The same superstar girlfriend I’d been trying to stop thinking about for the past couple of weeks, but the universe wasn’t making it easy.
Watching the kids kick the soccer ball back and forth reminded me of the afternoons when Emily would come over after school and ask me to practice with her. I’d had no idea what I was doing but would exaggerate hovering and blocking just to get close to her.
Memories of that were both sweet and dirty since the back-and-forth was a high school version of foreplay, and I’d end up dragging her somewhere to attack her lips and run my hands all over that toned ass and up those gorgeous thighs.
I clenched my eyes shut and shook my head, trying to shake the images out of my horny brain like an Etch A Sketch.
Spotting the table full of forms attached to clipboards, I grabbed one and began to fill it out while Maddie spoke to Jeffrey, still scanning the space and taking it all in. I smiled at her excitement and clicked the pen to start writing when someone tapped my shoulder from behind.
“Jesse? I thought that was you.”
“Penny? I didn’t expect to see you here. I mean, I probably should have.” We shared a laugh when I arched a brow. I’d caught a glimpse of her at the reunion, but I had been too preoccupied with Emily at the time to approach her or anyone else.
“This is what happens. You move back to town and realize how small it is. The whole damn island only looks big on a map but, in reality, it’s pretty tiny.” She was in full athletic gear, just as I’d always remembered her, only this time with a cap on and a whistle around her neck.
“I guess you’re one of the coaches. I’m here to sign up my niece.”
“I am, but I also run the league and manage the other coaches.” I swore I saw her smile shrink by an inch for a second, as if she was bracing herself for something. “You said you’re signing up your niece?”
“Yes, my niece is…mine. Long story, but she’s excited to be here.”
“I love hearing that. How old is she?”
“She’s eight.” I stepped closer, glancing over my shoulder to whisper. “Is there any way that she and Jeffrey could be on the same team? He’s the friend who made her want to come in the first place, so that may make it easier for her.”
“Jeffrey Johnson?” She nodded when her eyes met mine, as she probably spotted my confusion. “The blond kid with thefreckles.” She pointed to where he was still in deep conversation with my niece. “There are a few openings on his team. Give me the form after you’re done, and I’ll make sure to add her to the list before I hand it off to the coach.”
“Thank you,” I breathed out. “I really appreciate it.”
“Of course. In fact, that team would probably be better for her overall since you already know the coach.”
“Jesse?”
The familiar voice behind me didn’t hit me as hard as when I’d heard it for the first time in twenty years, but it almost knocked me on my ass just the same.
Emily was still just as beautiful as when I’d seen her at the reunion, this time in a snug tracksuit instead of a dress, when I found her standing next to me. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail, just like on all those game days when it would bob behind her as she raced back and forth on the field. I couldn’t help but laugh when I spotted the whistle around her neck too.
Emily was Maddie’s coach. I didn’t have to ask to confirm because it would just figure.
“I’m a new coach. Penny talked me into joining when we met up after the reunion. I’ve never coached anyone before, but I have to admit being here has me all sentimental. Are you here to sign up your daughter?”
My stomach twisted as she examined me. I’d thought my lie of omission was harmless and the most stress I’d have today would be to get Maddie to mingle with other kids. I’d expected to have to explain that, while I wasn’t Maddie’s actual father, she was my kid. But explaining it to Emily was very different—different enough for me to have avoided the conversation altogether, even though I’d asked her to the diner to talk.
“Maybe I should put on my cleats,” Maddie said, now at my side, peering up at me with her brown eyes full of worry. I had been too distracted by her new coach and what I was about tosay to notice she’d come back over to me. “Some of the kids are practicing, and I don’t want to get hurt.”
“You won’t need the cleats today, I promise,” Emily said, grinning at Maddie as she bent to meet her gaze. “Today is more of a meet-and-greet, I think. Right?” she asked Penny.
“Yes. No worries about cleats.” Penny said from where I’d forgotten she was behind us. “Jeffrey Johnson is her friend,” she told Emily. “He’s been in this league since he was four and I already had him signed up with you, so I thought we could add…” Penny trailed off as she turned back to my niece.
“Maddie,” I answered, swiping my palm across the sweaty nape of my neck. Shit, I really didn’t want to break this to Emily here—or at all. But I wasn’t going to have a choice.
Penny eased closer and looked between Emily and me. “Unless that’s a problem.”
“No.”
Emily and I both answered at the same time with the same gusto…or denial.
“Again. A tiny town on a tiny island,” Penny murmured. “Well, at any rate, I’m happy to have friends in the league. You know, Emily and I used to play together when we were kids on a league like this. It’s where I had the most fun and learned to love soccer.”
