“Okay,” he says, standing still with both hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans.
“Bye, Evans,” I say as I’m hugging CeCe. I offer a smile in Chase’s direction before I head out the door.
It’s been nearly two hours since Summer left and CeCe has brought her up every chance she’s had. Her vocabulary isn’t that expanded, but she’s found a ton of different ways to essentially tell me that Summer’s her best friend. I’ve got to admit, part of me wanted to laugh when she said they were people watching earlier. The fact that Summer chose to just sit and do that with her isn’t surprising in the least.
She’s only babysat CeCe for me a couple of times, but so far, I can agree that having Summer around has been helpful. It doesn’t come without its challenges in some ways and she’s definitely more of a texter than my sister is when it comes to updates.
Abby would usually only text me if she wanted me to grab something on my way home, but Summer seems to think that everything CeCe does deserves a picture. Can’t argue with her onthat, I appreciate seeing CeCe’s face on my phone when I’m not around.
I did feel cornered at first in having to agree to accept her help, but I didn’t actually have any other options unless I wanted to go down the nanny route. It crossed my mind for a split second, thinking maybe the cons of a nanny wouldn’t be that bad. But I know myself. It would last an hour before I was driving home from practice, firing whatever stranger was probably snooping in my bedroom. At least with Summer, I know she’s snooping—I don’t have to wonder.
The idea of relying on anyone else to care for CeCe has always been something I’ve struggled with. Even trusting Abby to watch her at first was huge for me. Letting CeCe out of my sight those first few months after Kristen left felt physically impossible.
Liam and I have been watching the hockey game while CeCe has been busy setting up her dolls at the table for an ice cream party. One I promised her she could have if she ate the beans on her plate. She didn’t eat them all, barely half, but I fold for her pleading eyes every time.
“So… earlier, what was that?” Liam pops the top on a cold beer.
“What are you talking about?”
He lowers his voice, making sure CeCe isn’t within earshot. “Don’t bullshit me, Hunt. Something going on with you and Summer?”
“Something as in she’s helping watch CeCe for me, but that’s about it.” I can feel my jaw tick slightly.
“Bullshit,” Liam says, my reply seeming to amuse him.
“Believe me. Summer Kincaid is the last person I’d have something going on with.”
The grin that spreads on his face has me already rolling my eyes, knowing some stupid fucking remark is about to follow.“Do you ever think your irritation for her is actually just attraction?”
I choose the wrong time to take a sip of water as it doesn’t make it past the back of my throat before I’m coughing it up with a hearty laugh.
“Oh, that’s a good one.” I pound my chest with my fist to clear my throat.
“Come on, you’re not fooling me,” he scoffs.
“There’s nothing going on. I don’t look at her like that.”
“You say that, but your face tells a different story, man.”
“What’s my face saying?” I challenge him.
Liam leans back against the couch, placing one arm behind his head as he looks me dead in the eye.
I’ve got a couple years on Liam, and a lot more life experience. And right now, I’m thinking a solid fifty pounds if I needed to level him. Not that I would, but the knowledge of knowing I can is all I need right now.
“That you like her attitude. She fires you up and you want to look annoyed, but I think deep down you actually like it. You enjoy that kind of back and forth repartee the two of you do. I’ve thought it for years. Ever since the first night I met her back at Louie’s. I saw it. I have eyes.”
“Well, get them checked, because you’re fucking nuts.”
“You know she’s into you, right? That’s not something you’re learning right this moment.”
I nod with a heavy sigh. “I’ve known.”
“Well, either way… I’m just glad to see you’re spending time with women other than the ones you’re related to.” Liam winks.
“We aren’t spending time together. You’re reading way too much into this. She helps with CeCe, that’s it.”
He doesn’t grace me with another comment or even a look, he simply nods and smiles and the rest of the time is spent talking about the game.
