I’m about to tell him I’m all set, but then I reconsider.
Having three babysitters instead of two would give me backup options in case of an emergency. Then Abby could have more free time to socialize instead of being at my beck and call Monday through Saturday, which is more than she worked at the diner.
And if I’m being honest with myself, I really don’t need to see her six days out of the week. That’s probably a little more temptation than I’m prepared to handle. I don’t know what it is about her that draws me in, but I need to put a stop to it.
She’s clearly looking for a serious relationship, and she deserves to have someone in her life whose world revolves around her.
I’m not that man.
Abby and I have chemistry. An absurd amount of chemistry. In a different lifetime, I’d jump all over that, but I’m not the same guy I used to be. I won’t put my heart on the line again. Not like I did with Gemma. It’s too fucking messy.
For the foreseeable future, I plan to keep my nose to the grindstone, win some damn football games, and take care of my daughter.
Hopefully the provost’s niece is the answer to that equation.
I dial the number Coach sent, and a bubbly, feminine voice answers. After we talk for a minute, Cadence laughs. “Nick, please tell me my uncle didn’t bully you into calling me about this job. I’m looking for a position, but I don’t want you to feel like you have to do this.”
I chuckle. “I swear, no one is pressuring me.”
We agree to meet in person. I have a good feeling about her.
As I get off the phone, Denise pulls into the driveway. She’s a sweet older lady whose children are in high school, so her mornings are free. She can drop off Hazel at preschool and pick her up or hang out with her if she doesn’t have school.
My daughter bounds into the kitchen just before I take off. I kneel down for hugs.
“Have a good day, gingersnap. Be sure to brush your teeth after you have breakfast.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
“And remember, don’t listen to music too loudly. It’s bad for your ears.”
“Thumbs-up.” She holds up her hand, and I help her hold down her four fingers.
By the time I reach the gym, I’m feeling optimistic. Maybe I can keep this ship upright for a few more months.
I’m two miles into my warmup run on the treadmill when Jinxy jumps onto the machine next to me.
“Damn, Daddy. Slow your ass down. You’re making the rest of us look bad.” He waves a hand behind him to Dax and Bowser, who are also jogging.
Sweat drips down Bowser’s thick brows. “Fuck off. I’m on this team because of my quick hands and my size, which means I ain’t gonna be sprinting on this thing.”
Dax rolls his eyes. “I heard all about your size last night. ‘Oh, Big B! You monster! Yes! Harder!’” he mock-screams in a high-pitched voice. “Bowser almost banged a hole through my wall with his headboard.”
The guys laugh.
Sex. It must be nice.
When I’m done, I slam the shutdown button with my palm.
Jinxy points a finger in my face. “Speaking of letting off steam, you need to get laid already, bro, before you break something. You got that angry energy wafting around you like a bad fart.” This asshole’s always busting my balls.
“You’d know all about bad farts.” Dax snorts.
With the back of my arm, I wipe sweat from my forehead. “I’m relaxed right now. I just ran three miles.”
“You think you’re relaxed, but your eyes are all squinty and you look like you wanna smash something.”
I glance at Dax, and he nods. “It’s true. You do look wound up.”
