Page 98 of Love By The Falls

I turn to Charlotte. “Do you need some help with that?”

She blinks, then smiles as she looks at the pruning shears. “No. I’m good.”

“Okay, Charlie. Looks like I’m free. Let’s play.”

Charlie runs to the garage to grab another glove. This one is scuffed up and stiff. “Sorry, it’s grandpa’s, and he hasn’t played much since hurting his arm the last time.”

“No worries. It’s a good glove, a classic.”

Charlie smiles, and it reminds me of his mother. He has her eyes and her freckles. “Ready?” he shouts.

“Give me your best shot.”

Charlie winds up and throws the ball, which curves like a rainbow in the air. He’s eleven and I’m surprised no one’s ever taught him to throw properly. “That’sgreat, Charlie. Good accuracy. Now let’s give it some power.”

“How do I do that?”

I jog up to him and give him the ball. “Pull your elbow back straight, and align the ball with your ear. Then bring this leg forward to steady yourself and you get some extra power. You’ll need to use your whole body to throw. Try it.”

I run back, lower myself to my haunches, and hold my glove open. “Go ahead, Charlie. Throw it.”

The boy pulls his arm back, just like I showed him, steps forward and launches the ball at me. It hits my glove with a loudsmack!

“That’s it!” I shout.

Charlie’s eyes widen, and he turns to his mother. “Did you see that?”

She laughs. “I sure did. Great job, baby.”

Charlie narrows his eyes. “You missed it, didn’t you?”

She covers her mouth with her hand. “Sorry,” she says, but those brown eyes dance. “Try it again.”

I toss Charlie the ball and he pulls his arm back. Just before he throws it, a red sports car speeds down the street and pulls up along the front yard. I recognize the car immediately.

Jason steps out and marches toward me. “What do you think you’re doing?”

I don’t respond. It’s obvious what I’m doing, but if this asshole doesn’t back off, he’s about to find out how good my arm is.

Charlotte comes running down the front yard. “Hey, don’t speak to him like that.”

I’m not used to women fighting my battles, but in this case, it feels good to have Charlotte defend me. “Leave it alone, Jason,” I whisper.

He puts his hands on his hips and snarls at me. “That’s my boy.”

“Jason!” Charlotte shouts and her eyes plead with him. “Don’t,” she warns when she’s standing right in front of him. Jason looks down and shakes his head. “What the fuck is going on here?”

“Nothing. Charlie’s just playing catch.”

My phone rings and I ignore it, but a few seconds later, it rings again.

“Aren’t you going to fucking get that?” Jason barks.

I hate to do what I’m told by this asshole, but I grab it to turn it off. Pulling out the phone, I recognize the number. It’s my office. “Excuse me.”

I turn my back and speak in a low voice. “Travis? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, sir. Good news, actually. Teoscar’s agent asked to set up a meeting with you today. I know it’s Sunday and you’re out of town, but I also know how important this is to you.”

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