18. Spinning
CHAPTER 18
SPINNING
DELILAH
I worried about where Miles was all night until I pieced together via Lola that he stayed with her at his parents’ house. She told me at bedtime, but I had several hours of worry since I came home last night.
Colton is fine. The night was enjoyable, but the game put a cloud over my head and he sensed it, not trying to kiss me goodnight.
All I did was lie in bed and wait for Miles to come back. I didn’t expect him to fall into my arms, but I wanted to make sure he was okay after the loss and whatever happened out there on the ice.
I wanted to explain Colton to him.
Once Lola is asleep, I clean the kitchen from top to bottom and try to read in bed. Practice will be hell for the guys. I’ve heard about that from my brother.
I wake up in the morning and look around at the sunlight coming through my window. I fell asleep.
I rise and look at the monitor to see Lola sleeping and run into the kitchen to check the sink. There’s no empty plate and the covered one is still in the fridge.
Where was he last night?
Lola wakes up and I force a smile on my face as we get ready for breakfast. There’s an afternoon game, and I promised Lola I’d take her there, even agreeing to go with his family. Avoiding them is impossible and I need to suck it up and be the best nanny I can be to Lola.
We’re not doing dinner before the game, but if she’s alert enough, Linda suggested dinner afterward. Maybe Miles can join us.
I’d rather he not come, but it is his daughter. Who am I to keep them apart?
I feel my phone vibrate and look down to see my brother’s name. Lola is playing in the living room before an early nap and I sigh, answering the call.
“What?”
“Who was the guy at the game, Del? I’ve never seen him before.”
“An old high school friend, Dad . He had tickets and wanted to go. There’s nothing more to it.”
My voice is defensive, but I get tired of Drew’s extreme habit of being overprotective of me.
“Are you trying to tell me you went right home after that awful game? Nothing else happened?”
“No. It didn’t. I came home and enjoyed the quiet house.”
Lies.
“Are you coming to the game today? Alone?”
“I have the sweetest three-year-old as my date today. You can rest easy knowing that I’ll be in the family seats with everyone else, Drew.”
“I just worry, Del. You’re my sister.”
“A grown one that can take care of herself. Are you home?”
“We’re staying until the game since it’s just a few hours away. Some guys ordered food and others are working out. Idiots. We’ll have enough exercise during the game.”
Andrew sounds bitter and I know he gets frustrated with the level of physical strain in the sport. He and Miles are in amazing shape, but it takes a lot of work to get there.
“They clear their heads that way. It’s a thing.”
“You’ll be here tonight?”
“Yep. They’re talking about dinner after, if Lola is up to it. She’s going down for an early nap soon. It won’t be a long one, but it’s something. Are you ready for the game today?”
“We practiced our asses off and went over drills to make sure that doesn’t happen again. That team messed with us.”
“I won’t argue with that. Get some food and relax. Be careful tonight, Drew.”
Lola naps and I shower, dressing for the game once my hair is air drying into a mass of curls. I chose skinny jeans and the usual jersey with some cute black boots. Lola’s clothes are laid out in her room.
I am still feeling confused about everything, but I need to move past it. It makes no difference where he’s been or who I’ve been out with as long as Lola is safe.
When she wakes up, I dress her, and we drive to the house to ride with the family in the car. Lola is thrilled to be with them, but I hold back, staying quiet and observing everyone.
“Are you okay, Delilah?”
I look at Brynn as she stares at me, nodding.
“Just tired.”
There’s a commotion in the arena and I look up to see the guys skating before the game.
“Let’s go see Daddy.”
I carry Lola to the glass, and she waves at Miles, smiling when he comes to stand in front of us. He’s achingly beautiful and I watch as he taps the glass, drawing a giggle from Lola. Our eyes meet for a moment and then he turns his head as someone calls his name.
Miles places his hand over his heart, sending it towards us before he returns to his teammates.
I could read so much into that, but there’s no point.
We return to the seats and snacks scattered about, settling in for the game. The team plays much better today, keeping in tune with each other out on the ice. I’m sure they got an ass kicking about the last game and I watch closely with Lola in my lap.
When Andrew passes the puck to Miles and he scores a goal, we all start screaming. Lola knows what it means and claps her hands as she looks at us.
“They’re back.”
Keith looks anxious and I smile at him.
“It was just a bad night. That team was messing with them so much. It would get to anybody.”
“You’re right. Maybe you’re his lucky charm, since you weren’t here that night.”
I don’t know whether to tell him I was sitting somewhere else, but he doesn’t seem to know about Colton. Maybe I am more like bad luck.
