Page 18 of Don't Hurt Us
Chapter 10
Sydney
“IsMaverickmadatme?”Danny mutters under his breath as we grab his gear and pack up his bag.He keeps his gaze downcast, refusing to meet my eyes.Every so often, I catch his bottom lip quivering the smallest amount.He’s barely holding himself together.
“No, sweetie.He’s hurting, but I don’t think he’s mad.”I rub a hand up and down his back.He’s so upset over injuring Maverick and it breaks my heart to see him like this.
“I don’t want him to hate me.”A single tear slips down his cheek and he quickly wipes it away before anyone else can see it.
“He doesn’t hate you.It was an accident.Do you understand that?”I drop down to my knees and take his hands in mine.He doesn’t want to meet my eyes, but he knows I'm not leaving here until he does.
He nods his head, but I can tell he doesn’t believe me.I don’t know what else to do.I could tell him Mav isn't mad until I'm blue in the face and it’s still not going to convince him.
“Hey, Danny!”Mav hurries over as quickly as he can, but he’s limping pretty badly.It takes him a second to get down to his knee, but then he places his hand on Danny’s shoulder.“That was a crazy hit!We should start calling you Slugger.I'm so proud of you.”
“You’re proud of me?”He lifts his head the smallest amount.His little brows knit together and he looks so confused.
I want to throw myself into Maverick’s arms and hug him as tightly as I can.I want to kiss him and beg him to marry me.I know he’s in pain, but he’s making sure my son is ok over everything else.
“Of course!You did amazing!”
“But I hurt you,” he whispers, shaking his head.This isn't making sense to him.Like I told Mav, Rob would’ve flipped out.
“Yeah, well, things happen.”He shrugs.“It’s not like you tried to hit me… Right?Wait!Did you try to hit me?”Mav scowls at Danny, making him giggle.
“No!I’d never try to hit you!”He laughs even harder.
“So, then it was an accident.Why would I get upset about an accident?Even if you had hit me in the balls, I wouldn’t be mad at you.Though I’d probably limp for a lot longer.”He tugs his shorts up and grimaces at the bruise.It’s getting darker and darker.“Plus, this is a pretty cool battle wound.It’s definitely going to be all different colors and look gross by morning.”
“Thank you, Mav.”Danny throws himself into Maverick’s unexpecting arms.Mav gets knocked back slightly, but he doesn’t say a word.He wraps his arms around my son and hugs him back with just as much ferocity.
“Why don’t you go get in the car?You can start the engine and get it warm for me while I talk to Mav.”I hold out my keys and Danny takes them.He slings his bag over his shoulder and rushes towards the door.
“Bye, Mav!Thank you for your help today!”He waves before disappearing outside.
I stand to my full height and watch in amusement while Maverick tries to stand.He winces, but tries to hide it.He’s in a lot of pain and I feel bad.
“Do you need help?”I hold out a hand with a smirk.
“I want to say no and act like a man, but this hurts so bad.”He takes my hand and slowly rises until he’s towering over me again.
“I'm sorry-”
“Stop apologizing, Syd.This is temporary.He didn’t damage me for good.In a few weeks there will be no proof I got beat up by a ten-year-old.”
“Stop it!”I giggle and swat at his chest, causing a slow grin to spread across his face.
He grabs my wrists in a gentle hold and tugs me towards him.Because I have the grace of a newborn giraffe, I stumble and crash into his chest.He grabs my waist to keep me from falling and when I glance up at him, his attention is already intently focused on me.
“He’s a great kid, Syd.I’d like to continue working with him.I think if we work one-on-one for a while, he could be unstoppable on the mound or up at bat.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I want to.You want him to have a good role model in his life, let me be that.”His fingers flex, and he rubs his thumbs back and forth on my waist.It’s the most attention I’ve gotten in months and it’s making me much too agreeable.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
I wish he’d tilt my chin up and claim my lips.I wouldn’t even try to stop it.I’d kiss him back, then beg him to date me.Anything to keep the smile on my son’s face… And maybe the smile on my face too.
