Noah snorts. “I think that’s debatable, and highly dependent on who you ask.”
I have to laugh, even as Grant shoots a semi-mocking glare at his teammate. It’s obvious that the guys respect each other, just by the way they trash-talk back and forth. Every member of the Aces is big enough to put a stop to it otherwise—especially Grant, who is half a head taller and more muscular than most of them.
“Seriously, though,” I say. “The last thing I want is for us to be a burden. What about your privacy? Your routine? You’re a professional athlete. Don’t you need your space?”
“Like I said before, I don’t even need half the space I actually have. Probably closer to ten percent, if I’m being completely honest.” He shrugs. “And my routine isn’t that complicated. I get up early so I can train. I eat three boring meals a day. I sleep. Rinse and repeat.”
He makes it sound believable, but I know it’s not going to be that simple. Not when we’re talking about meshing three lives together and hoping for no major disruptions.
“See, Mom?” April is in full puppy-eye mode now. “He said he doesn’t need all that space. He probably won’t even know we’re there.”
I sigh and consider putting my foot down once and for all, but even Margo and Noah are looking at me like I’m making amountain out of a molehill. Is there any chance for this to go as easily and seamlessly as they all seem to think it will?
I guess there’s only one way to find out.
“Okay.” I put my hands up to show everyone I’m surrendering. “I mean, if you’re absolutely sure?”
Grant nods, and I can finally see a hint of a smile. “I am. Anyway, it’s not forever. Just until you know what’s going on with your place or you find somewhere different.”
Hedoeshave a point. It’s not like April and I are going to be staying with him forever, or even indefinitely. His offer has been more than generous, but it’s still an offer with an expiration date.
And now that the hard part has been settled, there’s only one thing left to say.
“Thank you,” I breathe, already feeling some of the stress lifting off my shoulders. “You just helped us out of what was going to be a huge headache.”
That hint of a smile is gone, but his frown isn’t as deep as it was before. Instead, he’s giving me a thoughtful, almost considerate look. Almost like he’s trying to figure something out, or has something else to say.
It’s an innocent look, but there’s something about it that makes my stomach do a little swoop.
I wrap an arm around April just as she starts to yawn. “Looks like it’s past someone’s bedtime…”
“Is not,” April says just before another yawn makes her pause. “I’d stay up all night if you’d let me.”
“That’s not going to happen. Just look at Grant.” I nod in his direction. “Do you think he stays at the top of his game by staying up all night getting into trouble?”
I pause and give him a quick, pleading look, hoping he’ll back me up. And of course he passes with flying colors.
“Your mom is right,” he says. “A good night’s sleep is one of the most important parts of my training regimen.” He turnshis attention back to me. “Just let me know when you want the movers to come with your stuff, and I’ll make sure you have keys and security codes and everything you’ll need before then. Or if you need any help moving, I can do that too.”
“No, no—I mean, thank you. But no. You’ve already gone out of your way to help. The last thing I want is to take up any more of your time with the actual moving.”
He shakes his head and looks over at Noah. “Should you tell her, or should I?”
Noah grins. “Heather, he wouldn’t offer if he didn’t actually want to help. Trust me, Parker knows better than anyone in this room how to say no.”
“And mean it,” Grant adds. “But honestly, I don’t mind. Whatever you need, okay? I’m here to help. I’m sure you’ll be busy getting April enrolled in her new school and getting ready for your new job and everything that goes with all that. If I can take some of that pressure off, I’ll be glad to.”
I want to ask him why he’s being so nice or if he has some kind of ulterior motive, but he’s honestly not giving off that kind of vibe, and I trust Noah enough to step in if he didn’t trust the guy around me or my daughter.
Maybe Grant Parker is just one of the fewgoodmen left in the world. Or maybe I’ve built up enough good karma in my life that the universe has finally let me cash some of it in.
Whatever the reason, I’m not going to ask too many questions. I’m also not going to say or do anything that might make me seem ungrateful, because he literally swooped in and saved my ass from a lot of stress and sleepless nights.
“Thank you, Grant. I know I sound like a broken record, but you truly are a lifesaver. I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate you stepping in and helping out like this.”
“You don’t have to thank me. Your sister managed to tame our wild captain and settle him down, so the way I see it is thatthe whole team should be lining up to help out wherever we can.”
Noah mutters something about not being tamed, but Grant is starting to ask me another question that drowns out everything else.
