Page 61 of Military Daddies' Nanny

Only I can’t stop thinking about Nancy, and watching Karen now, every bit of my soul wishes this was Nancy instead.

Karen splashes loudly, then calls, “You sure you don’t want to join in on the fun?”

I smile a sad smile, shaking my head. “Sadly, I’m on lifeguard duty today. Y’all have fun, though.”

She smiles and turns back to Bella, making some joke that makes my daughter giggle and splash around. It’s a good thing Karen turned around. That way she doesn’t see the bitterness in my eyes, nor the emptiness I feel.

**

The hours pass by quickly and soon night falls. My mood still feels like an absolute train wreck. To Karen’s credit, she does try really hard to cheer me up, being kind and patient despite how antisocial I’ve been.

She can’t understand. How do I tell her that the best thing she could do to make me feel better is to go back in time and stop herself from returning? I don’t say that. Instead, I thank her for her care and make the excuse of fatigue.

“Whatever is hanging so heavily on your heart,” Karen says, helping me set up a makeshift bed on the couch. “I hope youcan find some ease with that load. It’s crushing you, Drew, and I don’t know what to do.”

She’s in her pajamas already as she hands me some pillows. I let her have my bed, so I’ve been sleeping in the living room. She’s trying to be kind, but the ache in my heart is beyond what kindness can fix.

“I…thank you. That means the world to me.” I smile sadly, staring deep into her eyes. “I just need some rest. I should be fine in the morning.”

Nothing.Not even in this close proximity do I feel something for her other than indifference.

Quicker than I can anticipate, Karen leans down, her lips shooting straight for mine. I move without thinking, dramatically ducking out of the way and putting some distance between the two of us.

Karen is surprised, her eyes wide in shock. The shock turns into pain and resignation. Chuckling softly, she says, “Good night, Drew. Sleep well.”

She spins on her heel quickly, hurrying off towards the stairs. I can see how red her ears are as she goes. I’ve embarrassed her.

I bite my lower lip, trying to contain the overwhelming sorrow I feel. I know now, more clearly than ever before. I love Nancy, and not being with her right now is killing me slowly.

Chapter 23

Carlos

Nathan walks into the living room where I’m seated, my mind running a mile a minute as I think about the situation we’re in.

It’s been a few days since the pregnancy was discovered, and we’ve been staying at Nancy’s house to take care of her. Not that I can tell if we’re doing a good job or not. Nancy seems okay most of the time, but we can tell she’s still sad.

The situation doesn’t quite sit right with me, especially knowing that part of the reason she feels this way is due to an issue we cannot solve.

“What’s got you so lost in thought?” Nathan asks, slumping into the space beside me on the couch.

His eyes are tired, like he hasn’t gotten enough sleep. I don’t think any of us has in the past few days. Perhaps not even Drew has gotten a good rest since he made his decision, although he won’t admit it.

I frown. I can’t stop thinking about him and the terrible mistake he’s making. But how does one get someone so stubborn to admit that they’re making a terrible mistake? How do you make them see they need help to be pulled out of it?

I scoff. It’s such an impossible task. Nathan looks at me quizzically and I remember that I haven’t answered his question in the time that I spent having my internal monologue.

“Just thinking about your brother and how he’s making a terrible mistake, but it’ll be impossible to get him to realize it, except by some divine intervention.”

Nathan’s face tightens, his lips turning down in a grimace like he’s eaten something terribly sour.

“You know how Drew gets. Trying to convince him he’s doing the wrong thing when he’s set on his own idea will only push him further into his mistake. I wish things could be different for Nancy and for the baby’s sake, but I can’t force it.”

He looks at me like he’s suddenly had an idea. “While Drew might seem like a lost cause at the moment, you know who isn’t?”

Confused, I wait for him to speak.

Nathan points in the direction of the room Nancy is in.

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