Page 46
Noah is smirking at me, similar to the way Mitch just did. “Your face is all red again.”
“Shut up.”
* * *
On the drive home, Noah talks to me. Not just occasional sarcastic comments, but he really talks to me. This has been happening more and more since Mitch started coaching. I may be reading into this, or seeing what I want to see… but I don’t think so.
I think Noah felt so lost without a strong male influence in his life, and now he has someone to fill that role. But I worry that when Mitch’s suspension is over and he goes back to his insane schedule with lots of traveling, we’ll barely see him anymore.
What if Noah clams up again when Mitch is too busy for him? Ugh, I’m not cut out for this parenting stuff.
“So then I told Mitch he should try bubble baths because that’s how you relax.” Noah pauses and looks at me expectantly. I realize he’s been talking this whole time, and he’s waiting for a response.
I say the first thing that pops into my head. “Why does he need a bubble bath?”
Noah releases a heavy sigh. “You weren’t even listening, were you? His therapist told him to find ways to relax. Anyway, he said he might try it because he has a huge tub that he’s never used.”
“Mitch goes to therapy?”
“Yeah, he lost his parents too. And his grandpa. Well, his parents didn’t die, but he says there are many ways to lose people.”
I’m at a loss for words. Something inside me crumples at this information, but it also puts together so many pieces to Mitch Anderson that had been a mystery. Sure, a person isn’t defined by losing a loved one, or multiple, but it makes sense now why he’s closed off. And the kinship between Mitch and Noah definitely adds up now. They have this huge thing in common, this thing that has shaped both of them, this history of trauma and loss.
“Really?” I ask quietly, not knowing what else to say. “I didn’t know that.”
I just want to give them both a big hug. Noah definitely won’t let me… but Mitch might. Maybe the man just needs a good hug. Goosebumps break out along my arms just thinking about wrapping my arms around him… it’s like my senses are screaming, we volunteer! We volunteer as tribute!
“You enjoy hanging out with Mitch, huh?” I glance over at him quickly, then return my eyes to the traffic in front of me.
He’s quiet for a few seconds, contemplating his answer. “Yeah,” he says with a small laugh. “I hated him at first. But I guess he’s grown on me.”
I smile to myself, turning on my blinker to turn onto the street that leads to our townhouse.
“And he’s grown on you too,” he says. It’s not a question, it’s a statement.
Willing myself not to blush, I decide to change the subject to something safer. “So, you have homework tonight?”
He huffs a laugh, seeing right through my subject changing tactics. “Just a division worksheet. No sweat.”
I pull into our designated parking spot and peek over at my little brother. His head is turned slightly, looking out the window. But he looks so relaxed, and so happy, it breaks my heart a little.
Because a month ago, I wondered how we were going to deal with Mitch Anderson being in our lives… and now I’m wondering how we’re going to survive without him once he’s gone.
CHAPTER 19
MITCH
The rest of the week goes by quickly. I had practice with the Eagles Thursday morning, coached the Wombats Thursday evening, another Eagles practice this morning, and in a few hours… the Eagles game with Andie and Noah.
As I prepare for the game, I realize it feels strangely similar to getting ready for a date. I know it’s not a date, but there’s no denying the attraction I feel for Andie. Therefore, the desire to impress her—or at least, not disgust her.
Which is why I'm trying out the whole bubble bath thing. I even added Captain Bubbles bubble bath to my weekly grocery order. I got the wild berry scent, thinking Andie might notice if I smelled like bubble gum.
A man has to have some secrets.
My giant, free-standing tub is filled to the max with hot water and a good dose of bubble bath. And Andie wasn’t wrong, this stuff really does make some serious bubbles.
Now, per my homework from Dr. Curtis, I need to decide on an audiobook. I already set up a subscription to a company where I could check out audiobooks. I didn't even know that was a thing until today. Noah said Andie listens to romance, but I’m not so sure that’s for me. I type the word hockey into the search bar. Surely, listening to a book about hockey wouldn't break Dr. Curtis’s rules? There’s a biography about Wayne Gretzy that pops up, but I’m pretty sure I already know everything about him.
