Page 45 of The Yips

Me to Josie: When did you know Jake was the one?

Josie: OMGGGGG! Sam! It’s the little boy? Right? I saw the photos at the game.

Me: It’s her. It’s both of them. But when? When did you know?

Josie: I knew on our first date.

Me: Okay, I gotta run. She’s grabbing a jogging stroller. She’ll be out in a second and I don’t want to be texting while I’m with her.

Josie: Wait, are you going on a family run? Damn. I can’t wait to meet her!

While I waited for her in the car with Crew, I mindlessly scrolled the internet on my phone, researching SUVs. I had to be at the stadium the next few nights, and Kelsey worked every nightuntil we left for New York. But we both had the rest of today off, and I would do my best to get her to spend it with me.

When I saw Kelsey approaching with the jogging stroller, I popped the trunk and jumped out to put it in the trunk. Even though my trunk was empty, getting it to fit took a couple of tries. I bought this car only thinking about how it felt driving it, but the more I tried to do anything with Kelsey and Crew, the more I realized how useless it was.

Kelsey laughed as I struggled and finally shut the trunk. “My trusty, dusty Honda looks pretty good right now. It can fit two strollers and the groceries. Wait, do you even do your own grocery shopping?”

I didn’t. I left a list for Monica, and she had everything delivered on one of the days my housecleaner was at the house. My gaze dropped to my feet, and I shrugged. “I’m perfectly capable of doing it; I just don’t have the time during the season. With all the travel, I’m not really home enough to stock the fridge.”

“I’ve noticed the same. I haven’t been home much either.”

“What do you think it will be like living back with your parents?”

“Aside from sharing a wall with their bedroom?” she asked as she opened the passenger door and slid into the passenger seat. “The amount of money I’m going to save is worth it; I just need to keep reminding myself that. Plus, my dad is Crew’s primary caretaker while I’m at work. He won’t need to sleep over or travel home late at night anymore. He won’t admit it, but the schedule has him exhausted.”

“You’re lucky you have such a close relationship with your dad,” I said as I drove the car and headed off to park forour run. “Do you want to do the waterfront? I’d like to get at least six miles in today, and it’s three miles each way.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind having a running partner?”

“I’ve been looking forward to it since you agreed to come. Are you a talker, or do you prefer to run in silence?”

“Usually, I’m running alone, and I just have my breath to listen to. No music. It’s not safe. But I loved team practices; we would chat through our long runs, making them fly by.”

When we parked the car, I got out and wrangled the carriage while Kelsey got Crew out of his car seat. She was already done while I helplessly worked at the lock’s latch.

“Hold him for a second, and I’ll show you that one’s tricky.”

“You mean there are baby equipment items that aren’t tricky?” I laughed but watched what she did. My sister had sent me enough information on weaponized incompetence that I refused to be that guy who purposely failed to get out of helping. I couldn’t explain it, but helping Kelsey take care of Crew was the highlight of my day. Why would anyone want to stand around watching their girlfriend or spouse struggle?

Crew blew raspberries as he and I both watched Kelsey. I pulled a bib from the diaper bag Kelsey brought and dried his face of drool.

Kelsey stared at me, dumbfounded. “How did you know to do that?”

“What?”

“Wipe his face.”

“I guess I figured I wouldn’t want a gob of drool on my own face; he might not either.”

She continued to shake her head as I set Crew in thestroller and fastened his straps. “I just don’t get it. You’re not what I expected, and you continue to surprise me.”

“Well, then, I guess my goal from here will be to keep doing that.”

CHAPTER 41

Kelsey

Sam and I got in a six-mile run, and Crew giggled in the stroller the entire time. I had started taking him on runs from the day the doctor cleared me after he was born, but we never went as far or as long as we did today. I loved running in all weather, and Sam was also used to working in all weather conditions. The day was expected to hit the mid-nineties, and at 10:30, it was already toasty.

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