Page 12 of Rolling with the Single Daddies

“The guy from the cigar shop?” Beatrix asks.

I bite my lip, hesitating. “He’s amazing. He wants to do everything for me. He’s so attentive and gorgeous. But…”

“But what? Sounds perfect to me.”

“I’m not being honest with him,” I confess, guilt gnawing at my insides. “About my past.”

Beatrix’s expression softens. “About your ex?”

I nod, fighting back tears. “I’m terrified of what might happen if he finds out. And it’s not just Diego. There’s Bane, too.” The floodgates open. “When I’m with him and Evie, it feels like we’re a real family—something I’ve never had.”

“But your brothers…”

“They’ve taken good care of me. But I mean a real family… parents who love their kids,” I whisper, the words hanging in the air between us.

Before Beatrix can respond, a familiar voice cuts through the chatter. “Surprise!”

I whip my head around to see Diego striding toward us, looking impossibly handsome in his leather jacket and jeans. My heart does a little flip, joy and anxiety warring inside me.

“I’ll be done in just a minute.” I’m unable to keep the smile off my face as I skate toward him. He dropped me off and is supposed to pick me up, but he’s a few minutes early.

Diego grins, pulling me into a quick hug over the divider wall between the roller rink and the carpeted spectatorarea. “Thought I’d check out this roller derby thing you’re so passionate about. Maybe even try it myself.”

I raise an eyebrow, amusement shoving my worries aside. “You? On skates?”

“How hard can it be?” He winks.

His enthusiasm for life and experiences makes me want to be the best version of myself possible. I want him in my baby’s life as a positive influence.

“Oh, this I gotta see,” Beatrix chimes in.

I spend the next hour giving Diego an impromptu skating lesson. He’s clumsy but eager, and clings to my hand like a lifeline. The physical contact sends sparks through me, but alsocauses me to think about my feelings for Bane. Several other teammates have unconventional relationships. Could we?

“You’re a natural,” I tease as he wobbles around the rink.

Diego pulls me closer, his breath warm on my ear. “I’ve got a great teacher.”

At the beginning of Diego’s lesson, I was acutely aware of my teammates’ curious glances and whispered comments. Part of me swelled with pride to be seen with someone like Diego. No longer a single mom, with nothing but a horrible ex.

But another part shrinks from it, not wanting to get too attached.

Now we’re alone. He pins me against a wall, reminding me how good he is with his mouth, and how thick his cock is as it’s pressed between us.

“Since I’m basically a pro after my first lesson with you, I’ll take you out for hot cocoa.”

He’s so damn cocky and carefree. I wish I could channel it.

As Diego orders from the food truck that serves cocoa and other sweets, my blood runs cold. There, across the street, sits my ex on his motorcycle. His eyes are laser-focused on us.

Diego doesn’t notice. He takes the drinks from the vendor and steps to the side closer to my ex. I pull him to a table the other direction, out of sight.

“Everything okay?” Diego asks.

I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as brittle as it feels. “Yeah, just a little chilly. There’s less wind over here.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. With trembling fingers, I pull it out.

My ex’s text message hits me like a punch to the gut.

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