The game ends with a three-goal lead and I dance with Lola in the seats as they play one of her favorite songs. Linda sends Andrew and Miles a text about dinner since Lola claims she’s starving and seems up for it and Miles suggests a place since he can get a private room for us
It’s a steakhouse. We walk in, and they lead us to a room that could hold about thirty people comfortably.
“Is this where they go for team dinners?”
I look at Linda, and she nods back with a smile. She has Lola by the hand, and I pause, wondering if I should even be here.
We sit down and order drinks, and everyone gives a standing ovation to the guys when they walk in wearing suits and looking incredible. They’ve brought a few friends with them and everyone sits down as we look at the menus.
Miles is next to Lola while I am on her other side, and it’s hard to pretend he isn’t there. Everyone is talking and I just watch them, smiling when I see how happy the team is. When the food comes, the steak and seafood are delicious and I eat eagerly, watching as Lola digs in.
We don’t close the place out but leave past Lola’s bedtime and Miles offers to drive me home. We’re going to the same place after all. When I remind him my car is at his parents’ house and that I can just ride with them and drive it home, his jaw sets in a frown.
“Lola is going to be out on the way home. Just get her there and into bed and I’ll be home before you know it.”
He gazes at me for a moment before nodding, tucking a sleepy girl over his shoulder once he says goodbye to everyone.
I get into the car with his family after hugging mine and lean back, closing my eyes. What should I expect when I get to the house? I do not know.
Part of me just wants to go back to what we were before the kiss and sleeping together. He was bossy with Lola, but I know he was protecting her, as any good father should. We fought over it and tensions built up, which we handled in the worst way. The nights we shared are memories I’ll never forget, but I need to put the memories behind me and just live my life.
I know I won’t be Lola’s nanny forever, but I can enjoy the time I have with her.
When we reach the house, Brynn nudges me awake, and I blink at her.
“Can you make it home?”
She looks worried and I rub my eyes with a big stretch.
“It’s not far. I’ll be fine and I need to be there for Lola.”
Something crosses her face and I try to read it before Linda asks me if I’m good to drive.
“I am. Thanks for the ride, as always.”
I give them hugs, but I feel myself holding back before walking to my car. Something has to give here.
When I get home, I can see a couple of lights inside. It’s only been a little while and Miles will be awake. Why wouldn’t he be?
I get out and walk into the house, seeing the kitchen light on.
When I walk into the room, I see Miles drinking water.
“I thought you might be too tired to drive. Tonight was a lot.”
“I was fine, but everyone in your family double checked with me. You’ll probably want to sleep in tomorrow since it’s the first night you’ve been home. I’ll handle Lola.”
“What do you mean?”
“You were at your parents’ house one night and then didn’t come home after practice.”
I tilt my head and gaze at him.
“I came home and went right to sleep since we had that morning skate. Why do you think I wasn’t here?”
“The plate was in the fridge.”
Miles chuckles, shaking his head.
“I was so tired I couldn’t do anything but sleep, but I came home. Do you think I’m the kind of guy to stay out all night considering I have Lola here?”
“No, of course not. I was mistaken.”
I nod, biting my lip.
“How do you know I didn’t come home the night of the loss?”
“Because I came home and waited to talk to you to see if you were okay after the game. You just never did, and I didn’t know where you were until Lola told me.”
“I thought you wouldn’t come home after your date. You arranged for her to sleep over there, and I thought you had plans.”
“Because the game ran late, and your mom suggested that. I had no intention of going anywhere but here at the end of the night.”
Miles looks at me as something like relief crosses his face.
“It shouldn’t matter what we do, Miles. I am your nanny and technically, you have some free time to live whatever life you want. Your life is so busy and if anyone deserves to relax a little, it’s you and the guys on your team. Especially you.”
“Do you regret what happened?”
I feel myself flush and look down.
“I wouldn’t say regret. Well, maybe the way things ended. That was harsh, but not entirely wrong. Do you?”
“Do I regret what happened? I can’t say I do because they were some of the best times of my life, Delilah. I wouldn’t wish for it to happen with my nanny or Andrew’s sister at all, but the nights with you were so much different from anything I’ve experienced with any other woman.”
“Any other woman?”
”I haven’t been with anyone but you, Delilah, in a long time. I spent the night at Mom’s house because I was exhausted, and Lola was already there. I also couldn’t stand the idea of you not coming home and where that reality might send me. Why was your date at my fucking game?”
I just stare at him as I let it sink in what Miles is telling me.