Chapter Sixteen
THREE WORDS
CAGE
I was drowning in a lake. My Lake. Was she mine? God, I wanted her to be. Never in my life had I felt so protective—possessive—of a woman.
“I like Lake, she’s real,” my mom said then laughed.
“Your sisters adore her. I think she sealed the deal when she played in the bounce house more than their friends did. She played all the kids’ games, and she braided ribbons into their hair.
If you don’t keep her, then I’m going to adopt her as their big sister. ”
We sat in chairs on the front porch watching Hayden and Isa ride their new bikes up and down the long driveway while Rob washed the car.
“I like her too.”
She sipped her coffee. “You don’t sound too convinced.”
“I met her before this life, this … crazy public life. It’s not that she’s fragile, she’s not. I’m just worried that the publicity, my crazy schedule, and all the crap that comes as a package deal with me could be more than she wants. And honestly, I wouldn’t blame her.”
“You don’t have to get down on one knee, hun. I mean … I’m going to adopt her, but …”
I grinned. “Flint thinks I’m insane. I think his words were something like ‘worst timing ever.’ I told myself I’d give this football career everything, and I’m just getting started, but then …”
Mom rested her hand on my arm. “But nothing. You’re focused, you’ve always been focused. You can have a career and a life. It doesn’t have to be a choice. She told me about China.”
“Told you what?”
“Lake told me you flew to Beijing just to kiss her.”
I bit my lips together, a little surprised Lake said that to my mom.
“She did, huh?” My eyes remained set on the girls, but I saw my mom’s grin out of the corner of my eye.
“What kind of schmuck would do something like that?” I stood.
“I’m going for a run. I think the rain looks like it will hold off. ”
“Okay. I love you, my dear schmuck.”
LAKE
My unpacking revealed a notecard:
CHAPTER FIVE
My brain hurt because I couldn’t piece it together, but nonetheless it sent the really good kind of chills along my spine. I finished unpacking and took care of Trzy’s needs, which included cleaning out her litter box, lots of petting, and some laser play, then I knocked on Everson’s door.
“Miss me, Apollo?” I flashed him my best smile when he opened the door.
“That might be taking it too far.”
“Oh well, in that case I have other things to do—” I turned.
“Wait.”
I looked over my shoulder. “Yes?”
Everson shook his head. There was no real need to make him beg, but I couldn’t help myself.
“I missed you, but you’re still not getting any of this.” He motioned to his body.
I laughed, turning back around and throwing my shoulders back, chin up. “Don’t flatter yourself, Apollo. I get mine.” Oh Lord … was I ever getting mine.
There it was—the full smile, pearly whites and all. “Coming from your mouth, it just sounds all kinds of wrong.”
I frowned. How was I supposed to say it?
“Where’s Shayna?”
He stepped out of the doorway. “Her room.”
“Let me see the contract you have for your nanny candidates.”
“Contract?” His brows stood erect.
“Yes, a contract. You know, the expectations you have, their duties, like: learning activities, recreational activities, meals, excursions, housekeeping, etcetera.
And rules like: no smoking, drinking, or drugs, no napping, no parties or inviting friends over, no social media, no photos and sharing pictures or revealing locations, no television or gaming …
“Please don’t tell me you’re interviewing nannies like looking for someone to mow your lawn. You had to sign an extensive contract to chase a ball and pat guys on the ass. For the love of God, Everson, you need a contract to hire someone to take care of a child, a fragile human being.”
“I told you I’m not good at this shit. I told you—”
“Shh …” I shook my head pointing toward the bedroom.
He rolled his eyes.
“It took you ten seconds to contact your attorney for help when you weren’t going to keep her. A quick call to ask him for help with a contract for a nanny should be a no-brainer.”
“Lake!” Shayna yelled, running toward me.
I bent down and hugged her, looking at Everson. How could he not be head-over-heels in love with her? Even if she did need a bath.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Take care of it?” he asked.
“I’ll hire a nanny for you.”
Everson stared at me as if I had a “but” or a “you owe me” that I hadn’t yet shared.
“Now, I think someone needs a bath again and maybe tomorrow I’ll take you to the salon.”
Perfect mocha eyes looked up at me. “Salon?”
“A haircut and maybe we’ll paint your toenails too.”
Shayna grinned then looked at her brother. “Evson, can I go?”
There it was, the little girl chipped away at his tough facade like I knew she would. The confusion on his face said he didn’t expect her to ask him for permission.
She looked up to him.
