Page 41 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

I look at Andrew looking up as he slides into the seat behind me.

“Huh?”

It’s time to play dumb and I watch him scowl.

“Who is the guy? She brought him here?”

“We’re a popular team and a lot of people come to our games. If she’s not in the family seats, then he has tickets. I didn’t see her sitting with Lola and Mom said Delilah has plans tonight.”

“A date at my game? He must have balls.”

Exactly.

We go back for a pep talk on the break between periods,and I focus on the words instead of Delilah. This game is everything right now and if Lola is safe, I don’t need to think about anything else.

Somehow, the other team takes control of the last period, and we lose by one goal. We’re all stunned and watch as they celebrate around their bench; I don’t miss the looks we get.

“What happened?”

Andrew is still in shock, and I glance at him.

“They got the upper hand, even with our lead and their penalties. It’s early in the season and we’ll bounce back. No worries.”

“She brought bad luck when she came here with that guy. It has to be that.”

I shake my head, and we file into a line to leave the ice for the night. I’m not happy about it, but I can’t react like her brother. Andrew would smell blood if I claimed Delilah in any way, shape, or form.

We have the talk everyone dreads and discuss what to do differently next time. There isn’t a team dinner and I walk slowly to my car. I don’t want to go home, but I’m not sure if Lola is still awake. If I go home, I’ll wait all night for Delilah like a psychopath.

I sit in my car and read my texts from friends and family, trying to console me over the loss. Mom invited me to their house for my favorite dessert. I start the engine and head right over. Her chocolate cake always makes everything better.

Lola is still awake but in her pajamas and she hugs me.

“Daddy? Lilah?”

“She’s out tonight, bug. You’re going to stay at Grandma’s house tonight.”

“Daddy win?”

“Not tonight.”

I set her down, and we take seats at the table for the decadent cake.

“They came on strong in the third. It would be a lot for any team.”

I smile weakly at Dad as he offers me a sympathetic smile.

“I know. I just thought we had it. They tried to shake things up with the goalie thing, but everyone walked away. We were supposed to win.”

“It was just the one goal, honey.”

“One goal is a lot, Mom.”

After dessert, I sit with Lola on the couch until she falls asleep curled into me. This little girl gives me so much light and I lean back with an exhausted sigh.

“I am taking her to bed, and I want you to use the guest room. You’re exhausted and I’ll make breakfast for everyone tomorrow. There are clothes in there from your old room.”

They turned my old room into Lola’s room since it’s big enough for furniture and her toys. The guest room is small, but all I need is a bed.

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