“I doubt it. He’s won five state championships since he’s been here.”
Julie absently grabbed a few peanuts. “Have you considered coaching high school or college?”
“I prefer working with kids Jordan’s age. They’re more willing to listen and less interested in girls.”
“Speaking of girls, are we likely to run into any old girlfriends of yours today?”
“You met the only girl I dated in high school. Myra has better things to do than hang out at a high school baseball game.”
At this point, the teams took the field and everyone stood for the national anthem. Julie fully expected to be ignored from this point forward. Eric, however, had other ideas. Once they were seated again, his hand reached under the table and found hers.
“It’s for good luck,” he explained in a low tone.
“Yours or the team’s?” she asked with a grin.
He laughed. “Both, I hope.”
******
During Jordan’s second trip to the concession stand, Eric took advantage of his absence to tuck a wayward curl behind Julie’s ear. “There. That’s better. Now I can think straight.”
“Has my hair been bothering you?”
“Everything about you bothers me. It’s kind of amazing that I can function at all.”
“You hide it well. I haven’t noticed anything.”
He slid closer along the bench until their legs were touching. “A pitcher can’t afford to show his emotions. I’ve learned to hide them.”
“Another one of your escape clauses?”
Eric nodded. “Jordan is on his way back to the table. What time did you want to leave?”
Julie glanced at her phone. “We should probably go as soon as he finishes whatever he bought to eat. It’s almost eight.”
Not long after, they were following the narrow sidewalk leading to Julie’s apartment. She opened the door and motioned Jordan to go inside. Then she turned to the silent man behind her. “I’d ask you in, but it’s late and I need to get him to bed.”
“I understand. Thanks for coming tonight.”
“Thanks for asking us. We had a great time.”
“Me, too.” He bent down and feathered his lips softly across her ear. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
Julie wasn’t worried about tomorrow. She was trying to figure out right now. Every nerve in her body was quivering with reaction. What was wrong with her? He’d only kissed her ear, for goodness sake. “Tomorrow? Um, I think that would be okay. Can I…can I get back to you?”
He smiled quizzically. “Sure. Just text me. When I’m on the mower, I don’t hear the phone very well.” When she didn’t move or say anything else, he said, “Well, I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow then.”
“Okay, see you later, Eric.” Once inside her apartment, she leaned against the door and covered her face with her hands. “How could I just stare at him like that?” she muttered to herself. “Like some awestruck teenage girl.”
“Did you say something, Aunt Julie?”
She hurriedly dropped her hands and pushed away from the door. “No. I was just talking to myself. You need to take a shower, and I need to make our lunches.”
That might have been her intention, but Julie found it hard to concentrate on ham sandwiches. All she could think about was Eric: how kind and gentle he was, how special he made her feel, and how hard he tried to be the man his mother wanted him to be. He was all the things she had dreamed of finding in someone. And she was falling in love with him.
******
If Eric hadn’t been checking his phone so often for a text from Julie, he would have missed the message from his father. It appeared the impatient newlyweds were so anxious to see him, they decided to arrive two days early. They would be at his house within a few hours.
He muttered fiercely under his breath. There went any chance of seeing Julie. It was tempting to pretend he never got the message and let his father wait outside the entrance gate until Eric decided to come home. He even let himself briefly picture the scene in his mind. But he knew he wouldn’t do it. His mother had brought him up better than that. As he adjusted his safety glasses, he wondered how long he’d have to put up with his unwanted visitors.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Matt approaching on the huge mower. He cut the power to the electric trimmer and took the opportunity to wipe the sweat from his face.
“Did you get Dad’s message?” Matt asked, flipping up his sunglasses.
“Yep,” Eric replied. “He’s running true to form.”
“I told him we couldn’t get back to your house until seven. He said they’d probably go get something to eat. That will give us time to finish here and clean up before they descend on us.”
“You’re really embracing the peacekeeper role.”
“Someone has to do it. I’m going to put this thing on the trailer and get the blower.”
Once Matt was gone, Eric reached for his phone. He needed to let Julie know about the change of plans. When her voice sounded in his ear, he noticed immediately that something was wrong. His own problems were forgotten.
“Hey, Eric. I’m sorry I didn’t get back with you. It’s been kind of hectic around here. Jordan woke up this morning with a fever. I ended up taking him to the doctor. He’s probably got strep throat; we’ll know for sure when they get the culture back. He’s considered contagious for another twenty-four hours, so he can’t go to school or practice.”
“What are you doing about work?”
“They got a substitute for today. They’ll probably have to do it tomorrow, too.”
“Don’t do that. I can come over and sit with him.”
“You can’t leave Matt to do all the work himself.”
“We have people we can call when things come up. I know I don’t have kids myself, but I’m capable of following instructions and known to be calm under pressure.”
Julie laughed tiredly. “All due to you being a pitcher, I suppose. I never realized how much baseball prepares someone for life’s challenges.”
“Even baseball has its limitations. It hasn’t helped me at all with women.”
“That’s because there are no rules for dealing with females.”
“That’s true. Will you trust me to stay with Jordan?”
