Knight of Ocean Avenue by Tara Lain Read Free Book Online Page B

Jenkins.”
    “Carl.” The medium-height fireplug of a man stuck out his hand, and Billy shook it.
    “Hey, I wanted to talk with you about Willie.”
    Billy nodded.
    “The kid’s having trouble toughening up, you know? Still spends too much time with his mom and loves games that are too young for him. Yeah, and too girly.”
    Billy felt his spine stiffen. “Willie’s a really nice kid. I’d like to have more like him.”
    The man frowned. “Yeah, but nice won’t pay the rent, you know? He gets bullied a lot, and the other boys make fun of him.”
    Billy stood a little straighter. “Not when I’m around. Willie plays well, and I want all my players to be respected by their teammates.”
    “Respected. Interesting choice of words.”
    “Kids can like who they will, but if they want to play for me, they show respect to everyone.” He shoved his sneakers into his bag and pulled on his flip-flops. June in the OC was warm in the afternoon. Mornings brought June gloom.
    “Well, that’s what I want to say. I think you’re a good role model. I don’t have much time what with my business and everything. I appreciate the time you spend with him.”
    “It’s my pleasure.”
    “If you can give him a little extra coaching, I’d be happy to pay for it.”
    Billy gazed at the man. Such a typical Newport Beach type-A, looking for someone to be a parent for him. “I’m a volunteer, Mr. Jenkins. Willie’s doing okay, and he gets along with the other kids just fine.”
    The man frowned. “Just okay, huh?”
    “He’s unlikely to live up to his namesake, but he’s perfectly adequate on the field and at bat. He won’t embarrass you.”
    “Namesake?”
    Billy smiled. “I assumed you named him for Willie Mays.”
    “For his grandfather, actually, but I’ll tell him about Willie. Maybe it’ll inspire him.” He slapped Billy on the bicep. “Wow, that’s some arm you got there, Coach.”
    Billy nodded. “I work construction.”
    “But you don’t have any kids in the league?”
    “No. Not married.”
    “Nice you like to spend time with the kids.” His voice took on that hint of suspicion some of the parents seemed to get when they found out he was single.
    “Yeah.” Billy started walking toward his truck, then stopped and turned back to Jenkins. “Stay on top of the bullying thing. Willie doesn’t get a hard time while he’s here, but if he’s getting beat up at school, it can really screw up his whole life before you even know it.”
    “Sounds like the voice of experience.”
    Billy nodded. “I wasn’t always this big.”
    “I’ll keep it in mind, thanks. Get the boy some boxing lessons.”
    Billy sighed really softly. “Bye.” Poor Willie .
    He piled his baseball gear into the truck and climbed in the driver’s side to go back to the stylist. Jesus, why was he doing this? He blew out his breath slowly. Maybe if he got his shit together he could date that girl, Sissy. She seemed nice and, if he showed up with her at the wedding events, his mom would forget about Annie. Yeah, that would be good. He just had to endure a couple of meetings with Shaz. How hard could that be?

C HAPTER S IX
     
     
    S HAZ RAN the brush over his hair and smoothed it with his hand. Not bad . He’d tamed the mane. Ironed stick-straight and polished, it made him look even more girly than when it was wild, but then, he wasn’t exactly trying for macho.
    “My, my, don’t you look lovely.”
    Shaz looked up at Ru, who had walked up behind him at the styling station. “Thank you, dear.”
    “Getting beautiful for Giles?”
    Shaz stared at his own face. Did he look guilty? “Um, yes, we’re going out later.”
    Ru cocked his head, then pulled out the omnipresent tablet he used to schedule every stylist in the office, including Shaz. He looked up from it. “You devil, you’re prettifying for that big hunk of handsome, aren’t you?”
    Shaz put a finger to his cheek and stuck out his hip. “Whoever could you