Brandon rented a fifth wheel, so it’s not like they’ll be roughing it. It has running water, and a full working kitchen. I doubt they’ll actually fish, which is one of the things the boys want to do, but I can take them when they come back. I’m better at it anyhow.
This weekend, I’m just the nanny. Well, notjustthe nanny. I’m also Brooks’s dirty little secret, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it for the entire drive to Little Rock. Brooks hadto ride with the team, but I’ve trailed along, keeping pace with the charter bus for most of the way. I maybe should have held back a few miles to avoid walking into the hotel with the team, but I’ve already parked near the bus and have been spotted by several of his teammates.
I flip open Holly’s stroller, then secure her carrier to it. She’s still asleep from the long car ride, but I’m sure she’ll wake soon. And she’ll be hungry.
I’m loading her things into the space at the bottom of her stroller when a shadow looms over me. I glance up expecting Brooks, but it’s Roddy getting in his baby fix.
“Nice of you to bring her for this trip, Linds. Too bad the boys couldn’t come along,” he says, tucking Holly’s blanket around her feet.
“Maybe they can make the next one,” I say, standing and stretching my back from the long drive. “If this goes well, Brooks would like to make it a thing. So he has more time with her . . . ya know.”
“Yeah, I bet,” Roddy says. His gaze lingers on mine, and I can’t say for sure, but I think he knows me being here isn’t strictly to be Holly’s nanny.
“Hey, how was your drive?” Brooks says, stepping in before the tension between Roddy and me boils to my breaking point and I confess everything right here in a Marriott parking lot.
“Same as yours, only my experience was probably more like your bus driver’s,” I say, rubbing my lower back.
“You should give her a massage,” Roddy says, a little under his breath but not enough so I can’t hear it. He winks at me, then walks toward the bus to unload his catching gear.
“Shit,” I mutter.
“Yeah, Roddy might be on to us. But honestly, Linds? Nobody really cares. If I tell them you’re here to take care ofHolly, that’s the story they’ll tow. And Roddy wouldn’t say shit to anyone. You know, he said he never liked your ex.”
I stare at Roddy’s back while he yanks his catcher’s bag from the belly of the bus.
“Yeah, I think he and Daisy wanted me to get with their son, Jake. But I babysat that boy when he was ten, and I just never saw him as anything other than the little kid who was obsessed with fart jokes.” I shrug as Brooks chuckles.
“So, you knew Roddy when he was with Daisy?”
I snort out a laugh.
“I knew Roddy when he fucked things up, and when he came back and blew it again, and again. We’ll see how it goes this time. He’s a great guy, but I’m not sure he’s a great husband. And the verdict’s out on his parenting.”
Brooks nods and grunts a short, “Hmm.” He takes my suitcase out of the back of my van, then closes the door, wheeling it for me along with his gear bag while I push Holly toward the hotel entrance.
I hang back with Holly while Brooks checks in with the team. When he waves me toward the elevator bay, I scurry to catch up. I push the stroller in and step to the side while Brooks moves in behind me. The doors are almost closed when a hand pushes them back open and Jayden and the team’s female hitting coach slip inside with us.
“Hey, Brooks,” Jayden says, giving his teammate a slight nod.
“Hey.” Brooks keeps it short, and I look down at my feet as the elevator moves upward.
“You going to the dinner?” Jayden asks through a yawn.
“I’m pretty beat. Plus, I got Holly. I’d like to give Lindsey a break and spend some time with her.” Brooks says it so casually,Ialmost buy his story.
“Yeah, I’m exhausted too. Bus trips suck, man. I’ll probably turn in early. Gotta get the legs fresh and ready for tomorrow morning, chasing down all the damn fly balls our fucking bullpen gives up.
“No doubt,” Brooks says through a breathy laugh.
The doors open on the fourth floor and Jayden slips out first, holding the door with his hand so it doesn’t close while Coach steps out.
“Good night, dude,” Brooks says.
Jayden nods and says, “You too.”
While I keep my chin down, I lift my gaze and watch Jayden head down the hallway as the elevator doors shut, and though I can’t say for certain, I swear he reaches for his coach’s hand.
“Uhh,” I hum.
