Page 10 of Salvaging My Heart
There was only one response to that. “Yes, ma’am,” Leif said and strolled out of the door. He had things to do and a nephew about to get out of school.
CHAPTER TEN
Leif was thanking his lucky stars that the playoff game was at the high school field. There were bleachers and, yay cement. Pushing Kim’s wheelchair on the grass would not have been fun, at all.
“Mom, why don’t you grab that spot on the bottom row? I can push Kim right next to there,” Leif suggested to get his mom from hovering. She’d been underfoot since they’d brought Kim home yesterday. How Kim hadn’t exploded before now amazed Leif.
“I’ll scoot ahead before Janice grabs it. I see her moving that way,” his mom paused and moved quickly toward the bench. “Oh Janice, how are you?” she asked as she slid onto the bleacher seat.
“Bless you,” Kim whispered. “Where is the team? I don’t— Oh there they are.” Kim tried to stand but Leif put a hand on her shoulder.
“Do you miss the hospital that much? If you put any pressure on that leg, you’ll have to go back in and what a happy time that will be. Now, sit your ass down and glue it to the chair. You’ll be able to see everything, I promise. If you can’t, or someone stops in front of you, I’ll pick you up.” Leif maneuvered Kim’s chair in a tight reverse next to Mom. “Okay, do either of you need anything?”
“Maybe a pop?” his mom suggested with Kim in agreement.
“I’ll be right back.” Leif nodded and looked around. After spying the concession stand, he walked in the direction, trying not to stare at the coach— ah team too hard. He wanted to see if Aaron would like to get together tomorrow since Kim had outright told him ‘I’ve missed my quiet time with Nick. Why don’t you see if you can take Aaron out?’
There was a slight line when he got to the stand so he took up position at the end. He wasn’t really paying too much attention to the ladies in front of him until he heard Aaron’s name.
“Did you see Aaron with that guy last week? The man had his hand on his ass in front of the entire field. Don’t think he’ll be coaching again if he sets that kind of example,” the blonde on the left said.
“Well, I heard—” the one on the right started to talk but Leif had heard enough.
“Excuse, me,” he said. Look at him being all polite. They both turned and gave him a top to down glance with the woman on the right licking her lips. “I’d like to correct you before you continue to spread nasty rumors about Aaron. I was the man last week,” Leif paused as they both gasped and began to look guilty. “I didn’t have my hands on his ass. They were on his hips as he’d fallen over trying to pick up the gear he’d dropped. Guess, you both got that wrong. As for him coaching? The kids would be fortunate if he did agree to coach again. He cares not only about their performance on the field but what’s going on with them off the field.”
A slow clapping from behind Leif, stopped him from continuing. He glanced down and saw Megan. If last week was any indication, things were about to get interesting.
“Monica, Brandy. How are you two doing today? You both look like you swallowed a lemon or was that the leftover taste from whatever man you picked up last night, Brandy?” Megan tossed out before turning to Leif. “Bless you for having Aaron’s back. These two just love to spread the gossip.”
The blonde — must be Brandy — spoke up. “I did not pick someone up last night. Even if I did, I don’t tell secrets.” Leif was impressed that she seemed to be able to say that with a straight face. “Megan, you can’t tell me that you’d want Aaron to coach Harry again. He’s gay.”
Leif raised his eyes to the sky. Thanking all that was holy that Kim wasn’t there because this bleached blonde would be bald if she was. As it was, he wasn’t sure that Megan wouldn’t rip her a new one.
“Bitch, Aaron has more honor in his little finger than your baby daddies for each of your children. Bless their hearts that they seem to take after your brother and not you or the bio-daddies. Aaron would sooner cut off his own arm than harm any of those kids.” Megan was getting louder with each word out of her mouth.
“Umm, Megan, maybe we should let these nice ladies order,” Leif said, motioning to the line that had emptied in front of the duo. Instead of turning to place an order, they looked between Megan and Leif before hightailing it away.
“Good riddance. Now, can I buy you a coffee?” Megan asked as if nothing had happened. Leif could only stand there and gawk.
Aaron bent his head in a silent prayer. Holy shit. They were going to the championship game. Okay, time to pull himself together.
“Circle up!” he yelled. The coaches had definitely done something right with this group as it didn’t take more than a minute before the boys were gathered around him; no one saying a peep. “We are so proud of each and every one of you. You gave your all. You dug deep and didn’t let the scoreboard play you. It was a close game but you pulled it out. I don’t know if we’ll have a practice before next Saturday’s game but I’ll let your parents and or guardians know. Celebrate today. You earned it.” Aaron watched as the boys wrapped arms around each other before they rushed the coaches. It was a close call but he stood strong against the wave of pre-teen boys that threatened to crush him.
“Whoa, whoa,” a deep voice said behind him. Yup, Leif caught him about to fall once again.
He could feel the blush covering his cheeks as he turned to face Leif. “My hero, I hear.” Yes, he was going to pretend that he didn’t almost fall just then. He’d already ended up on his ass in front of Leif too many times in not a good way. Looked like it was Leif’s turn to blush as Aaron watched the red creep up his neck.
“I don’t know about hero. Look for a heroine. Megan was a tad vicious in her defense of you,” Leif said, glancing at the swarm of uniforms near Aaron, shaking his head. “Squirrel! Let’s go. Your mom and Mimi are headed to the car.”
“Uncle Leif!” Nick yelled back, as he pulled from his friends. “I’ll get my backpack and bottle. Please, no more squirrel?” he asked, pleading with his eyes.
“Scoot, you’ve got three minutes.” Leif looked down at his watch then over to Aaron. “I learned the hard way when I didn’t give him a time. He took forever at soccer practice the other day. Got caught up looking at some insects or something.” Leif took a step closer to Aaron and reached out to place his hand on Aaron’s hip. “Any chance you’re free tomorrow?”
Aaron stood there, blinking. His brain short-circuited with Leif’s touch. He must have waited too long in responding as he watched Leif’s expression go from hopeful to reserved. Leif’s started to step back but Aaron reached out and stopped him with a hand on his biceps.
“If that was an invitation for a date, yes, please. Where do I sign up?” He might have been a bit overzealous with his response but he didn’t want Leif to doubt his interest.
“How about two o’clock? We can decide what to do when I pick you up?” Leif leaned in and brushed a kiss across Aaron’s jaw. “Text me your address,” he commanded as he pulled back. “Nick! Now!”
