Coaches didn’t receive trophies, but having Jesse and Maddie in my life was the best kind of prize.
“Did you get any parting casseroles?” I whispered to Jesse.
All the single moms who had taken such a big interest in Jesse congregated at the far end of the table, watching us until they’d accidentally make eye contact and look away.
“No.” He chuckled and shook his head. “Janie keeps pushing for a playdate, though.”
“For Aubrey or her?” I waggled my eyebrows.
“I’m guessing Aubrey since I’mverytaken.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. My neck heated when a few swoony sighs drifted across the table.
“I think Maddie’s uncle makes a much better boyfriend than the ref, if you want my opinion,” Mikayla said before slurping the rest of her soda out of the plastic cup.
“Thanks, Mikayla. I completely agree.”
Jesse met her gaze with a big smile, and I swore I spotted a little blush staining her cheeks. I couldn’t blame her.
“If your uncle is Coach Emily’s boyfriend, does that make her your aunt?” Candie asked Maddie from across the table as she moved her finger back and forth between Maddie and me.
“I…I don’t know,” Maddie stammered and turned toward me, a big crease denting her forehead.
“Not yet,” Jesse answered before I could think of what to say.
Candie had forgotten the question, but Maddie’s brow still pinched in confusion.
We’d been going so fast, we hadn’t taken the time to really understand what Maddie thought about a new person in her uncle’s life, even if it was someone she already knew. I also had to talk to Jesse about his “not yet.” I was all in and not going anywhere, but we’d only been back together, in the literal sense, for a couple of weeks. I loved them both fiercely, but she had to get used to me as her uncle’s closefriendbefore she entertained the notion of having a new relative.
It was hard to consider what Jesse and I had as new since we had so much history, but to this poor kid, too much in her life over the past year had been new, both bad and good. The three of us, and then the two of us, had a lot to discuss tonight after we went home.
Or whentheywent home, and I accompanied them to their house.
I guessed I was jumping ahead too.
“What a great season,” Mr. Evans said as he scooped me into a hug on their way out. “With a great coach.”
“Yes. Before you argue with us, you were a great coach.” Mrs. Evans swept her gaze along the tables as the kids and parents started to pack up to leave. “They were happy to have you,” she said, pulling me in for a hug. “And I’m so happy to have you back.”
“Please don’t make me more emotional,” I sniffled as I gently pushed her back.
“Your mother will be happy to hear you won the last game,” Mrs. Evans said, squeezing my shoulder.
Mom was recovering from surgery in a rehab facility, and I tried to visit her as much as I could. Jesse’s parents went twice per week, bringing my mother a tin of the butter cookies she loved every time.
“Thank you for visiting her. I know she appreciates the company.”
“We always loved her company too,” Mrs. Evans said with a chuckle. “She cracks us up.”
I nodded, knowing that Jesse and I were most likely what they all joked about.
Maddie hugged her grandparents goodbye, and while they didn’t appear to notice anything wrong, something about the vacant look in Maddie’s eyes concerned me.
“Thank you for coaching this season.” Janie Cooper snuck up on me as I fixated on Maddie.
“And the pizza party,” Aubrey chirped and rushed over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist.
After all I’d shared with Jesse today, and watching all the excited faces at the table as they admired their trophies, I’d had to pull myself back from getting choked up more than once. If these were the only kids I was meant to have, I still felt incredibly lucky, even if I would only know them for a little while. I still remembered my youth league coach, and if these kids didn’t come back for another season, I hoped they’d remember me a little too.
“You are very welcome, Aubrey.” I bent to hug her back. “I hope I see you next season.”
