Page 78 of Sweet Spot

“You can all hang out here as long as you like,” Q said, throwing away his can before placing a kiss on Eileen’s cheek. “I hope you enjoy the show.”

Everyone murmured their goodbyes. Having Q out of the way finally allowed me to get back to Kate. While I wanted to meet her dad, the people I really needed to impress were the ladies of the family.

I very politely placed my hand on Kate’s hip. “How is everyone? It’s hot.”

“You’re coming to lunch tomorrow, right?” Allie asked. “I cannot believe Shawn had to work today and miss meeting you.”

“Dad almost cried.” Ellen nodded along. “He’s one of your biggest fans.”

“And why haven’t you brought them to a game yet?” With Kate’s access they could come to any game. Not just to meet me, but to enjoy baseball.

Kate suddenly went stiff.

Allie frowned at her sister, gave a half nod, and then sighed. “Fine, I’ll tell him.” She turned her exasperation on me. “My sister is not good at stuff like this. She keeps her work very much separate from the rest of her life and she works all the time, forcing those of us who love her to track her down and force her to spend time with us. Having work intersect with things from her personal life has broken her brain.”

“And her manners,” Eileen said with a twist of her lips.

Kate somehow got stiffer. “Well we’ll fix the game situation immediately. You’re all invited to whatever game you like as my guests.”

“Dad’s gonna lose it!” Ellen bounced on her toes.

Allie blew on her nails. “I am so getting laid tonight.”

Ellen gagged and put her hands over her ears.

Kate didn’t move. “I would have gotten around to it. Eventually.”

Allie opened the cooler beside her and fished out a fresh bottle of water. “When? As Christmas gifts?”

“No one plays baseball in December,” Kate mumbled. “You guys know I’m bad at this.”

I felt Kate shrinking away, putting up walls. “It was my fault,” I blurted out. “I distracted her. Took up all her free time. Basically, I suck.”

Eileen narrowed her eyes to slits. “Oh no. You don’t get to fall on your sword, young man. You may have distracted her, but Kate needs to learn to nurture her relationships better. We can’t chase after you forever.”

I suddenly saw the family dynamic from a new angle. One that clustered Eileen and Allie with Ellen, but left Kate on the outside. I pulled her closer to me. “Well, I would like a seat right in front of the stage. Once the passersby realize they know who is up on the stage singing it will be prime real estate. Kate?”

She nodded quickly. “I have a blanket.”

I noticed Eileen frowning as I guided Kate into the shady part of the grass. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make trouble.”

We laid out the blanket and crawled on top. “You didn’t. That’s my fault. I know I need to do better and I…I just don’t. I don’t understand myself sometimes.”

How was it possible to see someone so clearly when they couldn’t see themselves? Especially someone with advanced academic degrees in behavior and psychology?

“I think we’re all blind to our own behaviors. Even super smart people like you.”

She frowned. “You think it’s obvious, don’t you?”

“I have an outside perspective. And, I might add, a keen interest in your happiness.”

She flopped back onto the blanket, looking up at the sky. If we weren’t in public I would get close and nuzzle her skin, but as it was her family was a few yards away, the park was full of strangers, and besides, Kate was upset. “Hit me with it.”

“Well for one, I suspect you have a little of your father in you. You love your work. He loves his.”

She groaned. “Don’t say that. I don’t want to empathize with him.”

“But more than that,” I steered quickly away, “you don’t want to get hurt.”

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