Page 135 of The Overtime Kiss

I look around, making sure the door is still shut, and then I say, “I didn’t make any plans with her for Christmas—not for work, not for anything. The kids are joining me in New York after our last game, and I never even asked her what she was doing. Never said if I needed her to work or not. And I didn’t invite her—but the second it came up, I realized I probably should have. Plus, she found out about the plans through Elle, and it was just…fucking awkward and uncomfortable and…What am I even doing?”

Miles blows out a long breath, adjusting his glasses. “That’s a lot, but what part is bugging you the most?”

That’s a damn good question, and I’ve had enough time to formulate an answer. Still, it’s hard to say. “I don’t want toscrew this up. Not with her. Not with my kids. Not the way Dad did.”

Miles nods, getting it immediately, of course. “Heard.”

“And she works for me. She takes care of Luna and Parker. So the entire situation is so damn complicated.”

Rowan holds up his hands. “Shit, man. Romance sucks, so I don’t know what to say. But I feel for you since that’s a lot.”

“It is a lot, but let’s break it down,” Miles says, pinning me with a stare. “Do you want to invite her?”

“Yes,” I say, desperation coloring my tone. “But I don’t know if it’s too late or if it’ll look like I’m inviting her as the babysitter or something. Or if it’ll look like I want her to be my?—”

“Your what?” Rowan cuts in pointedly.

I’m silent for a beat because this vulnerability is new for me too. “My girlfriend,” I say, but then my chest tightens. “But that’s not what she wants right now. She just got out of a shitty relationship where she almost married the guy, and I don’t know how to figure that out in front of the kids—dating and all,” I say, and I hate the sound of my voice. I feel like I’m whining, but I’m in uncharted territory. “And she works for me, like I’ve said.”

Miles laughs, but it’s clear he’s laughing at himself. “Relationships are hard. I fell for the coach’s daughter—I’d know. But you have to communicate what you want. Do you want to spend Christmas with her?”

“I do, but I’ve made it too complicated now by not asking her. And now if I ask her, what if she’s not ready for…a trip with her boss and his kids? For fuck’s sake. Saying it out loud makes it sound ridiculous.”

Miles smirks. “Dude, you’re spiraling. You’re not asking her to be your girlfriend. You’re inviting her on a trip.”

Rowan shrugs. “If she says yes, she wants to go. That’s it.”

Miles moves next to me, claps my shoulder. “One step at atime. This isn’t a proposal. It’s a trip. Just tell her you fucked up and invite her.”

I grab my water bottle and down some. He’s right. This isn’t a grand romantic move—it’s what I should have done in the first place. Invite her to join us for the holidays. “That’s it?”

“Yep, that’s it.”

Miles turns to Rowan. “I bet even the Grinch would say it’s that easy.”

Rowan scoffs. “I’m the last person who should be giving you any romantic advice, but in this case? Just tell her the truth.”

That seems easy enough. This isn’t about putting a label on us. It’s about making sure she knows she’s wanted.

And as I’m leaving, I flash back to something Trevyn mentioned the day I met him. Something Sabrina wouldloveto do in New York. And just like that, I know—this isn’t just something Ishoulddo. It’s something Iwantto do. Something I want to do with her and the kids.Something she’d want too.

I leave the weight room, and I text her to see what she’s up to, trying to figure out if now might be a good time to call.

A few minutes later, she texts back.

Sabrina: I’m OK! I wanted to let you know that Parker isn’t feeling well. I picked him up from school early, and he’s got a fever, but he’s going to be fine! He’s taking Tylenol, and we’re cuddled up together watching cartoons.

I call herstat.

34

NURSE KITTEN

Tyler

“Hey little buddy. How’s it going?”

“I’m okay, Dad,” Parker answers, his voice a little froggy and a little sad. I pace down the hall of the corridor at the Seattle Arena, my phone pressed tight to my ear.

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