She respected him.
She trusted him.
It was a gift and I knew he would start to see it a little more every day.
“Uh … yeah, whatever.”
Cage called to tell me goodnight. It was a short call with his sisters bugging him to let them say “hi.” He planned on flying home late the next day. I planned on missing him.
The following day I took Shayna to the salon then shopping for more clothes. Silly me, I assumed Everson would have already done it. Wrong. Gah! Men.
“What the hell?” Everson gawked at the piles of bags we hauled into his apartment.
I glared at the TV. “Shut it off.”
He shut off the X-Box game that was nothing more than horrific animated violence. “Yes, Mom.”
“Time to grow up. She’s six and if you want her to stop crawling in your bed in the middle of the night, then you need to stop letting her see things that will give her nightmares.”
Everson didn’t acknowledge my advice, instead he nodded to the bags. “Since we’re on the subject of her being six, mind telling me why it looks like you bought out Macy’s today.”
I smiled at Shayna and found my happy voice instead of the condescending one Everson deserved. “Because a girl needs more than two outfits and one pair of underwear. Right, sweetie?”
She smiled, long lashes fluttering at Everson, and then she took off with one of the sacks to her room.
Everson shrugged, shoving his hands into his shorts’ pockets. “How was I supposed to know what she had?”
“Oh, I don’t know … you could have looked in her tiny backpack she showed up with, or maybe you could have asked her why she was wearing the same two outfits.”
“I didn’t want to invade her privacy or make her feel bad.”
The crazy part? I believed him.
“Now I feel like shit. I didn’t know.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll be back later to help her put everything away.
She has a bathrobe and her own toiletries now, so I’m going to help her figure out how to shower on her own here at your place.
But she’s young, Everson. If you see her naked it’s not weird or a big deal unless you make it perverted, and if you do that, I’ll bust your nuts with my robotic foot. Okay?”
“Fuck you,” he said it in the most playful way it could be said, and he said it with a smile.
I blew him a kiss. “Language … but, I like you too, Apollo. See you later. Call me if you need me … now that you have my number.” I shook my head. “Bye, Apollo.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I unlocked my door.
Cage: Flight delayed. Be home late. Early workout in the morning followed by two meetings to see if I still have a job. Dinner tomorrow night?
Lake: Yes!
He texted me his address
Lake: Your place? Can I bring anything?
Cage: An overnight bag.
I smiled.
Lake: Come home to me safely. I kinda like you—a lot. x
Cage: The feeling is kinda mutual.
The next day consisted of testing more legs.
Jerry and Thad shipped me a new jogging leg, two different ones for swimming, and one for biking.
The wind made a commendable attempt at killing me on my bike, but I persevered.
The training facility’s pool was closed for a competition, so my swim legs had to wait.
I’d called several of Everson’s nanny applicants to schedule an interview. One was available to meet that afternoon, so we met at a café for a casual interview. The previous day I did four over-the-phone interviews that didn’t impress me enough to warrant a face-to-face meeting.
Too young.
Not enough experience.
Too stuffy.
Too flighty.
Then … magic happened. I found the one. That was the one who met me for coffee.
Everson and Shayna pulled into the parking garage at the same time I returned from the interview.
“How’d it go?” Everson asked as Shayna smiled at me before running to the elevator.
“Perfect. Better than perfect. I hired your nanny. I set up a time to meet Shayna tomorrow at eleven. If they hit it off, then it’s a go.”
“Great. Thanks. I appreciate you doing this.”
“My pleasure. This resumé is insane. I’m going to call the references tonight, but I anticipate it being a no-brainer.” I walked toward the door.
“This isn’t some ninety-year-old granny that’s going to leave her teeth on my counter, right?”
I laughed. “Does it really matter what your nanny looks like?”
“No, but just give it to me straight. Is she hot?”
I shook my head. “No comment. See you both tomorrow.” I shoved my key in the lock.
“Wow … just … wow …” I whispered after I typed in the code to the gate at the end of Cage’s drive. His house was well hidden by tall trees, but once it came into view, I had trouble believing it was the least bit subpar compared to any of his teammates’.
I pulled around the cobblestone circle drive with a fountain in the middle and parked my car.
Cage walked out of his ginormous, wooden front door with massive windows on three sides.
I snapped my mouth shut before drool made its way down my chin.
My heart rate doubled with each step my handsome guy in jeans, a white tee, and bare feet took toward me.
His hair looked a little darker blond, like he’d just showered.