Page 2 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

I must think about the team here, too. Hockey is my career, and I would be nowhere without the guys. They are my brothers and some of them inspire me with their wives and kids and complete lives.

“Maybe one of the wives will watch her for me.” I didn’t think about this before but it’s not a bad idea. “Sean’s wife just has one kid.”

“Tyler is turning one and all over the place. You want to add a three-year-old to the mix? His wife is doing online classes while being a mom and supporting the hockey job.” Andrew knows more than I do, making me frown.

“Oh. She is?”

“Yes, and you know what? My sister is finished with school.”

“I can see you’re not going to let this rest, Andrew.” I check the monitor to see Lola is curled up underneath her blankets. “Talk to Delilah tomorrow and see what she thinks.”

Andrew whoops in celebration and I laugh, trying to tell myself I feel better about this. An interview won’t hurt anything.

“Just remember, she’s my sister, Miles. I know how ladies love you.”

“They did before I had a daughter and then became a single father. I don’t have time to think about women right now, so don’t worry.”

When did life get so complicated?

“I’ll do it for the both of us.” I smile, knowing Andrew is as much of a flirt as he is an outstanding hockey player.

“Great. Sounds good.”

We spend the rest of the night talking shop and planning for the season with our newest players. Andrew leaves in a couple of hours and I clean up the bottles on the deck before heading to bed. Lola loves to wake up before seven most mornings and it’s much later than I normally go to sleep.

Lola wakes me up at six the following morning, ready to eat and destroy the house.

“I love you, but you need to wake up a little slower, Lola.” I hand her a sippy cup with orange juice and sip my coffee, wishing to wake up. I’ll need a nanny for sure to get through the long days and I wonder if Andrew has spoken to Delilah yet.

We’re finishing breakfast when Andrew calls and I make sure Lola is busy with her toys.

“Hey. How’s it going?” I ask, pouring more coffee like it’s a lifeline.

“I talked to my sister at breakfast today about an hour ago. She says she’ll talk to you when you’re ready. Let’s set something up.”

“What’s the best idea? Lunch? Should I have Lola with me and do like a formal interview, or does Delilah come here where Lola is comfortable?” I’m clueless and Andrew covers the phone and says something to someone in the room.

“Mom says it might be best to have her come over there. It will be a place Lola is used to and she might give you more genuine reactions that way. Mom is pouting, just so you know. She wanted you to ask her.”

“Yeah, your dad wouldn’t like me being the reason the company takes a nosedive. No thanks.” I glance at Lola, oblivious as she plays with her dolls. “I’m sure she’ll help when she can.”

“I have no doubts about that,” Andrew agrees with a laugh.

We agree that he’ll come over with Delilah around dinnertime and make it seem casual to my daughter. She loves everyone and has formed attachments over the past few months, which I attribute to Lola losing her mom so young. I’m careful, so if this doesn’t pan out, it would just be some friends over and there won’t be any harm done.

I sit on the couch and watch Lola playing, wondering how the hell this all crashed down so hard. It was a shock to learn that Kim was pregnant after too brief of a relationship, but I did my best to make it work around hockey. Even after we broke up, I supported her and Lola past the point required of me. Lola and I have a great bond since I spent as much time with her as I could when I split time with Kim.

My daughter feels happy and safe, but I can’t do that on my own in a couple of weeks. The idea of someone else living here and spending time with my daughter eats away at me. I feel guilty, but I’m only twenty-nine and not ready to retire from the NHL yet. I have a few good years left in me and plan to save money for Lola’s college in several years and just set her up for a successful life.

Nannies have been around for years, and a lot of kids have them. It won’t scar Lola and if I find the right one, she can continue to grow and learn everything out there. Getting her prepared for school is a must for the person I hire.

We spend the day in and out of the house as I soak up the last of my private moments with Lola that have been so easy to enjoy during the off season. I still work out but it’s not for half the day with practices, so this summer is great. I even manage to do it after she’s sleeping, so it doesn’t cut into my time with my daughter.

Andrew told me he’d bring something over for dinner, more than likely something his mom cooked for us or maybe takeout. I spend the afternoon cleaning up the house, reminding myself to just hire someone to come in after the season starts. It’s a big place with a lot of square footage and almost impossible for me to keep up with. I have heard of nannies taking on some of the house duties when they live with the family, but Lola has a lot of energy.

How much extra time would there be and how comfortable would I be having someone see that much about my small family? It is hard enough to imagine someone living here with her when I’m not home.

I change into jeans and a blue button-up shirt, aiming for business casual. I never wear shoes in the house or on the deck when it’s nice out, so if I hire her, she’ll be free to be casual. I dress Lola in a cotton dress and some sandals, brushing her soft hair out before setting her free in the living room.

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