Page 51 of Catching the Coach
I look at my watch. “In about 20 minutes.”
“Should we wear our jerseys?”
I shrug my shoulders “If you want.”
Hudson and Kade look at each other, as if having a silent conversation, then nod their heads at each other. Hudson races to his room and Kade turns and runs out the back door. Kara and I laugh and shake our heads.
20 minutes and two jersey changes later, the boys are sitting in the living room playing video games, waiting for Kessler. I hear a vehicle pull up in my driveway and a few seconds later a knock sounds at my door.
Before I can even get off my stool to answer it, the boys have both abandoned their controllers and race to the door. Hudson flings it open to reveal Kessler standing there with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a boyish grin on his face.
He holds out his free hand and gives them each a fist bump. “Boys, are we ready to watch some baseball and stuff our faces with hot dogs and nachos?” Both boys shout out ‘yeah’ and pump their fists in the air. Kessler chuckles. “Love the enthusiasm.”
He looks over at me and I make my way over to him, fighting a wave of shyness that’s come over me. He moves past the boys and meets me halfway. “These are for you,” he says handing me the flowers and leaning down to give me a kiss.
Mmm, I’ve missed these lips, even though I just kissed him this morning.
We hear gagging behind us and break apart looking towards the door. Kade and Hudson are both covering their mouths, pretending to throw up.
“Ok, knock it off you two stooges,” Kara says from her seat at the island.
I laugh and nod my head towards the TV. “Shut the game off and put the controllers away so you guys can get going.”
We hear “so gross” and “I’m never having a girlfriend” as they clean up their mess and head back to the door.
“Thank you for taking them tonight. I know they are going to have an absolute blast.” I take my flowers and lay them on the island. “Try to limit the amount of junk food though please, I don’t need Hudson missing practice tomorrow. Oh, that reminds me.” I walk over to the entry table and grab my purse. “I’ll give you money for his stuff.” I’m digging in my purse for my wallet when I feel Kessler come up behind me and hands grab my purse.
“Absolutely not,” he says setting down my purse. “I got it.”
“But,” I start.
Kessler puts his hands on my arms. “No. I invited the boys, I’m paying.” His voice says that’s final. I stare up at him and swallow, his alpha voice doing things to me downstairs. I feel my cheeks heat a little and a little smirk crosses his face. “We better get going, I’m sure traffic is going to be a nightmare.” He leans down and gives me another kiss, this one a little harder than the last.
The boys groan beside us and I can feel Kessler’s lips turn up in a smile before he pulls away. He walks over to the door and drapes his arms across the boy’s shoulders. “Boys, one day you’re going to find a girl who completely turns your world upside down. When you do, I hope I’m there to gag when you guys kiss.” He turns and gives me a wink, then ushers the boys out the door and into the truck. He honks his horn twice and gives me a wave as they drive off.
Kara sighs from behind me. “You guys are so freaking cute.”
I shut the door and make my way back to the kitchen to take care of the flowers. “It almost feels too good to be true Kar,” I say, grabbing a vase and filling it with water. I trim the ends of the flowers and arrange them in the vase. They’re the same kind he had sent to my office. I inhale the sweet lily scent and sigh.
Kara’s smiling at me from across the island. “What? Do I have something on my face?” I ask, reaching up and swiping at my cheeks.
She shakes her head, her smile growing bigger. “I’m just so happy for you.”
I walk around the island and sit down next to her, bumping her shoulder with mine. “Thanks, Kar.” I give her a sad smile. “I want you to be happy too.”
She waves me off. “Don’t worry about me. I had the love of my life. I’m content with how life is now. I have you, my mom, and the boys. I don’t need anyone else.”
I put an arm around her shoulder. “Not even, oh I don’t know, an ice cream man?” I tease.
Kara barks out a laugh and gives me a small shove. “Nope, I am not going there.”
I’m about to question her more when there’s a knock at the door. Kara hops off her stool and practically runs to the door. “That must be Marie!” She flings open the door revealing Marie with two boxes of pizza from Tony’s.
“Sorry I’m late,” Marie says, setting the pizza down on the island. “What did I miss?”
“Oh nothing,” Kara says, grabbing plates from the cupboard.
“Kara has a thing for Kessler’s ice cream man,” I announce.
