Page 8 of Until Delilah

“Oh, it’s only a couple of miles away from here on the main road. There’s a big sign that says Luigi’s and you can’t miss it.”

I pull out my phone to order a ride now that I know it’s not within walking distance.

“Mom,” a little boy with brown hair and eyes pulls on her arm, “can Beckham ride with us?” He looks up at her with puppy dog eyes, making both of us laugh.

“Sure,” she laughs a little before she looks at me. “Would you two like to ride with us? We’ve got plenty of room in our van. I could probably haul the entire team if I had to.”

“I wouldn’t want your van’s space to go to waste,” I laugh with her. “I’m Delilah by the way.”

“And I’m Trey’s mom, Kari. We should probably go before they turn into little savages.”

I laugh because I’m all too familiar with the hunger of a growing boy, especially after they’ve just exerted themselves. I follow behind and wait until almost half of the boys on the team load into her van before I get into the front seat. Looking out the window, I wonder if the coach is going to join us.

Sitting back in the seat, I take in my surroundings. While it was happening, I didn’t realize how much Bradley was controlling my life, but I can’t remember the last time I went out with friends. He made it so I was secluded except when it had anything to do with Beckham’s school or his work functions.

Kari laughs along with the boys as they rehash what happened during practice. You’d think with a season of watching Beckham play the game, I’d understand it better than I do, but there’s something about baseball I don’t get. Maybe I never will. I’d like to, so I can talk to him about it more, or at least know what he’s talking about when he’s talking excitedly about what happened.

It only takes us about two minutes to get to the pizza place. The kids race each other to the door and then wait for us, holding the door open. As we walk inside, I notice the few moms who’ve brought their kids to eat watch Max get out of his truck and make his way to the building. I swear I hear a few sighs before they turn to stand in line.

Arching my brow, I look to Kari, wondering what the deal is.

Leaning in, she cups her hand and whispers in my ear. “The reason everyone goes to dinner after practice is… we all think the coach is a hottie. The few that are divorced constantly hit on him, but he turns them down gently. Still, they don’t stop trying to get into his bed for at least one night.”

I pull back and look to see if she’s serious. Haven’t they thought about how uncomfortable it would be if they did hook up with him for a night and then have to face him at every practice and game?

“It’s always their idea of where to go in the attempt to spend a little more time with him and to ogle him. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when you just can’t help but check him out. Like now,” Kari’s eyes get big, causing me to turn around to see what the big deal is.

I shouldn’t have turned around. Max is bent over holding something I can’t identify out to a little boy. His ass is encased in a pair of very tight and worn in pair of jeans. I’m not going to lie. It’s a nice ass. Now I understand what has the women making fools of themselves every week.

But the thing that I find the most attractive about him is the easy smile he has on his face while he looks down at the little boy giving him his full attention. The man may have been a former professional baseball player, but his true calling is with children.

“We’re up,” Kari signals as she steps up and pays for all the kids we brought, including me.

Opening my wallet, I start to fish out some money I should be keeping when she stops me. “Don’t worry about it. The parents who aren’t here, pay for the ones who do attend. They already gave me money before practice, and it is far more than they needed to give me.”

“Are you sure?” I question her because her reasoning seems a little fishy. No one even knew we would be on the team until we showed up. Except for Max and his family. While I don’t have the money to blow on an expensive pizza place, I don’t like feeling like a charity case either.

“One hundred and ten percent. Some parents on the team think they’re too good to watch their kids practice or socialize with the likes of us. The parents are snobs, but their boys are sweet. I’m surprised they let their kids even associate with ours with the way they look at us. Luckily, the kids are sweet and don’t think they’re better than the rest of us.” Kari tilts her head to the side and looks to a couple of boys who didn’t ride with us and are joking around with the other boys. “Now let’s go find ourselves a seat before we’re stuck at one of the kids’ tables.”

I notice the other moms are hovering around Max as he talks to people who stop him on the way to the section we’re sitting at. They really are desperate.

We sit and I try to keep my eyes off Max and the bevy of women who stand around waiting for his attention. I need to remember what happened to the last man I thought was good and the predicament I’m in now because of him. I’m single, pregnant, and have a seven-year-old. I’ve got no car or house to my name, and I’m running for my life.

Even though Max seems like a nice guy I shouldn’t even be looking. He doesn’t need or deserve to take on my baggage. All I need to say is I’m pregnant and I’m sure he’ll retreat and start looking at me like he does the rest of the moms.

Max stops beside our table and grins down at us. “Kari,” he nods to her and then looks toward me. “Do you ladies mind if I sit at your table?”

“No, please, we’d love to have you,” Kari responds and starts to move her purse from the seat beside her when Max pulls the chair out beside me and sits down.

“Thanks for having me, he smiles at Kari and then turns the full weight of his gaze on me. “I thought I’d see how you’re settling in.”

I hate lying, but I see no other way. I can’t tell anyone we’re staying at the women’s shelter.

“Good. We haven’t been here long, but I love the area and vibe of the town.”

Kari raises a skeptical eyebrow. “You mean a town where everyone knows everyone’s business?”

“So far, I don’t mind. I come from living in big cities where you feel inconsequential. I like the thought of getting to know people and seeing them every day.” While I do like the concept, I’m wondering if I shouldn’t have traveled to a big city where it would be harder for Bradley to find me. Because I do know, eventually, he’ll find me. He won’t give up until he’s caught me or thinks I’m dead.

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