Page 29 of The Ex Next Door
Amy looked up just in time to see Matthew toss the ball to David. Not only did he not catch it with his glove, but the ball also hit him in the stomach and knocked him to the ground.
Chapter Ten
“You okay, David?” Declan rushed to his side and squatted beside him.
Best not to overreact and give David a chance to show how badly he might be injured, if at all.
He sat up, blinking. “I almost caught it.”
“You missed the ball, kiddo.” Declan’s father stood behind him. “But to be fair, he threw a little low.”
“Alittle?” Declan whispered.
“I’m sorry,” Matthew said, openly sobbing.
David stood. “I’m okay, Matt. Really. Look, see?”
David proceeded to wiggle his arms and legs in the air to demonstrate. It made Matt laugh out loud and he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
“You got a heck of an arm, kid,” Declan’s father said, patting him on the back. “Fastball. Think about Little League when you finish here.”
And work on your aim,Declan thought but kept to himself. These were just kids having fun. Yes, it was fun to win but it was also fun to play. Even getting hurt could be fun. Every boy wanted battle scars.
“Is he okay?” This was from Amy, having now reached them after probably pole-vaulting over all the other moms.
Matthew’s mom was comforting him. The coach was now inspecting David and gave Amy a thumbs-up.
“He’s great! What a champ! He took that ball and even though it knocked him down, he got right back up again.”
Declan slid Amy a smile he’d bet she needed right now. “It happens to all of us.”
“Okay, let’s huddle, guys!” the coach said and gathered the kids in a circle. “Great effort!”
“It happens to us all,” Declan said.
“I don’t remember it happening to you,” Amy said from beside him.
“You didn’t know me when I started Little League. I had my battle scars,” Declan said.
“Amy! Sweetheart!” His father came up to them, and folded Amy into his arms. “So good to see you here.”
“Mr. Sheridan,” Amy said. “It’s been a long time.”
“It sure has. My wife wants you over for dinner sometime.” His father turned to Declan. “Can you bring her, son? Might as well. Two birds, one stone. How about Saturday. Does that work for everyone? Okay, good. I’ll tell your mother.”
With that he walked away, pulling out his phone, presumably to call Declan’s mother.
“Notice how he doesn’t wait for an answer. Pay no attention to him,” Declan said, crossing his arms and facing the kids. “Apparently my mother heard you live next door and would like to have you over for dinner. I’ll make up some excuse for you.”
“That’s okay. I wouldn’t mind seeing them again. It doesn’t mean we have to go together.”
“Trying to get rid of me?”
“They’re great people and I won’t lie. This is a great timefor me to be around anyone who actually likes me. Rob’s parents blame me for our divorce.”
“No kidding?”
Amy nodded. “But I meant we don’t have to drive together. Actually, you can probably see them anytime. And Samantha wouldn’t like it anyway. So, you stay, and I’ll go.”
