Chapter 4
Four
Amanda
I feel a little better after talking to Will.
I can’t believe my best friend’s dad is my babysitter for the night.
I didn’t have that on my bingo card, but I know she’s safe with him.
I just feel guilty for leaving her. Bellamy, Corie, Rowan, and Sloane all assure me that it gets easier, but I’m not convinced.
Sliding my phone back into my small cross-body bag, I glance in the bathroom mirror. We’d barely been seated at the table when I bolted to the restroom to call Will and check on Mia. Taking a deep breath, I slowly exhale and head back to the table.
“There she is.” Bellamy smiles and nods toward the man sitting across the table, next to the empty seat that’s mine. “Amanda, this is Roger. Roger, meet Amanda.” Bellamy waves her hands between the two of us.
At first glance, Roger is a good-looking guy.
He stands to pull out my chair, and I take in more of him.
He has manners, is about five foot eleven-ish, and seems to be fit underneath his white button-up.
He’s got short blond hair that’s sculpted with some type of product, combed to the side.
His face is cleanly shaven, and he offers me a wide smile.
“Thank you.” I return his smile as I take my seat and allow him to help me push the chair in.
“I’m Roger,” he says, offering me his hand once he’s taken his seat.
“Amanda. Nice to meet you.” I take his hand and notice how soft they are. That unfortunately reminds me of my ex-husband, but I’ll try not to hold it against him.
“You, as well,” he says and winks, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
I mean, come on. He’s not picking me up in a crowded bar. We’re already having dinner together. Sure, it’s a group thing, but still. The wink… is he a playboy? Is he trying to be a playboy? Maybe I can fake a headache and bounce, grab my daughter, and go home for a chill night on the couch.
Strike one.
“So, Bellamy tells me you’re a talent agent?” Roger says from beside me.
“Not an agent, more of a scheduler.” I laugh. “I book talent for The Country Fiddle.”
“Oh.” He nods, his face falling. “So what does that mean exactly?”
“I book the live shows. I work with agencies and independent songwriters and musicians to fill the daily schedule for live music.”
“Oh, so you’re not working with famous people or anything.” He scrunches up his nose, as if my job isn’t important to him since I’m not working with big names.
Strike two.
“Not usually, but a lot of the talent that has come through our doors has gone off to hit it big, so kind of.” I work with some incredibly talented musicians.
They don’t have to be selling out stadiums to put on a good show, and I take pride in booking them at our venue.
Roger has barely known me for five minutes, and he’s pissing all over my career.
“Got ya,” he says, and it takes extreme effort not to roll my eyes. Instead, I meet Bellamy’s gaze from across the table, and she clears her throat.
“So, Roger, how are things at Riggins?” she asks, trying to change the topic and steer the conversation.
“Good.” He nods. “They’re great to work for, as you know. They’re all in and out of the office, having babies and all that.”
“They are great to work for,” Bellamy agrees. “It was a hard decision not to go back after my maternity leave, but Reid and I talked a lot about it, and I wanted that time with Coral. We were in a financial spot where I could leave my job.”
“Yeah, marrying a professional athlete will do that.” Roger nods.
My mouth falls open, and so does Bellamy’s. I give her a look, one that says, This is the guy you fixed me up with?
“You got something against professional athletes?” Reid asks. There’s a lightness to his tone, but I can also hear the tension. He’s not going to let anyone talk about his wife like that.
“You’re at the wrong fucking table if so,” Landry quips.
It’s the first time anyone else in our group has chimed in on the conversation, and I’m mortified that they’re hearing this.
“Not at all,” Roger replies, not fazed in the least at the scrutiny of the glare five starting players from the Nashville Rampage football team are giving him. “I just think a woman should stay home regardless. The million-dollar contracts make it easier.” He shrugs.
My blood is boiling.
This asshole.
Strike three.
“So, you think a working mother is what? A bad mom?”
“Nah, but she should be raising her kid.”
“What about single mothers?” I ask. I turn to face him, my arms crossed over my chest.
“They knew better than to get themselves in that situation.”
“I’m a single mother.”
“You should have stayed with him,” Roger fires back.
“I adopted my daughter on my own.”
Finally, he shows some emotion. This time, it’s Roger’s mouth that’s hanging open with shock. “You adopted a baby on your own? Why in the hell would you do that? You know your kid is going to get made fun of their entire life for not having a dad, right?” he asks.
“That’s enough.” Knox’s voice is firm and cold.
“I think it’s time for you to go,” Baker tells Roger.
