“Why is Daddy not playing?” Story asks for the thousandth time. “It’s the second half of the game already.”
Hayden and I exchange a look. There are only twenty-five minutes left, and I can sense Story’s disappointment. She was so excited to see her father play, but she’s spent most of today’s match impatiently waiting for him to step onto the field.
“Honey, do you see him?” I point at Hunter, who’s warming up on the sideline. “I’m sure he’ll be in the game soon.”
“But he’s a great player. Why can’t he play the whole game?” she whines, folding her arms across her chest.
“Sweetie,” Colin, her grandpa, leans forward, diverting her attention to him. “You have to trust Coach’s decisions. If he thinks your dad will be more useful in the last part of the game, then it’s the truth.”
“You’re not helping.” Willow slaps her husband’s knee, frowning. “Story, it’s the first official game for your dad in a while. The season is almost over, and the team is very strong already. They all deserve to be on the field just as much as your dad does. I’m sure he’ll do his best and prove himself to be a very useful asset to the team. And who knows? Maybe next time he’ll be on the field from the start.”
I love Mrs. Hale. She’s the absolute best when it comes to her kids. She easily deals with their tantrums and antics and always explains everything thoroughly. Story holds her grandma’s gaze, then slowly nods and brings her eyes back to the field.
When I see the referee hold up two numbers, I narrow my eyes on Hale’s figure. He’s on the halfway line at the edge of the field, ready to substitute for one of his teammates. The black of his kit looks incredibly fine against his tanned skin and dark brown hair. The number thirteen on his back draws my attention, and I can’t help but smile. Story’s birthday is on December thirteenth, and I’m sure that’s why he has that number. Even if he’s a jerk, he’s an amazing father who loves his child to the moon and back.
Once it’s announced that Hunter Hale is joining the match, there’s an excited chattering all over the stadium. People are curious to see him play, and even if I hate to admit it, I’m curious too. LACFC is winning two to one, but with how they’ve played in the past twenty minutes, I think they’ll score one more time. Will Miami go home without a win, or will they be able to steal the spotlight and turn the game around? Something’s telling me my boss will do anything to finish the game on his team’s terms. He’s a real pro when it comes to soccer. Being a nice person is the thing he really sucks at.
For the next ten minutes, my eyes are glued to Hale. I’ve watched plenty of games with Hayden during our years of friendship, but this is the first time I’ve seen a game in person. And it’s so exciting! It’s fast-paced, passionate, and very raw. As we get closer to the end of the game, things get dirtier. Miami is trying hard to steal the ball and score, but so far LACFC’s defenders are doing their job to a tee. I’m on the edge of my seat, and my heart beats wildly. It’s unreal how captivating this game is.
“I think he’s going to score,” Hayden mumbles, and I shoot him a curious glance. His eyes are fixed on the field, and it’s clear he’s talking about his brother.
Bringing my attention back to the game, I easily find Hunter. He’s running fast toward the Miami net alongside another player from his team—a short pass, and now he has the ball. I watch as Hale slows down in the space outside of the box and then steers a fine finish past the Miami goalkeeper. Three against one, and Hunter Hale scored his first goal for LACFC. To say the stadium erupts would be an understatement, but it’s nothing compared to the cheers of Hunter’s brother and daughter.
Hade hauls Story from her seat and presses her to his chest, jumping in the air. Yelling at the top of his lungs, he announces to everyone around that that’s his brother. I sneak a glance at Willow, and she chuckles, meeting my gaze, also amused by her son’s behavior.
For the rest of the game, I’m riding a wave of euphoria, just like anyone who came to support LACFC. The final score is three to one, and I’m grinning so much my cheeks hurt. Coming to the game, I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. It made my day a thousand times better.
Instead of going with the Hale family to congratulate Hunter on the win, I make an excuse and go to the parking lot. During one of our arguments, he told me to know my place, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m steering clear of any innuendos, any of the inappropriate thoughts I’ve had for days. He’s Story’s dad, my boss, and he’s off-limits. The nanny’s tale ends here.
Sitting in Hade’s car, I take my phone out of my purse and launch the web browser. Might as well use this time and find more reasons to keep my distance. I type “Hunter Hale wife” and start chewing my bottom lip while waiting for the results to load. The first thought I have once Story’s mom’s face pops up on my screen is simple: Hunter is right. I’m not his type, if this is the woman he spent eight years with. Amelia Hale is a brunette with pearly white skin, sprinkles of freckles on her nose, puffy lips, and light-blue eyes. She’s gorgeous, and her flawless body only adds more appeal to her looks. Story takes after her mom almost completely, except for her deep green eyes, which she got from her dad.
I google some more, and bitterness fills my mind and my mouth. Hunter has never even been seen with a blonde. At least he was honest. My closeness is the only reason he reacts to me. I’m sure he would react the same way to any other woman who worked for him. He did the right thing telling me off.
The car door suddenly opens, and Story climbs inside, settling into her booster seat. I hide my phone in my purse as Hayden slides into the car. He starts the engine and squints at me.
“You should’ve come with us. It was fun,” he says.
“We met other players from the team,” Story exclaims in a cheerful voice. “They were all incredibly nice and friendly. Their goalkeeper even did a happy dance with me.”
“I’m not family.” I shrug, averting my gaze and looking out the window. “It wasn’t my place to be there with you.”
“Bull—um, you’re wrong.” Hayden reaches over and grasps my hand in his, entwining our fingers. “You’re my family. You do belong.”
“Thank you, Hade. I appreciate it.”
“And I’d appreciate it if you kept my brother company at my show.”
My eyebrows hit my hairline. This sudden change in topic throws me off.
“Why?”
“Because Daddy thinks he’ll be out of place, but with you…it’ll be different.” Very different, dammit. I sigh, holding back every word that burns down my throat.
“I told him I’d be waiting for him to return the favor and come to my show. Hunter being Hunter, he promised. He said he was excited and he couldn’t wait for Saturday. But then, bam! He says it’d be better if he skips it. He doesn’t want to bother you.”
Very nice of you, Hale, to make it all about me. Asshole.
“He won’t bother me,” I murmur, faking a smile. I don’t like the idea of being with him alone at the show, but at the same time, why not? I could always meet someone new and go back to their place for a hookup. It’d be for the best. “No problem at all. Don’t worry.”
Finding someone who can take care of my needs is exactly what I’m going to do. I don’t need Hunter Hale for that.
