“What’s up, Mira?”
“What’s up?” She pouts, jutting out her lower lip. “Why didn’t you tell me about Poppy? I would’ve been happy to help.”
It’s only been two days since I made the mistake of taking my daughter to the diner, but news travels fast. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and the press to get wind of Poppy. I’m not ready for that drama. On the bright side, since the secret is out, drop-offs like this one are easier since I can pick her up on campus from some of the friends who babysit.
“You want to help?” I don’t mean to sound incredulous, but when I think of maternal instincts, Miranda doesn’t come to mind. I shouldn’t judge. I have no idea if she likes kids or wants them because, frankly, we never discussed it.
“Of course! You mean so much to me.” She shoots me one of her bright smiles, and I begin to relax. When Mira and I are getting along, she really is a sweetheart. I don’t know why I thought she wasn’t taking our breakup well. “Listen, things got weird between us for a bit, but we’ve known each other too long to not get past that, right?”
“Yeah. Right.” I know some of my friends don’t like her, but Miranda’s always been pretty cool to me, and I’m relieved there’s no bad blood between us.
If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s arguing. I heard my parents scream at each other through my entire childhood. When people disagree, they need to talk it out, not yell in each other’s faces.
“So asfriends, I want you to know I’m here if you need anything.” She pauses, and her eyes grow wistful. “We’re friends, right?”
This seems like a gray area. Is it okay to be friends with an ex? Because even though Miranda and I were only casual, it was long-term enough.Iamthe one who told her we should go back to being friends when I picked her up that day at Archer.
Am I being an asshole if I blow her off? Am I jerking Miranda around the way I did Gabby freshman year if I don’t want to be friends? Fuck, I don’t know, but it feels like a giant dick move if I tell her we’re not.
“Friends. Yeah. Of course.” I give her a patient smile. “I gotta run right now.”
“Good luck with the rest of the season. You know I’ll be cheering for you.”
“Thanks, Mira.” I give her a hug before I realize I probably shouldn’t, but this feels like the end of whatever we had, and I want to leave off on a good note.
Miranda and I go our separate ways. A minute later when I spot Bree, she’s shooting me dirty looks.
“What could I have done to earn that scowl?” I ignore her glare and scoop Poppy out of her stroller.
“That girl is evil. Please tell me you’re not getting back together with her.”
“I’m so relieved I get the honor of you preapproving the women I date, but no, that’s history.”
“Aww, are we finally using the word ‘date’?” Wide-eyed, she claps. “Does this have anything to do with your cute little neighbor?”
“Please. You’re really gonna pretend you don’t know what’s going on?”
She laughs. “Okay, I know a few things.” Like we’re the oldest of chums, she hooks her arm in mine. “And you should know this—you hurt my girl, and I will dislocate your ribs.”
After I untwine my arm from hers, I give her an awkward back pat since I’m still holding Poppy. “Glad you’re on her side. She needs good friends.” Then, because I’m an ass, I give her a noogie. “Now stay out of my love life.”
Annndthat’s a mistake.
“Now we’re using the word ‘love’? Holy shit, Rider, what’s happened to you?”
Pretty sure her name is Gabriela Duran, and if I’m beingreallyhonest, that girl kinda rocks my world.
Not that I’m gonna lay this on Bree.
And not that it’s love.
But it’s… something.
“None of your beeswax. Now get to class before I wrangle you to babysit more.”
When it’s just me and Poppy, I figure I’ll grab a quick lunch, play with the kid for a while, before I get her to the afternoon babysitter so she can take a nap and I can go to practice.
Except the minute I sit down in the cafeteria, I’m swarmed by people. Mostly women. Okay, only women.
