Team Mom: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love Book 1)

by Delaney Cameron

  Hidden by a larger photo of Devon in his army uniform was a picture of a pigtailed girl with a gap-toothed smile clad in a gaudy Christmas apron. In her hands, she held a plate of cookies. He picked up the frame and examined it more closely. Her hair had been lighter then, but the freckles and smile were the same. This was the girl who’d caught the lightning bugs and sat in the swing at her grandparents’ house. This was the dreamer.

  “Hey, Coach Gibson,” a hoarse voice said from behind him.

  Eric hid a smile as he realized this was the second time today Jordan had caught him holding Julie. At least this time, he wasn’t kissing her. He reluctantly returned the picture to its place. “How are you feeling?”

  “My throat still hurts.”

  “Do you want something to eat?”

  Jordan walked over to the couch, turned on the TV and sat down. “I’ll take some applesauce.”

  “I’ll be right over.” Eric grabbed a water bottle and a container of applesauce. He opened up drawers until he located the silverware. “Here you go.” He set the items on the coffee table. “You’ve got some medicine to take in an hour.”

  Jordan peeled off the lid of the applesauce. “Are you and Aunt Julie dating now?”

  Eric sank down in the chair next to the couch and stretched out his legs. He noticed that the scratch he’d received from his collision with a customer’s rose bush was finally beginning to heal. “That’s a good question.”

  “You were kissing her. Doesn’t that mean you’re dating her?”

  “Well, it can mean that. Are you upset about it?”

  Jordan shook his head. “No, I was just surprised.”

  Eric laughed. “I was, too.”

  “You didn’t plan to kiss her?”

  He had, and he hadn’t. This wasn’t a conversation he should be having with Jordan. Julie would probably kill him when she found out. “No, I’m here today to keep you company.”

  Jordan took a bite of applesauce. “My friend John kissed a girl at the mall. He said it made him feel sick. Did you feel sick when you kissed Aunt Julie?”

  He’d felt amazing; something else he couldn’t tell Jordan. “It’s different when you’re older. You don’t need to worry about it right now.”

  Jordan turned up the volume on the TV, and Eric let out a sigh of relief. The interrogation was over. For now, anyway.

  “Aunt Julie says that if I feel better, we can come watch the game on Saturday. I can’t be in the dugout, though.”

  “I know it’s not the same, but I’m glad you’re going to be there. Matt is planning to come, too.” If only he could keep his father and Brianna away.

  “Are you going to pitch Tyler first?”

  “I haven’t decided yet, but it will either be Hunter or Tyler.”

  “Tyler says you have to start him, or we won’t win.”

  Eric grunted irritably. “Tyler says lots of things that aren’t true.”

  They were in the middle of a zombie movie when Eric got a text from Julie.

  How is everything?

  Medicine is in. Temperature is staying steady at 101.5.

  Is he sleeping a lot?

  Not since he got up. He’s resting on the couch.

  I really appreciate you doing this.

  You showed your appreciation very nicely this morning. I’m hoping you’ll do it again tonight before I leave.

  I can’t do the same thing again. That might get boring.

  Did I look in any danger of being bored?

  I don’t know. I closed my eyes.

  Okay, did it feel like I was bored?

  No comment.

  You take diplomacy to an entirely new level.

  You’ll get used to it. I’ve got to go. I’ll be home around four.

  Eric put the phone back in his pocket and tried to reinterest himself in the movie. It wasn’t an easy task. Between his frustration with his father’s arrival and that mind-blowing kiss from Julie, he didn’t know if he was coming or going.

  ******

  Julie ushered her last few students into the waiting cars and returned to her classroom. As she pushed small chairs into place under tables, her thoughts were already on their way home. Her anticipation had been building steadily for the last hour. She couldn’t wait to see Eric, and if she was honest, she was more than a little curious to find out if what happened had been an aberration or a natural next step in their relationship.

  As she slid her key into the door, it opened and there he stood. His hair wasn’t quite as neat as it had been earlier, but his smile got her pulse racing.

  “You’re home early.”

  “A whole five minutes early.”

  He drew her inside and closed the door. “That’s five more minutes I get to spend with you.”

  “What are you going to do with the extra time?”

  He lowered his voice. “Look at you, hold you, kiss you. All the things I’ve been thinking about doing all day.”

  “Where’s Jordan?” she said, her glance reluctantly moving beyond him.

  “Taking a nap. When I took his temperature an hour ago, it was 100.5.”

  “That’s good. He’s almost back to normal.”

  Eric slid the heavy bag off her shoulder and set it on the coffee table. “I can’t stay long. I’ve got to get ready for practice.”

  She hoped her disappointment wasn’t too evident. “Thank you for staying with Jordan.”

  “Just wait until tomorrow evening to thank me.”

  “I can’t let you do this again.”

  He stepped closer, his hands encircling her waist. “Why can’t you?”

  His nearness made thinking more difficult. “I’m taking you away from Matt.”

  He skimmed his lips along the curve of her face until he reached her mouth. “Matt doesn’t mind,” he whispered as he teased her with kisses that left her trembling in his arms. “Are we agreed that I stay with Jordan tomorrow?”