“It’s not about trust. I hate to impose on you. This is my problem.”
“It’s not an imposition. I’d like to do this for Jordan…and for you.”
She hesitated a few more seconds and then, “Can you be here by seven?”
“Sure can. See you in the morning.”
As he returned the phone to his pocket, he realized that sitting with Jordan was just the beginning of what he’d be willing to do for Julie. As Matt had suggested, he’d gone ‘all in’ with her; he wasn’t holding anything back.
******
Eric’s fists clenched as he waited for his father to stop kissing Brianna long enough to get out of the car. He knew this show of affection was for his benefit, its sole purpose to push Eric’s buttons.
Matt snickered. “He’s going to hurt himself doing that.”
In spite of his irritation, Eric laughed. “I’m going back inside. Let me know when they finish making out.”
“Don’t leave. He’s getting out of the car. Is he coloring his hair? How can he not have any gray hair? He’s fifty-something years old.”
“Whether or not he’s coloring his hair is the least of my issues with him.”
An older version of Eric opened the passenger door and an attractive blonde appeared.
Matt glanced at his brother curiously. “Are you sure she’s not related to Sydney?”
“Can you stop stating the obvious?”
“He was a fool to bring her here. You’re a younger, richer version of him.”
“Thanks for reminding me.”
The two men went silent as Mark Gibson and his newest wife joined them on the porch. Eric swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth and trie
d not to remember how much this man had hurt his mother.
“Brianna, I want you to meet my sons, Eric and Matt.”
Eric managed a credible smile, relieved to find that the likeness to Sydney wasn’t nearly as noticeable up close. While that might lessen his discomfort, it wouldn’t lessen his father’s enjoyment of the situation. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Brianna smiled widely. “Thank you. It’s not every day I get to meet a famous baseball player.” Her glance went to Matt. “And a purple heart recipient.”
Matt held out his hand. “Welcome to St. Marys. Is this your first time in Georgia?”
“Yes, it is, and I love it already.”
Eric walked to the front door and held it open. “I’m sorry we weren’t at home when you first got into town.”
Brianna laughed as she strolled into the house. “That was our fault. You weren’t expecting us today. I told Mark we should have called first.”
“I shouldn’t have to ask my kids’ permission to visit. Besides, I was impatient to show off my wife.”
These comments grated on Eric’s already lacerated nerves. How was he going to endure this? He let Brianna’s expressions of delight in everything she saw flow over him. He knew it was wrong to feel this way, but he didn’t care what she thought about the house or him. He heard Matt ask them if they wanted something to drink and felt a twinge of guilt. He should be the one asking those questions. He was the host whether he liked it or not.
“Maybe later,” his father answered with a tight smile. “Right now, you two can make yourselves useful by getting the luggage out of the car. Since you seem so reluctant to do it yourself, Eric, I’ll show Brianna the rest of the house. It’s not every day we get to see how the other half lives.”
A set of keys were flung in Eric’s direction. He caught them deftly and turned away, not trusting himself to speak. Neither he nor Matt said anything until they were outside.
“Why didn’t you tell him what he could do with his keys?” Matt asked after one look at his brother’s face.
“Because that’s what he wants me to do.” Eric opened the trunk, the frown on his face growing. “I think they hit every mall between here and Vegas.”
Matt shook his head. “We’re in trouble, man. This has all the appearance of an extended stay.”
Eric’s mouth formed a firm line as he reached for several large shopping bags. “That’s what he thinks.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know, but this isn’t a hotel. They can spend their honeymoon somewhere else.”
Matt grabbed two over-stuffed suitcases. “This is better than a hotel. He can stay here for free and get under your skin at the same time. There’s only one thing you can do that will convince him to leave.”
“What’s that?” Eric asked as he pulled yet another bag from the depths of the trunk.
“Flirt with her. He won’t want to watch his much-younger wife make eyes at you.”
“I disagree. I think he’d enjoy thinking he’s got something I want.”
“Only until he realizes that Brianna might want you, too.”
“Forget it. I can’t play around with someone’s feelings like that.”
Matt sighed dramatically. “Must you be so noble?”
“You wouldn’t do anything like that yourself.” Eric led the way back into the house. His guests were nowhere in sight. “Let’s take these upstairs. With any luck, they might decide to go to bed early.”
After they arranged the conglomeration of items in the room, Matt walked over to the window. “They don’t appear to be tired. They’re on their way to the lake. How cute! They’re holding hands.”
“I don’t need the play-by-play. Did Jonathan get back with you about tomorrow?”
“Yeah, we’re all set. Will Jordan miss opening day?”
“I’m almost sure he will. He’s going to be disappointed.”
Matt nodded and glanced outside again. “Now they’re dancing in the gazebo. I never knew Dad was such a romantic.”
“He’s not. That’s what’s so pathetic about it.” Eric moved to the door. “I’m going to walk Delilah.”
Matt followed him down the hall. “I dare you to go to the gazebo.”
“And spoil their special moment? I couldn’t live with myself.”
******
Julie gulped down the last of her cereal and put the bowl in the sink. A glance at the wall clock sent her running down the short hallway to her room. Eric would be there in fifteen minutes. She couldn’t be wearing a robe when he arrived.
