Rough Love (Tannen Boys 1)

Problem with that is, it’s gonna come out one way or another eventually.

I grind my teeth together as I try to figure out what to say. A boy and his father is a special bond, one Cooper’s missing. Allyson can do, and is doing, so much for this adorable pipsqueak, but he needs someone to show him how to be a man. Silently, I vow to do as much as I can over the course of the season as his coach.

I lean my elbows on my bent knees. “My dad was different from both of yours, but I guess that’s true of everyone. No mom, no dad, no girl, and no boy is exactly the same. That’s what makes the world go ’round.”

I hope I sound wise and sage, not like I’m pulling shit outta my ass, which is closer to the truth.

Cooper looks over at me, eyes wide with curiosity. “What was your dad like? And your mom?”

So many answers to such simple questions. I swallow thickly, knowing that I can’t tell them the whole truth. No kid needs those seeds planted in their heads. “When I was about the age you two are, my parents were pretty great. I have two brothers and a sister too, and my family owned a farm. We all worked together, and it was pretty awesome. I’d get up in the morning and do chores—”

They groan. “Ugh, chores are the worst!”

“They were the worst, or at least I thought so at the time,” I agree. “Looking back, though, it wasn’t so bad. I took care of some of the animals and did a whole lotta work in the fields. Less when I was younger.” I hold my hand up, palm down, measuring about how tall I was back then. “And then more as I got older.” I move my palm to the top of my head, measuring myself now. “That’s my non-coaching job still. Work in the fields every day, just like my dad taught me.”

Liam puts one and one together. “Is that how you got the peaches for practice?”

Smart kid. “Yep, picked them myself for the team. Guess I like you guys a little bit.” I hold my finger and thumb up an inch apart but move them further and further until my hand is stretched wide.

Cooper laughs, bubbly and light, and I feel like he needs that. Especially as he says, “A mom and dad, brothers and sister, and a farm? It sounds like a Disney movie!” There’s a brightness to the words, but I’m pretty sure there’s a hint of jealousy hiding underneath.

I can’t stop the bitter laugh that barks its way past my lips. “It definitely was not that picturesque. My mom and dad loved each other a lot, and I’ve got some great memories from when I was a kid. Later was a different story.”

Any reasonable adult would hear the silent request to leave the topic alone, but eight-year-old boys have basically zero social skills. “You don’t like them now?” Cooper asks with his eyes narrowed like he can’t imagine not liking Allyson.

“Well, they’re gone now. Both of them passed away, and we sold our farm to the neighbors. But now, it’s like I’ve got an even bigger family of brothers and sisters.” I’m trying to make it sound like one of their big sleepover parties, but the truth is, it’s been a hard adjustment for us all. But we’re doing better now, with minimal authentic threats of loss of life and limb over the evening dinner table.

I keep a close eye on Cooper, gauging his reaction as I say my parents have passed. I’m still not sure what exactly is going on there, and even though it’s really none of my business, I have a burning need deep inside to know everything there is to know about Allyson. And this seems like it’s a big piece of what’s turned her into the she-devil she seems to be now.

Cooper blinks a couple of times, long, dark lashes covering his pale blue eyes, and I’m afraid he’s about to cry, but mostly, he seems to be processing what I just shared. He doesn’t seem upset or sad, like he’s having feelings about his own dad at all.

Before I can ask any follow-up questions, a car pulls into the parking lot going too fast. The headlights flash over us, blinding us for a moment. “Bet that’s one of your moms.” As the words leave my mouth, another car comes peeling into the lot. From here and half-blind, I can’t tell what kind of cars they are.

I hear doors slam and feminine voices apologizing. “Oh, my God, I am so sorry!”

“No, I’m sorry! I was stuck in a meeting.”

“I was stuck in the OR!”

I grin at the boys. “Double-shot of mom. Come on, guys.” We all get up and start to walk across the field. I can see Michelle in scrubs and a messy ponytail and Allyson in another skirt and heels combo, both running this way looking harried.