Page 25 of Don't Hurt Us
I'm already halfway done with my plate.This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time and I want more of it.
“Maverick, would you be able to teach me how to pitch the way you do?None of the coaches teach that yet and I want to be ahead of everyone else.The other teams won't know what hit them if I come out pitching like you.”Danny pushes his food around on his plate.
I'm not sure if he’s not a fan of spaghetti and meatballs or if his mind is too preoccupied with baseball.
“Of course.It’s going to take a while though.You won't get it down overnight.This will take hours and hours of practice and commitment to get it right.Do you think you’re ready for that?”I arch a brow.
I know the kid can do it, but he has to put in the work.Something tells me he’ll enjoy the hours required.It will help him forget about Rob and the emotions he caused when he left.
“I’m ready.I want to be as good as you one day.”
“Alright.Then I’ll work with your mom and see when we can get together.I need you to practice even on the days I can't work with you.”
“I will.I promise.”The excitement in his voice brings a smile to my face.
I remember being that excited about pitching when I was his age.My dad would go in the backyard with me every day after school.We’d throw the ball around and I’d practice until he had to go into the bar.I cherished that time with him.I’d love nothing more than to do the same thing with Danny.
The rest of dinner is spent with Danny and Bree telling us stories about school and how Skylar scheduled a light show assembly for Monday.They both can't wait for it and I’m sure they’ll have a lot of things to tell me on Monday at dinner.
After dinner, we settle on the couch and watch a movie Bree picks.I'm surprised when Danny doesn’t complain about it being too much of a kid movie or when there’s a princess in it.He’s a good sport and you can tell he loves his sister very much.
When the movie is over, the kids give us each a hug, then head down the hall to complete their bedtime routines.
“That’s it?They don’t fight about going to sleep?You don’t need to make sure they brush their teeth?”I stare at Sydney in shock.
“Nope.I told them when they were younger, they had to go right to bed when they were told to.I didn’t tolerate them disobeying.They know what’s expected of them and they listen.”She lifts her shoulder in a shrug like it’s not a big deal.
“That’s crazy.I was an only child and I think I took an hour to finally get in bed.I was a pain for my mom.”
“I'm sure you were.”She giggles.“You’re a total trouble maker.”
“I’ll show you exactly how much of a trouble maker I am,” I murmur.
Chapter 12
Sydney
Maverickplaceshishandson my waist and lifts me onto his lap.I straddle his hips and rest my hands on his chest.His piercing blue eyes take in every little detail as they roam my face.
“What are we doing, Mav?”I loop my hands around the back of his neck and toy with his wavy hair.
“Well, right now, I'm trying to decide if I want to kiss you or if I want to talk some things out with you.”He places his hands on my hips and slowly slips them under the hem of my shirt until they’re resting on my bare waist.
“If you want to talk, you’ll have to stop touching me,” I mumble.The feel of his hands on me is too good.I can't focus on anything other than the way he’s kneading my flesh.
“I don’t really want to.Honestly, I'm not sure I could stop touching you if I tried,” he murmurs as he presses his lips to my neck.
“I think we need to talk though,” I whisper.
“Ok.”The single word comes out half way between a groan and a growl.
“You don’t have to babysit my kids, Mav.”I lean back so he can't kiss me without tugging me back into him.
“I know I don’thaveto.But I'm more than happy to do it… Unless you don’t want me to.”His brows furrow like the thought never crossed his mind before.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, so get that out of your head.I just… They’re not your job to take care of.You’re not obligated to do anything with them.”
“So, because I'm not their dad, I shouldn’t show any interest in them?”He arches a brow, his face emotionless.I can't tell if he’s angry, confused, or annoyed.
