6
6
Bryce
The past week had sucked balls, as we said in Minnesota. I lost the bid for the shopping center. I was so pissed and disappointed, but that wasn’t the worst of it. Nana Bea had fallen while taking her garbage can to the curb on pickup day.
I should’ve done it.
I always did it.
But I’d been so consumed by my latest failure, I’d forgotten. I felt like the worst grandson on the planet… the worst man in the universe.
She’d been in the hospital for a few days, and thankfully, it was only a minor fracture, but that wasn’t the point. She should’ve never been injured to begin with.
Tomorrow she’d be released, and I wanted to bring her to my house, but she refused. Her close friend, Wanda, was going to help out during her recovery. Not me, her flesh and blood, but an old friend.
I shouldn’t take it personally, even if Nana had said I had my hands full with the twins. But I did take it personally. She was the only family I had left in this world.
And it went without saying that if I had a successful business, I could afford to hire a private nurse. And a nanny for the girls. A cleaning service. Personal shopper and cook…
My phone vibrated on the kitchen table. I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered it.
“Hello?”
“Bryce, it’s Zander out at The Bullet. I heard about Nana Bea breaking her hip. How’s she doing?”
“Fine. It was a minor fracture. She gets released tomorrow.”
“So she was telling me the truth.” He chuckled. “Can never tell with that one.”
I nodded, though he couldn’t see me. “Very true. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”
Nana had known Zander’s mom when she’d volunteered in the facility Donna lived in before she passed away years ago from Alzheimer’s. I had still been in elementary school and recalled seeing Nana sobbing over her friend dying. Zander and Nana hadn’t kept in close touch. Both were busy with their families, but they ran into each other around Bastion, and Nana sent him a Christmas card every year.
“I plan on stopping by her place after she’s settled in. My wife wants to bring her hotdish and cinnamon rolls.”
“She’d love that.”
There was a long pause, but before I could ask if there was anything else, he said, “Can you meet me at the old warehouse on the northside of town? The brick building. Do you know it?”
“I do. What for?”
“To see what your thoughts are on renovating it.”
I drummed my fingers on the table. “You own it?”
“Yep.”
“What do you want to do with it?”
“We can discuss that later. When can you meet me?”
“Um…” I dialed into the Barbie movie my girls were watching in the living room. What about them? It was Wednesday. The teenaged girl across the street, who I used when Nana couldn’t babysit, was at school.
“Is today no good? Are you working out of town?”
“No, no. I’m home with my girls. Nana used to watch them when I worked.”
“Oh.” He fell silent for a beat. “Bring them. It’s dirty inside the building, but we’ll all keep an eye on them.”
“We all? You mean, you and me.”
“And my daughter.”
“Your daughter is coming with? Ain’t she in school?” It was just about lunch time. I was sure his girl was in high school.
“Not Lexi. Sadie is home, visiting from New York. She can help wrangle your girls.”
“Oh. Okay. How about we meet at one? I need to feed them lunch.” I had never met his kids, just heard about them from Nana.
“Sounds good. See you then.” The call ended.
Very interesting. I half wondered if Nana had told him I was having some financial troubles. Why else would he call me? I wasn’t the only construction company in the area. Maybe since he knew Nana, he wanted to give me a chance.
Except, I wasn’t sure I wanted to get involved with Zander. He was a biker in the Knight’s Legion MC. They basically ran the town—and the rest of the Upper Midwest, for that matter. There were clubs in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Illinois.
With my little girls to protect, I steered clear of bikers. Nana thought I was silly and too overprotective. Maybe, but Cat and Tori depended on me to make smart choices.
But you really need the work.
I did, so the smart choice was to meet Zander at the warehouse.
An hour later, I parked my truck behind Zander’s. He must’ve been inside, because I didn’t see him or his daughter.
“Where are we?” Cat asked from the back seat.
“A place Daddy might do some work to. I don’t want either of you running around inside, okay?”
“Okay,” they said in unison.