“What? Because I’m speaking my mind?”
“No, because you’re a dick,” Foster seethes.
“You don’t have to leave the restaurant, but you’re not welcome at this table.” Landry glares at him.
In fact, all five of the guys are glaring at him. My face heats with mortification. I knew tonight was a bad idea. Dating isn’t for me. Every guy is an asshole, just like my ex-husband, and I’ve had all the asshole I can stand for one lifetime.
“Thank you all for inviting me. I’m going to call a cab and go grab my daughter,” I say, pushing back from the table to stand.
“Stay.” Reid’s eyes find mine. “He’s leaving.”
“Good, but truly, I’ve had all the fun I can handle for one night. Thank you for the invite.” I nod, fighting back tears.
“Manda—” Bellamy calls after me, but I’m already walking away from the table. Outside the restaurant, I pull up my app to order a car.
“Hey.”
I don’t have to turn around to recognize my best friend’s voice. “I’m okay,” I assure her, turning to smile as she steps up next to me.
“I’m sorry. He never acted that way when I worked with him.”
“It’s not your fault. It didn’t work out, and if I get to choose, I’d rather be at home with my daughter instead of that tool in there.”
“He left the table. Come back inside.” Her eyes are pleading.
“Honestly, Bellamy, I’m fine. I promise. I’m just not there yet.”
“I feel terrible.”
“You don’t have to feel terrible for someone else’s actions, Bellamy. There is nothing I love more than a quiet night in with my daughter.”
“You know you’re going to break my dad’s heart, right? He was really looking forward to having both girls.”
This makes me laugh. “I’m sure he’ll be relieved to only have to chase after one.”
“He’s good with kids. He really was looking forward to it.”
“I’ll tell my Uber driver to take his time.” I chuckle.
“Fine, but know that I’m sorry, and please don’t let this keep you from trying again.”
“I won’t,” I assure her, pulling her into a hug. “Love you, bestie.”
“Love you, too.”
“Tell Knox and Corie happy anniversary for me. In the midst of everything, I didn’t get a chance.”
Bellamy nods. “I will,” she says, just as my ride pulls up. She waits until I’m in the back seat before going back into the restaurant.
I debate texting or calling Will to let him know I’m on my way back, but I’m sure he has his hands full with both girls, so I decide against it. Instead, I close my eyes and try like hell to put the beginning of this night behind me.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m walking to the side entry door of Will’s garage and typing in the code he gave me.
I realize it’s not as late as we thought it would be once I step inside the garage, but it’s too late to change course now.
A motion light comes on and lights my way to the door.
I knock softly, but nothing happens, so I try the handle, and it turns, allowing me to push open the door and step inside.
I’m greeted with giggles, which instantly forms a smile on my lips. Closing the door to the garage, I step out of the mudroom and into the kitchen. I let the giggles guide my way, and once at the edge of the living room, I take in the scene.
There’s a princess movie playing on the big screen, toys strung everywhere, and both girls are dressed in pink dresses, their heads crowned with tiaras. What has me biting my cheek to keep from laughing is that Will also has a bright pink tiara on his head.
“Manda!” Coral screeches when she spots me and takes off running, the tulle of her princess dress that she has on over her pajamas flying behind her. I bend over and catch her as she jumps into my arms. “We pway pwincess.” She points to her dress.
“I can see that. You’re very beautiful.” I kiss her cheek.
“Mia and Papa.” She points to where Will has Mia on his hip, both of them wearing matching smiles.
“Looks like this is where the party’s at.”
Will grins. “You know it,” he says, before asking, “Is everything okay?”
“It is now. The date was a disaster. I left. The guys kicked him from the table.”
Will furrows his brow. “What happened?”
I wave my hand that’s not holding Coral in the air. “It’s already forgotten. Too judgy and wasn’t a fan of single moms.” I shrug.
“Idiot,” Will mumbles.
“I’ll trade you,” I tell him, nodding to Mia.
“What? No, we just got this party started.”
“Well, Mia and I are going to head home. I’m going to order us some greasy pizza and relax.”
“Did you hear that, Mia? Mommy wants some of our pizza.” He bops her on the nose, making her laugh, before turning his gaze back to mine. “I ordered a large, more than what the three of us can eat. Stay. Eat dinner.”
Before I can answer, the doorbell rings. I move toward him and reach for Mia, keeping Coral on my hip. She flashes me a grin, then turns her head as she grips on to Will’s T-shirt as if her life depends on it.