Page 14 of Coastal Rewind

“Hey, guys!” Toni, our usual bartender, said as she threw a dish rag over her shoulder and dried her hands on it. “Great game tonight.” She flashed us a smile which helped ease my nerves as I leaned on the bar next to Ryleigh.

Five years ago, when I signed with the Sparrows, they were a brand new expansion team with a sparkling new stadium and virtually no fan base. Nolan, Zane, Mack, Tucker, and I met during a media exercise and afterward we decided to grab a drink together. We stumbled into this hole-in-the-wall sports bar that sat right on the coast about a mile from the stadium.

At first, no one had any idea who we were, which worked in our favor because we got to know the patrons and staff as regular people. When we started winning and became more well known, this continued to be our safe space after games.

The regulars kept our presence here a little secret and we promised to keep coming back.

“Hey, babe. A draft and a shot of tequila please.” Zane winked at her and put on his usual flirty smile.

Toni scoffed and turned to grab the glasses. “Grant, call me babe again, and I’ll cut off your right ball and use it as an ice cube in your drink.”

Ryleigh barked out a laugh from next to me.

“Please don’t embarrass us tonight, Zane,” I said, shoving his shoulder.

Zane put his hands up in defense. “It’s a term of endearment.”

Ryleigh snorted as the drinks were placed on the bar. The rest of us ordered our drinks before we took our normal booth in the far end of the bar near the pool tables.

This felt weird. I rarely ever got to come out after home games unless I planned it ahead of time with the babysitter. A guilty feeling took over me as I took a sip of my draft. I should’ve been home with MJ. I hated taking the time we had together for granted.

Ryleigh nudged my arm, breaking me from my thoughts as I blinked up at her.

“You okay?” she whispered.

I dipped my chin casually, but her face told me she wasn’t convinced. She gestured her head out toward the patio and slid out of the booth. I followed after her until we were both leaning against the railing, looking out over the calm ocean.

Ryleigh spoke first, her tone soft and caring. “If you’re not comfortable with a virtual stranger watching MJ, I completely understand. I would never want to step on toes.”

My eyes snapped to her, my mouth opening in surprise. That thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. I was comfortable with any of the Kellys watching MJ.

“It’s not that. I’m more than okay with you watching him. I just feel guilty pushing my problems onto someone else.”

“You’re not pushing anything on anyone else. You’re allowed to have a demanding career. You aren’t supposed to hold the stress of raising a child on your shoulders alone.”

“It might not be traditional, but it is reality,” I said, taking a sip from my glass.

“It’s okay to lean on people, and I’m happy to help.”

Ryleigh’s smile didn’t have an ounce of shyness or regret. She was putting her truth out there and it was something I admired about her. Every time I was lucky enough to be in her presence, she had this undeniable free energy. She spoke her mind and lived her life exactly how she wanted, even if that lifestyle was untraditional and unlike the rest of her family.

“Okay, now that we have decided you’re going to take a deep breath and let people help you, tell me about MJ’s schedule.”

I laughed. “Did we agree on that?”

“We did. I totally heard it.” Ryleigh nodded once with a stern look on her face.

“Well, as long as we agreed.” I chuckled, feeling a little lighter than I did a few minutes ago. “I’ll drop him off at school on Wednesday, but you’ll have to pick him up. I can text you the address, and I’ll add you to the approve list at the school. Drop off is at seven forty-five and pickup is at three. He gets lunch at school so you don’t have to pack it. Breakfast and dinner are a bit of a free-for-all. He isn’t a picky kid so whatever is in the pantry, he’ll eat. Bedtime is at eight thirty but on the weekends I let him stay up until nine. The guest room will be all set up for you and there is a bathroom attached. I’ll be home on Sunday morning. If you have any questions or need anything, I’m just a phone call away.”

When I finished talking, I glanced down at Ryleigh who was looking at me with a weird expression.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Nope.” I poked her shoulder. “Out with it.”

She was beaming as she said, “When you talk about MJ, you just get this big smile on your face I never see any other time.”