Page 52 of Dibs
Chase glanced at his phone. “I better get going. It’s getting late, and I know you have work in the morning.”
“Yeah, and I have Coastside’s first scrimmage after school tomorrow.”
We stood and walked to the front door. “Are you excited?”
I nodded. “And nervous. Coaching high school kids is different from travel ball. Some of them are depending on baseball to get into college. I hope I can help them achieve that dream.”
He reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “You were an amazing baseball player in college, and from what I saw in Arizona, you are an outstanding coach. You’re going to do great.”
It felt nice to know he was confident in my abilities. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
A look passed between us, and we both moved in simultaneously. Our kiss was brief but no less passionate than our other ones.
He opened the door to leave before whispering, “Video call me later when you’re naked and in bed.”
I chuckled. “I will.”
17
CHASE
Saunteringup the front walk to Jamie’s house, I slid my phone into my back pocket and then rang her doorbell. It was my week coming up with the kids and since they came over to my place from school, I usually picked up their bags if they had anything they wanted to bring over so they didn’t have to drag it with them all day.
When Jamie opened the door, I expected her to have the bags in her hand and we’d make small talk for a minute and then I would be on my way. Instead, her hands were empty, and she asked, “Have a minute to come inside and chat?”
I cocked my head slightly. “This doesn’t sound good.”
She smiled warmly. “We haven’t had a chance to sit down and talk just the two of us like we used to. Was hoping you had time to do so.”
“Yeah, is everything okay?” I stepped into her house.
“Everything is fine. Want something to drink?”
“Sure, water please.” I followed her to the kitchen and sat at the island as she went to the fridge for a bottle of water.
She handed it to me. “How are you and Gage doing?”
I frowned. “Is that what this is about?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Well, kinda. We just haven’t had a chance to talk since I saw—you know.”
“And you want to ask me about it?”
“I know it’s none of my business, but I have so many questions.”
Even though Jamie and I were divorced and had been for several years, we were still close. I’d figured she would have bombarded me later that night after she caught me and Gage, but she hadn’t. I didn’t mind giving her the answers she was seeking because, at the end of the day, we’d remained friends. I also felt if she were dating someone and I had questions, she would be forthcoming too.
“All right. Let me have them.” I took a sip of water.
“Okay.” She beamed. “When? How? Who made the first move? Have you always been into men? Has Gage? Did you date—”
“James.” I chuckled. “I get it. You want to know it all.”
“I mean, this isn’t just you dating a woman.”
“I know.”
It was so much more, and not because Gage was a man, but because I hadn’t felt the connection with someone like I had with him since Jamie, and even then, it wasn’t the same. Gage was different, and I didn’t know why.
