Page 74 of The Ex Next Door
“I guess I don’t have to tell you about my experience with grade expectations. The truth is, I won’t give in to pressure. If a kid doesn’t deserve a passing grade, he’s not getting one from me. If that means he’s benched, so be it. If I accept the position, I’m going to demand your full support and that of the administrative staff.”
Ty nodded and fist-bumped with Declan. “Not a problem. We do it differently here in Charming. And though I wouldn’t say this in front of my boosters, high school football isn’t everything.”
Declan chuckled. “Just don’t say that too loudly.”
They left the meeting with Ty expressing his intent to send an offer of employment and Declan promising to give it full consideration. Maybe he was finally on the way to bridging that gap that for so long had held him from moving forward.As his father continually instructed him and Finn early on: the only person who can truly hold you back is the same one you’ll see in the mirror.
Tonight was the rec team practice for David, so he drove straight there after his meeting. Amy would be there early with the kids so that he could go over a few drills with David and maybe throw the ball a bit beforehand. Naomi would no doubt bring her book and Declan smiled at the thought of the girl who reminded him so much of Amy.
He hadn’t told Amy about the interview with Tyrone or the fact he was actually considering going back to teaching and coaching. They had so much going on right now with the kids getting used to their father being in a relationship with someone new. He wouldn’t blame Amy for wanting to hold off on telling them about what they’d started up again. The most important thing to Declan was thatsheknew he was all in. But the last thing Declan wanted was to hurt these kids any more than they’d already been by the loss of the home they’d had for the first formative years of their lives. They were still adjusting and coping with their new reality.
Last night, Amy had texted him about David. He wasn’t much happier with his father than he’d been the day at the park. If anything, she’d said, his attitude had worsened.
He saw Amy turn when she heard his truck drive in the lot and park, and the smile she gave him lit up a flame in his heart. She had so quickly become…everything. He knew he’d walk through fire for her without a second thoughtandfor her children because they were a part of her. He tugged off the tie he’d worn to his interview and rolled up his sleeves.
It was David who reached him first, running up to him. “Dec! We’re doing a scrimmage today with another team.”
“Oh yeah? That ought to be fun.” He tousled David’s hair.
Amy and Naomi brought up the rear.
“Hi, Declan!” Naomi said, waving.
“Hey there.”
Declan followed Amy’s lead when it came to PDA. If it were up to him, he’d put his arm around her, but he had no idea what she’d told the kids and after the display at the park he’d wait for a sign. He didn’t have to be a Neanderthal who would claim his woman.
“Do you think they’re ready for that? A scrimmage?” Amy said, holding Naomi’s hand.
“Usually that term is used with football because of the scrimmage line. But yeah, a scrimmage is just a pretend game, like a practice for the real thing. It’s good experience, right?”
“Yeah.” David bobbed his head. “I tried to tell her.”
Declan reached in the cab of his truck and pulled out his old glove. “This is the one I was telling you about.”
“Whoa,” David said, almost reverently. “Is that the one you used when you pitched in college?”
“That’s right.” He slipped it on and strolled toward the field. “Walk with me.”
He practiced catch with David for at least thirty minutes under the clear blue sky and then the rest of the team began to arrive. Matthew, David’s pal, rushed right up to them and joined in. A self-assured man followed him wearing a business suit complete with red power tie.
He stood behind Declan and offered his hand. “I’m Mark Burrows, Matthew’s father.”
“Good to meet you. I’m Declan Sheridan.” Declan shook his hand.
“C’mon, Dec! Throw it back,” David yelled.
Declan threw the ball back to him and he caught it easily.
“Oh, I know who you are.” Mark chuckled and tipped back on his heels. “We’re very excited to see you helping outaround here. The coach is a little young, don’t you think? He really doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing.”
Declan, who’d been taught to respect the chain of command, so to speak, couldn’t bring himself to go there. Besides, it was arecreationalleague.
“He’ll learn.”
“Yeah. Apparently your father sees real promise in Matthew.”
Sometimes, Declan wished his father didn’t try to recruit everyone he met into competitive sports.
