So which other plates do I drop?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The next morning, Fia is a ball of energy. She’s kicking her legs and making the funniest noises—like little “yippees!”—the entire time I’m trying to wash, dress, and feed her. “Someone’s in a good mood,” I say.
Must be all the TLC she got from Lara last night.
I think of Lara and instantly feel crabby. She promised to support—not judge me.
And why’s she getting so upset anyway? Yes, maybe there’s a little something between us. An attraction. An easiness when we’re together. Yes, she is the type of woman I would date. If I had time for dating. But attraction is fleeting. Lara and I have friendship. I think? Whatever we have, I can tell you what it’s not. A committed relationship.
My mind offers up how I got all warm and squishy inside—so unmanly—when I saw Lara sleeping with Fia in her arms.
Ah! But I got a little tingle when I saw Nina holding Fia, too. So clearly, the tingles aren’t exclusive to Lara.
So then why is it bugging me that Lara left here angry last night?
I push the mental junkyard off. I have too much to do today before practice, so I can’t afford to get distracted. Tonight, Nina will watch Fia, and tomorrow I can deal with the Lara thing.
I grab Fia’s backpack—damn this pink thing. So lame!—and restock it. I love the checklist Jo made for me, though. Very efficient.
Soon, we’re off and arriving to Green Babies Daycare at seven twenty. I’m late. I hate being late. It’s unprofessional and shows a lack of discipline.
Nothing I can do about it now.
I’ll go in, drop off Fia, and get on with my day. I’ve already decided to hear Dannie out, but any further discussions will have to go through our lawyers. I can’t afford one, but tonight I’ll ask some of the guys if they know anyone reputable who could help me out. I can pay them after everything’s done.
Either way, I won’t be staying long at Green Babies. I’m not interested in Dannie and need to take care of a bunch of things, including stopping by the Grape Ranch.
Hector texted me last night and asked me to come in. He probably found out about the baby and is pissed because I didn’t tell him. I’m hoping he’s not going to fire me. My hours were going to be limited during football season anyway, but I need the credits for the internship requirement. The cash is always welcome, too.
After that, I’ve still got to get my books for next week, check in to see where my scholarship funds are, and then, hopefully, I can get some quality time with weights at the gym. It’s not enough to go to practice. I have to stay in perfect form to play well and reduce the likelihood of injury.
Crap. I still need to call Flip back. It’ll have to wait until this afternoon.
I walk into Green Babies Daycare, pink backpack in one hand and Fia in her car seat in the other. There’s a long bright red counter at the entrance, and behind it is a sort of giant glass child terrarium. You can see the space goes back a ways and is divided into clear cubicles.
“Hi. Welcome to Green Babies Daycare. May I help you?” says the guy behind the counter, who can’t be much older than me. “Oh. And who do we have here? Isn’t she a doll.”
Don’t even think of touching her, dude. I’ll smack you. “I’m here to see Dannie.”
“Sure. One sec.” He picks up the phone, and Dannie appears a few minutes later. She’s looking hotter than hell of course. Black jeans. Tight red sweater with a green baby on the front. It’s hideous, even if it shows off every curve of her body.
Nope. Nope. Not looking. I’m here to do business.
“Well, well, Dean Norland. So nice to see you again. Won’t you please come to my office?” She beckons me with her index finger.
“I’m only here to drop off Fia. I’ve decided your offer needs to go through the proper legal channels.”
“Oh. I see.” She flips her long straight hair over one shoulder and offers a cordial smile. “Well, I can’t say I blame you, Dean. We’re offering a lot of money, and you’re smart to want the right eyes reviewing the fine print.”
“Glad you understand.” See. That wasn’t so hard, was it? I got straight to the point. My brain was fully engaged.
“Sure. No problem. Can I give you the tour since you’re here?”
“I’d like that.” I leave the pink backpack from hell on the counter and take Fia in her car seat with me. I follow Dannie as she shows me all the sanitation protocols and the cameras and introduces me to the staff who handle infants.
“Babies are kept in their own enclosed room here. We feel it’s important to have an extra layer of security. Do you know how many babies are stolen each year?”