going to have to talk to Ivy about getting a nanny. Maybe she’ll be more responsive to it now. She probably wouldn’t want to appear to the world like she isn’t the one taking care of Piper, and she’d just say Ella will help her.
I put my arm over my forehead and am about to flick the TV on, to watch something mindless as I fall asleep when my phone pings. I sit up a little straighter as Ella Facetimes me.
“Hey,” I say after swiping my finger across the screen. Ella comes into view, and my stupid heart beats that much faster, the way it always does when we talk. “Everything okay?”
“Everything is fine,” she assures me, but I’m worried about her. She’s been burning the candle at both ends, and no amount of makeup can hide those dark, sleep-deprived smudges under her eyes. A good indication that Piper is keeping her up at night. But she’s a great aunt, and will do anything for her niece, her sister, and for me.
“She’s doing great.” She turns the phone so I can see Piper sleeping in her cozy bassinet.
“How are you doing?” she asks, her eyes narrowing in on me and I appreciate her genuine concern.
“Good. Tired.”
“Training is going well?”
“Coach is kicking my ass, but I’m not complaining. I’m learning a lot.”
“Let me know when you play in a game. Piper insists on watching, which will, of course, force me to suffer through a game.” That makes me chuckle and she laughs right along with me. “I bet you’re doing great, Landon. You’re the golden boy.”
I’m living my father’s dream, but it’s my dream too. There isn’t anything else I’d rather do. Then again, how would I know? I was steered into football since I was born. But I never wanted to let my father down. I never wanted to let my mother down either, which is why I have to do the right thing and put a ring on Ivy’s finger.
But is it really the right thing for you, Landon?
“How is Ivy?”
Her smile dissolves. “She’s okay.” She glances back at Piper, and when my sweet girl makes a cooing sound, she tucks her blanket around her tighter. “She’s out again tonight. Aunty Ella is on duty.”
I scrub my face. “Where did she go this time?”
“She didn’t tell you?” she asks, and I hate to admit that while Ivy and I have a child together, dialogue isn’t our strong suit…not much is, actually.
“No, I haven’t heard from her.” I’ve sent a few texts, but she hasn’t answered. I really hate how much she puts on her sister, but I’m trying to understand postpartum.
“She met up with some friends from college.” She gives a casual shrug but it’s easy to tell she’s not happy about the whole thing. “I think they went for drinks. Maybe it will be good for her, you know. Help her mental state.”
What about Ella’s mental state? Who the hell is there for her when she needs help? Goddammit, none of this is fair.
Ah, but you learned a long time ago life isn’t fair.
“Yeah, maybe.” I shift my pillow and adjust it behind my back. “I’m sorry, Ella. I’ll be home in four days, and I’ll see about hiring a nanny if Ivy isn’t back to herself.” Honestly, training camp can’t end quick enough. I don’t have a lot of time off before our season starts in September, but I’ll have a few days to spend with family.
“Don’t be sorry.” She leans in and drops a soft kiss onto Piper’s forehead and my breathing changes, becomes a little ragged. I hate being away from them. “I don’t mind spending time with this cutie. Tomorrow we’re going to the pier to get Christmas pictures.”
“Ah, it’s July.”
She laughs and my heart swells when she smiles at me. “I take it Christmas in July isn’t a big thing where you grew up.”
“Not at all.” I shake my head and laugh. Honestly, what would I do without Ella? Over the past eight months, she’s been rock solid. That day under the apple tree, she said she’d be there for me, and she wasn’t lying. My gaze moves over her face, a little thinner now, her cheekbones more defined. She touches her hair, which is darker now and cut short to frame her gorgeous face. It looks good on her. She retired her overalls and now dresses professionally. But I liked her in her overalls. I liked her in everything, especially my arms.
“How’s