Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“Hey, Hunter. Is your mom or dad coming to get you?”
Hunter pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Yeah, my dad was supposed to get me, but he forgot.” He frowns. “I just called my mom. She said Simon is going to come back around and get me.”
I sit next to him on the bench. “Who’s Simon?” I want to make sure not just anyone is picking him up. I don’t take being responsible for these kids lightly. The times aren’t like they were when I was a kid and we all ran the streets without a worry in the world.
“Brendan’s dad,” he says. “Mom is picking up my sister at gymnastics camp and she’s running late.”
A Lexus SUV pulls up and Hunter stands, but before he can get in the car, the guy driving gets out, along with Brendan.
“Hey, man.” The guy who must be Simon walks over and extends his hand. “Thank you for waiting with him. There was a little mix-up.” He gives Hunter a soft smile. “I’m Simon.”
“No worries, that’s what we’re here for.” Usually my brother waits with the kids, but he needed to get going to pick up Kaelyn from some other camp she’s attending since Heather has to work late. “I’m Landon.”
“There wasn’t a mix-up,” Hunter says. “My dad forgot me.”
Simon flinches but doesn’t correct him. “What do you say, since I’m here, me, you, and Brendan play some catch? Practice what you guys learned today?”
“Yeah,” Brendan agrees.
Everyone’s gaze swings to Hunter, who just shrugs, obviously still upset over his dad forgetting him. I didn’t grow up with the most responsible dad, but if he said he would be there, he would be. I can’t imagine how it would feel to be a kid waiting on someone you depend on, only to find out he forgot about you.
“I’m down,” I say. “What do you say, Hunter? Want to see if you can hit one of my curveballs?” This seems to perk him up a little, because he smiles and nods. “All right then. Let’s go.”
We spend the next hour with me throwing the ball to the boys, who take turns trying to hit my pitches. Simon’s in the outfield, catching the balls they hit. When they’re both exhausted and start goofing off, Simon tells them to go pick up all the balls he missed because it’s time to go.
“Thank you for that,” he says. “Hunter’s dad can be a bit flaky sometimes.”
“It’s all good.”
“So, umm… I was wondering… Are you single?” It takes me a second to comprehend what he’s just asked, and once I do, I have to stifle my laugh. I’ve been hit on by a lot of people in my life, but this is the first time I’ve been hit on by a man, especially one who’s married to the woman who asked me the same question yesterday.
“You’re a good-looking guy,” I say, trying like hell not to laugh, “but I don’t really swing that way.”
Simon laughs. “Shit, that came out wrong. Not for me. I have a friend I’m looking to set up.”
This time I do laugh. “The same friend your wife tried to set me up with yesterday?”
Simon’s eyes go wide. “Did you say yes?”
“No.”
He grins. “Good. So are you single?”
“I am, but like I told your wife, I’m not really interested. Plus, if two people are trying this hard to set her up, something’s got to be wrong with her.”
Simon laughs. “Nothing’s wrong with her.”
I raise a brow, not buying it.
“She’s a divorced, single mom,” he says.
“Ahh…” That explains it. She has baggage. I don’t do baggage.
“She’s been divorced for a while now, but she doesn’t really put herself out there,” Simon explains. “We’re just trying to help her get back out there. She’s really nice.”
“Nice is code for ugly,” I joke.
“No.” He shakes his head with a laugh. “She’s pretty.”
“Is she annoying?”
“No.” He chuckles. “Kind of odd… a little clumsy, but not annoying.”
My brain goes to a certain clumsy girl from my past, but I quickly push the thought away. Definitely not going there.
“She sounds okay, but I think I’m going to pass…”
“Look, man, here’s the thing,” Simon says. “My wife bet me she could find someone better, and if I win, my prize is something good.” He groans. “Really good.”
I laugh, not even wanting to know what his prize is.
“I can’t get into the details because it might be considered cheating, but there’s a good chance if you go out with her, you two are going to hit it off. And if I’m the one who set you up and you end up being the better date, I’ll win. So, man to man, I’m begging you to do me this solid.” Then he adds, “If the date sucks, beers are on me.”
I think about it for a minute. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date. And I did move here to settle down and slow things down a bit, so maybe going out with a woman who’s not looking to hook up will be good for me. And if the date sucks, it’s not like I ever have to see her again.