Ashley looked at all four men huddled together, and while they were all distractingly handsome, to her, Nick stood out among them. His confident stance and leadership direction were other layers to add to the man whose child she’d given birth to.
Suddenly warm, she unzipped her fleece and welcomed the cool breeze.
Vicky read Ashley’s mind. “The amount of hotness on the field does tend to raise the temperature level. Don’t ya think?”
Ashley’s cheeks reddened. She hadn’t meant to be caught ogling the men. “Oh, I hadn’t noticed.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. You don’t have to pretend to not be attracted to my brother. He’s quite the catch.”
“It’s not like that between us,” Ashley began. “Not anymore.”
“You have a kid together. You never know what can happen.”
“I’ve hurt him and your entire family by keeping Sean a secret. That’s a lot to ask someone to overcome,” Ashley said.
“True, but nothing is impossible. Just wait until my mother meets you tomorrow. Don’t be surprised if she presses for details about your relationship with Nick.”
Hell’s bells…tomorrow.
As if Ashley wasn’t nervous enough with Vicky picking up on her attraction to Nick, Ashley was going to have to put herself out there in front of his entire family.
“Tell me more about your family,” Ashley pressed. The more she knew the better she could—hopefully—be prepared.
“Let’s see…we’re loud and a little bit crazy at times. Be prepared for multiple conversations and people talking over each other.” Vicky munched on popcorn. “Ma’s nosy but kind-hearted. Her bark is generally louder than her bite. Expect the big inquisition—especially about why you didn’t tell Nick about Sean.”
“Yeah, it’s going to be hard to explain in a way anyone will understand,” Ashley said.
“Just be yourself, and you’ll be fine.”
Ashley grimaced and pressed a hand to her stomach, the pretzel settling like a dead weight in her stomach. “Being myself is part of what I’m worried about. I’m not the best conversationalist.”
“You’re doing fine right now.” There was the slight pressure of a hand on her shoulder. “Learning about Sean was a surprise for all of us. We love Nick and want what’s best for Sean.”
Ashley brushed away a strand of hair that escaped her ponytail. “I kept you from knowing him for fourteen years. That doesn’t bode well for me winning a mother of the year award. Even assuming your parents welcome Sean into their lives, they’ll never accept me.”
“It may take a little bit to get there, but we DiFrancescos have a large capacity for love and forgiveness. Don’t cut yourself, or them, short. Winning over the rest of the family may be more challenging, but you have an ally in me.”
Ashley’s eyes filled. “Thank you. I don’t deserve it, but I appreciate it.”
Ashley could only hope facing the rest of the DiFrancesco family went as smoothly.
****
Nick was a master multi-tasker—he had to be between having kids and working on the force—and could maintain a conversation while paying attention to a drug deal going down across a room.
Keeping an eye on Ashley while coaching twelve kids was easy street. He’d noticed the moment his sister had taken it upon herself to sit with Ashley. So far, there were no issues, which hopefully meant Vicky wasn’t asking too many questions. Ever since falling in love, she could be as much of a busybody as their mother.
The rest of the game went smoothly, and Nick’s team won by one run. While that pleased him, he didn’t want the kids to focus on who won or lost. Participation was the important thing, and he and Jamie, despite their own competitiveness, both wanted all the kids to feel like winners. That’s why at the end of the game, they recognized each player and acknowledged something they’d contributed to the game or a skill they improved.
After, it was time to consume the pizza Vicky ordered and had delivered from the trattoria. Chaos ensued while everyone got served, even though there was plenty of food.
Nick filled a plate with two slices and headed to the stands where Ashley, Sean, Vicky, Jamie, and Joey sat. Ashley looked pretty in a cream fleece jacket and jeans. As usual, her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She’d unzipped her jacket, and he couldn’t help noticing the low vee of her shirt and the swell of her breasts. He remembered how they’d felt the other day when he’d been pressed against her. It had taken all his control not to yank her shirt up and press his face in the deep valley of her cleavage.
