Page 32 of The Ex Next Door (Charming, Texas #8)

A fter practice, or scrimmage, or whatever you wanted to call it, Amy thought her kids deserved a treat.

“How’s pizza for dinner?”

“Yay!” David said.

“Thanks, Mommy!” Naomi said.

Since both Amy and Bianca were upset to see a grown man behave the way Mark had, Amy could only imagine how the kids were feeling. Bianca took Matthew home, apologizing to anyone who would listen for her husband’s behavior. Amy promised to call her later and drop by for a playdate soon.

Then Amy and Declan took a detour to The Pie in the Sky, home of the best pizza in Charming, Texas.

“Did I ever tell you that your mom and I used to come here all the time?” Declan said.

“Really?” David asked.

“Yeah, she was my best friend.”

“You never told me that,” David said.

“Mommy, you were best friends with a boy?” Naomi’s eyes went wide.

They’d chosen to sit across from each other, and she gazed at him now with tender familiarity and what she could only call love. Yes, in many ways he’d been her best friend. She’d heard it said that the best relationships started with a friendship, and that’s how she and Dec had started out.

Declan was amazing and understanding. He did not want to push anything and have a reaction similar to the one David had with Rob’s girlfriend. She appreciated him more than she could say.

“We both had other friends, of course, and all my other friends were girls. All his other friends were fellow baseball players. But yes, Declan was my best friend. We were close.”

“Like me and Matthew?” David said.

“Yes, kind of like that.”

“But we were older,” Declan said. “Teenagers.”

“I’ll still be friends with Matt when we’re teenagers,” David said.

“I think so, too,” Declan said.

“Mommy, why was Matthew’s dad yelling at the coach?” Naomi said.

“Um, well, it sounds like he needed to take a time-out. He got a little too excited about the game,” Amy editorialized.

Best not to explain to Amy that Mark was probably having a career crisis and might be struggling with his own self-worth.

With Matt presenting an aptitude, he felt he had to jump on that.

She couldn’t blame him or Bianca for wanting to support their son’s interests and abilities, but she hoped they wouldn’t make Matt’s talents about them. It seemed Mark already had.

“He just wanted us to win so bad,” David explained to his sister. “And he got upset because Matt struck out.”

“You did good.” Naomi patted his shoulder. “You hit the ball.”

“Yeah, but I got out pretty quick.” David shook his head. “I flew right to the second base.”

“It happens,” Declan said. “You have your strengths else where. So did I, by the way. I once led my team in the season’s strikeouts.”

“So, you were the worst player?” David stared, jaw gaping.

“No, he wasn’t.” Amy shook her head. “He was the best pitcher by far.”

“Hey, you miss 100 percent of the swings you never take.” Declan laughed. “Anyway, don’t tell your coach I said that.”

After they finished their pizza, David and Naomi wanted to play some of the arcade games, so Amy gave them some change. She’d now at least have a few minutes alone with Declan.

“Tell me more about the job.” She reached across the table and squeezed his hand.

Surely this small amount of PDA would be allowed.

The kids were busy, after all, and maybe she could let some of her feelings seep through.

She loved this man, loved everything about him, and couldn’t believe she’d forgotten him for so many years.

Part of that forgetting, of course, had been self-preservation.

“Remember Tyrone? He’s the principal at our old high school and has been trying to recruit me since I left Houston.”

“What made you change your mind?”

He shrugged. “I think it’s time.”

“We’re going to miss you at the Salty Dog. What will Debbie do without her nightly coaching talk?”

Declan laughed. “You’re the one who made me realize it’s in my blood. I can’t escape who I am, and just being around David has brought the rest to me. Damn it, I love baseball. Always have, always will.”

“I know you do. And I bet you’re a great teacher, too. I’ve already seen how good you are with David.”

“You won’t be working at the bar much longer, either. I’m sure you’ll get an offer as soon as you’re ready.”

“Let’s hope.”

They just grinned across the table at each other, and she felt caught in a love spell. This was how they’d been all those years ago but without all the experiences and changes between them. They were like two different people, who simply looked like older versions of the previous Amy and Declan.

“I have an idea. We should pretend we don’t know anything about each other, like this is the first time we’ve ever met. Start over, blank slate.” She swiped at an imaginary whiteboard.

He cocked his head. “Right here, right now?”

“Sure. Like one of those speed date thingies they used to do back in the day.” She offered her outstretched hand. “Hi, I’m Amy Holloway, nice to meet you.”

“I’m Declan Sheridan. I work as a bartender, but don’t hold that against me. I give great advice on any given night. I played major league baseball until I got injured, then I taught and coached high school baseball. Thinking about going back to it. How about you?”

“You see those little people over there? They’re mine. Twins, nine years old. Naomi and David.”

“I love kids and I’m not just saying this but yours look exceptionally smart.” He leaned back in his seat. “So, Amy. Are you thinking you’ll have any more kids? Or is two the limit for you?”

The question made her heart jerk as if coming out of a trance. These were exactly the type of questions asked on a first date. Or a dating app’s questionnaire.

After David and Naomi, she swore she wouldn’t have more children.

How could she when she’d been gifted with both a boy and a girl at the same time?

But everything had changed. She was looking across the table at a man who, in her humble opinion, should procreate because those perfect genes deserved to be spread around.

