Page 25 of The Ex Next Door
“Um, well.” Amy drummed her fingers on the bar. “My feet hurt.”
Debbie elbowed Declan. “Ah, to be young again. She’s not likely to get many complaints. Such a pretty girl.”
“Aw, thank you.”
Amy self-consciously pulled on her work tee. She’d been worried it was a bit too tight around the boobage area but didn’t think it would hurt with tips.
“Yeah, this has always been her problem.” Declan slid her a slow smile. “Always the prettiest girl in the room. Nothing’s changed.”
A warm rush of something resembling excitement went through Amy. She shouldn’t be so affected by his compliment, but it had been such a long while since she’d felt attractive.
Debbie turned to Declan. “What have you got for me tonight? I could use some inspiration.”
“All right. You know what I was thinking? I realized how important we are to the people who come here every night. How important you are.” He pointed to both Amy and Debbie. “Tonight, a guy told me that his wife left him two weeks ago and coming here is all he looks forward to. He knows there’s going to be a kind word and a cold beer when he gets here. And Debbie’s right, it’s not about how fast the drink or food gets to them. It’s about the social interaction. Connections. We can’t forget that part of why we’re here. You are very important.”
By the time Amy floated outside, she was fairly certain both she and Debbie felt like the Mother Teresa of the service food industry.
“What a gift,” Debbie said and waved as she got in her sedan. “I stopped having to go to counseling when Declan started working here.”
And to think Amy had briefly wondered why Declan had chosen to go into bartending when he had a college degree and had briefly taught math at a high school in Houston.
You might be able to take the player out of the game, but you couldn’t take the game out of the player.
Declan Sheridan was a born coach, whether he realized it or not.
Chapter Nine
The following week, Declan rushed to baseball practice located at the field where the city recreational grade school team practiced. He’d promised David he’d be there, and Amy was also counting on him. While he thought it a good idea they drive together, it worked out that Rob had the kids this week. At the last minute, Naomi didn’t want to come with them to the practice, so Amy drove to Houston to pick David up.
Declan planned to meet them but hadn’t anticipated Samantha would keep him on the phone so long. She’d grilled him about Amy because he’d made the cardinal mistake of forgetting to mention she’d moved in next door. Sue him, he didn’t think it that important.
“What part aboutexdo you not understand?” Declan had said.
“The part where she’s young and pretty, living next door and working with you.”
“Well, she needed a job. She’s a single mom.”
“Which means she’s available.”
Declan sighed. “Look, she’s not interested in me, and I’m not interested in her. She was myhigh schoolgirlfriend, for crying out loud. People change. They grow up and move on.”
“Regardless, I would like to know whereIstand with you.”
He’d wanted to gouge his eyes out. They’d had five good dates, and the promise that they each were ready for something real. It shouldn’t be this difficult to be in a relationship. But Declan had given up so many times before when things got tough that he reminded himself he shouldn’t. Not this time. He would try to work it out and see where this went. Samantha was beautiful and nice, but unfortunately desperately insecure. It wasn’t his job to constantly reassure her that he was ready for a relationship. He could talk her up, and he did, frequently reminding her she was smart and capable.
“I’ve got to go,” Declan said, seeing the clock and realizing he was running late. “Talk later.”
He parked now and quickly rushed to the field where the kids were gathering, catching a glance at Amy out of the corner of his eye. She was seated in an area with the moms, including Bianca, and waved to him. Declan waited on the sidelines, closer to the action, and where David would see him. The coaches had gathered the kids together in groups and when they were dispersed, David caught Declan’s eye, grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. The coach looked on the young side, but that was fine. You didn’t have to be an expert to coach kids. All you really needed was a positive attitude. If he’d learned nothing else from his father, also known as his coach for half his life, he’d learned that tidbit. Fake it till you make it, sure, but at some point you had to believe in yourself before others would follow suit.
“Declan! What areyoudoing here?”
Declan froze and slowly turned because he’d recognize his father’s voice anywhere. “Don’t tell me.”
“Okay, I won’t tell you.” His father grinned.
“You’re coaching this rec league?”
“Nope. I’ve come to scout the talent. My Little League team will be starting up soon. Why, are you thinking of coaching? That’s great, son!”
