Page 38 of Brandishing Betrayals

“We came to see Luke practice. Marcos was having dinner with Kara tonight, so we offered to stay and watch his first practice.”

I frowned. “You don’t have to, though. Coach said parents can drop off and pick up.”

Nico squeezed my thigh. “We wanted to. We don’t get much time with him.”

Guilt tore through me at his words. It was always fucking guilt when I thought about leaving them ten years ago, about keeping Luke a secret from them. I had once thought they’d be myhappily ever after. Funny how life turned out sometimes.

The coach ended practice right then and all the boys on the field turned for their bags lined up near the bench. I stood up and walked away, letting Nico’s hand slide from my thigh. I walked down the bleachers and toward Luke, who was talking to the coach a minute longer than the other kids had.

I walked closer, hanging back a few feet to give Luke some space. The coach, a bald-headed man with a beard and a start of a pot belly glanced at me and smiled. “You must be mom.” He held out his hand and I smiled and stepped closer, shaking his hand.

“Yes, I’m Maya.”

“Coach Tim Boone. Nice to meet you.” We briefly shook hands. “I was just telling Luke here, for never playing before he’s got talent!”

I beamed. “He gets that from his father.” I ran a hand over Luke’s sweaty hair.

“That’s great! It was Dad who dropped off?”

“Yeah. Do parents need to stay during practice? We work opposite schedules most days,” I said, covering for our situation.

“Oh no, not at all,” Coach Boone said with a smile. “Most parents drop off and come back. First practice we tend to see them stick around, but once the weather turns, they’ll be in their cars.”

I laughed, feeling relieved.

“Good work today, Luke.” Coach Boone patted Luke on the shoulder before he turned to another parent.

“How do you feel?” I asked Luke with a smile.

Luke groaned and started walking toward his bag. “I’m OK, I think.”

I laughed and followed after him. It only took him a minute to strip off his shoulder pads and practice jersey. Chucking everything into his bag along with his helmet and water bottle, Luke was ready to go a moment later.

“Can we get burgers? I’m starving,” Luke commented as we started walking toward the parking lot.

“Not tonight babe. Grandma made food at home.”

“What’d she ma—”

“Hey guys, good practice, Luke!” Nico smiled broadly as he walked over. Jason trailed several feet behind him.

“Thanks! Thanks for coming!” Luke beamed.

“We wouldn’t miss it, dude,” Jason said, moving closer. He held out a hand for a high-five. Luke jumped and slapped his hand against Jason’s.

I sighed internally. Even after what Jason did to me, I still enjoyed seeing Luke close with him, was still happy they had formed a bond in the last eight months.

“Dad said he had to work today?”

“Yeah, a job came up.” Nic nodded. I eyed him, because that’s not what he told me, but I didn’t mention it, because they didn’t owe me anything. For all I knew, Marcos had plans with his sister, then got called away.

“Can we get burgers?” Luke asked again.

“No, Luke. I told you already. Grandma made dinner.” I shook my head.

Luke groaned.

I narrowed my eyes at him, giving him one of those ‘mom looks’ that was meant to put the fear of God into him.

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