Page 11 of Tell Me Lies

I think on it for a second. Even though I just took the course, I still feel like I know nothing. Yet I can’t think of anything to ask. “I guess not,” I say, feeling unsure.

She chuckles lightly. “I know it seems like a lot of information, and you might feel like you’re in over your head, but if—God forbid—you ever need to use any of the skills we just went over, you’ll be ready. Trust me on that.”

“Thanks,” I say politely. “I do feel much more … informed now. And prepared. But there’s a lot to it.”

“There sure is. But if you ever need a refresher or think of any questions, don’t hesitate to call.” She smiles and holds her hand out, passing me a business card. “Have a nice afternoon, ladies.”

Once she’s gone, Maddie stands. “I just need to use the bathroom super quick; I’ve been holding it after chugging my huge-ass water when I first got here, and I’m close to peeing my pants. After that, we’ll go over everything else, which shouldn’t take more than half an hour.”

“Sounds good,” I say just before she heads down the hall, disappears into the bathroom, and closes the door.

When I arrived at Logan’s house a few hours ago, Maddie and Shannon were waiting for me. Apparently, Logan and Amelia had gone out for the day, but not before he secured someone to come in and get me CPR-trained before I start nannying for Amelia tomorrow.

I guess when you’re a famous athlete, you can set up a private CPR class in your home the night before, and it’s no big deal. Who knew?

A few minutes later, she walks out of the bathroom and heads toward the kitchen. Grabbing a binder, she holds it up. “This, my friend, has everything you need to know about our sweet Amy. And the house too. Even different attractions she likes around the area.” She plops down on the couch next to me and opens it. “We’ll go through it together, but I’ll leave it here. That way, you always have it.”

“You made this?” I whisper, reaching out and touching the paper. “It must have taken you hours.”

“Logan and I both add to it constantly. And sometimes take things out too. She loved yogurt, like, a month ago, and now, she thinks it’s ‘duck-tank.’”

When I glance at her, clearly confused, she laughs. “Amy can’t pronounce disgusting, so she says duck-tank instead. It’s become sort of an inside joke because now, even I say it.”

“Duck-tank means no good.” I nod, grinning. “Noted.”

My heart does some sort of fluttery thing when I read the header on the next page out loud, “Amelia’s things to bring to hockey games.” I glance down at all the things listed below. Her blankie, her favorite stuffed Highland cow, crayons and plain paper, and her tablet withBlippiandMickey Mouse Clubhousedownloaded onto it.

“When possible, Logan loves having her in the stands, but he wants it to be fun for her.” Maddie’s eyes gloss over. “I promise you, he might seem like a knucklehead, but you will never find a better dad than Logan Sterns. He loves her more than anything.”

“He seems like a great father,” I say, a small smile teasing my lips. “And he does it all alone?” I pause, instantly feeling bad. “Well, you know what I mean. Obviously, he’s had you. But—”

“It’s okay, girl.” She chuckles. “I know what you meant. And, yeah, he does. Between hockey and raising her, he really doesn’t take any time for himself. I’m going to miss them so much.” She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. “Something in my eye. I’m not crying.Again.”

I’m not always the one who knows the right thing to say when someone is struggling. But for whatever reason, I pat her hand. “I promise I’ll take good care of her. I might be new to this whole kid thing, but I can tell she’s special. And I know she means a lot to you.”

“Thank you,” she whispers. “She does.”

I don’t know what comes over me, but I ask, “Are you and he, like … romantic at all?” I’m embarrassed as soon as the words leave my lips, and I cringe, wishing I could reverse time and take them back. “I’m so sorry. That is none of my business. I just mean, that would make this leaving thing even harder, is all.”

She barks out a loud laugh, and any sadness she felt quickly disappears from her face. “Jesus, no.” She shakes her head. “Hellno.” She continues laughing for a moment, wiping her eyes. “Ilove Logan, but not like that. I love him as a friend. Or even family.”

“I see,” I say, nodding my head, thankful she wasn’t offended by my intrusive, awkward question because she very well could have been.

“Now, let’s get through the rest of this before they get back. Yeah?” she says before flipping the page. “Because once they are home, Amy is probably going to force us to play Highland cows or house with her.”

Grinning, I look down at the page and nod. “Yes. I’d say we’d better.”

I’m far from an expert on children, and I certainly have a lot to get to know about Amelia. But today, I learned so much, and I’m already feeling better about the next six weeks. Even if I’m still completely out of my comfort zone, I think this really might be a good thing for me.

And I hope it’ll be a good thing for the future of my writing career.

Today is Maci’s first day watching Amelia on her own. For the first few days when she started the position, Maddie was around. Now, she’s gone out west to start the next chapter of her life. The next day, Poppy was there, but now, she’s too busy with her own career.

I know I’m being overprotective, but I’m nervous. My one fucking job in life is to keep Amelia safe. And I’m freaking the fuck out that I might have left her with a very attractive woman—in cargo jeans, a loose T-shirt, and those ugly-ass sandals every chick over twenty-five seems to be obsessed with—who doesn’t know jack shit about kids. Oh, and who writes the filthiest shit I’ve ever seen because, yes, I looked up her books and flipped through one.

They are fine,I tell myself again.

My phone hasn’t rung, and I made sure to leave it on the bench, where I could hear it if it did. That pissed Coach off, but he knows that this week is hard with having someone new with my girl.

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