Page 106 of Coach Me
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Please come get me if you need me, Luce.
Doubting me already?
Never, baby.
Dex gave me another chance to back out of this, and for a moment, I considered it. I’m not sure what Kate will throw my way today, but if Dex and I are ever going to work, I know I have to make it work with Kate too. I can’t say she’ll like me— she doesn’t have to— we just need common ground.
I’m more than capable of swallowing some pride. I did it plenty as a teacher with overbearing parents, I can do it here.
My game plan is simple: be the nanny. I’ve been “in charge” of Miles while Dex is around. I’ll keep Kate in consideration as the parent, but really, Miles and I have these days down pat. I can handle the little things, but if something major comes up, I can give Kate the opportunity to handle it.
Miles squeals. “Mommy!”
Now I prepped myself all week for how beautiful I knew Kate had to be—I was very much right. She has flawless olive skin, long brown hair, and even without the heels she’s wearing, I’m sure she’s at least a couple of inches taller than me.
Miles races to wrap his little arms around her waist, and she chuckles, leaning over to hug him back. “Hey, baby. I’m so happy to see you.”
Okay, deep breaths. I’ve got this.“Hi, I’m Lucie.”
I hold out my hand for a shake. For a moment, Kate just looks at it, but with a quick glance down at Miles, she caves. “Kate.”
“We’re going to have the best day ever!” Miles giggles. “I was thinking we could play ‘Escaping Grumpiness’ and get hotdogs. Oh! Can I get mustard on my hotdog?”
Not every food venture has stuck with Miles, but I consider the condiments he now likes on hotdogs as my biggest accomplishment.
“Yeah, I think we can get some mustard for you, bud.”
Kate huffs a small laugh. “And what’s ‘Escaping Grumpiness?’ Is that what you call hiding from your father?”
Don’t answer, Luce, it’s a trap.
Miles shakes his head. “No, silly Mommy. It’s hiding from Shannon. She’s always grumpy.”
Kate raises her eyebrows as she looks at me and says with a whisper, “So, grumpy is code for bitchy, yes?”
Okay, common ground topic. “You guessed it.”
Miles grabs hold of each of our hands and pulls. “Come on, let's get going.”
I laugh. “And what exactly are you wanting to do first?”
Miles drops our hands and looks up to the ceiling as he thinks. “Is it time for warm-ups?”
I check the time again. “Batting practice should be starting. Do you want to shag some balls?”
“Yes!” Miles’s eyes go wide. “And maybe Mommy can meet Callie!”
“Oh, I must meet the girl you claim you’re going to marry.” Kate’s excitement holds what sounds a bit like condescension, but we’re swallowing it all down.
“Alright, Miles, do you remember how to get to the door that leads to the field?”
“Yes!” He nods, then scrunches his nose. “Will you tell me if I gothe wrong way?”
I laugh. “Yes, I’ll tell you if we start going the wrong way.”
Kate and I walk in silence. Our eyes focused on Miles as he skips down the hall. Kate’s heels click just like Shannon’s, but they sound different in a way. Maybe just because I know Shannon, they come off annoying, but with Kate, I swear they sound different. Her heels sound like power. I know that might sound crazy, but it’s the first thing I think of.
