Page 74 of Nanny For My Brother's Best Friend

Miles gets Lola settled at the table and I sit down beside Lola while Andrew takes the seat across from us. I share a look with Miles, and I know he thought something worse happened in the kitchen with his eyes. He’s a little much about making sure I’m safe.

“This is so good, Del. You cook a lot like Mom.”

Andrew takes another large bite of meat and vegetables as I watch Lola shove a diced carrot in her mouth.

“I learned from the best. Gram taught her, after all.”

It feels good to eat, though I make a small plate. I snack all day now and don’t want to gain too much weight, but everything sounds good.

The guys talk shop over the meal, and I listen, eating slowly as I monitor Lola while she eats. I’m already thinking about the carrot cake in the fridge and sigh as I realize I am addicted to food.

I am careful about my reactions to anything after that. I can cry in the house alone. Miles can see it. Maybe I’m paranoid, but it feels like everyone is watching me right now. I go to games with the families, try to watch as many away games at the house as I can, and sleep whenever I’m not going. That hasn’t gone away too much, and I have to be careful, so I have enough energy to get through the day without asking for too much help.

That might be so obvious.

I stay awake with Miles at night when he’s home because I can’t get enough of him. The damage is done, so all caution is gone apart from him trying to be careful because of the baby. He knows sex isn’t dangerous, but the man worries until I convince him I’m not made of glass. I want him until I pass out beside him and when he’s gone, I come every night with his texts and voice if I’m lucky. This is a bonus of pregnancy when you live with a hot hockey player and something I’ll never take for granted.

There is one morning when Lola leaves her room before I’m out of Miles’s bed and I rush to dress. I knew pushing it too far would happen and here I am running into the hallway as she’s approaching the door.

“Daddy?”

Lola points to the door and I glance back to where he’s still passed out after a late game.

“He’s sleeping, Lola. Daddy will join us later. Want some breakfast?”

I spent that meal worried because her vocabulary is so much better, and Lola doesn’t have a filter like so many toddlers. She doesn’t know what she’s saying sometimes, but her mentioning I came out of Miles’s room one morning would speak volumes for anyone that hears it. Why would I be in there when I have a room across the house?

I am approaching my fourth month and I know time is running out because I’m getting thicker. Not showing, but headed there, and I hide it with sweaters and jackets since it’s cold out. Miles loves to kiss my little bump at night, and it makes me smile, but I hide it from everyone else except Alli. She even comes to appointments when Miles is away and I know she’ll be the best aunt.

I want Brynn there, too, and our moms, especially when we’re closer to finding out if the baby is a boy or a girl. That’s just about a month away now and I can’t hide this forever.

“I think we should tell everyone.”

We’re in bed one night after a strenuous round of sex and I’m on my side, looking at Miles.

“I guess it’s that time. To me, it’s obvious, but I suppose knowing helps.”

“How should we do it?”

“I’d suggest a family dinner and just throw it out there. Andrew will get upset, but he’ll also deal with it if he wants to be a part of this baby’s life.”

“He’s your best friend and teammate. Are you worried about this messing things up with the team?”

“That’s been a big issue for me. I do everything for the team and Andrew, but this is something that will only improve my life. Who wouldn’t support that?”

I wish I believed that, and as he reaches over to stroke my nipple, it makes me forget everything.

We’re at the next home game and sitting in the usual seats, waiting for the game to start. It’s been a few days since our talk and Miles wants to plan a family dinner. I’m nervous just thinking about it and get lost in thought as Lola goes to Brynn for some snacks.

“Delilah?”

I blink and come crashing back to earth, gazing at Miles’s sister.

“Yeah?”

“Were you sleeping in my brother’s room? Lola just told me she saw you there.”

Shit. Lola caught me in there when Miles got up with her and she got through the door before he could close it. It wasn’t the first time she had seen me near his room, and I knew I was being careless.

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