Page 6 of Coach Me (Boston Blues #2)

Lucie

Fake Powerpuff Girls Meets Shego Crossover

Reagan

Don’t kill me, but I can’t make it to the game.

You have got to be kidding me. I stare at my sister’s message in the girls’ group chat at the entrance gate of Blues Stadium. She’s got to be joking. She’s the one who forced me out here to begin with.

I wanted to stay in bed, maybe venture to the bath at most because my back is still hurting from cleaning out my classroom all this past week…

all by myself, mind you. Decorating my classroom didn’t feel so labor-intensive, but taking it all down was a nightmare.

Reagan’s little “I’ll help” was apparently forgotten the moment she walked out the door.

HA, funny. I’m walking to the concession to get us some food. Meet me there.

Reagan

You have every right to be mad at me, but I can’t make it. Julie and I found a place that might work for the new Stigma location but they can only do a walk-through right now.

Jensen! Can you meet Lucie at the stadium so I don’t come off as the loser sister?

Don’t call for backup. YOU were supposed to meet me here!

Jensen

Sorry, I just left the shop, and I’m clocking in at the wine bar at 5.

Callie

Jen, you’re going to work yourself to death! Luce, I’ll meet you at concessions!

At least someone loves me.

Reagan

I do love you!! You needed to get out of the house anyway. Fresh air and baseball pants will do you some good!

Jensen

I feel like I’ve missed some info here, but Luce can fill me in at our mani-pedi tomorrow!

Don’t worry if you don’t show up, I’ve been stood up THREE times this week!

Reagan

I said I was sorry!! I swear I’ll make it up to you!

I shove my phone in my back pocket. I should have known something would come up.

Reagan has had things come up all week. On our sister lunch date, she stood me up because she forgot about some floral arrangements she needed to make for a client.

Helping clean out my classroom slipped her mind because she was helping clean out Julie’s apartment.

I get it, those are things she needed to do, but it was the forgetting me part that hurt the most. She didn’t call or text me a heads-up on those changes in plans, so yeah, it made my sour mood a little more bitter.

And then she messaged, begging me to meet her at tonight’s game.

I caved, thinking I’d at least get some sister time out of it.

She knows it’s like an hour drive here and back to Rowley. She knows I really only came all the way down here to spend time with her.

My phone vibrates in my pocket again. I’m half tempted to ignore it and send Reagan’s apologies to voicemail, but when I see it’s Jensen calling, I answer.

“Hey,” I say with a sigh.

“I’m quitting my job; I miss all the drama! What’s going on?”

At that, I chuckle. I only met Jensen through Callie a couple of months ago, but with us being the same age and sharing a reluctance to give up our self-care of a good mani-pedi, it’s fair to say she’s my only friend who didn’t come from Will or Reagan.

Granted, Callie introduced us which does link back to Will, technically…but that’s a minor detail.

“Ugh, Reagan invited me to the Blues game tonight for sister time and has now bailed on me,” I grumble as I join the first concession line I see. “She’s stood me up three times this week, Jen.”

“What! Did she have any kind of excuse? ”

“She did, but not one she told me until after I was already there waiting on her.” I sigh and take a step forward in the line. “I’m being a bad sister…I know she has reasons, but?—”

“You’re not a bad sister, Lucie. You’ve had a really shitty week, and her bailing isn’t cool. Why don’t you come to Winedown? You can vent while you drink! First one’s on the house.”

“Tempting, but I’m already here. I’ll see if I can sneak into the photo outpost with Callie instead of sitting alone.”

I step to the front of the line and hold my phone away from my ear to order a Diet Coke and a hotdog.

Jensen laughs as I bring the phone back to my ear. “Dinner of champions.”

“Hey, it beats your dinner which is usually an energy drink and a protein bar.”

Jensen snorts again. “You got me there. Alright, well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. I’ll see you tomorrow for sure.”

I hum as the guy hands over my stuff, and I mouth a “thank you” to him before stepping over to the nearest bench.

“I’m used to being stood up at this point, so I’m not going to hold my breath.”

