Page 55 of Dibs
“I am, but what if he doesn’t love me back? We’re both new to this.”
He chuckled slightly. “You’re not new to love, Chase.”
“True, but what if I tell him and he doesn’t love me back?” I asked again.
“That, I don’t know. It’s a risk you take when telling anyone. Aron told me first, and I admitted I was in love with him too.”
“Oh.” My shoulders sagged.
“But you won’t know how he feels until you ask, right?”
“Yeah,” I breathed, agreeing.
I wasn’t sure why it scared me so much to admit my feelings to Gage. I’d never had that problem before. When I told Jamie I loved her before summer break at the end of my junior year, I knew she loved me. I didn’t know how, but at the time, I didn’t doubt she would reciprocate the feelings—and I was right. But I didn’t know how Gage felt.
What if he didn’t love me back?
* * *
A few days later,I held tryouts for the travel team. Most everyone from the fall ball team returned, and there were some fresh faces. After talking it out with Gage, I had my team.
When I retired, I knew my life was going to change. I wouldn’t have guessed how much so. Given that I had spent a lot of time on the road in my career, now that I was done, I wanted to attend every dance recital for Cammie, every baseball game for Jase, and whatever else I normally missed. I had no idea I would become Jase’s coach, but I was looking forward to teaching him and his peers everything I knew. Even if they were only eleven.
With the start of practices for my team and Gage having his games and practices after school and on weekend for his high school team, we spent less time together. It wasn’t for lack of trying; we were both just busy.
After my practice ended, I dropped Jase off at Jamie’s because it was her week with the kids. Knowing Gage had a home game, I drove toward the high school. Once I was there, I parked, grabbed a baseball cap out of my back seat, and made my way to the field. I spotted him immediately where he stood in the opening of the dugout. He hadn’t seen me arrive, nor did he know I was coming, so I made my way into the stands, not wanting to distract him.
“The new coach is so hot,” a woman in the row in front of me said to two other women.
“He was my daughter’s history teacher two years ago, and let’s just say, the parent-teacher night was my favorite event of the year,” another one said.
“I wouldn’t mind having detention with him,” the third lady admitted.
I grunted a small laugh, trying not to be noticed, but it made me snigger since I’d once wanted Gage to punish me in detention too.
“Well, I’m the single mom here, so I’m calling dibs.”
If only they knewIwas the one to call dibs first.
18
GAGE
“How was band rehearsal?”I asked Tyler as he climbed into the Tahoe.
My oldest may not have been interested in playing baseball, but he’d inherited my love for music and had started a band with a couple of his friends.
“It was good. I think we’re ready for the talent show auditions. And …”
“And?” I prompted as I backed out of the driveway.
“Quinn came to watch us practice.”
I still hadn’t met Quinn, but the two of them had continued to text non-stop after he’d admitted he liked her, and he still seemed smitten with the girl. The fear he’d get too wrapped up with his first girlfriend, as I had in high school, was always in the back of my mind, but he kept his grades up and still took part in things he enjoyed, so I tried not to worry too much.
“That’s cool, and I’m sure you’re going to rock the audition.”
“Thanks. So, how long will it take for us to get to LA?” he questioned, and I backed out of the driveway. Dylan was playing in a tournament there and the Mavericks first game was scheduled at ten the following day, so most families were already at the hotel, including Dylan, who had ridden with Chase. Tyler and I were getting a late start since he’d had practice, and my team had had a game right after school.
