Page 6 of Merrick
Chapter 4
JEMMA
“He kissed you?” Ember nearly shrieks.
I cringe, looking around at the other parents sitting on the metal bleachers watching Mattie’s little league game. Only a few people look over at us curiously but quickly return their attention to the game. Thank God Merrick is standing out by third base and couldn't possibly have heard her.
“I said that he almost kissed me.”
“After the way you two were dancing, I was sure that you guys would have sealed the deal.”
“Really? With my son in the next room?” I roll my eyes.
Ember pulls a face. “Good point. So, what happened?”
“Well, after the ball, he took me home and walked me to my front door. At first, neither of us said anything. I think we were both trying to prolong the moment.”
Ember rests her chin on her hand. "I love that feeling. It's awkward but not in a bad way. But in an exciting what’s going to come next feeling.”
“Exactly.” I smile, remembering how it felt when he leaned in and rested his hands on the railing on either side of me. "He did this adorable thing where he bit down on his lip nervously as his gaze focused on my lips. I could barely breathe.”
“And?”
"And the front door swung open, and we were face to face with Mrs. Finkle. She said that she thought she heard something and didn’t realize it was us.”
“Damn, cockblocked by the old lady next door.”
"Tell me about it." I groan into my hands. "Nothing I've done has eased the ache.”
“Next up to the plate, Mattie Mitchell,” the announcer calls over the crackling speaker.
My head pops up.
Mattie looks nervous. He puts so much pressure on himself to be perfect that it sometimes gets in his head, and he can't perform at all. Merrick's been working with him on some techniques to help him calm down. I love that he’s already got a great relationship with Mattie, but it also scares me. What if we try to make a go of it and it doesn’t work out? I don’t want to mess with the relationship they’ve built.
I look at Merrick standing at third base.
“Come on, Mattie!” he calls out and claps his hands. “Remember what I told you!”
My heart skips for the briefest moment when my brain lets me forget reality. I pretend that Merrick and I are married and he’s the best stepdad for Mattie. I glance at the scoreboard and see that there are already two outs. I whisper a little prayer to the baseball gods for just a hit.
The first two pitches soar past Mattie as he swings like he's swinging for a home run. I can see his frustration is getting to him.
“Take a breath, buddy!” Merrick calls to him.
The pitcher winds up and throws the ball. I can’t breathe as I watch it once again soar past Mattie, despite his attempt to try and hit it.
“Strike!” the ump calls.
My heart breaks when I see Mattie's disappointed expression. I'm about to stand and go over to the dugout to see if he's okay, but Merrick is already jogging over to him. He squats down and says something to him as the opposing team comes in from the field, and his teammates head out.
I move my head to look around the kids walking out to see if Mattie is okay. Merrick somehow manages to get him to laugh. Mattie nods his head, and they walk back to the dugout. Merrick's eyes find me in the stand.
“Thank you,” I mouth to him.
He winks at me.
MERRICK
