Page 105 of Nanny for the Athletes

Logan glared at him. “It’s worked out pretty fucking good for me so far.”

“Nobody is going to punch anybody,” I insisted. “At least, not yet. I’ll figure out what to do about Trip later. My court date isn’t until January, so I have four weeks to figure it out. And I refuse to devote any of my emotional energy to the problem until then.”

I marched back inside. My three boyfriends followed behind like scolded children.

The television was still on in the kitchen, and a sports analyst was ranting about the Colts. “This whole situation is embarrassing. A new owner buys the team, moves the franchise to St. Louis, and convinces the city to build them a new state-of-the-art stadium. Then, instead of trying to put a competitive product on the field, they immediately hold a fire sale to save money.”

“It’s not just to save money,” another analyst on TV argued. “The Colts aren’t making the playoffs, but they’re currently too good to get a good draft pick. Rather than wallowing in mediocrity, theyshouldtrade pieces like Baker and Clark while they have value, and rebuild around one of the upcoming college quarterbacks.”

“It hasn’t even been one full season!” the first analyst replied. “You can’t just expect sweeping success after one year. These things take time.”

“All the more reason to start the rebuild now!” the other analyst shot back.

Braden let out a long sigh, then turned the volume down on the TV. “Usually we don’t have to worry about trade rumors until the season is over. And right before Christmas, too.”

Logan stared at the TV, but said nothing.

“We’ll figure this out,” Christian said, rubbing my back. “Nothing is certain yet, so there’s no point in worrying about it.”

“Maybe we can talk to the owner,” Braden suggested. “Convince him to keep us.”

“And if that doesn’t work, we can send Logan to threaten him,” I said.

Logan barked a laugh, but there was still an intensity to his gaze. Like he was trying extremely hard to control his emotions.

I hugged him, and then Christian and Braden joined in from the sides. The four of us held the embrace for a long moment.

“We’ll figure this out,” Christian repeated. “We’ll make it work.”

“Why are you hugging?” Claire suddenly asked from the doorway.

“Sometimes people like to hug,” Logan said.

She scrunched up her face. “I’m not stupid. Something is wrong. That’s why Logan drove us here so quick.” Her eyes grew large. “Is it about me? Have I not been doing a good job with the dogs?”

The four of us all began talking at once to assure Claire she hadn’t done anything wrong. She stood there, listening to all of it like a judge hearing arguments from lawyers.

“You’ve beensucha big help with the dogs,” I said.

“Really?”

I bobbed my head in an emphatic nod. “I don’t know what I would do without you. I would probably go out of business!”

Finally, she appeared satisfied with our reassurances. “Then what’s wrong? Why are you hugging?”

Logan cleared his throat. “Uncle Chrissy and Uncle Braden might be playing for another team next year.”

“Why?” she asked. “Do you not like playing for the Colts?”

“We love playing for the Colts, kiddo,” Braden replied.

“Good,” Claire replied. “Then you’re staying.”

We exchanged looks.

“It’s not really up to us,” Christian said. “The owner of the team might trade us. Then we would have to play for someone else.”

Claire frowned as she considered this. “But you’ll still come visit every day, right? And read me bedtime stories?”

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