Grabbing a dress off the hanger, she walked into the bathroom to survey her appearance. Her hair was all over the place. A large amount of mousse and a hair band helped a little, but not much. She was brushing her teeth when the doorbell rang. With a despairing glance at her reflection, she hurriedly rinsed her mouth and went to let Eric in. Hopefully, he’d be too tired to notice how bad she looked.
She swung open the door and laughed inwardly. He definitely didn’t look tired. “Right on time,” she said as she waved him inside. “As you can see, I’m running a little behind.”
His eyes swept over her, lingering longest on her face. “Was it a bad night?”
“Sort of. Jordan slept on and off. I got up several times to check on him. I kept thinking how I would feel about being sick and not having either of my parents with me.”
Eric nodded. “Whenever I got sick, I always wanted my mom.”
He followed her into the kitchen, making the small area seem even more so. Julie picked up a bottle off the counter.
“Jordan needs to take one of these pink tablets at nine. Try to get him to eat something first. I suggest applesauce or bananas. There’s soup if he’s hungry at lunch. Yesterday, he spent the morning in his room and the afternoon on the couch. I’ve written down the main number for the preschool on that notepad, but try calling me on my cell first if you need anything or have questions.”
“Got it. Is he allowed to watch television or play Xbox?”
“Watching TV is okay; I don’t think he’ll feel like doing anything else. If you haven’t had breakfast, I’ve got cereal and bagels.” She scooted around him. “I need to finish getting ready.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be fine.” He watched her go and then said, “Julie?”
“Yeah?”
“Your zipper isn’t all the way up.”
She reached over her shoulder and felt for the plastic tab. “Thanks for telling me. Nothing like showing up at work half dressed.” The zipper came up a few inches and stopped. She blew out a breath of frustration. “Great; I think it’s stuck.”
“Here; let me take a look,” he said, walking over to stand behind her.
One hand pressed against the small of her back while the other pulled on the zipper. He wasn’t even touching her skin, and Julie could feel herself getting warm and tingly.
“I see the problem,” he murmured.
Julie resisted the urge to move, but it was hard to stand still with his warm breath on her neck. There was slight pressure as he tugged on the slider. When he reached the top, his fingers lightly touched her skin, sending another wave of feeling through her.
“There. You’re all together now.”
She was anything but together; she was a quivering mass of conflicting impulses. “Thank you,” she said somewhat breathlessly as she swung around to face him.
“You’re welcome.”
Something in the way he was looking at her told Julie what was going to happen. He’s finally going to kiss me, and I’m not even wearing makeup. That was her last coherent thought before his mouth began to move over hers. His lips tasted of mint and felt cool and firm against the softness of hers. A curious weakness invaded her legs and traveled slowly up her body.
******
The quick kiss Eric promised himself evolved into something else entirely. There was a slight roaring in his ears, and his pulse beat wildly in time with his heart.
He was deliriously drowning in the scent of Julie’s skin and the exquisite sweetness of her mouth. When he felt her shift closer to him, his hands slid up her back and tangled themselves in her hair.
The click of a door penetrated his dazed senses. It was enough to remind him that they weren’t alone. Eric released her reluctantly, noting that Julie appeared to be as out of breath as he. “I think Jordan is up,” he said softly.
“Oh, no!” Her fingers flew to her mouth. “My nephew is sick, and I’m standing here kissing his baseball coach.”
Eric smiled at her expression of dismay. “From something he said to me in the past, I don’t think he’ll mind.”
“Really? Well, I think it’s high time I was told some of these things Jordan said.” She felt something around her neck and realized it was her hair band. “How did that get here?”
“I might have had something to do with that. Things were getting kind of heated.”
She tilted her head coyly. “Kind of? If you pitched as well as you kiss, I can see why you were so successful.”
“We’ll have to talk more about that later.” He turned her around and gave her a gentle push in the back. “Right now, you need to get to work. I’ll go check on Jordan.”
When he peered into Jordan’s room, the boy was sleeping. Or was giving a good impression of it. Closing the door, Eric walked back into the kitchen and helped himself to a cup of coffee. Julie came scurrying down the hall a few minutes later, her agitated wave in his direction convincing him of the wisdom of staying out of her way.
He knew the feeling; he was still recovering from what had happened. Eric had felt all the normal physical pleasure that comes with kissing a woman, but Julie’s response had added a deeper layer of wonder and amazement. Up until that moment, he hadn’t known whether she’d be willing to think of him as more than a friend. In his mind, that question had been answered. Friends didn’t kiss like that.
A group of pictures arranged on a pedestal table by the front window caught his attention. He hadn’t noticed them before. Here he made the acquaintance of Julie as a teenager: a tennis racquet poised in her hand, braces on her teeth, and frizzy hair blowing in the wind. A few inches to the right, she was proudly walking across the stage in a white cap and gown. Just behind that one, she was all grown up in a strapless dress standing between an older couple he assumed were her parents. But the picture that held his attention was the one he almost didn’t see.
Team Mom: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love Book 1) Page 13