  Julie was still dealing with a wildly thumping heart and tingling skin. She probably would have agreed to anything. “I suppose so.”

  “Good.” He bent to pick up his keys from the table. “It won’t be the same without you at practice.”

  She laughed shakily as she followed him to the door. “I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m going to miss going to practice.”

  “It’s nice to know the suffering isn’t one-sided.” He gave her a quick kiss and then as if he couldn’t help himself, took her lips again, longer this time. “I knew kissing you would be addictive.”

  “Then why did you start?”

  He smiled widely as he opened the door. “I’ll let you figure that one out.”

  ******

  Eric uttered a few words his mother wouldn’t have liked when he saw the silver sports car blocking his entrance to the garage. His mood wasn’t improved when he noticed the light coming from a room on the second floor. That better be Matt in there. Taking a deep breath, he walked into the house.

  He could hear Delilah barking. He hated having to confine her to his room, but he couldn’t take the chance of her accidentally getting outside. There were snakes and other wild animals in the woods on his property that could pose a serious threat to a small dog.

  He remembered his father’s comments the previous evening about the correlation between a man’s choice of pet and his masculinity. Once again, the inference was unmistakable. Eric wasn’t a ‘real’ man; he was weak in his dealings with women. And foolish enough to believe in love. Someone in his position should have a string of mistresses attached to his name. That would have made his father proud.

  Music blared from the patio. A glance in the kitchen told him his guests didn’t know the meaning of cleaning up after themselves. He’d take care of it later, after they went to bed.

  Matt met him at the top of the stairs, his heavy frown mirroring Eric’s own. “You can’t keep leaving me here alone with those two. She ate dinner sitting on his lap.”

  “I’ve see
n him do worse.”

  “Does worse include skinny-dipping in the pool?”

  Eric had started to walk away. At this he swung around quickly. “They did that with you here?”

  “No. Mrs. Parsons mentioned it when I came in.”

  Eric groaned. “That’s worse. She’ll probably quit. Was Chelsea with her?”

  “She had some kind of afterschool activity.”

  “Thank goodness for that. Was Mrs. Parsons terribly upset?”

  “She doesn’t want to come back until they leave.”

  “I can understand that. That’s not something I’d want to see even one time. Was it you in the studio just now?”

  Matt shook his head. “I haven’t been in that part of the house.”

  “The light was on when I pulled up outside. I’ll go check it out after I walk Delilah.”

  “I took care of that for you.”

  Eric laughed. “I know what that must have cost you.”

  Matt grinned widely. “It’s going to cost you. I’m not sticking around here tonight. I’m taking my lovely girlfriend to a movie.”

  “Can I tag along? I’ll go watch a different movie, if that helps.”

  “I wouldn’t mind, but Sarah still hasn’t forgiven you for not meeting her cousin.”

  “Oh, well, I can always go to bed early. By the way, I’m not working tomorrow either.”

  “Myra will be disappointed.”

  Eric’s lips twitched. “If I remember right, Jonathan likes to work without a shirt. That should give her something else to think about.”

  “That’s true. Later, man.”

  ******

  After letting Delilah get over her excitement at seeing him, Eric strode to the other side of the house. Light still shone under the door. Were they in there? A surge of anger swept through him. Of all the rooms in the house, this was the one he didn’t want them in.

  His fists clenched. Did his father have no shame? No decency? This was his mother’s room. Her paintings adorned the walls. Easels displayed the two she’d been working on when she got sick. A third easel stood empty as if waiting for her to begin. Her wooden box of paints and glass jar of brushes rested on a table nearby.

  He knocked on the door, his resentment increasing by the second.

  “Come in,” Brianna said.

  His stormy glance wiped the tentative smile from her face. “What are you doing in here?”

  She pointed to the wall. “I was admiring your mother’s work. I’m something of an artist myself.”

  If anything, this admission made him angrier. “Are you? How does my father feel about that?”

  Brianna twisted the huge diamond ring on her finger. “Why do you always refer to him that way?”

  “That’s not a subject I feel comfortable discussing with someone I just met.”

  She moved to the door. “I’m sorry if I wasn’t supposed to be in here. I won’t do it again.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  The sound of her footsteps faded, but the cloying scent she favored lingered. He wrinkled his nose in disgust. Why did some women drown themselves in heavy perfume?

  He switched off the light and took the precaution of locking the door. He held no personal grudge against Brianna, but she could get her inspiration somewhere else. It was ironic that his father would align himself with another artist. Far from supporting his mother’s passion for painting, his father had told her she was wasting her time and his money pursuing something she had no talent for. Would Brianna eventually get the same treatment?

  Eric trod down the stairs to the kitchen and ran into his father. Giving him a curt nod, he stepped into the pantry for bread, peanut butter and bananas.

  “Is that what rich men eat for dinner? Where’s your chef?”

  Eric ignored this and continued to peel and slice a banana.

  His father laughed. “I thought your experience with marriage might change you, but you’re still the same old Eric. Blaming me for things I didn’t do.”

  And he was the same old Mark. Blaming everyone else for what he’d done. “What are your plans for tomorrow?”

