I feel like a naughty school kid being scolded by a teacher. Mae doesn’t hold back when it comes to telling people where to go. Since she and her mother reconciled, she’s bolder. More confident. And I’m glad.
“Looks like we’ll be seeing more of each other, then. Lucky you,” Flo adds, addressing me, folding her arms across her chest.
I’m ashamed to say I’ve spent the last few days thinking about her, trying to work out where I somewhat recognised her from. But admittedly, that hasn’t been the only thing filling my mind.
Memories of her long, toned legs walking out of my house and down the porch steps have been greedy for my attention, the tight jeans she was wearing looking far too fucking good on her for a woman that’s frustrating as fuck.
It’s unlike me. I’m not easily distracted by a woman’s beauty, and I was hoping I’d never have to see her again, so whatever weird phase I’m going through can pass peacefully. But with her being best friends with my ex-captain’s girlfriend, it seems unlikely that’s going to happen, which only adds to my mood.
Flo’s long, ashy hair trails over her shoulders in soft waves, and her twinkling blues latch onto my son again and immediately light up.
I don’t wipe the frown from my face, refusing to let my eyebrows budge as I watch her interact with Leo, frustratedwith myself for finding her equally as attractive as I do annoying.
Mae’s talking to me, but I’m still staring at Flo and my son, and it takes my coach snapping his fingers to drag my attention away from the pair.
“What?” I ask Mae.
“I said, it looks like Leo has a favourite.”
“Unfortunately.”
My response causes Flo to shoot me a sharp look before shaking her head and mumbling something about me being a grumpy old man.
I have no idea how oldsheis, but I imagine she’s close to Mae’s age, which makes me feel like some old perv for looking at her the way I am. The age gap is probably only seven or eight years, but still…
“Right, who’s going to look after Leo during practice today, then, Evan? You can’t miss it.”
Silence.
I weave my fingers into my hair, biceps flexing, before muttering a shallow, “I don’t know.”
Flo’s looking at me with an arched brow, giving me a look that silently saysMore nanny drama? Really?and I resist the urge to ask her to leave her perfect button nose out of my business.
Poppy’s chest puffs out as she inhales in exasperation. “Oh, well, Flo came to watch us today, but I’m sure shewould—”
“No,” Flo and I say in unison, and Leo’s little head tilts as he pouts.
“Not because I don’t want to, just because I’m sure your dad would prefer someone a little more”—Flo’s eyes flicker up to me, glinting with fire—“trustworthy.”
She throws the words I used at my house a few days ago back in my face.
I don’t know this woman. I haven’t been able to do any research on her. Sure, Leo loves her—he’s never yelled a woman’s name with excitement before—but that doesn’t mean she’s qualified to care for a child.
Trust.It’s not something that comes easily to me. I don’twantto be this way, but I can’t help it. I have trouble letting go of my son. He’s all I have.
“It’s only an hour.” Darrell turns to Flo. “Would you mind? Just an hour of your time. We can get you some cash for it.”
She drags her top teeth against her plump bottom lip, Flo’s eyes going hazy for a few seconds as she thinks. “Okay, fine, I can make that work, but don’t worry about the cash. Evan’s pissed off face is payment enough.” She bends down to Leo’s level as everyone snorts. “Come on, Leo. How about we go and get into all kinds of trouble around the stadium?” Her lips curl up into a smile as her eyes collide with mine, and even though I have the urge to stop her from taking my son’s hand and walking him down the hall, I don’t.
Because what other option do I have?
“Yeah! Fuck it!” I hear Leo exclaim as the pair rounds the corner, and Flo snaps her head back to all of us and slaps a hand over my son’s mouth, eyes wide. But as they disappear, their laughter bounces off the stadium walls.
“You have to be kidding me,” I murmur as I rub the heel of my palms into my eye sockets, groaning. Turning to Darrell, I add, “Make sure members of staff keep an eye on them when they can. I don’t want Flo digging around.”
That causes Mae to roll her eyes. “She’s not going to dig, Evan.”
We’ll see.
