Page 71 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

Delilah brings Lola down to the ice as always and I greet my daughter, imagining her older with a baby in Delilah’s arms in the future. In the image in my head, it’s a little boy in my jersey that’s a perfect mix of both of us, and I blink before focusing on Lola’s smile. That’s not just imagination; it’s really happening, and I feel surprise wash through me all over again.

I look at Delilah before she walks away, and she meets my eyes for the first time in a few days. They’re full of emotion and I try to sort them as she turns to return to the seats.

Somehow, I am all in with this game. There’s so much going on in my head, but I’m driven to win. All of us are and we ended up with a two-goal lead at the end of the game, sending our fans to their feet as cheers and screams fill the air. My family is among them, and I grin in that direction as Dad hugs Mom and Brynn jumps up and down, holding onto Delilah, and it hits me.

She could be a part of my family with this baby. They have so much love to give, just like Delilah’s family, and even Andrew when he gets over it.

The team decides on a celebration dinner, and I go along, knowing it might look strange if I decline. Lola is safe with the family, and we deserve to have a couple of drinks and some good food.

I get home later with a plan to sleep in on account of a later practice. The TV is on in the living room. It’s empty and I step forward to shut it off when I feel a presence enter the room.

“You’re home. I was just making some tea and thought I’d catch up on a show. Great game tonight. Lola loved it.”

I glance over towards the dimly lit kitchen to see Delilah there, holding a mug. She’s in leggings and a long-sleeve college sweatshirt, looking like an angel with the halo of light surrounding her.

“I thought you went to bed. I’ll leave it.”

I step back and swallow the lump in my throat as she nods, moving to sit on the couch.

“Is it caffeinated? I remember Kim avoided it when she was pregnant with Lola.”

Delilah stares at me for a long moment as if she’s shocked I brought it up.

“It’s just something herbal. I’ve been doing some online research and I even have an appointment with a doctor next week. It’s someone a friend recommended, and I guess I can’t put it off.”

“When? I’ll go with you.”

“Miles, you’re highly recognizable in this city. Do you know the gossip that will start?”

I do and that’s why the guys all use the same group of doctors during their wives’ pregnancies. This group keeps things under wraps and makes special arrangements to ensure our privacy, and Kim used them.

“Yes, and that’s why you’re going to cancel your appointment. The team has someone we use that respects our privacy.”

Delilah stares at me as she wrinkles her nose.

“Are you okay with this?”

“The way I see it is we’re going to have to deal with it. I’m assuming you’re keeping it?”

There’s trepidation in my voice as I consider the possibilities. She has the right to choose whatever she wants even though I’d like a say in it.

“Yeah. I can’t imagine doing anything else, even though it’s going to be hard. You don’t have to be here for it if you don’t want to.”

“I am going to be here. You see me with Lola every day, Delilah. I want to support you through this. You can keep this job because you’re fantastic with Lola and she’s so attached to you and we’ll see how you feel as time goes on. Maybe get some help if needed.”

“She’s old enough to notice after a while. What do we tell her?”

“Everyone will notice after a few months. Do you want to hide the truth and say it’s someone else’s baby?”

I hope not because the idea kills me.

“Who would I say the father is? Someone who left me alone to handle it? Wouldn’t that be more upsetting than the truth in the long run?”

“Potentially. Are you sure?”

“Right now, it is new. We don’t have to tell anybody and early on, things can go wrong. I’d rather speak to a doctor and learn as much as I can under the radar. I’ll still work, and life will go on as normally as it is now for a little while. If things between us get weird, I might have to reconsider that.”

“Kim lost her mind when she found out. How are you so logical?”

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