Long After Midnight by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page A

much was for herself. “I’ll see you at the game, Benny.”
    “Right.” Benny smiled and turned away. “I’ll be there rooting up a storm.”
             
    “I was good, wasn’t I?” Joshua asked, elated. “Did you see that last double?”
    “I saw it.” Kate knelt to help him on with his Braves baseball jacket. “Stand still. It’s getting chilly now that the sun has set. I saw everything. You were the hero of the game.”
    He grimaced. “No, I wasn’t. We lost. You can’t be the MVP if your team loses.”
    “My mistake. You looked like an ace to me.”
    “That’s because you’re my mom.” But he still looked pleased. “Did Dad say anything?”
    “Why not ask him yourself?” She stood up and watched Michael and Benny make their way through the crowd of parents gathered in the center of the ball field. “I’d say he looks pretty proud.”
    “Great game, champ.” Michael was grinning broadly as he clapped Joshua on the shoulder. “If you’d had a little help, you’d have slaughtered them.”
    “Shh.” Joshua glanced worriedly at a dejected group next to the wire batting cage. “Rory did the best he could.”
    “Sorry.” Michael lowered his voice. “But you outclassed them, kid.”
    Benny nodded. “I jumped up and nearly knocked your mom off the bleachers when you hit that double. Pow!” She smiled at him. “Your dad and I are going to Chuck E. Cheese’s for a pizza. How about coming along?”
    Kate stiffened, her gaze flying to Michael.
    He almost imperceptibly shook his head. No, he’d accepted her decree to go slow. It was probably one of Benny’s impulses to ask Joshua.
    “Sure.” Joshua glanced at Kate. “You coming too?”
    Kate shook her head. “I have work to do. I’d better go on home. You run along.”
    Joshua frowned uncertainly. “You sure it’s okay?”
    She squeezed his shoulder. “It’s okay.” She glanced at Michael. “Have him home by nine. It’s a school night.”
    “Right.” He looked over Joshua’s head at Kate. “Thanks. Come on, slugger.” He started across the grass toward the open field designated as the parking lot.
    Benny smiled and waved at Kate before falling into step with Joshua.
    Kate watched them go. Get used to it. Make it easy for Joshua. This is what divorce is all about. Someone usually gets left alone.
    Joshua was looking back over his shoulder.
    She smiled with an effort and waved at him.
    He didn’t wave back. He stopped in his tracks.
    He said something to Benny and came running back to her.
    “Did you forget something?”
    “I’m not going.” He jammed his hands in his baseball jacket. “I’m going home with you.”
    “Why?”
    He scowled. “I’m just going home with you. I’m tired of pizza.”
    He was never tired of pizza. “Benny and your dad will be disappointed.”
    “Maybe we’ll all go next time. Come on, let’s go home.”
    Benny and Michael were looking back at her. Michael shrugged philosophically, took Benny’s elbow, and turned away.
    Evidently she hadn’t handled this right. Joshua must have sensed her loneliness, and it had triggered that fiercely protective streak. She started toward the parking lot. “You’ll be bored. Why don’t you try to catch up? Benny was looking forward to seeing you tonight. You know you like her.”
    Joshua fell into step with her. “Sure I like her. She’s funny.” He looked straight ahead as they left the ballpark. “Dad likes her too, doesn’t he?”
    “Very much,” Kate said. “And that’s good. Your dad’s been lonely.”
    “You don’t mind her—” He stopped.
    “I’d be pretty selfish if I minded your dad being happy.” She stopped at the Honda and got out her keys. “And so would you. So why don’t you go to Chuck E. Cheese’s and have a great time.” She glanced over at Michael, who had settled Benny in the passenger seat of the Chevrolet on the far side of the parking lot. He slammed the door and ran around to the driver’s seat.