Page 56 of Coach Me (Boston Blues #2)
Three years later
I stand in the dugout of Blues Stadium as Miles tosses the ball in the air. “I don’t know, Dad, Uncle Will says my two-seam fastball is better.”
“Well, he’s not wrong, but we’re having an end-of-training scrimmage, why not throw the new changeup a couple times?”
It didn’t take too long, but with Miles now nine, he has mastered the eye roll. My sweet Thea wiggles in my arms, reaching for her brother. “Trow fast, bubba. Weally fast.”
Miles takes his sister while his team still bats. “See? Even Thea agrees.”
These kids. I swear, they just want to fight me.
“How about throwing a few changeups for your mom, huh? Just show her some of the things you’ve learned this week, please?”
Miles looks to the stands for Lucie. It doesn’t take him long because my beautiful wife shines everywhere she goes. Lucas has been stuck to her like Velcro since he was born. Miles too, really. Both of my boys are obsessed with their mother. Not that I blame them, I’m obsessed with her too.
I, at least, got a little favoritism with my baby girl. Thea loves her momma, but if she’s sticking to someone, it’s me.
“Alright, just a couple. So Mom can see.” Miles hands his sister back over with the final out.
“Thank you, I’m sure she’ll love to see it.”
“Can you make sure she’s watching so I don’t have to do it again?”
Yep, nine going on nineteen. “Yes, I’ll gladly go talk to her. Now get out there.”
Miles sends his eyes to the sky as he makes his way out to the field. When I meet Lucie’s gaze, she’s already shaking her head at me.
“Why do your sons do things for you and not me?”
Lucas bangs his little hands on the netting. “Daddy!”
Lucie scoops our littlest man up and brings him closer to the net so he can thread his hand through. “Look at that. See, they still love you.”
“Yeah, I love them too.” I play with Lucas’s hand, then Thea joins in, giggling every time I pretend to move her hand away. “Miles has a new pitch, and he wants to make sure you’re watching.”
Lucie looks out to the field, raising her hand to block the sun.
“Baby, where is your hat?”
Lucie scrunches her nose. “I forgot. I have three kids to get ready, Dex. Hold on and watch Miles.”
I turn to see him throw a perfect changeup that goes straight into the catcher's glove. The ump calls the strike, and Lucie cheers for Miles. Granted, the whole fan club cheers with her. Miles looks over with a hint of a smile. Yeah, I think he might throw a few more of those.
I look back at Lucie, her hand still on her forehead.
“Come here, baby.” I walk over to the gap and wait for her to follow. I take my hat off and hand it over to Lucas. “Give this to Mommy.”
“Okie.” He grabs it from me, then holds it high for Luce.
She puts it on with a smirk. “Better, Coach?”
“Much better, baby.”