Page 82 of Need You To Choose Me

The hair at my nape rises at his words. “What people?”

“Just people.” Aaron shrugs.

I cross my arms over my chest, the muscle in my jaw twitching. “And what were those people saying?”

If somebody was talking bullshit about Savannah, I’ll need to have a chat with them. Freaking small-town gossips.

“That the new coach is flirting with our favorite teacher during football practice.”

Seriously?

“We’re both coaching the peewee team.”

Aaron raises his brow. “So, there was no touching during practice?”

I could still feel the silkiness of Savannah’s skin under my fingertips as my hand found that little patch of flesh on the small of her back. I could see the way her teeth sunk into her lower lip and that heated look in her eyes as they met mine. I could feel the shudder that rocked her body.

My fingers curl into a fist as I try to keep my cool.

Okay, so there had been a little bit of touching, completely unintentionally and innocently.

“You’re making it seem like I was groping her in public or some shit.”

“Hey, I’m not saying anything.” Aaron lifts his palms. “I’m just telling you what people have been saying in town.”

“Who?”

“Lucy Donovan.”

“Shit.” I lift my hat and run my fingers through my hair.

I guess she didn’t like that I brushed her off yesterday like I did. The woman’s been trying to get my attention since that first day. I knew her type. I avoided it in a wide circle. Even ifSavannah wasn’t in the picture, I’d do the same. She reminded me too much of my ex. Somebody who’s only focused on what I did and what I could give them instead of who I am.

“Apparently, she’s been drinking with some girlfriends at The Hut and started to mouth off. At least, that’s what some of the guys said today.”

“I don’t need this shit in my life. I’m trying to figure things out with Savannah and my kids, and this isn’t helping.”

“I get it, I really do. Do the boys know?”

“Yeah, Daniel saw me and Savannah, and he put two and two together.” I run my hand over my jaw. “To say it didn’t go well would be an understatement.”

“Shit, I’m sorry, man.”

“Yeah, well. I should have come clean as soon as I figured it out, but now it is what it is.”

Dropping my hand, I make my way to the next bale of hay with Aaron on my heels. “I just don’t know what to do with him, you know? I made a mistake. I get it. I should have done so many things differently when it came to my boys, Daniel especially, but damn it, some days I just want to shake some sense into him.”

“Things will work out; just give it time. Givehimtime. He’s sixteen. You know how fucked up that age is. His emotions are all over the place. I know I did a lot of dumb shit at sixteen that I regret now.”

“I know, and I keep telling myself that. I’m trying to protect them, and I’m trying to do right by Savannah, and in turn, it feels like I’m messing things up even more on all fronts.”

Aaron lets out a low grunt. “She’s giving you a hard time because of the kids?”

“No, she’s so fucking understanding. Daniel was all but yelling in her face and throwing accusations, and she didn’t say a word. She keeps telling me I should put them first, which Ido. That was the whole point of coming here, dammit, but it feels like I’m failing her. Like no matter what I do, it’ll never be enough.” My breathing is ragged as another bale of hay ends up in the trailer, and I turn to Aaron. “What the hell do I do?”

“Your best.” Aaron shrugs. “You can only do your best and hope it’s enough.”

But what if my best isn’t enough? What if I keep fucking things up across the board and then make not only irreparable damage to my relationship with Daniel but also Savannah and our baby?

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