Page 64 of Catching the Coach
“What did you say?”
I shake my head. “Nothing, Lucy cut her finger on the plate and I figured it wouldn’t be a good time to say that’s what I intend to do.”
Reese whips his head around to look at me and stumbles, he grabs onto the handle to keep from eating shit. I chuckle and increase the speed on my treadmill to a slow jog.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” Reese asks, righting himself and increasing his speed too.
“I know it’s crazy, but that’s where I see this relationship going. When we were at my mom’s for dinner the other night, it just felt…right. Like this is where they belong. With me.”
Reese is quiet for a beat like he’s mulling something over. “Are you sure this isn’t just new relationship feelings? I know it’s been a while since you’ve been with anyone.”
I get where he’s coming from, it’s been at least two years since I’ve dated anyone, but I know what I feel, and it’s not what I’ve felt for anyone before. I tell him as much. I shake my head. “No, this is real. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. She’s it for me.”
I slow my treadmill down to an easy walk. The nervous energy dissipates and leaves me much calmer. Maybe admitting my feelings to someone was what I needed.
Reese slows down with me. “Well then I’m happy for you man. I can’t wait to get to know her better. And I better be the fucking best man at your wedding. Brent can fuck right off.”
I laugh. “I think my brother would have something to say about that. Plus I have to ask her first and we are definitely not there yet.”
We walk for a few more minutes and hop off, each grabbing waters from the fridge and chugging them down. Heading back to the locker room, I stop Reese at the doors. “Hey, can you not mention anything I told you back there to anyone? Brent can’t keep his mouth shut to save his life and I don’t need anything getting back to Lucy and freaking her out. I already feel like I’m pushing it on how fast we’re going.”
Reese claps me on the back. “Your secret’s safe with me bud.”
“Thanks,” I say, opening the door to the locker room.
We head to our lockers and suit up.
* * *
We’re out on the field stretching, making sure we stay warm before the game. Fans are starting to fill the stands and I check the entrance for what seems like the hundredth time looking for Lucy and Hudson. I’m just about to turn back when I see Charlie make her way out of the dugout with one of the team photographers, followed by Hudson, then Lucy. Lucy steps onto the field and we lock eyes.
Seeing her in my jersey and knowing my name is on her back sets my blood on fire. I make my way over to them, my eyes on Lucy the whole time. The closer I get the bigger her smile gets. When I reach her, I take her into my arms. She places her arms on mine and stares up into my eyes. The air crackles between us, like it has since the day we met. Everything else fades into the background as I lean down and whisper into her ear.
“You look so fucking sexy with my name on your back.”
Lucy shivers and softly chuckles. “Kessler, we’re in public. People are looking.” Her eyes flit around us.
I grip her chin between my thumb and finger and tip her head back, so she’s looking at me. “Let them look,” I say, leaning down and sealing my lips over hers. She’s stiff at first. I move my hand to the back of her neck and deepen the kiss. She sighs and relaxes into me, moving a hand from my arm to the front of my chest.
I hear some whooping in the distance, and someone clears their throat, breaking us apart. Lucy’s cheeks turn a deep red color and she tucks her face into my chest. I chuckle and wrap my arm around her back and turn us toward Charlie and Hudson. Charlie gives me a smirk and Hudson looks like he’d rather be anywhere but where his mom is making out with her boyfriend.
“Let’s get a couple of shots of you three at home plate, then we can get Lucy and Hudson to their seats,” Charlie says.
We nod and pose at home plate. The photographer takes a few shots, then lets us know he’s got a few good ones to work with. “We’ll pick out the best ones and send them over to Dale for approval. The article will be released right before the game starts,” Charlie says, clicking through her phone.
“Thanks Charlie,” I tell her and she nods in response and stands by the dugout entrance, waiting to take Lucy and Hudson to their seats.
I look at Hudson, who’s looking around, watching all the pregame stuff in awe. An idea strikes me and I turn to Lucy. “Can I take Hudson?”
She scrunches her eyebrows. “Take him where? You have a game soon.”
“To do pregame stuff with me, hang out in the locker room.” I lift a shoulder. “Guys bring their kids all the time.”
“But he’s not your kid,” she says quietly in disbelief.
I run my hand down her back resting it at the dip at the bottom. I give her a look before saying, “Not yet, Lucy. But those are just minor details. I love that kid like he’s mine and that’s all that matters.”
Tears well up in Lucy’s eyes and she tries hard to blink them away, but one escapes and runs down her cheek. I swipe it away with my thumb and lean down to give her a soft kiss. When I pull back I make the decision to tell her.
