Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“We’ll try our best,” I said as Angel came striding up. Don and Elliot headed for Don’s one-ton pickup, a commercial model that managed to look more like my compact next to the two of them.
“What did Don have to say?” Angel narrowed her eyes and drew herself up to her full, not-substantial height.
“You can back down, Mama Bear,” I teased. “He and Joann wanted to extend their support. Also, we better win Friday.”
“You better.” She grinned at me, much warmer now. “And look at you, all official now. Mount Hope polo shirt. You even have a whistle.”
“I do.” I pulled the whistle off and twirled it around my fingers. “Coach Willard had another Portland appointment, so I had to run practice. You can thank me when Cosmo falls asleep right after dinner.”
“Ooh, Coach Capo made them run extra laps?” She pulled her planner out of her bag and thumbed through it. “I better make sure we’re having extra protein. Ah…taco night. Bet Cosmo eats ten.”
“Make it an even dozen.”
“You’re in a good mood.” She patted my shoulder as she peered closely at my face. “Are you happy? Like really happy? With coaching? And Caleb?”
“Yeah, yeah, I am.” I sounded dazed, but it was the truth. I just needed a little more time to get used to being this content and fulfilled.
“You deserve to be happy, Tony. I mean that.” Angel pulled me in for a hug. “You were always there for us, and we’re here for you now. And I, for one, am cheering you on.”
“And enjoying being right.” I gave her a loving yet pointed look.
“About relationships? Yup. Watching you eat crow there is all kinds of fun. Plus, we all love Caleb.”
“So do I,” I said absently, not realizing the implication until Angel made a giddy noise.
“Really? Have you told him that yet?” She rocked on her sneaker-clad feet.
“Uh…” I rolled my neck this way and that. “Not exactly. Kind of wrapping my own brain around the idea.”
“Tony.” Angel broke out the mom voice. “Life is short. Say the words. They matter.”
“I know. I’m just waiting for the right moment.” I stared at the empty bleachers, trying to quiet my suddenly speedy pulse. Love. Did I love him? How could I not? I swallowed hard.
“Are you seriously worried? That guy adores you. He loves you back. Trust.” Angel patted my cheek, forcing me to look at her. “And I know that’s not easy for you. I’m proud of you, big brother.”
“Mom!” Cosmo came ambling out of the locker room, followed by John and Scotty. “What’s for dinner?”
“Tacos. And we need to hit the store for some extra beef.” Angel leaned in to give me a final kiss on the cheek. “I need to go, but speaking of dinner, bring Caleb and Scotty around on Sunday afternoon. We’re going to grill. Our sisters are coming too.”
“Oh goody.” I knew better than to argue with a command invitation from Angel. “I’ll ask him to check his work schedule.”
“You do that.” Angel gave a little wave as she and Cosmo strode toward the parking lot.
“Yes! Dad’s here. I get driving practice.” John did a fist pump before getting a high-five from Scotty.
“Driving practice, huh?” I greeted Eric as he tossed John the car keys. John and Scotty raced toward the parking lot.
“We’ll wait for you,” John called over his shoulder. “Gotta get the right playlist up first.”
“Lord save me from John and Scotty’s musical taste.” Eric rubbed his temples. “But I promised we’d get some time in. Parking is still a challenge for him.”
“In that SUV? I imagine so.” I chuckled. “And John will appreciate the practice. He’s getting closer to solo outings, right?”
“Yeah. It’s hard letting go.” Exhaling, he glanced skyward. “I trust him to be a good kid, and Sean and I have taken him out a bunch over the last few months, but in my mind, he’s still ten or eleven. Always my kid.”
“I know.” I clapped him on the shoulder. “Trust is hard.”
I wished Angel had stuck around because she could offer better parenting advice. And trust was hard, but so was the alternative. In Eric’s case, he needed to trust John in order to keep a good relationship with him and as part of the growing-up process. In my case, I needed to trust Caleb and what we were building together because failing to trust might mean losing the best thing that had ever happened to me.
“How are you settling in to the coaching job? It feels like we’ve barely talked since school started despite living in the same house.”
“We’ve both been crazy busy.” I made a vague gesture because that wasn’t entirely the reason I hadn’t sought Eric out. “And things are really good. I love coaching, and we have a great team this year.”