“Be on your best behavior.”
“We will,” they sang.
I smiled as I got out and went to unbuckle them. They were so darn cute with the sweetest, squeakiest voices.
“All right, let’s go in.” I put Tori on my hip and took Cat’s hand. Tori was a little smaller than Cat, so it was easier to carry her.
The door suddenly opened, and Zander greeted us. “Hey there. Come on in.” He patted Cat on the head and gave Tori a wink.
“This place is huge.” I scanned the area and noticed the back of a woman with brown hair. I assumed it was Sadie, Zander’s daughter.
“Yep. I think it would make a fantastic dance school.”
“Dad,” she said in an annoyed tone and turned around.
My heart stopped when our eyes connected.
What the fuck? Sunshine?
“I’m just saying what I believe. Don’t you agree, Bryce?”
I couldn’t speak as she moved closer, equally surprised as me.
“Introduce us before we talk business, Dad.” Her hazel-green eyes flitted toward Tori, then Cat. Then they returned to mine, a questioning glint flashed in her expression.
“Oh, right. I forget you’ve never met before,” Zander said. Boy was he wrong.
Yes, we had met. I knew her in an intimate way. Could taste her addictive pussy on my tongue and felt it squeezing the shit out of my cock, which was both thrilled to see her again and growing hard by the second. Calm the fuck down, boy.
“Bryce, this is my eldest daughter, Sadie. Sadie, Bryce Nelson. He owns a construction company in Bastion. His Nana knew Grandma Donna.”
“Oh. Good to meet you.” She gave me a short nod, as if I hadn’t fucked her in the front seat of my pickup five days ago, and turned her attention to her father.
Okay, Sunshine. We can play another game.I’ll follow your lead.
“I’d shake your hand, but—”
“You’ve got both full. Are they yours?” She glared, as if accusing me of being unfaithful to their mother.
Nope, not the case. The other way round, actually. Connie had cheated on me and took off with her lover, claiming motherhood wasn’t for her.
“Yes. They’re twins. This is Catherine.” I raised her hand in mine. “And Victoria.” I jiggled her in my arms. My girls leaned against me, all bashful and cute.
“They’re adorable.” She smiled warmly at my girls, but I felt an icy chill directed at me. “How old? Three? Four?”
“They turned three this summer.”
The girls put their hands up and showed three fingers.
“Wow, that’s amazing.” Her saccharine voice scratched down my spine like nails on a chalkboard. I was happy and mad to see her again.
What was going on with me? With her?
“You’re pretty,” Cat told her.
“Aww, thank you, sweetie.”
“I like her hair.” Tori pointed at Sadie’s messy bun.
“You’re both precious and stroking my ego just right.” She winked at them.
Stroking? Fuck. Not a good word choice, considering I knew what it felt like to stroke her. I still couldn’t believe she was here… and more beautiful than I remembered.
The world was small, maybe too small. I’d never thought I’d see her again. Hadn’t wanted to, if I was honest. But why was she acting like we hadn’t met last week? We were adults, for Christ’s sake, and could keep our hookup a secret. Zander wouldn’t care. Would he? Or maybe she had a boyfriend and had cheated on him.
Jealousy and anger bubbled in my gut. More jealousy than anger, which was stupid. I would never consider a woman who’d cheated on her man.
“Let’s get down to business, now that the introductions are over,” Zander said.
“I don’t think so, Dad. I’m not sticking around. It would be a waste of your money and his time.” She didn’t even look at me. Damn, she was brutal.
“We’re just here to see what Bryce thinks.”
“I can turn this place into a dance school if you want. The structure appears solid.”
She tilted her head with attitude. “And you know that just from being in it for five seconds?”
“Yes. I’m that good. What timeline are you looking at?” I directed my question to Zander.
“I haven’t agreed to anything.” Sadie turned toward her dad and lowered her voice. “We need to discuss this privately. I never said I would open a dance school.”
“Bryce, when can you start?” Zander asked.
