Chapter 34

CHAPTER

THIRTY-FOUR

ALEXANDER

She was sick for two days, and I never left her side. I Door Dashed half a pharmacy the first night, so she had everything she needed to get better while the rest of my team rallied to help. Trevor, Matt, and Darcy kept Tyler and watched for signs of illness. Dani Face Timed him between naps, and Darcy sent periodic pictures of him having fun. Kate made Dani soup and bland foods her stomach could tolerate. I count my blessing that I have such a strong support system.

When she was awake and had the strength, she introduced me to her favorite television show and teased me about wearing a kilt. She underestimates my level of commitment. If it would make her happy, I’ll have one flown in from Scotland. Hell, I considered reaching out and having Jamie Fraser himself show up. Her historical romances aren’t really my thing, but with her tucked into my side, it’s something I’ll watch for hours.

She got sick several times over the next forty-eight hours, and I never flinched. When her clothes were in the laundry, she borrowed som e of mine. It was hotter than the sexy lingerie she had on. She’s so fucking sexy, no matter what she wears, but I gave her accolades for the effort.

Once her fever broke, she finally let me snuggle with her. Waking up with her in my arms was the most content I’ve ever been. She makes me feel whole. Settled. And it’s obviously not just about sex. I mean, hell, that’s amazing, but even this weekend where we barely kissed was great. It was real. Is this what it means in sickness and in health?

Thankfully, Tyler didn’t get sick. She convinced me to let her go home Sunday evening so they could be ready for school Monday morning. It damn near killed me, but I can’t keep her prisoner forever. Although I’d like to.

While the weekend didn’t go as planned, I wasn’t disappointed. Tyler had fun. I think Trevor, Matt, and Darcy did too. They took him to the park, worked with him on baseball skills, and Trevor let him design a jersey for the Pajamas next summer. The kid had the time of his life.

I won’t deny I was a little worried and hated seeing her sick and weak. It triggered a few flashbacks of my mom, but a stomach bug is different than cancer. My mother died ten years ago, and there were moments this weekend that had me thinking about those days. There wasn’t anything I could do but be by her side and watch her sleep. Make sure she was breathing. I spent some time reminiscing about my mom, and I’m convinced she’d chastise me for not settling down with a family by now. I also think she’d like Dani. Mom was a half-full perspective person, too. Like my Dani. I hated seeing Dani sick, but my sunshine was just knocked down for a few days. She’s strong. She’ll be fine.

This week she’s busy with school and Tyler, but we make time to text and talk in the evenings. Now that the season’s ended, I have more time to devote to her and Tyler, and they are my priority.

It’s Wednesday, so it’s practice for the Sluggers. I can’t wait to surprise the kids with a few special guests. Most players go home for the off-season, but a few haven’t left yet or make Charlotte home. Matt, Tripp, and Luis are meeting me at the field this afternoon. When I pull up, I smile at the sight of the new bleachers that were installed this week. At least those wooden deathtrap things are gone.

“Hiya, coach.” I see Tyler walking to my car with a beaming Dani behind him. She’s wearing an oversized Reapers sweatshirt she must have “borrowed” from my closet when she was over yesterday for our afternoon delight. It was the highlight of my day.

I crouch down to meet him at eye level. “Hey, Tyler. How was school today?” He shrugs. “Nope. I need words. Didn’t you work on sight words today?”

“Y.E.S.” I suppress my laugh at his smart-ass response. This kid is funny.

I arch my eyebrow at him. Why is he in a mood? Or is this just typical six-year-old behavior? I’m learning a lot about kids here, and surprisingly, I’m enjoying it. “And how did you do?”

“Fine. I got them all right.” He looks in my car and sees the bucket with balls and a bag with other supplies. “Want help with the balls?”

“Sure.” I reach in, get a small bucket, and set it between us. He puts his glove on top, carries it toward the field, and joins a few of the other kids that beat us here.

I give Dani an appraising look up and down. “Nice shirt.”

“This old thing? It was just lying around, nothing special.” Her smile lets me know she’s not ashamed to be a clothes thief. My return grin lets her know I’m not mad about it either. It’s a total turn-on to see her in my clothes.

We’re still keeping our relationship on the down-low for now, especially from Tyler, so PDA is out. I respect that boundary, even though I want to stand at the top of those new bleachers and claim this woman as mine. She’s calling the shots here.

“Hey, boss,” Tripp says as he walks up to me and Dani. Luis and Matt are with him. “Glad you’re feeling better,” he says to Dani.

“Much.”

“ Chica ,” Luis says as he goes in for a hug with Dani. I clench my fists as he kisses her on the cheek.

“Down, boy,” Tripp says under his breath.

“I didn’t know you guys were coming,” Dani says, her smile lighting up the parking lot. “Tyler’s going to be ecstatic!”

“Y’all mind getting the equipment out of my car? Coach Mayhew isn’t here tonight, so start with playing catch with the kids, will you? I need to talk to Dani for a minute.”

“Sure, no problem, boss,” Matt snickers.

I reach for her and pull her behind my car, out of view of the field. My mouth descends on hers, and I do my best to keep our kiss PG. Well, maybe PG-13. “Do you know how fucking sexy you are?” I say against her lips.

“Hi to you too.” She touches my cheek, grounding me and reminding me where I am.