“Girl, you know I’d rather die than miss my nail appointment. You’re the bonus.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” I smile, even though she can’t see me. It’s nice having Jensen as my bonus, even if she does work herself to the bone.

After saying bye, my stomach growls. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until the teenager handed over my hotdog.

It could be a nostalgia thing or maybe it’s just that I’ve learned to love them, considering we practically grew up on concession food, but there’s no better hotdog in my opinion.

With my first big bite, I hear Callie. “Hey, Lucie!”

I can only wave at her and her usual game-day shadow. Miles trails along behind her and part of me wonders if he remembers me from the coffee shop. Not that it would really matter, it doesn’t change anything.

I’m still chewing when she and Miles reach me because I apparently took a much bigger bite than I thought. “Hey, I have a huge favor to ask.”

I hold my finger up as I try to chew faster while also not choking.

Miles giggles. “Good job chewing with your mouth closed. Sometimes my dad gets upset when I don’t.”

I give Miles a soft smile as I hold back my laugh so I can finally swallow. “It’s good manners. Your dad is teaching you right.”

Miles shrugs. “I guess so, but sometimes it’s hard to remember.”

Callie snorts a laugh. “Sometimes you just have to get what you need to say off your chest, kiddo.”

“While still trying to remember to listen to your dad.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Callie waves off my addition in your typical fun-aunt style.

“I, however, have a predicament. Shannon just messaged me that our snooty first pitch guest is a major diva and wants more photos taken for PR. I hate to do this, but Dex is in a meeting…could Miles hang out with you in the stands?”

I glance back and forth from Miles to Callie. Of course I would love to help, but… “Would Dex be okay with that?”

“As much as I respect Dex as a father, my hands are tied. I trust you more than anyone else here. Bringing him to the photos isn’t an option, and—” Callie places her hands over Miles’s ears— “Dex has been hella stressed this past week. Dude needs a break.”

“Hey, Cal-lie.” Miles drags out her name as he attempts to wiggle out of her hands. “I want to stay with you. I thought I was a good helper?”

Callie kneels in front of him. “Oh, bud, you’re the best helper!

You know I love having you help, but sometimes it’s just not possible.

I promise you can come to the photo cave when the game starts if you want.

But trust me when I say that Lucie is major fun!

Did you know she’s a teacher who had turtles in her classroom? ”

Miles’s eyes go wide. “Turtles?!”

My heart aches a little at the mention of my classroom, but I know Callie didn’t mean it that way. When I called to tell Will about my…termination, he did exactly what Reagan thought he would—offer to make a huge donation to the school.

As tempting as the idea was, I’m getting spoiled by my brother, and if adding Callie to our family has shown me anything, it’s that compared to her, I can’t do jack on my own—and that has to change.

Starting with a job that doesn’t come from my brother’s wallet, and expanding into ways I can be more independent. Maybe Reagan abandoning me is a good thing. Let’s have this be the first act in figuring out who I really am.

First up, doing this game by myself, or well, with Miles partially, at least. Baby steps, I suppose.

“I think we can have a good time together,” I tell Miles. “I know Callie is awesome, but I would love some company.”

“Are you here all by yourself?” Miles quirks an eyebrow.

“Yep!” I force some confidence. “If you want to go back with your dad or Callie once the game starts, I’ll take you straight to them, but I wouldn’t mind having someone to help me understand the game.”

The last line is a major lie. I know baseball like the back of my hand—the Blues, specifically—but I’ve gathered Miles likes to be a helper, so I’ll lean into it.

Callie gives me a knowing grin. “That would be so nice of you to do, Miles.”

And with that, Miles couldn’t be more onboard. “Okay! Let’s do it!” Miles cheers.

“You’re a lifesaver!” Callie gives me a quick hug, then looks at Miles. “Best behaviors?”

“The bestest.” Miles nods.

I chuckle lightly and hold out my hand for Miles. “Perfect, let’s go find our seats so Callie can get going.”

“Okay,” Miles agrees as he takes my hand. “You know…you look really familiar. What is your name again?”