Page 9 of Blocking Her Love

Then there’s Maya. Sometimes it feels like she’s trying to push Sean and I together and I wonder what she might have noticed. I haven’t said anything to her about how my feelings for him are changing. Has Sean aid anything?

Time to turn off my mind and enjoy the movie. And being with Sean, even if it’s not alone.

Our hands bump a few times in the popcorn tub then once the container’s empty, I rest my hand on the armrest and Sean covers it with his. By the end of the movie our fingers are interlaced. I spend the lengthy credits trying to decide what to do once the lights come up.

Sean leans close and says softly, “I hear there’s a great ice cream place down on the boardwalk. Want to check it out?”

We’re still far enough out from the tournament and we eat healthy most of the time so I’m not worried about treatingmyself to ice cream. Even after I devoured half a huge bucket of popcorn. “Sounds great.”

He keeps my hand as we leave the theater. The boardwalk’s not far so we stroll toward the beach, pausing to check out the progress of the tournament set up. The main court and bleachers are ready to go except for the sand. A couple secondary courts are nearing completion. It’s really a process, one that’s needed to create the best playing surfaces and for the comfort of the fans.

When we get to O'Leahey's Creamery there’s too many flavor choices but somehow we narrow our selections down to two each, then share both cups. The boardwalk is lively and we make our way to the end of the pier before finding a place to sit and enjoy our treat. I’d left my hair loose and the wind tosses it everywhere until a woman with a small girl clinging to her leg, digs through her huge bag and offers me a scrunchie.

“You’re a life saver,” I tell her as I tug my flyaway hair into a ponytail.

She waves my thanks away. “Just a mom who’s prepared. Enjoy your ice cream.” The girl tugs on her arm and she leans down to have a whispered conversation. I’ve never thought much about what my life might be like once I’m no longer playing but watching the two of them makes me wonder what it would be like to have a daughter. Or maybe a son. Who looks like Sean.

Whoa. I went down that road pretty damn fast.

“We don’t mean to intrude,” the woman says. “But my daughter wants to know if you’re one of the volleyball girls.”

How sweet. “Yes, I am. I’m Ellie Andrews.”

The girl’s smile explodes. “I knew it. You play with Maya, don’t you?”

“I do. She’s my best friend, too. Now you know who I am, what’s your name?”

The shyness returns before she straightens her back. “I’m Olivia. And I want to be a volleyball girl like you.”

Sean crouches in front of her. “I’m Sean.”

“I know who you are. You’re the coach.” After her mother’s touch on her shoulder, she says, “It’s nice to meet you, mister Sean.”

“How old are you, Olivia?” Sean glances at me and winks. I’ve never seen him interact with kids even though I know he used to do some volunteering at summer volleyball camps.

“I’m six. And I love volleyball. I wish I could come to the beach to watch you play.”

“Watching and learning the rules is a good start,” he says as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. Standing, he addresses the girl’s mother. “The tournament just released tickets for players to use for family and friends. We’d be honored if you’d come to a match as our guests. How many are in your family?”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” the woman says.

“Please, Momma? I bet Daddy and Joey would like to come, too.”

Sean removes four tickets from his wallet. “We don’t have family nearby and since we’ve never been to Love Beach before, our friends are few. Ellie, Maya, and I would love to count you as our new friends.” He glances at the little girl. “And as one of our biggest fans.”

The huge puppy dog eyes she focuses on her mother would melt me in a second. It takes her mother five before she smiles and nods. “Thank you.”

“These are general admission tickets and good for any day, any match. I’d suggest you arrive pretty early though and claim spots for the match you want. Then you can wander and enjoy watching teams warm up.” He focuses again on Olivia. “The organizers are planning some activities for kids who want tolearn how to play volleyball. Some of the coaches and players will be there to encourage and help kids of all ages learn the game. Ask your mom to check that out once they post the final schedule.”

“We will, mister Sean. Momma, isn’t that great?”

She curves her hand over her daughter’s head. “It sure is, honey. Now, let’s get going. I’m sure Ellie and Sean would like to finish their ice cream in peace.”

“Bye, Ellie. Good luck in the tournament. See you.”

The last of my ice cream is pretty well melted so I tip the bowl and drink the liquid dregs of chocolate mint mixed with cookies ’n cream. Sean takes our trash to the nearest bin then joins me at the rail. Shoulders touching we stand in silence watching the dark water lap at the edge of the beach below us.

The lights from businesses lining the beach sparkle on the water creating a romantic atmosphere despite the crowds of people out enjoying their spring break on the beach and boardwalk. Anticipation I don’t understand creates butterflies in my stomach. Sean slips his arm around my shoulder and the butterflies start to dance.

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