a shit-ton of nieces and nephews, I’ve changed my fair share of diapers growing up. Now, first off, I need to know what you’re dealing with. Is it a pee or poo?”
“Uh…” My eyes bug out, darting from his image on the screen to the squirming baby on the changing table. “I don’t know.”
“Time to figure it out then, Champ.”
I set my phone down where he can see me and lift the baby, smelling her butt. “It doesn’t stink.”
“It’s probably pee, but we could still get a surprise. Before you start undressing her get your fresh diaper and wipes out, and there’s probably some ointment there too for her bottom.”
There’s a basket on the table with everything in it, so within seconds I have the fresh diaper ready, a handful of wipes—probably more than I’ll ever need—and something called Desitin.
“Okay, got the arsenal ready.”
“You’re not going into war, Zoey.” His amusement is obvious.
“That’s what you think.”
“You’re going to have to take her pants off at some point and check out the damages. Stop stalling.”
“Fine,” I grumble, slipping her bottoms off.
“Now the diaper. You can do it.”
I cringe, afraid I’m going to be met with a messy surprise but it’s definitely just a very full pee diaper.
“Roll up the old diaper underneath her, wipe her down, and then slide the fresh diaper under her when she’s clean. Now, since she’s a girl you’re going to have to … uh … how do I say this … get in the crevices.”
“The crevices?” I laugh.
He rubs his face. “Look, you’re getting off easy since it’s just a pee but it can get messy around there and you want her clean.”
“Right, right. Okay. I got this,” I chant to myself.
“Yes, you do,” he assures me, his voice calm.
After getting the new diaper under her backwards at first, I finally get it right and strapped on, putting her pants back in place.
“Thank you,” I tell Cole, my relief evident as I lift the baby into my arms. She claps her hands.
He grins back, standing up. “Anytime, Zo.”
“Enjoy your dinner.”
“You too. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
I hang up, and then nearly jump out of my skin when my dad says from behind me, “You and my player, huh?”
“Jesus Christ, Dad! You’re like a ninja sneaking up on me like that. Were you there the whole time?”
He laughs. “Just the past few minutes. I have to say, it was quite amusing listening to him walk you through changing a diaper.”
“I’ve never done it before.” I pat the baby’s back, rocking her in my arms. “And Cole and I … we’re nothing. I mean, we live together, but we’re not together-together.”
He looks amused more than anything else. “Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?”
Tonight, was one of the best Thanksgivings I’ve ever had, which makes me the tiniest bit guilty when I think of my mom. I know she’d be happy for me repairing my relationship with my dad and getting to know my siblings.
Taking my makeup off I hop in the shower and change into my pajamas, ready to crash for the night.
Burrowing beneath the covers, I groan when my phone starts ringing.
Reaching over to the nightstand, I grab it and pull it beneath the blankets with me.
I’m surprised to find it’s Cole Facetiming me again.
“Hey,” I say with surprise when his face appears on screen. Like me, he’s in bed and bless my eyes he’s shirtless, the tattoo on his chest there for my viewing pleasure. “When you said you’d talk to me later, I didn’t think you actually meant tonight.”
“Oh,” his face falls, “I can hang up.”
“No!” I cry out. Calming myself, I add, “I’m happy to hear from you. Did you have a good day with your family?”
“The best. It’s always nice to be with them, even if my sisters spend most of the day hazing me. It’s what I get for being the youngest and only boy.”
“I bet they’re a lot of fun.”
“I’m sure you’d love them. Then you could all gang up on me.”
“Thank you for helping me with the whole diaper thing today.” My cheeks heat. “I’m not good at baby stuff. I like kids but babies scare me.”
He chuckles. “It can be intimidating. I got used to it really quick with my older sisters having kids.”
“Are you in your childhood bedroom?” I question, noticing what looks like trophies in the background.
“Yeah, you want a tour?”
“Sure,” I answer, intrigued by the idea of seeing a peek into the boy