Page 45 of Catching the Coach
I don’t answer her right away, thinking about it. Do I? I’m not sure. “I uh, well, I haven’t dated in 12 years so I guess I never gave it much thought.” I shrug my shoulders.
Marlene pauses her glass halfway to her lips. “12 Years? You haven’t been with anyone for 12 years?”
I shake my head and take a generous sip of my wine, silently praying this doesn’t go where I think it’s going to go.
Marlene sits there in silence for a few beats before taking a sip of her own wine. “Kessler said Hudson’s father isn’t in the picture. Obviously, there’s a reason for it, so I’m not going to pry.” She pats my hand. “But I will say this. Kessler doesn’t give his heart easily. So please, try not to let your past experiences ruin any future you may have with my son.”
I give her a nod, mulling her words over in my head.
Kessler comes over and plops down in his chair next to me as I stifle a yawn.
“We should probably head back soon. Hudson has school tomorrow right?”
I nod and finish the last of my wine. I stand up and stretch. Kessler stands up and takes me in his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck and look up at him. He places a soft kiss on my lips then one on my forehead. “Let’s get you two home,” he says.
We head over to everyone and tell them we’re taking off.
“I should probably head out too,” Judd says, gathering the remaining S’mores supplies and putting them back into the tupperware container. “We have an afternoon game against the Devils tomorrow and I’m starting.”
My body tenses hearing the name of the team he’s playing against, but no one seems to notice.
“Then we play against you guys on Thursday. Hope you’re ready to get your asses handed to you,” Kessler says, thumping Judd hard on the back.
“Bring it, Brotato,” Judd says, thumping him back just as hard.
“OK you two, that’s enough thumping for one night,” Marlene says. “We’ll walk you guys out.”
We all head back through the house and out to the front porch. Marlene and Henry give Hudson and I hugs. Judd fist bumps Hudson and gives me a hug. Kessler hugs his parents and slaps Judd on the back. We head to the truck and wave our goodbyes as we back out of the driveway. Kessler takes my hand in his and we drive back to my house, Hudson and Kessler joking around and talking about baseball the whole way.
CHAPTERELEVEN
lucy
Me
SOS
Marie
Uh Oh, Whats up
Kara
You’re alive!
Me
I need a girls night stat.
Marie
I’m free tonight.
Kara
Same. I can ask Mom to watch the boys at our house for a few hours.
Me
