Succeeding Love

Baby Ducks

Feighlynn

“That went better than I thought it would,” Vin breathed into my ear.

Goosebumps rose on my neck, and the frustrating ache clenched inside of me. His breath smelled like mint. I bet mine smells like coffee and beef jerky. I resisted the urge to cover my mouth or kiss him. Two extremes that were not acceptable for the setting.

“Preston liked my shirt!” I laughed lightly, trying to aim my breath towards the ground.

“Of course he did,” Vin chuckled. I felt my face heat with his eyes staring at me in that swoon-worthy way.

I had to keep reminding myself there were other people around. Other people, including my ex husband.

Preston was talking to the younger coach, who didn’t look happy. Preston was still smiling, though, so whatever they were talking about couldn’t be that bad.

The head coach was blowing a whistle, walking around with a clipboard while snapping commands at a group of boys doing warm-up drills.

“No way,” Vin huffed, staring at the field.

“What?”

“I know him,” he pointed to the head coach. “He was the assistant coach for my football team in high school.”

“No way. What a small world!”

“Yeah, that’s crazy.”

“You played football?” Sherry’s husband asked. “What school?”

Vin started talking with the other dads about sports, Sherry’s husband, and a few of the others actually knowing who Vin was from high school days. Apparently, his team was really good back then.

His sudden camaraderie with the dads helped to decrease the tension dramatically. For everyone but Nick, who just stared at the field with a bored expression.

That changed when the game actually started. The game was a good one. All the parents, Nick included, got into it, cheering and yelling loudly with every play. Despite his faults, Nick was a good father. The pride on his face when Preston got his first home run was unmistakable.

“Damn, that was a good game,” Vin said after they won.

“Mama, can I go see Preston?” Jessie asked when other siblings ran onto the field.

“Sure. Just don’t get in the way.”

“I’ll come too,” Vin said. His pants stretched across his thick leg muscles as he stepped down from the bleachers. “I’m going to say hi to the coach.”

Jessie and Vin chatted as they walked onto the field. She seemed comfortable with him now, to my relief.

“So,” Nick stood awkwardly beside me as the other parents cleared out. “What’s the plan now? Are there more games?”

“Not for them. Not today anyway. I think there’s another game next weekend closer to home. They still have to stay and watch the other teams, though. They’ll get back home tomorrow.”

“Huh,” he slid his hands in his pockets, staring at the ground. “So, what about you? You’re probably heading back now?”

I sighed. He just had to make this awkward again. “Actually, no. I’ll be heading back tomorrow too.”

His frown deepened towards the ground. You could have cut the tension with a knife.

“Could I persuade you to fly back with Jessie and me?”

I froze. “Excuse me?” I had to have misheard him.

His eyes swept up to me, pain etched in their corners. “Fay. Please. Don’t stay here with him.”

I scoffed in disbelief. A choice number of things popped into my head to say, but for once, my brain had a filter and none of them slipped out. Coldness spread over my body.

“Have a safe flight, Nick.” I descended the steps.

“Fay, wait. Please, just consider- “ He reached out to grab my arm, but I jerked it free.

“Not here,” I said coldly. “Not at Preston’s game. If you have something to say, it can wait until we are alone.”

I would not draw attention to us and take away this victory for my son. I don’t know what Nick is thinking. That he has any right to dictate who I spend time with or what I do. It’s disrespectful to not just me, but Arlene. How can he ask that of me when she’s likely waiting for him back home?

His eyes remained pleading, but I just turned my back and walked away, trying my best to hide the contempt I was feeling.

~

Vin

“How’re the tacos?”

Lynn smiled and shrugged. “Good. Needs salt.” She picked up a lime and squirted it all over her next taco before sprinkling salt on top.

We were sitting on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, eating at a cantina while watching the boats pass by. Ducks were swarming around the edge of the water, desperate for a bite of someone’s food. I thought Lynn would love it, but she’s been a little distracted all throughout the meal.

My happy little road-trip partner hasn’t been so happy since we left the game. She has been deep in thought and unusually quiet.

Honestly, it’s been ever since I left her and her ex-husband alone. It was nice catching up with an old coach of mine, and I think I won over a lot of points with her kids, but she’s been tense ever since. I should have grabbed her hand and dragged her with me.

Slapping my hands on my thighs, I sat back in my chair to watch Lynn’s small mouth try to fit around her taco. It impressed me when she easily fit half of it in her mouth. Really impressed. I’m glad I had my napkin on my lap.

She looked up at me with a full mouth and gave me a questioning grin.

“You’re cute,” I smirked.

“Nu-mh mhh nmmh,” she mumbled with her full mouth.

I laughed, “Yes you are.”

She looked at me like I was crazy, which just made me laugh more.

She forced herself to swallow, then said, “You’re pretty good looking yourself. Some of those other moms couldn’t take their eyes off you.”

I shrugged. “I didn’t notice. I was too busy watching you.”

Her cheeks flushed over, making her look even more adorable. Then that dejected expression returned seconds later, and I could take not knowing why any longer.

