Page 38 of The Ex Next Door
“That was out of necessity. Because…the boxes.”
“Okay, but the next thing I know, you’re mowing the grass every week.”
“It’s a small shared lawn, no big deal.”
“Then, you’re helping David with baseball.”
“Well, I saw him kicking that soccer ball around and… You know how I feel about soccer.”
“And then you got me the job.”
“You wanted one, and it worked out.”
“So, this is all a coincidence?”
No, it’s not.
I wanted to support you and the kids after your divorce, but it’s become a lot more than that.
You’re one of the best memories I have.
He shrugged, trying to shake it off. “I guess you and I are still connected in a lot of ways.”
“I guess we are.” She shook a finger at him. “But you’re going to have to let me do something for you sometime. No arguments.”
“Oh, you’re already doing that.”
He tipped back on his heels, because man, she left that metaphorical door wide open for him and he was about to walk inside and get himself a beer.
“I am?”
“Did you forget dinner at my parents’ house tomorrow night?”
She smacked her forehead. “Was he serious about that?”
“Have you ever heard my dad joke about dinner?”
“Do you really want me there? I thought you could make up some excuse as to why I can’t go.”
“Why would I do that when it will be easier if I bring someone they can talk to instead of me? Do this for me, Amy. Please.”
“That seems like a pretty easy thing to do, but sure. I’llgo to dinner with your parents.” She waved, unlocked and opened her front door. “Good night.”
He saluted. “Good night.”
Declan went inside and grabbed a cold beer out of the fridge. Usually he was a bit too wound up after work to go straight to sleep so he flipped the TV on to ESPN. He wouldn’t mind going tobedright now, just not alone. His mind kept going to images of Amy in bed with him but he kept pushing them away.
For the first time in weeks, he pulled up the text message from an old friend.
I heard you’re between coaching gigs. Could use your help with the varsity baseball team here at Charming High School. Head coach retiring next year. We could always use another science teacher, too. Know it’s not what you’re used to but we need you. Think about it.
Charming High School, home of the Bulldogs, the first team where he’d played varsity. The place where he’d met Amy. Declan had replied no thanks, that he wasn’t ready to go back to coaching ball, maybe never would be.
He found the graph he’d drawn on the back of a napkin and laughed. He’d used the idea to get his dad off his back. Then, he thought he’d outsmarted his father. Maybe now the joke was on him.
He never imagined it would be so easy for Amy to slip back into his life like she’d never left.
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