“Can I take you and Tyler to dinner tonight?” I’ve been good about meeting her where she is, not pushing, but now that I have a little more downtime, I can only think about how I want to be with her. Them. All the time.

“Sure, but nothing too late. It’s a school night, you know.” She gives me a little wink. She reminds me about her early bedtime on school nights because she’s not a morning person, and school starts way too early for her liking.

“How about I bring takeout to your place? I’ll cut practice a little short. I brought reinforcements to help.”

“I see that. Where’s Trevor?”

“Therapy kicked his butt. I think he’s home crying in his beer.” Trevor is doing great and got a walking cast last week. I expect him to go home soon now that he’s more mobile. A few months ago, I was a content bachelor, happy to live alone and according to my schedule. Between having Trevor as a roommate and Dani and Tyler in my life, the thought of living alone isn’t as appealing as it used to be. Another thought I’ve been pondering more often than not these days.

“Oh, his poor liver,” she teases. She boops me on the nose. “You better go, Coach. Those guys need help.”

“Hey, I’ve seen some improvements.” They’re doing better. In our last game, almost all the balls thrown were in the right vicinity.

“I meant the Reapers, not the Sluggers.” Her laugh fills my heart, and I give her one of my smiles that is only for her. She stands on her tip-toes and gives me a chaste kiss, and as she walks away, I swat at her ass. It’s such a nice ass.

As predicted, the kids hang on every word the guys share. They listen and work hard to do what they say. Tyler’s enamored with Matt and couldn’t pick a better baseball role model. Matt’s a stand-up guy, a hard worker, and keeps his life clean. He’s in love with a sweet girl, and I can see that relationship staying solid. Pro athletes have a lot to juggle, and given Matt’s age and how he was thrust into the national spotlight so quickly, I would typically worry about him, but he’s handling it like a champ. Jules is stepping up as more than an agent for him, guiding him with finances, his work-life balance, and even his relationship. He’ll be a hell of a franchise player for us for years to come. His future is bright, and with that realization, I’m wondering if Dani has changed me into a half-full kind of guy.

“All right, let’s huddle up,” I yell. The kids come running. Some are out of balance from the oversized gloves and practically fall, and I flinch and chuckle at the same time. “Take a knee.” I smile as even my Reapers do it. “Good practice. I’m seeing lots of improvement.” I’m greeted with smiles, a few missing teeth here or there, and they almost look like hockey players. “Now, who had fun?” Hands shoot up quickly, especially my Reapers. Luis puts his hand on Cruz’s head, and he turns and looks up at him in awe. Luis turns the kid’s head back to me. “Good job. Everyone pick up all the balls and put them back in the buckets. Snacks in the dugout. I’ll see you all on Saturday, ok ay? It’s our last game. Let’s end this season strong.” Heads nod, and Dynasty’s hand goes up.

“Yes, Dynasty?”

“Will Mr. Tripp be back Saturday?” She looks at him like he hung the moon. I think Tripp has an admirer.

Tripp chuckles. “I’ll see what I can do.” I think he’s blushing from the attention of a seven-year-old girl. It’s adorable. I thought he was headed to Cancun, but maybe he’ll wait a few days. Our annual guy’s trip was pushed back because of the World Series, and now, looking at these faces, we can’t miss this game. What’s another few days before vacation?

It’s time to focus on my evening. Tyler is sitting in the dugout, talking Matt’s ear off. Matt laughs and seems to enjoy the conversation. I enter the dugout and hear Tyler talking about Joe and Mickey.

“But don’t tell Mom, okay? I’m not supposed to let them sleep with me,” Tyler says as I walk up.

Matt looks up to me for help in how to respond. I shrug. I’m not sure what the proper protocol is when kids confess something they aren’t supposed to do. Do I tell Dani? Is it my place to step in?

I squat down in front of Tyler. “You know, bud, maybe don’t do that. What if you roll over on them or they fall off the bed? They could get hurt. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

Tyler looks shocked. The thought of them getting injured never crossed his mind. “No! I don’t want them to get hurt. I love them so much.”

Matt taps the bill of Tyler’s hat. “Yeah, Coach is right. Probably not best for them. Besides, they have their own bed to sleep in. We all need to sleep in our own beds, you know.”

I look at Matt and smirk. Look at us figuring out this parenting thing. Of course, I’d give anything to sleep in Dani’s bed. Waking up with her would be the best part of my day. But it’s not best for her and Tyler, so we haven’t managed any more overnights. Yet .

“Hey Tyler, instead of going out, I thought I’d bring dinner to your house. What would you like to eat tonight? You did so great in practice, so you name it.” I’m still learning kid cuisine but I’ve learned chicken fingers are on every menu in town.

He twists his mouth while he thinks. “Mcdonald’s cheeseburger?”

“Done.” I guess I’ll be swinging by two places because I can’t remember the last time I ate a fast-food burger, and I’d prefer to keep it that way.

“Oh, that sounds good,” Matt says. “This week is a cheat week before I start bulking up for next season.” He looks at me, letting me know he’s still focused on his career, even in the offseason. “I’m headed out. See ya’ around, Tyler.”

“Bye, Matt,” Tyler says, holding his hand out for a fist bump. Matt obliges. He’s Captain America, all-around nice kid.

“Come on, buddy. Let’s go find your mom, and I’ll be by soon with your dinner.” Who knew I’d be a Door Dash driver in the offseason?