Catching her eye, he smiled and saw her brief hesitation before licking her lips. The sight of her pink tongue sent a jolt through his body that started in his stomach before heading south. She lifted a bottle of water to her lips, and the sight of her mouth and swallowing had him thinking about things she had done with said mouth.
“I’ve never done this before, Nick. Am I doing it right?” she’d said a moment before she clamped down hard on his swollen cock, her teeth scraping against the side and almost finishing him.
He looked away and mentally started going through the team lineup. He could not afford to get a hard-on while wearing form-fitting baseball pants and surrounded by family, friends, priests, and nuns, plus the kids.
Nick cleared his throat and took a seat next to Ashley. “Nice game.” He fist bumped Jamie, Joey, and then Sean.
“Why aren’t you eating pizza?” Vicky asked Sean.
“I can’t eat the cheese,” Sean said.
Nick cringed. “My bad, Sean. You mentioned your milk allergy the other night, but I forgot.”
Sean shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m used to it.”
“Next time we can make a tomato pie without any cheese,” Nick said.
“And your Uncle Vinnie makes a white pizza without any sauce or cheese that’s to die for,” Vicky added.
“Sounds good,” Sean said.
“That’s nice of you to offer.” Ashley reached into the enormous purse at her side and pulled out an apple which she handed to Sean. “I’ve learned to carry something in case we need an emergency snack.”
Sean cast a longing look at the pizza before taking a bite into the apple.
Everyone settled into a comfortable silence while stuffing their faces.
“You played a great game.” Nick clapped a hand on Sean’s shoulder.
“I had fun. It was weird trying to figure out the timing of hitting the ball, but when I did it was amazing,” Sean said.
“Maybe you can help me convince Sean to join the team,” Jamie said.
Nick had wanted to broach the subject with Sean and was glad Jamie was on the same page. “What do you think, Sean?”
Excitement flashed across the boy’s face, but he didn’t jump at the idea in the DiFrancesco way. Rather, his son appeared to be considering the pros and cons of the suggestion, similar to how his mother would have.
“I’d like to.” Sean’s gaze flicked to Ashley. “What do you think, Mom?”
“If you want to, I’m fine with it,” Ashley said. “He’ll need equipment, right?” she asked Nick.
“A glove and cleats. Baseball pants would be good, too. Why don’t we go out and get what you need after dinner tomorrow?” Nick said.
“Who will be there?” Sean asked.
“Your Grandma Carmen and Grandpa Joe. Plus Aunt Vicky and Uncle Jamie and the rest of our siblings, Aunt Kate, Uncle Edward, and your cousin, Lucas. And maybe Uncle Vinnie.”
“That’s a lot of people,” Sean said with wide eyes.
Vicky laughed. “We have a large family. We’re loud but harmless.”
“We watch whatever ball game is on television. Sometimes we play video or board games. Do you play chess?” Nick said.
Sean’s face brightened. “My grandpa taught me.”
“Then maybe you can play against Lucas. He’s seven and a genius at it, even though he’s been playing less than a year,” Nick said.
“He’s obsesse
d with the game,” Vicky added. “The only person who can challenge him has been his dad, but even he loses more often than he wins.”
“Sean is on the school chess team and has won several competitions at his last school,” Ashley said.
“Then you’re the perfect guy to challenge him,” Jamie added. “I’ll stick to video games.”
“Sound okay?” Nick asked.
Sean waited a beat before nodding.
Damon approached from the side, and Nick could tell by his stride and the tight clench of his jaw that work was on his partner’s mind.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Damon said.
“What’s up?” Nick asked.
“We got a break in the case,” Damon replied.
Which meant his time with Ashley and Sean had come to a screeching halt, like so many other family functions. Nick’s regular disappearances had been Franny’s numero uno complaint during their marriage. Whether it had been a birthday party, movie, or once over Memorial Day weekend, when work called, Nick had to react. Franny never understood or respected that aspect of his job.
But what about Ashley?
