Brayden nodded. “Go right ahead.”
Tilly groaned. “Brayden, get off my property.”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine.” In three long strides, he was on the public sidewalk. He folded his arms and smiled.
“I’m sorry,” Tilly said to Gunner. Like she needed to apologize to him for anything.
Gunner hugged her, and Brayden thought of a dozen pranks he could pull on the kid—starting with shaving cream in his cleats. Gunner took his sweet time saying good night, whispering. With every second that ticked by, Brayden added another lap to his workout.
Finally—finally!—Gunner drove off, and Tilly turned to look at him. Dang, she was beautiful. Her hair was slightly disheveled from climbing and her cheeks were dusted with color. He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and stop time with a kiss.
“Can I come in?” he asked. “I’d like to talk.”
Even from where he stood, he could see the confusion swirling in her gaze. It was like watching the laces on a baseball as it spun towards the catcher’s mitt. Instead of landing true, the ball spun away from him. “No.” She flipped, sending her hair flying, opened the door, stepped inside, and then slammed the door. The sound echoed up and down the street.
Brayden stood there for a moment more before making his way home. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but it wasn’t a closed door. “Ball one,” he said to himself. Four balls, and he’d have to walk. Not because he wanted to, but because those were the rules. Four balls.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Brayden
Brayden threw a polo shirt in his duffel bag.
His dad stood in the doorway, his arms folded as he watched Brayden pack. “That nurse called. She wants to stop by and see you off.”
Brayden groaned. “I don’t have a lot of time. She’d better be quick.”
Dad moved his hands to his pockets. “I think it’s time I head home, son.”
Brayden stopped everything he was doing, all his thoughts piled together like a train wreck. “What?”
“You’re so much better. You can get around, shower, you’re working. I think you can stand on your own two feet, and you don’t need your old man hanging around.”
Brayden launched himself at his father who caught him in a bear hug. “I can’t believe you’re just going to go.”
Dad laughed, his big belly jiggling. “I’m not that far away. And now that you have some flexibility in your schedule, you can come see me.”
“I will.” Brayden vowed he’d make it happen. His dad had come through for him in a big way. Not to mention what he’d done for Tilly. He’d been a confidant and a friend and a shoulder for her to cry on when Brayden fell short. He’d never be able to repay that.
“Bring my baby girl with you, though. I don’t want you showing up without her.”
Brayden went back to packing like a whirlwind. “I’m working on it. This series couldn’t have come at a worse time. I hate leaving when things aren’t settled between us.”
“But it’s good for you, filling in as assistant coach.”
“It is. I don’t know how to pass it up.”
“Don’t.” The doorbell rang, and Dad glanced over his shoulder. “Do me a favor and get rid of the nurse.”
“I’ll tell her I’m on my way out.” Brayden scooted past his dad but was stopped by a hand on his arm.
“I mean getrid of her. Tell her not to come around anymore.” Dad’s dark eyes bored into him. “She’s hurting your chances with Tilly.”
Natalie’s unannounced visits. Her hair flips. Her smug looks down the street when she thought he wasn’t looking. The way she made sure she parked in his driveway so there was no mistaking who she was here to see. He suddenly looked at it through Tilly’s eyes. Brayden wanted to smack himself in the forehead. “I’m an idiot.”
“It’s nice to see you finally have your head out of the clouds.”
The doorbell rang. Dad’s hand didn’t let go of Brayden. His other hand came out of his pocket, holding a small white box.