“Dad,” Sadie snipped. Boy, she was ticking me off. She didn’t know shit about me, yet she was acting as if I were an awful person. I’d say she was awful and judgy.
“Tomorrow,” I replied quickly, just to annoy her. “If I can find someone to watch the girls. Ya know Nana can’t.”
“Sadie can watch them. She has nothing going on. Right, honey?”
“Um…” She cut her eyes toward me, then her dad.
“That’s okay.” I adjusted Tori on my hip. “I’ll make some calls when I get home.” No idea who I’d call, but I couldn’t have Sadie alone with my girls, not when she clearly didn’t want us here in the first place.
She whipped her head in my direction. “You don’t think I’m capable of watching your girls? I assure you; I did a lot of babysitting at the club.”
“And I can vouch for her too. She’s fantastic with kids, which is why she should be a dance instructor.”
“Um…” I didn’t know what to say. “It seemed like you weren’t interested.”
“I’m not.” She winced. “I mean, it couldn’t be long term. You need to find someone permanent, but I can help out until then.”
“Great!” Zander clapped his hands together, obviously excited about moving forward with the project. “What time do you want Sadie at your place?”
“Seven thirty, I guess.” Why had I agreed to allow this woman to watch my kids? I didn’t know her, so why would I trust her with my precious girls? Because I’d had one night with her? And not even a full night. Hours. We’d been together for only a few hours.
Honestly, I didn’t know what the hell was going on with me. Zander driving the conversation and controlling every detail was intimidating. He was a badass biker, and I was a single dad with a failing business. That was it. I was letting everything play out however Zander dictated because I needed this fucking job.
“Perfect.”
“Can we go now?” Cat asked. “It’s stinky in here.”
Tori nodded in agreement.
Sadie giggled. “It is very stinky in here.” Her gaze flitted to mine, then darted away. “Let’s all go. I have some things to do. Bye, girls. I’ll see you soon.” She waved and sashayed out of the building.
“That went better than I expected.” Zander put his hand on my back and led me toward the door.
“Really?” I didn’t agree. Sadie wasn’t excited about turning the building into a dance studio, but I saw Zander’s vision. It’d be perfect, and I was sure my little girls would love to take lessons, if I could afford to pay for classes.
“Oh, yeah. She could’ve shot it down on the spot, but she didn’t. My girl doesn’t stand down when she wants something. I tell ya, she’s a fighter.”
“Interesting.” What had happened in the bar made more sense. She’d gone after what she wanted, the seat next to me. Then later, she wanted a release which I stupidly provided and enjoyed.
I didn’t want to feel anything for her. Well, indifference would be welcomed.
“How’s eight in the morning sound?” Zander asked.
“What?” I’d gotten lost in my thoughts. Idiot.
“To meet here.”
“Oh. Yeah, eight’s fine.” I stalked out toward my truck with my girls.
“Everything okay? Don’t let Sadie discourage you. She’s dealing with stuff.”
I slowed my pace. “What kind of stuff?”
He came up beside me and lowered his voice. “She was cut from being the lead in the Nutcracker. She’s a professional ballerina. Been living in New York for several years now.”
I avoided looking at her in Zander’s truck. “Why would she be cut?”
“I don’t know the details. Just making assumptions. She’s not talking.”
“She sounds stubborn.”
“Oh, she is. Don’t let her scare you off.” Not sure what he meant, but I wasn’t about to talk about Sadie with her in earshot.
“I better get going. Gonna get these girls home for an afternoon nap.” Cat was dragging her feet, and Tori was resting her head on my shoulder.
“Sounds good. Later, buddy.”
I snorted. Buddy? Whatever, dude.
How in the hell would I handle being around Sadie? Or trust her with my girls? Having sex with a stranger was one thing. Leaving that person alone with my girls was another.
I needed to hire someone I knew to watch the twins. Nana might have a few recommendations, or maybe Wanda.
What I’d really like to know was why Sadie had pretended like we didn’t know each other.