Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“Coach, you’ve done a lot. Toni will get it.”
“Okay, this is the last one, I think.” I handed the board to Cutter. “Once we get this one nailed down, we’ll check the others, mark them, and then do them next weekend, weather permitting.”
“We have a game on Saturday,” he reminded me.
“Sunday it is then.”
Antonia had taken Nova into the house and came back out with her purse over her shoulder. “Be right back, Mom,” she hollered and then walked toward us. “I’m going to get the pizza,” she said. “I also ordered two large salads and cheesy bread, and I’ll pick up a couple of bottles of soda. Anything else?”
I looked from Antonia to Cutter. We both shook our heads. “I think that about covers it.”
“Thanks, Toni,” Cutter said.
“Yes, thank you.”
She held my gaze for a second and then looked away. As much as I wanted to watch her walk to her car, I refrained. I was going to need a good night out with the guys to get over this infatuation.
Cutter and I finished, and I told him to go in and clean up while I took care of everything outside. I knew exactly how much he would freak out if he didn’t look his best for Eleni. When I was his age, I had Brianna, who was always dressed up for school or anytime she’d come over to my house. She made me feel like I needed to look the same, but I couldn’t bring myself to dress like I was going to work. I think, in my senior year of high school, I wore sweatpants to school every day.
Antonia pulled back into the driveway just as I was closing the tailgate of my truck. I walked to the car and waited for her to shut it off before I opened her door.
“Thank you.” She smiled. Her eyes held mine for a long beat, and my knees threatened to buckle.
“My pleasure.” Antonia moved to the side and opened the back door. I shut the driver’s side and held my hands out for the food. “Smells good.”
“Gio’s has such amazing food. It’s my favorite.”
“You’ve had it before?”
Antonia nodded. “Usually, every time I’m here.”
I looked to the sky and pursed my lips. “Why did I think this was your first time here?”
“I’m not sure,” she said. “I was here during Christmas, but when I do come, it’s usually for a weekend, and we tend to stay in.”
“Ah, makes sense. Honestly, I’m either at home or school, especially during the season.”
She smiled kindly, as in one of those “Cool stories but leave me alone” gestures. Antonia walked ahead of me, which allowed me to roll my eyes. Hard. Was I trying to flirt? I didn’t even know, except I shouldn’t flirt because she was off limits.
“Dinner!” Antonia yelled as we walked in. I followed her to the kitchen, where Nova, Carmela, and Miriam were putting out plates, bowls, and glasses.
The doorbell rang, and Cutter yelled that he would get it before thundering down the stairs to the front door. Seconds later, Eleni came into the kitchen.
“Hey, Mr. Schmidt.”
“Eleni, it’s nice to see you.”
This was one of the things I didn’t like about living in a small town: It was hard to escape the students. But on the other hand, I was happy to be with the Vaughns. It was hard to find balance sometimes.
I set the pizza boxes down on the counter, opening each one, and then I stepped back and watched this family. What surprised me the most was Cutter. He guided his mom to sit and then brought her a plate of food. She cupped his cheek, and I thought she was going to kiss him but instead said, “I’m not an invalid yet.”
Miriam laughed, but the rest of us didn’t. Antonia muttered a string of obscenities. Cutter stared at his mom and shook his head. Maybe in this case, laughter was the best medicine.
Cutter caught me watching him. I smiled and wanted to tell him how proud I was of him, but that would be for another day.
Antonia approached and handed me a plate. “You’re eating, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Thank you for what you did out there.”
“It was really nothing.”
Antonia looked around the busy kitchen and then back at me. “No, it was everything. Watching you teach Cutter was important. He doesn’t know it now, but someday, he will, and he’ll appreciate how patient you were with him. So, thank you. Like I said, he does need a role model, and Miri really values your relationship with him.”
She put her hand on my forearm and rested it there for a moment. Our gazes met, and we smiled at each other longer than what acquaintances would do. Her hand dropped slowly, brushing the side of my pants. I wasn’t sure if she realized what she’d done or if I was thinking too deeply, but she inhaled and then stepped to the boxes of pizza.