Page 15 of Blue Lines and Lullabies

I nod. “They like having one of us there, but they enjoy traveling, so visiting everyone else isn’t an issue. Do you have any siblings?”

“I have a sister. She’s a teacher. She’ll be the first to tell you that I got all of the athletic genes in our family. She lives in Pittsburgh.”

“Is that where you’re from? I can’t remember if you’ve told me this.”

“No, I’m from southeastern Ohio. My sister is a couple of hours from my parents.”

“Was she into sports?” I ask.

“No,” he says, laughing. “She’s the brainiac of the family. I’m by no means stupid, but she’s so damn smart.”

“What does she teach?”

“High school calculus, algebra, and even teaches a couple of courses at a community college.” Gabe’s grin is massive as he brags about his sister. I’m loving this side of him.

“Sounds like she’s a math whiz,” I comment.

“She is. She certainly helped me in high school more times than I can count. Calculus is not my thing,” he confesses.

I snort. “Mine either.”

Gabe clears his throat as he stands to take our empty plates to the sink. As he busies himself with loading the dishwasher, he says, “Are you settling in okay? Do you need anything?”

“I’m settling in fine,” I tell him, but the drastic switch in our conversation has me on high alert. “Is there something you’re concerned about?”

“Well, not exactly,” he stammers as he turns to face me. “I realize we didn’t set some ground rules for, uh, extracurricular activities.”

Confused, I say, “I don’t think I plan on joining any sports leagues anytime soon.”

“That’s not what I meant,” he mutters, scratching his head. “I’m just going to come out and say it. While you’re under my roof, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bring any gentlemen back here.”

My mouth drops open in astonishment. “Are you being for real right now?”

Gabe nods. “I have to take Mackenzie’s safety and security into account.”

“And you think I’d just bring some random guy into your home?”

“I don’t know. You invited me back to your hotel room pretty quickly,” he points out.

“A hotel room is nowhere near the same thing, and you know it,” I snap. “Turnabout is fair play. Will you be abiding by the same rule?”

“I have no intention of bringing any women home. But, this ismyhouse. Rules for me can be different from rules for you.”

“Why?” I ask, crossing my arms in anger. This is bullshit. Do as I say, not as I do. “Women can be just as dangerous as men.”

“I’m not bringing a one-night stand home. I’ve never done that, and I don’t intend to start now. However, if I were to start seriously dating someone, the rule doesn’t apply to me.”

“Well, if that’s the case, then I’d like a warning.”

“A warning for what?”

“If you’re dating someone. If she’ll be at the house. Where that leaves me.”

Gabe’s lips thin as his eyes narrow. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“If you have a serious girlfriend, you might not need a nanny anymore. I’d like to be notified so I have adequate time to look for a new job, Gabe.”

“Oh,” he says, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I thought you meant … you know what? Never mind.”

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