Page 54 of The Body Checker

Is it possible that I’m falling in love with my best friend’s kid sister? Not a smart move on my part

, that’s for fucking sure.

I make quick work of my clothes and slide into the bed. Quinn stirs beside me, and I shimmy closer until I’m spooning her. Her body is warm from sleep, and her fresh scent swirls around me. I put one hand on her hip and hold her to me.

As I lay there, my mind and body tired after dealing with Shari, my thoughts drift. Zander is right. I do need to call my father. I’m sure, after the stunt Shari just pulled, and her threatening to lawyer up to keep Daisy away from me if I don’t follow her demands, he’ll change his tune on what’s right and what isn’t.

My mind races back to the gut-wrenching story Quinn told me about her mother. It must have been hard for her to open up to me like that. But I get she was trying to make a point, save Daisy from a hard future. The thing is, I’m not Quinn’s mother, but how can I take care of a child if I’m on the road all the time? Everyone keeps telling me hockey is the most important thing in the world to me. Would I grow to regret the responsibility? Am I that fucking shallow?

My thoughts fall off and the next thing I know, I’m in bed alone. I sit up, rub the blur from my eyes and check Daisy’s crib. She’s not in it. I kick off the covers and tug on a pair of jeans. From downstairs, I hear a kid’s movie with lots of music playing in the background. After a quick trip to the bathroom, I make my way down, find Daisy in Quinn’s arms as they dance around the living room.

Right then and there, my heart swells in my chest, and it’s almost difficult to breathe. I grab the banister, squeeze my hand around it. Fuck. Shit. And Damn.

This…this is the family I want.

Quinn squeals and lets out an embarrassed laugh when she turns and finds me standing there.

“Good morning,” I say.

“I really am getting you a bell.” Pink spreads across her cheeks as Daisy giggles up at her. “Did we wake you?”

I shake my head. “Did Daisy just laugh.”

A smile lights up Quinn’s face. “She did. They usually start laughing around four months. I thought she would have done it long before now, actually.”

“Shit.”

“What?”

“I don’t even know when her birthday is. She could be five months now and I wouldn’t even know it.”

“We should get her in for a checkup. We need to find out who her doctor is, and see if she’s all up to date with her immunizations.”

I nod. Another conversation with Shari that I’m not looking forward too. “Don’t you have to be at work?”

“I took the next couple of days off. I thought you might need me here if Shari comes around like that again.”

“I need to call my dad.”

“Good idea.”

I grab my phone from my back pocket and pull up Dad’s contact. I’m guessing he’d be at his office already so I call that number. It rings twice, and his receptionist picks up. I tell her who I am, and she transfers me through right away.

Quinn turns the television down and takes Daisy into the kitchen to give me privacy. Dad answers, and I explain everything to him.

He goes quiet for a long time.

“You still there?” I finally ask.

“It’s not a good situation for you, son, especially with you being on the road, and the courts do favor the mother.”

I rest my elbows on my knees and exhale. “What can I do? I can’t let her get full custody.”

“There is one thing that could help you.”

“What? Anything?”

“If you can prove you’re a family man and have Daisy’s best interests at heart.”

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