Page 43 of Don't Hurt Us
“Your bakery is flourishing, sweetheart.”
“Yeah, it really is.I have a feeling I can thank you for that.I’ve had a lot of people stopping in and saying they tried something at the bar and it was delicious.They wanted to stop in to see what else we had to offer.Do you get a lot of people from out of town?”
“We didn’t used to, but with the new pairings, we’ve been getting more and more.Brad runs some social media accounts for me.He’s really been promoting this and getting a lot of attention from neighboring towns.He said people are commenting and saying they can’t wait to come.He calls it ‘Sydney’s Sweets and Maverick’s Drinks’.I have a feeling when he finds out we’re dating, he’s going to push it even more and call us the dynamic duo.”
Chapter 19
Maverick
“No!No,no,no!”Danny groans, dropping his head onto the table.
“What’s going on?”My brows furrow as I step up behind him and place a hand on his shoulder.He’s been calmer lately and more at peace with Rob not being around.
Sydney swears it’s all because of me, I’m not sure about that, but I hope I'm making a difference in their life.As long as I’m making things a tiny bit easier, I'm happy.
“Coach Tom got hurt.He can't coach us anymore.They can't find anyone to take over, so baseball is canceled.”A tear slips down his cheek as he drops his head on the table again.
“It will be ok, Danny.Someone will take over.I guarantee it.”
“This is the worst day of my life.I love baseball.”
I squeeze his shoulder and murmur something about needing to make a call.This might be stupid because I really don’t have time for this, but I can't let Danny down.
“Hey, Maverick.I'm assuming you heard?”
“What happened, Tom?”I get right to the point.Tom was my baseball coach and he always swore if he was alive and able, he would coach baseball until the day he died.
“I broke my leg.They say it’s going to be a long recovery.I don’t see how I can coach if I can't even walk.”
“But the baseball season hasn’t even started yet.”
“Nah, it hasn’t, but you know how I like to do things.I'm not saying the season is canceled, just the off-season games I normally organize with other teams and the weekly practices.”
“What if I take over?”
“Mav, when do you have time for that?”Tom’s voice softens.
“I just hired some new employees so I won't have to work as much.I can make it work.Danny’s really upset about this.”
“I was wondering if this had to do with Danny.”I can hear the smile in his tone.“That boy has been completely different since you worked with him that one day.It’s like I got the old Danny back, except somehow better.”
“He’s a good kid.His dad walking out really did a number on him though.”
“I heard a rumor around town… Are you and Sydney a couple now?”
“We are.”I chuckle, loving how he pushes for more information.“We’ve been dating for almost two months.”
“That’s good to hear, Maverick.I think you’re exactly what those kids need.Sydney too.”He shuffles around something on his end of the line before his voice comes through clear again.“If you’re positive you want to do this, I’ll let the parents know they’ll be hearing from you.We normally have practice on Thursdays, but you can change whatever you need to in order to make it work for your schedule.”
“Thanks, Tom.”
“No, thank you.You’ll be amazing with these boys.I have a feeling you’re the coach they need to take it to the next level.”
As soon as I'm off the phone with Tom, I go in search of Danny.I want to tell him the news immediately.I hate seeing him so upset.
I find him in the living room, curled up on the couch with Sydney.His face is buried in his hands and Sydney is rubbing his back in slow circles.
“There’s still time for Coach Tom to heal before the season really starts.Let’s just give it time and see what happens,” she whispers, attempting to soothe her son.
