Page 47 of Crew

“I need to talk to Gage before I agree to anything.”

“Of course,” Toby replied.

“Wait. What about my job with the network?”

“Well, the timing couldn’t be better since you haven’t signed a contract extension,” he replied. “You just focus on your family and call me as soon as you make a decision.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

We hung up, and I turned to Gage.

“So you need to talk to me about something?” He smirked.

“Uh, yeah.” I ran a hand through my hair. “It sounds like the Seawolves are interested in offering me a job.”

His eyes widened. “Portland? Really?”

I nodded. “Aron’s managing, and they want me to be his bench coach.”

Gage laced his fingers with mine. “This is exciting news. Why do you look so worried?”

A part of me wanted to jump for joy and tell Toby to set up the interview as soon as possible, but I also didn’t want to be selfish. A decision like this meant lots of things to consider.

“Iamexcited, but it’s a huge decision. We’ve got a life here, and what about your teaching job?”

He snorted. “They do have schools in Portland.”

“Okay. What about the kids?”

“You mean the ones who already moved out or the one who’s leaving in a year?”

I sighed. “She still lives here right now.”

He nodded. “Well, I assume you won’t have to leave until springtraining. Then, it’s only a couple of months before Cammie graduates. I’m sure we can work something out with Jamie.”

My ex-wife and I co-parented better than anyone else I knew, and I was positive she’d help in any way possible to make things easy if I accepted the job.

“Do you really think we can do this?”

“If it’s what you want, we can figure everything else out.”

I let out another long breath and looked out at the waves crashing against the sand below. “I think I want to do it.”

The smellof steak hit me as I carried a bowl of fruit to the deck. Gage manned the grill while Jase and Dylan told Tyler and Hayden about a party they’d thrown the night before.

Cammie was curled up in a chair nearby scrolling through her phone and glancing up occasionally to playfully insult one of her older brothers. Teasing them was one of her favorite pastimes.

“Anyone want a beer?” Gage asked, opening the mini-fridge under the counter of our outdoor kitchen.

“I do,” all the guys said at the same time.

“Me too,” Cammie added, reaching out like she expected Gage to hand her one.

“Nice try.” He laughed. “You can have one in a few years.”

“You guys never let me have any fun,” she huffed, taking the soda I offered instead.

“That’s what happens when you’re the youngest in the family,” Jase joked.