Page 18 of Unexpectedly Falling
“And despite me being here under circumstances that make you feel like you don’t have to impress me,” I say as I throw asideways glance at him, “you really think I’m the best fit for what you’re trying to do?” The man-eater headlines roll through my mind, and while I feel the message he’s trying to send in the very fiber of my being, I need him to be sure.
“Nessa,” he says with a hand on my shoulder, “I’ve been at this game a long time. Your narrative is what you want it to be but when I look at your headlines—when I see clips of you on the field—I see a woman who hasn’t let anyone else dictate the path she’s on. I see a woman full of determination and pride who works hard and supports her teammates and her community. And can I tell you a secret?” he asks, his eyes twinkling again as I try not to let the full impact of his words show on my face.
“Sure.”
“You bein’ here is providential,” he says with a dramatic pause, “but given the choice I would have asked for you anyway.”
It’s a compliment. It’s validation.
And it’s the highest praise to have someone see past the shiny facade to the person I work tirelessly to be.
“I appreciate you saying that, Coach,” I say, the words somehow insignificant and fitting all at the same time. Clearing my throat, I offer my hand. “It would be an honor to be a part of your program.”
His smile grows impossibly wide as it stretches over his face. “The Blackstone Lions thank you, Miss Hart.”
“Nessa.”
He grins. “Well, Nessa, let’s go out and talk to Lana and see if we can get you set up here for the duration. After you,” he says, motioning for me to go ahead of him, and I can’t help but feel the significance of meleading the way.
Goose bumps break out over my arms, and I let myself settle into the whirlwind of emotions. The woman at the front desk looks up at our return. I’d been so hell-bent on getting back toNashville as soon as possible, but somehow, in the midst of all the chaos, I might have found where I’m meant to be.
At least while I’m in Blackstone Falls.
9
JENSEN
“Now’s not a good time,” I say as panic threatens to pull me under. Remi screams again, the tears more than I can handle from my sweet baby girl. She’d apparently lulled me into a false sense of confidence last night and this morning before Nessa left.
And I’ve been struggling to get her settled on and off since.
“Looks like it’s the perfect time,” Mason says as he and Bodhi push into the house. “May I?” he asks, holding out his hands, and I nod, watching in fascination as Mason handles Remi with an expertise I didn’t expect.
“What do you need?” Bodhi asks me as Mason moves to the couch, cooing to my daughter and patting her back.
“I—I don’t know,” I admit running my hand through my hair.
“Have you showered?”
“What? No, but—” I look down at the clean T-shirt I threw on this morning and only find a couple spots of questionable material.
“Go shower. Take a breath and we’ll take care of the baby. When does she eat next?”
“Not for another hour but I don’t know what happened. We did well overnight, but now everything I’ve tried isn’t working.”
He shrugs. “She’s a baby. Sometimes that’s just it.”
“Also,” Mason says as Remi settles against him, “Nessa might not be her biological mom, but she’s been the constant in her life for months. It’s going to take some time for her to adjust. It’s nothing personal, okay? Her entire world was one person and it just got bigger, but she’s still gonna have to bond with you. You’re doing great.”
I want to ask why he’s so confident, and why Bodhi just moves around wordlessly and tidies up while seemingly handing things to Mason before he asks.
But I know why. And if I didn’t realize it before, I do now, but I don’t dare ask. It’s not my business how many foster homes they were in, how many kids they saw come and go, what it was like.
It’s none of my business, and because I’ve seen some things I wish I could forget, I won’t ask them to relive any of it.
“Man, I forgot how much I missed babies,” Mason says while Bodhi’s lips twitch.
“Really? Because I live with one and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.” Bodhi grins as Mason’s jaw falls open.
