Page 9 of Black Roses

“You comingto brunch tomorrow?” Gavin shouts from the shower stall next to mine.

Brunch.I love Sunday brunch with the Mitchell gang, especially when I have Hailey with me. They dote on her and she loves playing with Maddox and the babies. But going would mean having another run-in with the youngest Mitchell sister. After last night, I don’t think it would be wise. I don’t want to ruin brunch for everyone, and I think a few days without seeing Piper will help me gain a little perspective. I don’t need complications in my life that could distract me from my goal of becoming a starter. Hailey and football—that’s all I can handle right now. That’s all I want to handle.

After our showers, we agree to meet for drinks tomorrow and then I head to the gym daycare to grab my daughter.

I look through the large picture window to see Hailey playing next to a few other toddlers. I stare at her through the glass. She still takes my breath away every time I see her. She has this little cherub face framed by my platinum-blonde hair. I tried to tie it up into a bow, but I’m far from perfecting it and it has once again come loose, causing her long hair to mess and tangle. I know I’m in for some tears later when I brush it out. But first, I’m going to take her to the park. She loves the horses. And Iwilldo anything to see her gorgeous little smile.

Her face lights up when she sees me coming. “Dada!” she squeals and toddles her way over to me as I melt into a pile of goo at her melodious, high-pitched voice.

I scoop her into my arms, peppering her face with kisses before I thank the staff and head out to my car. My—what did she call it—‘over-the-top car to attract anything with a vagina?’Yes, it’s sporty. Yes, it’s fancy. But what she monumentally failed to notice yesterday when I drove her home, was Hailey’s car seat in the back. It was my one requirement when car shopping.A great sports car with a back seat.Had I known at the time that women would drool over it, I might have reconsidered my decision and bought a mini-van. If my car is a chick-magnet, a mini-van is repellent.

Driving to the park, I momentarily think of trading in my one prized possession. But the moment passes when I rationalize it’s not my problem. It’s theirs—all those women who shamelessly throw themselves at any player on the roster in hopes that they’ll get their fifteen minutes of fame.

I made that mistake once. I won’t make it again. And although it resulted in the best thing that ever happened to me—Hailey, I’m not willing to risk it. So, ever since Cassidy showed up seven months pregnant, demanding a marriage proposal, I’ve been celibate. Almost two years since I’ve had sex. My left hand has become my best friend and my only source of relief. Funny how I even made a conscious decision to use my left hand—strengthening my non-dominant arm in the process.

After a pony ride, Hailey starts to get cranky, a sure sign that she’s hungry. Mitchell’s isn’t far, so I make the five-block walk with my little girl on my back.

Walking through the door into the welcome blast of warm air, I practically run over the one person who shouldn’t be here. I give her a disapproving stare. “Is this how you spend your maternity leave, Skylar? You know maternity leave means you don’t have to show up for work, right?”

She looks sheepishly at me. “I can’t help it. I don’t want the place to go to shit while I’m gone. I’m only here for a few minutes to make sure it’s being run properly in my absence.”

I pull her with me to the hostess stand. “Table forthree,” I say, looking at Skylar instead of the hostess.

Skylar looks longingly back at the kitchen and then sighs. “Okay, fine.But only because I want to spend time with this gorgeous girl.How are you, Hailey?”

“Up,up!” She holds her hands out to Skylar who willingly sweeps her up into a hug.

Skylar has us seated close to the kitchen, presumably so she’ll be able to hear if there are any crises that need her attention.

“So, where’s Aaron?Too young to take out yet?”

She shakes her head. “No, we’ve been taking him all kinds of places, but Griffin doesn’t let anyone touch him. He’s kind of vigilant about it. And he carries a huge container of hand sanitizer for us to use whenever we touch things like door handles and elevator buttons. It’s pretty comical, and I’m not afraid to say, annoying at times. But I put up with it because I know he’s trying to keep him from getting sick. He’s had enough sickness around him to last a lifetime.”

I nod my head in fierce agreement. “You know, it’s probably just the whole new dad thing. I was the same way with Hailey at first.Especially since I didn’t get to see her very often.He’ll change soon enough, don’t worry.” I take a drink of water that our waiter brought over. “So, is Piper babysitting?”

She coughs, choking on her own drink.“God, no.That girl hasn’t babysat since high school. I think Baylor over-used her or something. She practically raised Maddox for a few years, then she hit seventeen and everything else became more important. Things like Charlie and planning for their trip after graduation.”

Thankfully, the waiter comes to take our orders, averting anymore talk of Piper.Why did I even bring her up?

“Jarod, you remember Mason, don’t you? He’s going to be the best man at my wedding.”

He extends his hand to me and I shake it.“Oh, yeah.Mason Lawrence, I know all about you. I’m a big Giants fan. Good luck this year, man. I hope you get to play more than you did last season.”

Jarod is wearing long sleeves with markings of tattoos peeking out near his wrists. He also has gauges in his ears. He must be a damn good waiter, because Mitchell’s usually only hires clean-cut servers. I notice his short, manicured hair and wonder if maybe he conceded a different hairstyle to get the job.

“You and me both.Thanks.” I proceed to give him my order and then ask about getting some chicken tenders and apple slices for Hailey. “Do you want chocolate milk, sweet pea?”

She claps her hands and squeals, “Chocate!”

He finishes taking our order, but hesitates before walking away. He studies me for half a second and then turns his attention to Skylar. “So, how long is your sister in town?”

Skylar glances at me before answering. My face is stoic.“Until the wedding, so May 15th,” she replies.

“Oh.” He shifts his weight nervously. “So, do you think she’d want to go out with me sometime? Maybe you could put in a good word.”

Skylar tries hard not to smirk.“Sure, Jarod.She doesn’t date much, but I’d be happy to tell her what a nice guy you are.”

“Nice?” he says, as if it’s a bad word. “How about you tell her I’m your best waiter and that you’re probably going to promote me to assistant manager soon. And tell her I can get VIP tickets to some sick new bands since my uncle is a promoter.”

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