And that wasn’t even mentioning his emotional intelligence. He’d be a great father.

“I want more kids. Yes.”

“Good to know.” He cleared his throat. “And I’m to assume that you’re not soured on marriage, since it didn’t work out the first time?”

“I would get married again to the right person. I like being married.”

He touched his chest. “I’ve never been married.”

“I won’t hold that against you.”

“Any old boyfriends out there I should be worried about?”

“Actually, yes. There is someone.”

“Ah. Thanks for the warning. Is he still in your life?”

“He reappeared again after a long absence, but he was always someone very special to me. If you want to know the truth, I’ve always loved him, and let’s just say if he decides he wants another chance… Well, you’re going to have some stiff competition.”

“Good to know.”

If only Amy could freeze time, she’d take this moment and relive it over and over again.

This moment when Declan heard her admit she loved him, and his face…

changed. Every hard angle in his face relaxed and softened.

In those few seconds, she saw shades of the young man he’d been juxtaposed to the one he’d become.

She also saw a hint of the older man he’d be when his perfect face acquired some deep crevices and wrinkles. His golden looks would never leave him.

She could almost see the years stretching head of her, the children they would have, a home, jobs, vacations, the illnesses, their aging parents. She would love him through every piece of it.

Her golden boy.

* * *

Later, after he’d taken Amy and the kids home and managed somehow to sneak a kiss, Declan went home, switched on the TV and caught up on the sports recap.

One thing he hadn’t done in a long time is call his father to discuss the league standings.

Dan Sheridan lived for that stuff even more than Declan.

It occurred to him that on some level he’d been punishing his father.

Without realizing it, he’d created this distance between them because he’d sensed how much they were alike.

When exploring this through the lens of harsh parental judgment, Declan honestly didn’t want to be like his father.

He’d tried like hell for years to be his own man but today had reminded him of something significant.

His father was never one to call out or criticize a coach, whether it be pro sports or Little League, even in instances where his own knowledge superseded the coach’s by leaps and bounds.

The sad state of affairs he’d witnessed today reminded him that winning was all that mattered to some people.

But not his dad. He’d told him early on he was only in competition with himself.

For years, Declan hadn’t listened, or more than likely, he’d heard the louder voices.

The voices telling him he’d never be anyone if he couldn’t make it to the major leagues.

But his father, again, had been at him like that damn woodpecker.

“You never give up on something you love. If you can no longer play the game, there’s always another way to give back.”

Declan had let one bad, okay, horrible experience sideline him and that wasn’t how he’d been raised.

He picked up the phone and dialed. “Hey, Mom. Is Dad around?”

“Watching the sports wrap-up,” she said. “How are you, sweetie?”

“Looks like I’m going back to teaching soon.”

She might be trying to disguise it well, but even Declan heard the thick emotion in his mother’s voice. “Oh. That’s…wonderful. Just wonderful.”

“I’m finally ready.”

“I’ll get your father.” He heard the sounds of her wandering through the house. “Dan? Dan! Turn that down. Here, it’s your son.”

“Which one?” His father took the phone and the sounds of ESPN finally muted. “Hello, son!”

“Hey, Dad. Number two here.”

“Hello, number two! Did you get a chance to see that line drive today? It was a thing of beauty.”

For a few more minutes they discussed the season so far. Lots of hopes for their beloved Astros, looking good but still a long way to go to the playoffs.

“Looks like I’m going back to teaching and coaching,” Declan finally said.

“Is that right? How about that.”

Declan heard the smile in his father’s voice.

“Yeah, don’t act so surprised. There’s no way I could stay away forever. I love baseball, and I always have. I just… I guess I needed that break from all the things I have to do that aren’t baseball. You know?”

“I know. And for what it’s worth, I might have done the same in your position.”

Declan doubted it but it was kind of his father to say.

Dan Sheridan just never gave up on people, and he’d been a shining example to his sons.

Not just for positive thinking and setting goals, but for loving a woman and dedicating his life to their family.

It was the one way in which Declan hoped to emulate him most.

“In case you didn’t know, I was yanking your chain about the project next door. You know, the chart I drew up on the back of a napkin?”

“Like I didn’t realize that,” his father snorted. “I still had to admire your tenacity.”

“No doubt you’d find something to admire if I rolled up in a corner like a potato bug and refused to move.”

“Sure. I’d compliment your form.” Dan chuckled.

“Also, um, Amy? She and I… We’re seeing each other again. If there’s something I’ve learned the hard way, it’s that you don’t turn your back on a second chance. And she’s giving me one.”

“I always liked Amy.”

“Of all the things you taught me, Dad, loving your wife was probably the most important. Finn and I both had the best example of how to be a good husband and father. I admit I didn’t always want to be just like you, but I’ve accepted that I am. And I’m lucky.”

“Hang on a second,” his father said, not exactly what Declan had expected him to say.

A moment later, his mother was back on the phone again. “Honey, what did you say to your father? He’s crying.”

Declan laughed, wiping one of his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Nothing but good things, Ma. Nothing but good things. I’m sure he’ll explain. Tell him I’ll talk to him later. Anyway, just give him this message—me, too.”

With that, Declan hung up and went to find his planner. It was tucked away in the drawer of his nightstand, and he hadn’t looked at it for a while. But now it was time to plan the next few months and how he would make the move from bartender back to teacher and coach.