Leaning forward, I used the edge of my cloth napkin to wipe access salsa from her lips, making her lips turn up in one of her shy smiles. I ran my thumb over her pillowy lip, then asked, “Is something bothering you? You’ve looked a little sad since we left your kids.”

She leaned into my touch, and I swear my heart was going to hammer out of my chest. Her sweet, apologetic face was so fucking cute.

“I’m just a little off, I guess,” she admitted.

I pressed my lips together, then cautiously asked, “Because of something I did?”

She quickly shook her head. “No. You’ve been great. Preston told me you saved him from another year on JV. You, knowing the coach was awesome to him.”

I smirked. His coach mentioned his assistant having a little thing for Lynn and being disappointed to see her with a date and her ex-husband. Seeing the other coach’s face when I shouted we were dating was more than satisfying.

“Then what happened? Are you tired from the drive, or….” I hesitated for a second. “Or…. did your ex do something?”

She frowned, and I knew my suspicions were spot on.

“He just said something I didn’t like.” She sighed, sitting back in her chair and staring off at the river. “I shouldn’t even be letting it get to me, but the nerve of the guy…. Every time I think of what he asked me, I get mad all over again.”

“What did he ask you?”

She gnawed on her lip for a second. “He wanted me to fly back with them.” Her face turned apologetic. “He didn’t want me to stay here with you.”

Scoffing, I crossed my arms, not knowing whether to be happy my presence was bothering him that much, or if I should go punch his lights out for upsetting Lynn like this.

“I don’t get it. He’s with his girlfriend and has the life he always wanted now. Why can’t he let me be happy, too?”

“Because he’s not over you,” I said flatly. It’s written all over the asshole’s face every time I see him. He might have a girlfriend, but he still calls Lynn his wife. He’s not over her. At all.

“He left me,” she muttered. “He was over me before we even separated. I think he just doesn’t want me to be happy sometimes. Maybe I’ve been too much of a pushover with him, even after our divorce. I tried to keep everything civil and friendly for the kids’ sake. Now that I’m ready to move on, why can’t he extend me the same courtesy?”

“Because he’s not over you, Lynn. I’m not just saying that. It’s clear as day.”

“No,” Lynn curled her fingers on top of her bottom lip. “No. He’s been in a serious relationship with Arlene for almost two years now.”

I shrugged. “My ex tried to pull this shit with me for years after we divorced. Even when he was with the guy she cheated on me with after our divorce was final, she would reach out to me constantly to take her back. Cheaters have regrets. I don’t think your ex is any different.”

“Maybe.” She didn’t look convinced. “Not likely, but maybe. You haven’t seen his girlfriend. She’s beautiful, successful, in shape and driven. I’m the boring house wife that would rather eat a bucket of nachos than look at a treadmill.”

“What if you ate the bucket of nachos while using the treadmill?” I laughed.

“Oh, two birds, one stone!” She looked excited. “I’d rather float in the pool with my bucket of nachos, though.”

“I would too,” I grinned. “I don’t think you realize how cute you are, Lynn. You’re fucking perfect. Success and a gym membership don’t make the perfect woman.”

“You’re sweet to say that, but I still don’t think Nick feels that way about me.”

“Okay,” I said levelly. “What do you think he’s trying to do then?”

“He was the controlling type. He liked everything a certain way and in order. I think he’s just trying to keep me in line or something. That’s why it’s bothering me so much.”

She really didn’t see herself the way others do. She’s the perfect woman.

She’s mine now though, so I guess it doesn’t matter what the hell her asshole of an ex thinks. He’s not getting a chance now that I’m in the picture. I’m not an idiot like him. I won’t be giving up on a woman as perfect as she is. Not with the way she makes lasagna, or the way she giggles. Her smiles and jokes, and the way she sings off-key in the car. Then there was her soft, small but curvy body…..

Nick was seriously an idiot.

“Well,” I leaned forward, putting a devious smile on my face, “are you going to let the dickhead ruin our weekend?”

She bit back a giggle, then sighed. “No. You’re right. We’re here to have fun. Not pout about jerks.” She finally smiled down at the ducks, reaching for a tortilla to feed them a few bites. “Are you hungry, baby duckies?”

“Those are full-grown ducks,” I chuckled.

“No, you’re not,” she pushed her lips together and said in a baby voice. “You’re all cute little baby ducks that need to eat lots of food to fly south for the winter.”

“I think we are south, and it’s spring,” I pointed out.

“Don’t listen to him,” she tossed them a few more bites.

Seriously. So fucking adorable. It wasn’t even fair.

I watched her adoringly until a server came by with our check.

“Ready to head to the room?” I asked after slipping my card into the bill book, beating her to the punch.

She bit her lip, looking nervous again, but for a different reason. The way her eyes swept down my chest and then back to my face had me ready to throw her over my shoulder and run to the hotel now.

“Sure,” she said meekly, then turned to the growing crowd of ducks. “Goodbye, baby ducks.”

“So cute,” I murmured. Others were watching now, and I felt like a star with her sitting across from me. Her positive energy was back in full force, spreading sunshine to everyone who drew near.

I was planning to bask in her light all night long.