She toys with my t-shirt. “How was practice?”
“Great.” I lean down to kiss her, and she moans softly and presses herself into me. I could get lost in this sweet woman if I’m not careful. Maybe it’s a good thing we’re both so busy. Pulling away, I rub her back. “Want to study later? I wish we could just hang out, but I have an essay I need to finish. I doubt I’ll have time tomorrow night ’cause I’m always pretty braindead after away games, and I want to use Sunday to do stuff with Hazel.”
Abby smiles. “I have to read a few chapters tonight too.”
I like that she’s so studious. Nothing against party girls, but it’s refreshing to be with a woman who doesn’t mind staying home on a Friday night.
“Gonna give Hazel a quick bath, and I’ll meet you in the living room once I get her to bed.”
I finally get my kid in the tub with her mermaids. I wash Hazel’s hair and condition it. “Close your eyes while I rinse.” She clenches them shut while she clamps a hand over her nose. I tilt her head back and wash out the product. Then I turn on the detachable showerhead and hose her off. “Circle, circle.” She wiggles around while I spray her down. “Towel.” Hazel holds out her arms while I wrap her in a towel.
I set her down on the closed toilet seat and spray in extra conditioner and comb it through. Blow-dry her hair. Put her in her pajamas. Help her brush her teeth. I carry her to her room and set her down on her twin bed that sits adjacent to my queen.
“Which book do you wanna read, gingersnap?”
Her lips purse. “I like the one whe-a she has long hai-a.”
Which ones have long hair? “Rapunzel?”
“The other one.”
“Tangled?”
“Yup!” She hops up and down.
I love how excited she gets for a book I’ve read her a hundred times. I tuck her under the covers, flip on her fairy night-light, and lie down next to her. “In a galaxy far, far away…”
“That’s not Tangled, Daddy.”
I chuckle. “Are you sure? Because there’s a princess in that story, and she has long hair too.”
When I’m done reading Tangled, she yawns. “I want to be a pwincess.”
I kiss her forehead. “You’re already my princess.” That gets me a sleepy smile. “Night, sweetheart. Love you.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
Gently, I close the door behind me. I might be exhausted, but I’m grateful I could squeeze in Hazel’s bedtime routine tonight. I know she’ll grow up fast, and then one day she’ll be off on her own, so I have to make the most of the time we have now.
Abby’s curled up on the couch with a textbook in her lap, a pen behind her ear, and a highlighter in hand. My little sexy nerd is hard at work. “I need a snack, or I’m gonna die. Can I get you anything?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I’m good, but I made an extra sandwich for you. Unless you’re in the mood for something else.” There’s a plate on the coffee table with a roast beef sandwich loaded with veggies and a bottle of water.
“How did you know what I wanted?” I sit next to her and shove half the sandwich in my mouth.
“I saw you eating that last week. Thought it looked good, so I made one for myself this evening. Wasn’t sure if you’d be hungry, but if you weren’t, I figured I could eat it for lunch or something.”
“You’re the sweetest.” After I swallow, I lean over and kiss her forehead. “Cadence’s cooking is great, but it’s kinda rich. I’m a simple guy. I like easy stuff. Sandwiches, soups, salads. Unless you wanna bring me some chocolate icebox pie?”
She laughs. “I’ll bring you a slice from Moe’s Sunday night.”
When I finish eating, I slide the empty plate back on the coffee table and turn to Abby. “Before I forget, are you still cool to watch Hazel tomorrow? I know I already confirmed, but I’m paranoid about Saturday coverage after Felicia bailed that time. Away games give me extra anxiety. I’m never sure what time I’ll get home. The Austin traffic is always terrible.”
Abby grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. “We’re good. Hazel and I are going to pre-game with some buffalo wings, compliments of Cadence. We’re going to braid each other’s hair, watch you kick UT’s ass, and then cap off the day with an assortment of art projects. If I’m really lucky, she’ll want to learn how to play Scrabble with me.”
I tug her into my lap. “You’re awesome at this nanny thing. I can’t believe I almost didn’t hire you.”
“I did ram you with my car.” She threads her fingers through my hair and kisses me softly.
