugh. “Believe me, I was terrified yesterday.”

“You were?” Miles hangs his head. “I didn’t want to scare you.”

Shit. “Miles, I’m not upset at you. I’m not upset at anyone.

” Well, except for Shannon, and that conversation will be happening today as well.

“What happened yesterday was scary, but I want you to know that it’s okay to be scared.

If you really want to stay here with Lucie today, that’s okay.

But I’m going to the game because I don’t want to let what happened ruin the fun I have with the Blues. ”

Miles picks his head back up, but his shoulders still sag. “I guess so. Can Lucie and I stay with you a lot today?”

I chuckle. “I would love nothing more.” I plant a small kiss on his temple to which he immediately wipes off with a snicker. “Hey, while we're on the topic of Lucie, can I talk to you about big boy stuff?”

Miles shoves a big bite of waffles into his mouth and mumbles, “Okie.”

When I give him a small look, he giggles as he mumbles an apology with his mouth still full of food. Well, not the point of today’s talk, I guess.

“So, I know we talked about Lucie being your nanny and working for me, but?—”

“Oh no, is Lucie leaving?” Miles cuts me off with a cry.

“No,” I say immediately.

Fuck, I’m not handling this dad talk well this morning. Maybe we should have woken Lucie up.

“Lucie’s not going anywhere, Miles, I promise. She still wants to spend the days with you and teach you. None of that will change.”

Miles tilts his head to the side. “Then what will change?”

I take a deep breath, let’s try not fucking this one up. “Well, the thing is, I really like Lucie. I love her, actually.”

I pause for a minute to think out my next words carefully, and Miles takes over. “Love her like I love Callie?”

I laugh. “Sort of, we’ve really got to talk about that a little more, but, essentially, yes.

One day, I want to ask Lucie to marry me.

I want her to be a part of our family. That doesn’t mean you won’t still have time with your mom, but our family is going to look a little different.

Doesn’t mean anyone loves you less, though. ”

Miles chews on his lip for a moment. Shit, I don’t know if I’ve just fucked my kid up even more than I already have.

“Do you have any questions?”

I hold my breath until his little mouth opens. “So, does this mean you and Lucie will hug and kiss sometimes?”

“Yeah, probably sometimes.” Every second I have alone with her.

Miles hums quietly for a moment, but then the floodgates open.

“So, if you do marry Lucie, could we get more turtles? Or maybe a puppy! Oh, could I get a little brother? Or maybe a sister? Or we get both! I think I would be a really good big brother. Oh, if you do marry Lucie, does that mean you’ll have a wedding? Could I be in it?!”

I swallow down my laugh, trying not to discourage any questions.

“Um, good thoughts. Okay, no, we will not be getting any more animals in our house. The two turtles are the max, currently. I think you would be a great big brother, but maybe we just focus on it being us three for a little while. And yes, whenever I do ask Lucie to marry me, you will be a part of the wedding.”

Miles gives me a big grin. “Awesome.”

I let out a deep breath. “Do you have any other questions? I want you to know you can ask me or Lucie any questions you think of, okay?”

Miles taps his chin with that smile still on his face. “Does this mean you can start playing baseball again? I know you were Lucie’s favorite player. She might really like that, Daddy.”

“I—” Shit. I know I told Lucie I would think about it, but it’s been put on the back burner again.

I’m not even sure if it’s fully possible.

There’s absolutely no way I’m playing for any other team than the Blues, and we’re stacked on this team already.

“I don’t think so, bud. I’m good with being one of the coaches for now. ”

Miles gives me a small shrug before going back to his breakfast. “Okay, but I think Lucie would like it. I would really like it too.”

“What are we really liking?” Lucie’s voice comes from behind us.

“Lucie!” Miles practically jumps up from the table, racing to her before she can even make it fully out of her room.

Lucie catches Miles as he launches himself at her with a huff, then a laugh. “Good morning, Miles.”

Miles wraps his arms around her neck. “I wanted to wake you up a lot, but Daddy said to let you sleep. Daddy also said that he loves you, which is really cool because I was thinking I could be in the wedding and maybe the turtles too. Daddy said we can’t get any more animals or a brother or sister yet, but maybe you could tell him we need one. ”

Oh, dear God.

Lucie looks at me with a laugh before setting Miles back down. She kneels in front of him, taking his hands in hers. “Ya know, Miles, I love your dad too, but I think I have to agree with him on waiting for more animals and babies.”

“Oh.” Miles pouts.

Lucie shakes her head with a smile. “You know who else I love? You. I really love you.” She boops Miles’s nose, and he giggles.

“I really love you too.”

Lucie pulls Miles to her for another hug. I stand up from the table. “And I love you both, but someone’s got waffles over here that he needs to eat.”

Miles jumps back. “Oh yeah, I had Daddy put the berries on the waffles like you do, Lucie. I don’t think he made it as good as you, but it’s still good.”

