Hallie
I was trying to focus on the game, but it wasn’t easy with Spencer’s arm brushing my shoulder every few seconds, distracting me. He was wrapped up in the game, shouting every few minutes, “Make space,” “Give and go,” or “All the way,” to his players. He wasn’t coaching the team, just manning the sidelines with the parents, but it was obvious he cared about these kids.
And that made me care more about him. I was trying to hold back, to pace myself, because last time I’d fallen head over heels in no time. Even though I’d waited a long time to tell him I loved him, I’d known after the third date I’d never felt like that before.
If things had been different, if he hadn’t lived so far away for most of the year, if his career hadn’t commanded all of his time and attention, I was certain our relationship would have evolved. Maybe even culminated in marriage.
“Having fun?” Spence asked, grinning when the kids sprinted off the field at halftime.
“I am.” I crossed my arms, trying not to notice the other moms checking Spencer out. “He, um, plays school sports too, baseball and basketball, but this is my favorite to watch.”
“Oh yeah?” He leaned in a little closer. “Wonder why.”
“I used to watch you play,” I admitted, suddenly feeling shy. “I’d never miss a game.”
“Seriously?” he asked, taking a step back.
“Yeah, my husband hated it, but I was already hooked by then.” I smiled. “Couldn’t give it up.”
“So you were the one who got Chris into soccer then?”
“Yeah, we used to watch it together, from the time he was about three, I think. He started playing when he was five.”
“Your ex knew about me?” he asked, smiling when one of the fathers passed by and slapped him on the back.
“Yeah, he knew.”
It had always been a bone of contention between my ex-husband and me. Especially since Spencer had played for my favorite team. And not by coincidence. He had taught me everything I knew about the game. Usually when we were lying in bed, my head on his shoulder, he would try to make me understand the complex rules of the sport they called “The Beautiful Game.” The way he’d explained it made me understand why it was called that and why he loved it so much.
“I like that you told him about me,” he said, smirking.
“You’re not an easy man to forget,” I said, honestly.
I could tell he wanted to reach out to me, but he was holding back, like he’d promised he would. I appreciated it, but sometimes I wished I didn’t have so many damn rules. They were in place for a reason, but sometimes it felt stifling, not being able to let loose once in a while.
We watched the second half of the game without much interaction. We were both too caught up in the game, and I was trying to learn the names of the other boys on the team. In case this became Chris’s regular team, I wanted to be able to cheer the other players on by name too. It was a little thing, but I felt it helped me connect with the other parents if we supported each other’s kids.
“How ‘bout that,” Spence said, smiling at me. “A goal and an assist his first game. And they won against a tough team. I’m impressed.”
“He’ll be happy to hear that.” I was painfully aware of how much my son wanted Spencer’s approval.
“You want me to drop him off at your mom’s place? It’s on my way home, and I’m sure you’d like to get to your dinner.” He winked, pulling me off to the side as the other parents started to pack up and make their way to the exit. “Sooner you get there, the sooner you can be at my place.”
“Did I agree to come to your place?” I asked, pretending to ponder my options. Like there was ever any doubt. I’d have been crazy to turn down some alone time with this man.
“Pretty sure you did.” Chris ran up to us, and Spencer put his arm around him, bringing him into his side for a hug.
My throat clenched at the sight. It had been so long since my kid had a male influence in his life, and it was obvious he craved the attention, the way his face lit up every time Spencer looked his way.
“Great game, kid,” Spencer said, looking down at Chris. “You stick with me, and you’ll go places.”
Looking shy, Chris asked, “Is it true some of the guys here get scholarships to Division I schools and even tryouts for pro teams?”
“Sure is.”
“You think I’m good enough for something like that?”
I held my breath, wondering if Spencer was about to break my son’s heart without meaning to. He didn’t know Chris well. He hadn’t heard about his dreams to play pro. I knew it was a long shot, but I never discouraged him. I remembered Spencer telling me how many people had told him it would never happen, yet he’d never let their opinions hold him back.
“I think it’s a little too soon to tell, buddy,” he said, honestly. “Usually by thirteen, I can tell whether a kid’s got the right stuff. But you’re off to a really good start.” He returned Chris’s smile. “You keep working hard, and there’s no telling what could happen.”
“I’ll work hard,” Chris promised, nodding.
“Good, now I was just telling your mom that I wouldn’t mind dropping you off at your grandmother’s house. If you’re okay with that?”
“Really?” Chris asked. “Thanks, Spencer. That’d be awesome.”
“Cool,” Spence said, messing up Chris’s hair. “You go grab your stuff out of your mom’s car, and we’ll get outta here in a bit. I have to wrap a few things up first.”
“Okay.”
“Hey!” I said to Chris. “Wait, you need the keys.” I tossed them to him, shaking my head. “That was really sweet of you to offer, Spence. Thanks.”
“Not like I don’t have an ulterior motive,” he said, blocking my view of the exit with his big body. “I can’t wait to have you all to myself.”
I knew where this was going, where I wanted it to go. But I was still nervous. It had been so long since I’d been intimate with a man I was afraid I’d confuse sex and love and allow myself to get in too deep long before we had a chance to set some boundaries for our new relationship.
“Don’t look so worried, beautiful. You set the pace. Tell me to slow down, and you know I will.”
***