I sit up and place my forearms on my thighs.“That’s what I’d prefer.I’ve been taking precautions, but I’m not sure how much longer it can last.”
“I’d prefer if you just stopped it altogether.Get rid of the problem.”He arches an eyebrow.
I laugh but see he’s serious, and I glare at him.“I can’t do that.”
He shakes his head.“All you professional athletes think you can have everything you want.”
“I used a condom.”
Jagger’s head cocks to the side again.
“I did my part, and I have no idea how it happened.”
“From what I know, it’s pretty simple.You put your dick in her pussy, and now I have to do damage control.”
“There’s nothing you can do.It’s over and done, and he’s here.”
Again, Jagger’s face contorts into an expression I can’t name.
“I mean, he’s only six months old.And I’m keeping him.”
“What?”
“Tanner.My son.Isn’t that what you’re talking about?”I ask, leaning back on the couch.
Jagger straightens out.“You have a kid?What the fuck?These are the kind of things you call me about.”His voice raises.
“It just happened.His mom dropped him off at Peeper’s, like, a week ago.”
He stares at me for a long time, then shakes his head as though he’s trying to form sentences in the jumble in his head.
“Wait, why are you here?”I ask.
“Someone saw you leaving Bianca Banks’s condo building.Now there’s a rumor that you’re open to being traded to the Trojans.”
My head jerks back.“I’ve never been with Bianca Banks.Nor would I ever entertain being a Trojan unless I was desperate.”
For once, Jagger Kale doesn’t have words.“So, you have a baby now, and where is the mom?”
I give him the whole story about the baby being left, me taking the at-home paternity test, and getting the results that I’m the father.He comes to sit beside me on the couch, listening intently and drawing in a few deep breaths as if he’s trying not to lose it.
“But I got it covered.My friend, Hadley, is going to be his nanny as long as I marry her.She needs a husband to get her grandma’s bookstore, so we made a deal.”He should be happy I problem-solved this all on my own.
“You what?”His eyebrows go up and practically reach his hairline.
“Do you really need me to repeat it?It’s just for a year.I know I’ll have to figure out something else after, but I’ll have a better handle on Tanner then and it will be easier?—”
“Easton.”He says my name in a controlled, calm voice that I know he’s forcing.“You promised to marry someone so she’ll be your nanny?”
I nod.
“These are the kinds of things you tell your agent.I need to get in front of this before it comes out.Did you already marry her?”
“Not yet.Today is the first day of our arrangement.”
He blows out a breath and scrubs his hands over his face.“I should’ve listened to Quinn and retired already.I can feel my blood pressure rising.”
I pat him on the back and stand.“Our ten minutes is up, but you don’t need to worry about me.Told you, I’ve got it handled.”I step toward the door.