“Hey, I did the same thing she does.”

Miles snickers a laugh. “I don’t think so, it's just different.”

“Yeah, it’s a different hotel waffle.”

Lucie’s smile is wide as she winks at Miles. “I’ll make you one tomorrow.”

Miles snickers another evil laugh.

“Okay.” I spin him around toward the table. “Go eat.”

Holding my hand out, I help Lucie stand back up. “Thank you for letting me sleep in.”

I brush her hair behind her shoulders. “You're no longer the nanny, and you’re already taking advantage,” I joke.

Lucie’s eyes go wide. “Dex, you?—”

“I’m kidding.” I kiss her forehead. “You needed the sleep, baby. Go take a seat, let me get you some breakfast.”

Lucie bites at her lip. I can feel her smartass remark about her making the food better on the tip of her tongue, but she doesn’t say it. Instead, she takes the seat I just left, next to Miles. “I think I’ll just eat yours instead.”

“Lucie, I was also thinking, should we get Daddy to play again?”

Lucie looks back to me for a moment, then to Miles. “I completely agree.”

I shake my head, not bothering to put a damper on their morning. Walking around the island to the kitchen to make a new plate of food, my phone lights up with a ton of texts.

They’re just baseball players

Beck

Life check on the peeps across the hall. I’m assuming it’s good considering room service was remaking my bed when I got back from the game yesterday.

Will

Why? You know I’m in this chat. Why start my morning off like that?

Adam

Welcome to it. Maybe you’ll stop making out with my sister all the time now at games.

Callie

Magic eight ball says: Not likely.

Adam

Shocked. How’s Miles, Dex?

Tripp

You guys want me to bring up breakfast? I’m downstairs now .

Fuck, this is why I could never play for any other team.

We’re all good. Miles and Luce are eating breakfast together now. Thanks for checking in. I appreciate it.

The reply sits for about five seconds before I get a text from Will individually.

Will

How’s my sister doing?

She’s good, we talked a bit about it yesterday. What’s bothering her more is that Reagan still hasn’t reached out to her since that day in my office.

Yeah, I’m working on that. Luce is coming to the game today, right?

Yeah, her and Miles both.

Alright, I’ll check in with her on the shuttle. Enjoy the morning.

Setting my phone back on the counter, I throw together another plate of waffles. Before I can make it around the counter, there’s a knock at our door.

Hell, I’m sure there’s someone from this fucking chat on the other side of this door. When I swing it open, I’m taken aback to see Olsson standing on the other side.

“Morning, Dex. You all got a second to talk?”

I step back, opening the door wider. I had planned on talking to him later today, but now works too. “Sure, come on in.”

“Hi, Mr. Owl-son,” Miles says with a mouth full of waffles.

I let out a sigh, while my boss laughs. “Good morning, Miles. I’m happy to see you’re in good spirits this morning. You planning on coming to the game today?”

Miles goes to talk while chewing again, but Lucie stops him. “Swallow first, please, then answer.”

Miles scrunches his nose at her then swallows. “Yep, me and Lucie are going to hang out with Daddy today. I do not want to get lost again.”

“Yeah, none of us want that.” Olsson tips his head to the balcony. “Care to take this out there?”

“Yeah, come on.” I hold out my arm to let him go first. Lucie sends me a look with furrowed brows, so I send her a wink in the hope that she’ll relax. This conversation is going to be about Shannon. I don’t plan on entertaining any other topics until that’s discussed.

With the sliding door closed, Olsson doesn’t miss a beat.

“So, what actually happened yesterday? Shannon made it a point to follow up with me about it, but something isn’t adding up.

She said she heard about it from Callie, but you mentioned something about her being involved before you left, so hit me with it. ”

Why am I not surprised she tried to act as if she didn’t know?

“Well, you were there when Kate explained how it all started. I could play the blame game all day, but it will really get me nowhere. Miles got turned around and couldn’t find Lucie…

but he said he did find Shannon. Look, I know Miles isn’t her responsibility, but he’s a child and he needed her help.

That stadium was packed yesterday—I’m not sure if it’s from the fights we had earlier this season that drew the crowd in, but it overwhelmed Miles.

He may be comfortable being in a ball stadium, but he’s only fucking fi ve. ”

Olsson curses under his breath. “I was afraid you were going to say that. Between the complaints Will keeps making about the way she treats Callie and now this, I think it’s time I bring someone else in.”

I give him a curt nod. “I know that’s a lot to put on someone mid-season, so if you need help, let me know.”

“I’ll make do. I think I have someone I can call in who’s pretty comfortable with all this, but I’ll keep your offer in mind.” Olsson looks through the glass door at Miles and Lucie. “Seems like Lucie’s working out. I knew she would be good for you, and I’m not talking about working for you.”

I let out a chuckled curse. She’s more than good for me. “Yeah, she’s exactly what I needed.”