Could she accept what he did for a living and not resent him? Lately, Nick didn’t think it was possible—even for someone as logical and independent as Ashley.
****
Nick made arrangements for Vicky and Jamie to bring Gina and Joey home and set a time to pick Ashley and Sean up for dinner tomorrow before heading to the station. Sean looked a little crestfallen when Nick said he had to leave, but Ashley wasn’t upset. If anything, she seemed relieved.
There was something about being around him that made her nervous, especially if he touched her—bumped her knee or wiped tomato sauce off her cheek. And if he was honest with himself, being near her bothered him but in a way that had him wanting to drag her underneath the bleachers.
He shook his head and wound his way to his desk to pick up his notes and case file. Damon was already there, collecting his own sets of files.
“Sorry to pull you away from your family,” Damon said.
“It’s part of the job, right?” Nick replied. “Ashley understood.”
“How about Sean?”
Nick thought back to the brief flicker of disappointment that passed across his son’s eyes. It was time to level with Sean about the demands of his job. There would be times he’d have to leave an event, and it wouldn’t be because he wanted to. Franny had never wanted Nick to discuss being a cop with the kids. Maybe if he talked about his work, Sean wouldn’t develop the kind of attitude Gina had about his choice of profession.
“I’ll see him tomorrow. He and Ashley are coming to my parents for dinner.”
“Well, well, the family dinner. That didn’t take your mom long.”
“I almost expected to see her first thing this morning at the park.”
“That would have been awkward.”
Nick was grateful his mom hadn’t shown up, and he was certain she’d be in full-blown hovering-grandmother mode tomorrow.
They made their way to one of the conference rooms. Two other detectives who had been assigned to help, Lombardi and Rodriguez, were already there.
The detectives were in their early thirties but could pass for younger. They were solid men with good reputations. They’d worked several cases together, and Nick knew, with their help, they could close out the case.
“What do you have for us, guys?” Damon asked as he and Nick sat at one side of the table.
“The list of schools has been narrowed down to two,” Lombardi began. “South Philly High and…” He paused.
Nick raised an eyebrow at him. “And?”
Lombardi flicked a glance at Rodriguez before settling on Nick. “Chartwell Academy.”
“What the fuck?” Nick said.
“Our thoughts, exactly,” Rodriguez replied.
Nick had seen Gina and Sean’s school on the list of fifty, but he hadn’t believed there would be anything to worry about. Thinking about it now, he figured it made sense. Rich kids had money, and for some that meant they’d choose to spend it on drugs. Nick didn’t like it, but it was the reality of what kids encountered in school.
“It would be nice if we could narrow it down to one school,” Lombardi said.
“We had a few of the photos taken from last week’s stakeout enlarged.” Damon slid a folder over to Nick.
Nick opened it to a close up of Bennie talking to a teenage boy, who at a closer look based on his height and width of his shoulders appeared to be an older high school student. The other pictures were similar but at various angles, with the last one a close-up of the emblem on the kid’s jacket.
The hair on the back of Nick’s rose. He tossed the photos on the table and pointed his finger at the symbol. “I recognize this mark. He goes to Chartwell Academy.”
Damon snatched up the top photo to take a closer look. “You sure?”
Nick dragged a hand down his face. “Sean was wearing a marking like this on his school uniform.”
“That makes our life simpler,” Lombardi said.
And Nick’s life more complicated. Nick knew drugs existed, even at fancy prep schools, but to have his kid’s school at the center of this operation didn’t sit well with him.
“Since I know the headmaster, I’d like to show him these photos and bring him up to speed on what’s going on,” Nick said.
“How do you think he’ll react?” Damon asked.
“He’s not going to be happy about it, but we need his help, especially now that we got approval to have these two to undercover in the school.” Nick pointed to Lombardi and Rodriguez.
“Good point. We know Bennie met with this kid but don’t have any proof of anything illegal. If we can get in there, maybe he’ll lead us to Bennie’s dealer,” Damon said.