  “What do you care? You’re not going to be here.”

  Eric spread a thick layer of peanut butter on a slice of bread. “You’re right, but you knew that when you decided to come early.”

  “Would it have made any difference when I came?”

  “I’m confused. Isn’t this a honeymoon trip? That’s the impression you gave Matt. That being so, it’s only logical that I would assume you want to be alone.”

  A hand slammed down on the counter. “That’s not why you’re avoiding me. You can’t stand the thought of me being happy with someone other than your mother.”

  “You evidently require quite a few women to achieve happiness. Your girlfriends or whatever you call them must number in the twenties or thirties by now.”

  “That sounds like jealousy. I can’t help it that even with all your accolades and money, you can’t find a woman who will stay with you.”

  Again, Eric didn’t answer. Instead, he took a bite of his sandwich and poured a glass of milk.

  “The silent treatment,” his father spat out. “You’re just like her, you know that?”

  “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me. Well, other than the day you told me you were moving to Vegas.”

  “What if I told you I’m thinking of coming back? Would that ruin your day?”

  Eric looked up from the counter. “I thought your dealership was doing well there.”

  “It did so well that I sold it. You’re not the only millionaire in the family now.”

  “In that case, you can take your newest source of happiness to one of those expensive hotels on the beach and leave me in peace.”

  His father laughed harshly. “I’m planning on it. You didn’t really think I was going to stay here, did you? I just wanted to make you uncomfortable for a few days.”

  “It’s nice to know we understand each other so well.”

  “I didn’t intend to upset your housekeeper. I’m sorry about that. Brianna dared me to do it, and you know I can’t resist a challenge.”

  Eric couldn’t hide his distaste. “Spare me the details.”

  “Will it bother you if we come to watch your little league team play on Saturday? Brianna would enjoy it.”

  “Do you not see the irony here?”

  “I’m not going to get into all that. It’s in the past; I can’t go back and be the kind of father you wanted or the kind of husband your mother deserved. If you want me to stay away, I will. I owe you that much.”

  “You can come or not come. It doesn’t matter to me.”

  His father nodded. “That’s as close to a ‘yes’ as I’m likely to get.”

  Chapter Nine

  Eric had the door open when Julie arrived home the following afternoon. “You’re spoiling me,” she said with a grin.

  “Do you like it?” he asked as he took the pizza box out of her hand and bent to kiss her.

  “What do you think?”

  “You’re making me wish I could stay longer,” he whispered in her ear.

  “There’s no practice tonight, is there?”

  He set the pizza on the counter in the kitchen. “No, but my neighbor asked me to speak at his son’s Boy Scout meeting.”

  “Always in demand, aren’t you?” Julie lifted the lid, pulled a piece of pepperoni from the pizza and plopped it in her mouth. “Do you have time to eat with us?”

  “Yes, I do. Can I have my dessert first?” Eric moved behind her and slid his arms around her waist. When she glanced anxiously into the living room, he laughed. “Jordan’s in the shower. His temperature was normal all day, but he says his throat is still pretty sore.” He trailed a line of kisses from the nape of her neck to her ear. “I could do this all day long.”

  “And I’d let you,” she replied huskily.

  His low laugh stopped abruptly at the sound of footsteps c
oming down the hall. Eric stepped away from her just as Jordan rounded the corner.

  “Hey, Aunt Julie. Is that pizza?”

  Hoping she didn’t look as flustered as she felt, she turned toward him. “Sure is. Sit down at the table, and I’ll bring you some.”

  The topic at dinner was opening day. It was decided that Julie would bring Jordan to the field at eleven for the team picture. They would decide later if he felt up to staying for the game.

  “I was so upset that my parents couldn’t make it to watch Jordan play. I never thought something would happen to keep him from playing.”

  Jordan started to wipe his mouth on his sleeve and then hurriedly grabbed a napkin. “I should be able to play by next Saturday, shouldn’t I?”

  “I don’t see why not,” Julie replied.

  “I wish we could go to your house tonight, Coach Gibson. There’s a good game on.”

  “I know, bud. The problem is I have company staying at my house right now,” Eric said.

  Julie looked up from putting away the pizza. Company? Did that mean Sydney? Just the thought of it made her sick to her stomach.

  “Oh, who is it?” Jordan asked.

  Eric hesitated a few seconds. “My father and his new wife.”

  “You’ve got a step-mom now, too?”

  He smiled faintly. “I suppose I do.”

  The way he answered Jordan made Julie think he hadn’t wanted to mention the subject at all.

  “How long are they staying?” she asked when it appeared he wasn’t going to say anything else.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “I wish you would have told me. I could have found someone else to stay with Jordan.”

  “Don’t worry about it. They weren’t supposed to arrive until today.”

  Even so, he hadn’t mentioned that they were coming at all. This omission struck her as strange. “Well, with Jordan so much better, we won’t be needing your services anymore.”

  “Mowing lawns will seem kind of tame after this.”

  Jordan laughed. “I guess you’re back to just being a coach.”

  Eric sent Julie a teasing glance. “I hope not.”