Page 36 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

“Sure did, bug. I miss you. Love you so much.”

“Love you.”

Her response comes in a singsong voice, and I smile.

I sense they stayed in for the game because I recognize my house. Mom always invites them over for away games, but my family can be a lot. I remember her asking about Delilah when I arrived without her for dinner before I left.

“She had something going on, so she stayed home.”

Easy enough answer, but Mom narrowed her eyes at me.

I assume Delilah might avoid them now like she seems to do with me. Perfect.

The week blends into practices, games, and meetings mixed in with a little sleep. My calls to Lola ground me because she doesn’t mind if I win or lose, and we lost two out of the four games.

“Delilah?”

I ask for her the third night since I haven’t seen her.

“Yeah?”

She doesn’t get on camera, and I sigh.

“Is everything good there? Lola’s doing okay?”

“Of course. She’s busy, but I keep her active and pass out when she’s asleep. She’s watched every game wearing the jersey.”

“Thank you for that. I appreciate it.”

“It’s time for a bath. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

What else can I expect from her? She’s playing the role of nanny with ease, and I have to commend her for that.

I walk into the current hotel room and shower before bed, feeling the fatigue taking over. Andrew matches my energy level, and we watch the scores for the day as sleep threatens to take me over.

We’re going home tomorrow afternoon and I’ll get a day to rest before starting all over in our arena.

I sleep during the flight, exhausted after the strenuous games. When we arrive back at the cars, I say a quick goodbye before heading right home. Everyone just wants to go home, and it’s standard to leave quickly, but I sit in my driveway for a moment, just looking at the house.

It’s dark, which makes sense. We left in the late afternoon and Lola was sleeping already.

I walk inside and everything is quiet. Delilah isn’t on the couch waiting for me this time and I feel lonely as I look around the quiet space. It’s clean as I expect and she’s probably getting some rest for tomorrow.

I get some water and unpack my clothes, separating them into piles. Some go to the dry cleaners, and I can wash other ones here at home tomorrow. Once that’s settled, I glance at the clock to see that it’s ten o’clock. I feel too awake since I am still in a different time zone.

There is always the gym. I’m sure Delilah is cool getting up with Lola tomorrow since I got in so late and it’ll drain me quickly, I hope.

I change into shorts and turn up the music as I start a five-mile run on the treadmill. My muscles still ache but I am used to a lot of exercise in my job, so I always push myself as much as I can.

From there, I work with weights and focus on my legs. They need the stretch and I lose myself in it, feeling the burn with a smile.

Three hours later, I emerge from the gym and notice the house is still quiet. I see something on the counter and move closer to find an empty tea bag that wasn’t there before.

Delilah was up, but when? Does she know I’m home?

It’s chamomile which Mom tells me she drinks to go to sleep, and I wonder if Delilah is having trouble sleeping like I am. She might be thinking about this asshole that asked her out, or maybe me.

I want to ask her and fight the urge to knock on her door. After such a chaotic week, my body needs her as much as anything else, but I’m not going there.

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