“I’ll talk with Ashley’s father tomorrow,” Nick said.
Things could be tricky when dealing with drugs in the school system. Student safety was first. Getting close to and building trust with possible dealers was also a challenge. If they could find out something about the kid, it would be easier to establish their approach for positioning Lombardi and Rodriguez.
The quicker they closed this case, the better for all involved.
****
“Thanks for helping me sort through this stuff.” Patty pointed to the stack of plastic bags stacked in her garage. “As you can see, it’s been piling up.”
“No problem. It’s not as though I had anything else planned for a Saturday night.” Ashley set out large boxes on the floor.
“That makes two of us. The well’s been dry on hot Saturday night dates for a while, now.”
“At least we’re doing something good with our time.”
One of the programs Ashley had started at New Beginnings was to collect donations for the girls and the infants. They needed everything from maternity wear to cribs, strollers, and infant clothes. Not to mention diapers, wipes, and formula.
Patty had suggested putting a collection bin at Chartwell. Based on the number of bags in Patty’s garage, it had been a smart idea.
“At least you have the potential for more exciting future Saturday nights than I do.” Patty held up a lace nightie. “I wonder what this person was thinking including this. It’s not interview attire, unless you’re interviewing for a job on the street.”
“Which is exactly what we want to keep them off, still…” Ashley reached for it and held it up to her body. “It’s sexy without being slutty. Everyone is entitled to feel pretty.”
“Says the woman with the hot man candy for her baby daddy.”
“Baby daddy? Is that a thing?”
“It is in my book.”
Ashley folded the satin fabric and placed it in the keep box. “Sean and I are going to Nick’s parents’ house for dinner tomorrow afternoon.”
“How do you think it will go?”
“I’m worried about it. In fact”—Ashley pressed her hand to her stomach—“I get nauseous
whenever I think of it.”
“I’m sure, but it’s a good thing.” Patty held up a hand. “You may not think so now, but in the long run, it will be better for Sean.”
“I know, but Nick’s entire family will be there. They must despise me. How will I be able to look at them?”
Patty took two steps forward and put her hands on Ashley’s shoulders. “You do exactly what we tell the women from New Beginnings to do. You take a deep breath, lift your chin, and look them in the eye. You can’t go back and change the past. All you can do now is move forward.”
She appreciated her friend’s words of encouragement—hadn’t she told herself the same thing more than once over the past week? Still, hearing the words from someone else was a comfort.
As a kid, her father told her not to let anyone see her cry. For Ashley, that meant hiding behind books, but she’d learned enough since her teenage days to know that only drew more attention to herself.
While Ashley still loved to read, she knew better than to hide. She’d go to the DiFrancescos’ tomorrow, but she’d have to mentally prepare herself for the day.
“Sean’s decided he wants to join the softball team Nick coaches.”
“Good. Activities will help draw him out of his shell. How did that come about?” Patty said.
“One of Nick’s sisters adopted a boy from St. Vincent’s Orphanage. Nick and a couple of buddies formed teams and play a couple Saturdays a month. They keep score, but it’s mostly for fun. We went over today.”
“Did Sean play?”
“He did. He batted once. At first I thought he was going to strike out but on the last swing, he cracked it past the second baseman’s head and broke the tie score.”
“Good for him.” Patty put down the stack of tops she’d folded. “Why don’t you seem happy about it?”
A question Ashley had been asking herself since coming home from the game earlier.
“Everything’s happening too fast, I suppose. Sean has barely had time to get used to having a father, and now we’re committed to regular softball games and Sunday afternoon dinners. It’s a lot to take in.”
“You can’t plan everything out, and you can’t be afraid to mix things up a bit.”
Ashley had never liked change. Growing up without a mom had caused her to be self-sufficient at an early age. Once she was old enough to no longer have a babysitter, Ashley had taken over the bulk of the cooking and cleaning. She had to manage her time and schedule in order to keep up with the household responsibilities in addition to her studies.
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