Mendoza's Return by Susan Crosby

about Elliot losing focus and being unable to get it back. He wants you there, too, or the deal is off.”
    She stared at him. She couldn’t do that. It would be too hard being there all the time, watching Rafe, trying to remember why she shouldn’t be attracted to him anymore.
    Focus on the letter. Remember how he ended your relationship.
    â€œLook, I know it’ll be hard, Melina. But Beau is allowing Elliot to play and—”
    â€œHe’s on the team?” Steve asked from the open doorway. “Mr. Bandero said yes?”
    Debbie raced up beside him, hope and excitement in her eyes.
    Melina had no choice. She had to put Elliot first—no matter how much it cost her personally. “Game on,” she said, smiling, heading toward the conference room. Steve looked as excited as a kid himself.
    â€œElliot!” Debbie called out. “Coach Bandero says you can play on his team.”
    Elliot went motionless. “I can win a trophy?”
    â€œThere are some conditions,” Rafe said, including everyone in his glance. “You have to have your own coach to help you at every practice.”
    â€œThat’s no problem,” Steve said. “I—”
    â€œNo parents, remember?” Rafe interrupted smoothly. “I volunteered.”
    â€œWhy would you—” Steve stopped whatever he was going to say. “Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    Debbie Anderson looked worried. “I think one of us needs to be there,” she said. “In case—” She looked at Melina.
    In case he has a meltdown. In case he loses focus and can’t get it back. In case, in case.
    â€œPart of the plan,” Rafe said, “is for Melina to be there, too. For the ‘in cases.’ Would that work for you?” he asked the parents.
    â€œIt’s too much to ask,” Steve said. “Both of you? How can we let you do that? Your time is too valuable.”
    â€œI’d love to help,” Melina said. “It would be so much fun.”
    â€œThere you have it,” Rafe said. “Piece of cake.”
    â€œWhere?” Elliot asked, looking around. “I like cake.”
    â€œIt’s a saying,” his father said. “It means it was easy.”
    â€œOh. I wish we had cake.”
    â€œWe’ll stop by the store and get some, buddy. Now I think we should get going so that everyone can enjoy their evening.”
    Goodbyes were said, including high fives with Elliot, then only Melina and Rafe were left.
    â€œWhat’d you do, anyway, sell your soul?” she asked.
    Rafe half smiled. “Are you free for dinner? I’d like to talk things over with you, get your input.”
    Melina’s internal debate didn’t last long. If they were going to work as a team to help Elliot succeed, they needed to establish détente.
    â€œI’m free,” she said. “But not at Red, okay? Not the family hangout.”
    â€œWe’d have to leave town if you’re looking for a place where no one would be wondering about us, don’t you think? Maybe I could pick up some takeout and we could eat here.”
    The decision made, Rafe left. Melina raked the sand table, dusted off the toys and returned them to their cubbies. She straightened chairs, checked her schedule for the next day and generally fretted, then finally allowed herself to sit down and really think about the motive behind Beau’s offer. She wondered if he knew what he was doing by forcing Rafe and her to work together. If he’d done it on purpose.
    Maybe.
    Probably.
    It wasn’t any secret around town that their relationship had ended badly. For years people had been anxiously awaiting a show when Melina and Rafe saw each other again, but that had died off. Too many years had passed.
    But it might as well have happened yesterday, now that Rafe was living in Red Rock again. People had long memories when gossip was involved.
    They