Page 59 of Taking the Pitch
Kessler chuckles and closes the door behind him. “I assure you, Coach, you’re not dreaming.”
“What is Amelia Morgan doing in your mom’s kitchen?” she asks, still shouting.
“No need to yell dear, we’re standing right here,” Marlene says, laughing and going over to Lucy, giving her a hug. When she pulls back, she sets her hand on Lucy’s stomach and rubs it.
“Sorry. Sorry, it’s just, you’re just. How?” Lucy asks, looking from Marlene to me.
I set the peeler down and wipe my hands on my apron, walking over to Lucy. I hold out my hand to her and say, “Hi, I’m Millie. Judd’s friend.”
A look of realization crosses Lucy’s face as she takes my hand. “Oh,you’rethe Millie he was talking about.”
He’s been talking about me?
“Uh, I guess?” I say, unsure of how to respond to that.
“Hmm,” Lucy hums, letting go of my hand and tipping her head. “Of course, Judd would go for someone completely out of his league.”
My cheeks heat at the statement.
Kessler laughs. “That sounds about right,” he says, wrapping an arm around Lucy’s shoulders and holding out his hand to me. “Kessler. Nice to meet you, Millie.”
I give his hand a shake. “It’s really nice to meet you too, Kessler. To say I’m not fangirling a little bit would be a lie.”
Lucy giggles and lightly smacks Kessler’s chest. “See, she’s a fan too.”
“I have your signed jersey hanging in my closet. My parents got it for me for my high school graduation present.”
“Jesus, that makes me feel old. How old are you, Millie?” Kessler asks.
Lucy smacks Kessler harder in the chest.
“Kessler Davis, you do not ask a woman their age,” Marlene chastises.
“Ow, what? It was a simple question,” he says, rubbing at his pec.
I chuckle. “No, it’s fine. I’m twenty-nine.”
“At least my brother isn’t robbing the cradle,” Kessler mutters, receiving another smack from Lucy.
“Fuck! What did I say now?” Kessler exclaims, moving away from Lucy before she can hit him again.
“Kessler Davis, language,” Marlene reprimands again. “I swear these boys.”
“He’s not robbing anything Kessler, they’re just friends,” Lucy says, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “I am so sorry about this neanderthal.”
“No need to apologize. I’m actually pretty entertained,” I chuckle again. I thought I would feel anxious meeting Judd’sfamily, but other than a few awkward mix ups about mine and Judd’s relationship status, I actually feel at ease.
Kessler puts an arm around the boy who’s been wordlessly watching our exchange and brings him forward. “Anyway, this is our son, Hudson.”
Hudson holds out his hand, and I take it, returning the shake. “Hi, Hudson, nice to meet you.”
“You too. Where’s Uncle Judd?” he asks, looking around the room.
Marlene tips her head to the back door. “Out back in the wood shop with Grandpa.”
Hudson takes off through the house and out that backdoor without another word.
“Sorry, we all take a back burner when it comes to Judd,” Lucy apologizes with a laugh.
