“To talk about the upcoming season.”
Millie turns and buries her head in my legs. I pass my coffee off to Ben and swing her up into my arms.
“Just about the schedule?” I’m confused about why he’s telling me he has a call with Coach. They talk all the time. At this point, Ben’s played for him for over a decade, and they’re good friends.
“I’m not going back.”
I stutter-step and my gaze flies up to him. “What do you mean you’re not going back?”
He smiles, and even though it carries a note of sadness, especially near his eyes, he mostly looks relieved.
“I can’t leave you and the kids again. Not like last season. I’ve been wavering back and forth, but it’s just too hard.”
“But basketball is your life.”
He tilts his head, aiming a glare at me that screams, Are you kidding?
“You and the kids are my life.”
It’s impossible to keep my chest from filling with hope.
“Are you sure?”
I don’t want to get used to the idea if his mind isn’t completely made up. The last few years have been too hard. I had Millie and a few short weeks later, Ben was back on the road for basketball. I wouldn’t have survived without Donna and Nina.
“Yes. I’m sure.”
“But what are you going to do?”
He shrugs. “I’ve been thinking about coaching. But honestly, for right now, all I care about is being with you guys. School drop-off, tee-ball practice, all of it. I can’t do that while I’m traveling half the year.”
I’m embarrassed that I’m crying. The tears sprang up on me so suddenly I can’t possibly hide them from him. This decision has weighed so heavily on me, and I’ve tried to be a team player. I haven’t burdened Ben with my complaints, and even now, I try my best to encourage him even at the expense of my own happiness.
“You could do the final year? The fans will be so upset to lose you.”
He frowns, almost angrily, as he sees the tears swimming in my eyes. Does he realize how much I’ve kept from him?
“I’ve given this city enough of me.”
I nod, understanding.
“This will free us up a lot. Especially you.” His gaze holds me captive as he continues, “You’ll be able to take that part-time position with Professor Olmsted.”
My mouth drops. “How did you—”
“I saw the email you printed out. On our desk. Were you going to tell me about it?” he asks, sounding sad more than accusing.
I look away and shake my head.
I didn’t want to bring it up because I was never going to actually go through with it. Not this year. We were going to prioritize Ben’s last season with the team, and my dreams were going to have to wait a little longer. I hate that I had to step back from my work after I finished my PhD, but I had no other choice. With all the traveling, there was no way for me to maintain a position at Caltech, not to mention all my back-to-back pregnancies. We’ve been busy building our family, and I was okay with that. More than okay. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with my family.
But still, I printed out that email because it was the only thing I could do with it. I wanted to ensure it was real, that I was still a human with interests and pursuits outside of my role as a mom and wife. That my identity as a woman of science still existed, at least on that thin piece of paper.
I shake my head. “It’s silly. I know we’ve got our hands full as it is.”
“Birdie…”
The park comes into view up ahead, and the boys ditch their bikes and scooters to run for the playground. Millie squirms and I let her down on the grass so she can toddle after them. Ben and I keep walking until we’re close enough to keep an eye out as they play together, but far enough away to continue our conversation.
“I’ve already talked it over with Donna,” Ben says. “With the boys in daycare and Caleb in school, that only leaves Millie. Donna and I can watch her in the mornings while you’re at Caltech. You’d be back before she woke up from her afternoon nap. That’s nothing.”
God, is this really possible?
Could I?
“Do you miss your work?” he asks, trying to goad me into speaking.
Of course.
I swallow down my guilt. I have so much; I shouldn’t need anything else.
He passes me my coffee and we’re quiet for a bit while we watch the kids play. Caleb helps Millie go up the stairs, and Hayden is clapping his hands and cheering her on at the top.
When Ben speaks up again, I’m surprised to realize we’ve been thinking about the same thing.
“Do you remember the night I confronted you about you leaving Caltech to move home to Pine Hill?”
I nod mutely.
“You remember how pissed I was?” he asks with a soft chuckle.
“I seem to remember doing a good bit of yelling too,” I tease.
“True. You’ve always been stubborn, but I’ll say to you now what I said to you then.” He reaches out to take my hand, forcing me to look over at him. “Let me help you,” he implores, his voice low and tempting.
Emotion tightens my throat, and all I can do is nod, over and over as he pulls me into a tight hug.
“We’ll plan it with Donna when we get home. We’ll iron out the details and you’ll take the position, Birdie.”
“I’ll take the position,” I affirm, nodding.
He kisses my hair. “Good. Now let’s go show these kids how to race down that slide.”
I can’t help but laugh. “You’re going to get stuck again! Remember last time? I thought we were going to have to get the fire department down here to cut you free.”
“Sure, sure. Keep making up excuses. You know I’m going to beat you.”
I casually set down my coffee on the grass and then, without warning, start running toward the slide to beat him there. In seconds, he’s on me, picking me up and whirling me around while I break out into laughter. The kids all come running, laughing and playing along.
“Put Mommy down!”
“Don’t hurt Mommy!”
Levi pummels Ben’s thighs with his little fists. “Let her go!”
Ben laughs and squeezes me tighter.
“I’m not hurting her. Don’t you guys realize? Your mommy has me wrapped around her finger. Always has…” He sets me down and turns me so he can look me square in the eyes as he finishes, “Always will.”
I hope you loved Ben and Birdie! Continue reading for a sample of my USA Today Bestseller and Amazon #1 bestselling sports romance SCORING WILDER!
* * *
SYNOPSIS
What started out as a joke— seduce Coach Wilder—soon became a goal she had to score.
* * *
With Olympic tryouts on the horizon, the last thing nineteen-year-old Kinsley Bryant needs to add to her plate is Liam Wilder. He's a professional soccer player, America's favorite bad-boy, and has all the qualities of a skilled panty-dropper.
* * *
• A face that makes girls weep – check.