Damn. I never realized he’s almost as alone as I am. I knew his father was an alcoholic, but I had no idea his mother left.
Another piece of my self-protective wall crumbles.
“Okay. Okay.” I nod slowly. “I can put together another babysitting schedule. Ask people to pitch in? You’ll probably have to take the night shifts, but maybe I can get you some coverage during the day so you don’t lose your mind.”
“Really? God, Gabby, that would be amazing.”
I won’t lie. Having Rider look at me like I’m the center of his universe is doing things to me. It’s definitely time to get out of here and rebuild my defenses. Because nothing good can come from letting down my guard around this man.
“Listen, I’m going to get out of your hair because you play Clemson tomorrow, and that’s a big game. They’re going to be tough.” I make a face. “I’m sure you have all kinds of things you need to do to prepare. Why don’t I—”
His intense gray eyes narrow. “You know we play Clemson tomorrow?”
My breath catches. Shit.
It’s my turn to blush. “I… I overheard someone talking about it today.”
I stand too quickly and almost knock over my chair. I start babbling because I can’t handle his scrutiny. “I can pick her up in the morning. Just text me the time. I have to take her back to my place, if that’s okay. I’ll need to tell my roommates what I’m doing, and I hope that’s okay too. But I can get them to sign NDAs. You know, I bet I can talk them into babysitting…”
I’m yammering so much, so fast, I run out of breath.
He agrees and then calls my name. Trapping his bottom lip between his teeth, he pauses. “So does this mean you’ve unblocked me permanently?”
Shrugging, I pull my bag over my shoulder and try to act nonchalant. “Do I have a choice?”
His lips hook into a smile, and it’s another direct hit to my heart. “Nope. No choice at all.”
I take an exasperated breath and scramble for footing. “Rider, this doesn’t mean we’re friends.” I don’t know if I say it for his sake or my own.
His smile widens. “No, but it’s a start.”
19
RIDER
Somehow I’m still smiling after Gabby leaves. I flip through the binder she made for me that has notes on how to do everything. Okay, well, maybe she didn’t make it for me. There’s a strong possibility she made it for her brother in the event Poppy was his, but I tell myself she made it for me.
She’s following my game schedule. Wasn’t expecting that. Nor was I expecting how fucking happy that would make me.
Not sure what to make of it, though. People tell me this kind of thing every day, that they’re following my games.
But it’s never made me feel like this. Like I can conquer the universe.
Before I lose my head over a girl who might only be feeling sorry for me, I drag myself off the couch while trying not to jostle Poppy. Let sleeping babies lie and all that.
A smile tugs at my lips again when I think about how Gabby basically told me to nut up and deal.
She’s right. My head was spinning, but after her little tough-love speech, I’m feeling more like myself.
Perspective. That’s all I needed.
Of course.
After all, women have babies every day. Probably every minute of every day.
Really, how hard can one small baby be? I’m holding her with one arm, for fuck’s sake. She’s the size of a bowling ball or a large cat. Hell, we ate a pizza last week that weighed more than this kid.
I’ve totally got this.
While I run through plans in my head, I creep up the stairs to my room.
I’ll get Poppy tucked away and get myself a good night’s sleep. We’ll annihilate Clemson tomorrow, I’ll finish my essay on Sunday, and I’ll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on Monday.
No. Big. Deal.
20
RIDER
An ear-piercing wail has all of my roommates rushing into my bedroom that’s now packed with baby crap.
I pace the floor while I pat Poppy’s ass, jiggling her gently and swaying the way Gabby showed me. “I don’t understand. I fed her, burped her, changed her diaper. What else could this kid possibly need? Why won’t she sleep?”
The baby glares at me, bleary-eyed and flush-faced, and lets out another wail.
“Poppy, you’re killing me. I’d give anything to know what you want right now.”
My roommates don’t look amused either. It’s two in the fucking morning, and