“Hey, Coach Wells!”
I glance up. Knox and Brynn are standing near the bleachers, both in sunglasses and casual clothes, looking every bit the poster couple for “happily married.” Kate’s beside them, her hair pulled into a ponytail, Evie perched on her hip and waving like she’s the team mascot.
The sight hits me harder than I expect.
“Hey!” I call back, straightening. “Didn’t expect a crowdtoday.”
“Evie insisted,” Brynn says, smiling. “Apparently Coach Wells has celebrity status now and she wanted us to see her hit the ball.”
I grin at Evie. “She’s got a wicked swing. Better keep her on your good side.”
Evie beams, then wriggles down from Kate’s arms to join the other kids.
Kate lingers by the fence for a second, giving me a small, tired smile before moving to sit beside Brynn.
Even from here, I can tell she hasn’t been sleeping. There’s a weight in her eyes that wasn’t there last week.
Knox walks around the fence and strolls toward me, that easy athlete swagger still in his step even in retirement. “You got a minute?”
“Sure,” I say, adjusting the tee for one of the kids.
He waits until the next round of hits starts, hands tucked into his pockets. “Brynn told me about Kate’s situation.”
I nod once, jaw tight. “Yeah. It’s bad.”
He blows out a slow breath. “Daniel McMichael. I remember that guy from school. Daddy’s money, no backbone.”
“Sounds about right.”
“Does he really think he can get joint custody?”
“I guess so. At least he’s serious enough to file.”
We both watch the kids for a while—tiny arms swinging, dirt flying, the muted crack of bats echoing across the field. It’s the kind of peaceful background that makes heavy things sound louder.
Finally, Knox glances sideways. “You care about her.”
I drag a hand over my jaw. “Yeah. Probably more than I should.”
Knox lets out a soft huff of laughter. “You sound like me six months ago.”
“Yeah, well, you got your girl in the end.”
He smirks. “And you think you won’t?”
“She’s got enough on her plate without me making it messier.”
“Do you ever think that maybe you make things easier?”
I look back toward the bleachers. Kate’s helping Evie with her hair, fingers gentle, expression soft. Brynn says something that makes her laugh, the sound carrying across the field like sunlight breaking through a storm.
Knox follows my gaze, nodding once. “You’re gone for her.”
“Not helping,” I mutter.
He claps a hand on my shoulder. “Not trying to. Just stating the obvious.”
I exhale, watching Kate as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and looks up. For a split second, our eyes meet.
