Page 54 of Succeeding Love
“Damn, that was a good game,” Vin said after they won.
“Mama, can I go see Preston?” Jessie asked when other siblings ran onto the field.
“Sure. Just don’t get in the way.”
“I’ll come too,” Vin said. His pants stretched across his thick leg muscles as he stepped down from the bleachers. “I’m going to say hi to the coach.”
Jessie and Vin chatted as they walked onto the field. She seemed comfortable with him now, to my relief.
“So,” Nick stood awkwardly beside me as the other parents cleared out. “What’s the plan now? Are there more games?”
“Not for them. Not today anyway. I think there’s another game next weekend closer to home. They still have to stay and watch the other teams, though. They’ll get back home tomorrow.”
“Huh,” he slid his hands in his pockets, staring at the ground. “So, what about you? You’re probably heading back now?”
I sighed. He just had to make this awkward again. “Actually, no. I’ll be heading back tomorrow too.”
His frown deepened towards the ground. You could have cut the tension with a knife.
“Could I persuade you to fly back with Jessie and me?”
I froze. “Excuse me?” I had to have misheard him.
His eyes swept up to me, pain etched in their corners. “Fay. Please. Don’t stay here with him.”
I scoffed in disbelief. A choice number of things popped into my head to say, but for once, my brain had a filter and none of them slipped out. Coldness spread over my body.
“Have a safe flight, Nick.” I descended the steps.
“Fay, wait. Please, just consider- “ He reached out to grab my arm, but I jerked it free.
“Not here,” I said coldly. “Not at Preston’s game. If you have something to say, it can wait until we are alone.”
I would not draw attention to us and take away this victory for my son. I don’t know what Nick is thinking. That hehas any right to dictate who I spend time with or what I do. It’s disrespectful to not just me, but Arlene. How can he ask that of me when she’s likely waiting for him back home?
His eyes remained pleading, but I just turned my back and walked away, trying my best to hide the contempt I was feeling.
~
Vin
“How’re the tacos?”
Lynn smiled and shrugged. “Good. Needs salt.” She picked up a lime and squirted it all over her next taco before sprinkling salt on top.
We were sitting on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, eating at a cantina while watching the boats pass by. Ducks were swarming around the edge of the water, desperate for a bite of someone’s food. I thought Lynn would love it, but she’s been a little distracted all throughout the meal.
My happy little road-trip partner hasn’t been so happy since we left the game. She has been deep in thought and unusually quiet.
Honestly, it’s been ever since I left her and her ex-husband alone. It was nice catching up with an old coach of mine, and I think I won over a lot of points with her kids, but she’s been tense ever since. I should have grabbed her hand and dragged her with me.
Slapping my hands on my thighs, I sat back in my chair to watch Lynn’s small mouth try to fit around her taco. It impressed me when she easily fit half of it in her mouth. Really impressed. I’m glad I had my napkin on my lap.
She looked up at me with a full mouth and gave me a questioning grin.
“You’re cute,” I smirked.
“Nu-mh mhh nmmh,” she mumbled with her full mouth.