Page 4
And coaching? Man, I can’t wait to start.
When the team’s old assistant coach moved away at the end of the school year, I was first in line to apply for the spot.
I loved playing football in high school and college.
I knew I was never good enough to go pro, but that didn’t change how much I loved the game.
I’m looking forward to spreading my love of the sport.
“Sam, you’re trying out, right?”
He peeks up from his phone. “I’m not sure,” he mutters, eyes flitting over toward his mother, the worry in them clear as day. “I, uh, I don’t know if I can.”
I don’t miss the way Maya’s smile wavers.
I’ve seen Maya around on the weekends enough to know she’s been struggling since her divorce, putting in extra hours at work while still trying to be there for her son, and I’m sure it’s draining on her.
Football is a pricey sport to get into, and I’m sure she’s worried about the financial aspects as much as she is about the time commitment.
“I told you, we’ll make it work,” she tells him.
“But your work schedule…”
“Don’t worry about my work schedule. Besides, Aunt River can help get you to and from games and practices. It’ll all be fine.” She winks at her son. “Pinky promise, kiddo.”
Great. Because more River is just what I need in my life.
He rolls his eyes. “Mom, I’m too old for pinky promises.”
“Dude, you are never too old for pinky promises. They’re a binding contract no matter your age.”
He shrugs, shoving his face back in his phone and getting lost in whatever is on the screen.
“Kids.” Maya huffs.
I chuckle. “You’re preaching to the choir.”
“I don’t know how you do it. A classroom full of them…” She shakes her head. “I can barely handle the one I have.”
“To be fair, I get to go home at night and have a kid-free evening where I blast my music or play my guitar. I get a break, you don’t. That’s the difference.”
“Speaking of your evenings…you know you’re driving River nuts with that, right?”
I smirk. “Oh, I’m aware.”
She laughs at my lack of remorse. “Why do you insist on torturing my best friend?”
Just then, River comes waltzing out of the bathroom.
I’m unable to stop myself from admiring the way she carries herself with confidence, even in her hideous joggers and raggedy shirt.
She’s virtually dressed like a hobo and my dick still isn’t getting the memo that there’s nothing good that can ever come from getting excited about her.
Maya clears her throat, drawing my attention.
I peel my eyes away from River, doing my best to look like I wasn’t lusting after her best friend.
“Because she insists on torturing me.”
She quirks a brow, and I can see the questions forming on her lips.
“You’re still here?” River complains, unknowingly saving me from whatever Maya was about to ask. Thank fuck. She slides back onto her stool, glaring at me. “I thought if I took long enough, you’d be gone.”
“Leave without saying goodbye to my favorite nemesis? I don’t think so. Besides, I’m not done with my delicious cherry pie yet. It’s so warm, so sticky sweet… so perfect.”
Her nostrils flare as I slide a bite into my mouth.
“Mmm,” I moan. “So good.”
“Hate. You.”
“You wish you did.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come on, River. You’re obviously fixated on me.”
She curls her lip. “You’re disgusting.”
“Or I’m right.”
She blows out an exasperated breath. “And on that note, I’m leaving.”
“What? Why?” Maya sticks her bottom lip out in a pout.
“Aw, so soon?” I tease.
Her icy eyes land on me as she gathers her things. “Yeah, I want to stop by the shop before Caroline opens to check up on a few things. We could have had more time together if someone wasn’t late…”
“Blame your nephew.” Maya hitches a thumb toward her son. “It was his fault.”
“It’s always his fault.”
She shrugs. “Guess someone needs to get a better handle on him, then.”
“That’s your job.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me.” She stands and wraps her arms around River, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “You don’t need to work all the time, River. We’re all in this business together now. Take a day off.”
Not that I give a shit about what River does, because that would imply thinking about her in any capacity outside of her annoying me, but Maya’s right.
River is always working. It’s a miracle she even finds time to complain to the building manager about me—she’s hardly ever home.
“I know, I know. It’s my baby though. You have your kiddo to take care of, and I have mine. Besides, I could use some getting out of the apartment and not dwelling on my horrid love life.”
“I’ll give you that, but promise me it’ll be a quick in and out. Deal?”
“Deal.” River returns the hug. “Love you. I’ll call you later.” She ruffles Sam’s messy hair, which is the exact shade of his mother’s. “Later, kiddo. I’m picking you up for ice cream tomorrow morning, right?”
“Ice cream in the morning?”
“You’re one to talk.” She drops her eyes to the empty plate in front of me. “You just ate cherry pie for breakfast.”
“It has fruit in it…”
“Fine. I’ll make sure they throw a couple strawberries on his ice cream.” She tosses a wink at him like I can’t see her. “Extra strawberries—Mr. Evans said so.”
Sam scrunches his nose up. “Can you not?”
“Bye, Lucy.” River sends her a wave.
“Have a good day, love. Your secret’s safe with me.” She winks, and River’s cheeks heat again as her eyes dart my way.
“What secret?” I ask.
“It’s nothing,” Maya says, attempting to cover for her friend.
“Oh, it’s not nothing. It’s a disgusting notion that I’m secretly crushing on you, which is damn absurd if you ask me. It’s perfectly clear I hate your guts.”
Lucy thinks River is crushing on me?
Interesting…
“Isn’t that ridiculous?” She rolls her eyes. “You? Please. You would be so lucky.”
My lips twitch at her confidence. She’s so sure of herself.
“I don’t think lucky is the word you’re looking for here.”
“Oh, trust me. It is.”
I snort, pushing back from my stool, stacking the plates together, and balancing them on top of Leo’s hut.
I nod toward Maya and Sam. “See you guys next week.” I stop shoulder to shoulder with River and bend until my mouth is hovering at her ear.
“Trust me. It isn’t. And don’t worry, your secret crush is safe with me. ”
She cranes her neck to look up at me, her green and brown orbs full of ire.
I smirk. “Later, River.”