I take a sip of water, hiding my irritation behind the glass. If someone told me it’d be this hard to find a nanny for my kid, I would’ve laughed in their faces. I’m not looking for someone with a PhD. I don’t even need a highly skilled person. All I’m looking for is someone who loves kids, will be happy to spend time with my daughter, and won’t flirt with me.
So far, it’s been a disaster.
“You know, I never watched a soccer game before yesterday, it was pretty intense!” the candidate exclaims, grinning at me.
“Football is intense,” I say, noticing her frown in confusion. “Sorry, it’s a habit. After living in Europe for so many years, I can’t bring myself to call it soccer. I’ve tried but I can’t, it will always be football to me.”
“Oh, I get it. How do you like being back home then?” she asks, tucking strands of her red hair behind her ears. Her big blue eyes are focused on me, and her lips curl in a pouty smile. Nice, we’re talking about me? How about asking about Story? About what things she loves? About her favorite toys or movies? “I’ve never been to Europe, but I’m sure it’s very different from the States.”
“It is. But LA is my hometown, so it’s all good.” I shrug and set my glass on the table. “I honestly expected Story to struggle, but so far she loves everything here.”
“Cool,” she says, leaning forward. I’m very close to kicking her out, because her desire to impress me is becoming ridiculous. She hasn’t asked a single question about Story. “What about the girl’s mom? Will she be visiting?”
I set my jaw and huff through my nostrils. The reason I told the staffing agency to be honest about who I am is simple: I didn’t want to hide anything from my future employee. I wanted them to understand what they were signing up for, especially since I’ll need them to share the house with Story and me once I start playing. And yet, it’s only brought me a horde of women vying for my attention, as if I’m the one who needs a babysitter.
There were two exceptions. Two very nice, very professional ladies who didn’t cross boundaries. Why didn’t I hire them? Because Story didn’t like them, and I always listen to her.
“My ex-wife is a very busy person. She has her hands full with her current and future projects. She’ll be visiting from time to time, but I genuinely don’t understand what that has to do with being Story’s nanny.”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. It’s just…” She leans back and starts fiddling with her fingers, nervously looking around. She finally has figured out my mood, and she’s trying to find a way to fix the situation. Unfortunately for her, I’ve already made my decision. There’s no way I’m hiring someone who isn’t interested in my daughter. “I just wanted to see the whole…er…picture.”
“And? How do you find the whole picture?” I scowl. She’s wasting my time, and I hate it.
“It’s easy to see you love your daughter. You’re going to be busy with your job, so you’ll need someone who can live with the two of you.” She flashes me an awkward smile. “Story will be going to elementary school, so the person you hire will be taking her to school and then picking her up later. They’ll need to help her with homework, with any extracurricular activities, and also with food. Did I get that right?”
“You did,” I confirm, taking a glass from the table and holding it between my palms.
She sighs and tilts her head. “You’re definitely not going to choose me.”
“Unfortunately,” I say slowly, “I had a few candidates, but my daughter didn’t like any of them. That’s why I’m still looking.”
“Do you think she won’t like me?” Her brows pinch together, and I click my tongue. Life outside the US toughened me up. Some people might call me an asshole, but I can’t pay any attention to them. I love to be straightforward, and I rarely sugarcoat anything.
“It’s not about my daughter.” I hold her gaze, lowering the glass back onto the table. “I’m not interested in a relationship.”
“But I—” Her cheeks flame red, and her eyes widen in an instant.
“You were flirting with me the second I invited you inside. You barely listened to anything I had to say about my daughter, but you were more than keen to know about my ex-wife and my career,” I bite out, folding my arms across my chest. “I just need a babysitter for my daughter, nothing else.”
“Nothing else,” she mutters under her breath. Her still-red cheeks round as she puffs in exasperation.
“Our time is up. Thank you for coming,” I say.
The woman nods, stands up from the table, and heads to the hallway. I follow her to the front door and watch her open it wide. She halts in her tracks and looks over her shoulder, her eyes wandering over my face.
“Good luck finding a nanny, Mr. Hale,” she mumbles snidely and closes the door behind her.
Bad news, Hunter—she was the last one the agency suggested.
Damn it.
Cursing, I go into the living room and check the time on my phone. Four p.m. I wonder what Story and Hayden are doing. The only thing I was able to get out of my brother was reassurance. Stop being an overprotective jerk. Story and I are going to have a lot of fun today. As if I could stop being so careful around her. It’s not possible, especially not when my brother is involved.
He’s a walking disaster…or at least he was. Our age difference is big, but the main problem is we grew up on opposite sides of the world. We’ve barely seen each other since I was eighteen, when Mom and Hayden moved to the US permanently, leaving me alone in Spain. All those short-lived visits were never enough, and the bond I could’ve had with my little brother didn’t have a chance to form. We’re like strangers who share a bloodline. Unfortunately.
I plop down onto the couch and close my eyes. This shit is exhausting for real, and it’s far from how I imagined it in my head. For someone who’s used to routine and stability, my new reality is total chaos. I’m glad to be home, to spend time with my family, and for my daughter to get to know her grandparents. But, at the same time, these changes are driving me up the wall. My desire to find balance is full of desperation, and I’m reminded of Amelia’s words once again.
Really, Hunter? Going back to the US will end your career—or more like the remnants of your former glory. Is that the life you want for yourself? For your daughter?
She pissed me off that day, and I made a promise to myself. I’ll give Story the life she deserves, and I’ll be at the top of my game in no time.
Love and relationships are off the table for me. Falling in love again sounds as unrealistic as Sir Alex Ferguson agreeing to come back and coach Manchester United. Marriage sucks, and I have no desire to go down that road ever again. Story and my career are the only things I care about, and I intend to do anything in my power to prove my ex-wife wrong.
A new message pops up on my screen, and I snatch my phone from the table. I quickly unlock it, and my lips stretch into the biggest smile. I might regret getting married to Amelia, but I’ll always be grateful to her for our daughter. Story is my whole world. She filled the void in my chest and gave me purpose, an undeniable strength to help me move forward. For her, I’ll move mountains, and I will never second-guess my decisions. If it’s good for my little girl, then I’m all in. Another reason I moved to the US. I knew it’d be better for her here.
I swipe through the pictures, feeling happiness overwhelm me. Hayden definitely made sure his niece had an amazing day. In one of the pictures, Story is sitting on a bench with an enormous ice cream in her hands, smiling at the camera. In another one, she’s jumping in the air with my brother. They’re both laughing, and their eyes are full of mischief.
The third photo confuses me a bit, and I zoom in to look more closely. Some blonde is holding Story’s hand. They both have their backs to the camera. I frown, trying to find an explanation. Then it hits me—she must be Hayden’s best friend. I haven’t seen her in years, but I recall a girl with blonde hair. Nothing else comes to mind because I barely know her, let alone remember her name.
ME:
When are you going to bring her back?
HAYDEN:
7pm?
ME:
Story needs to eat.
HAYDEN:
Don’t worry about it, big bro. I’ll take care of everything.
Tossing my phone onto the table, I stand up from the couch and stroll to my bedroom, passing Story’s room and a guest room on my way. I have three hours to myself, and I know what to do. I’ve been way too tense the past few days, and the need to relieve my stress is stronger than ever. A hot shower is a must, and then I can start my search from scratch. My first practice with Los Angeles City FC is on Monday, so I have about four days to find the perfect nanny for Story. Hopefully this time, luck will be on my side. I need it.
“Dad!” Story’s yell pierces the air, and I jump to my feet, leap over the table, and run to the hallway. I stop in my tracks the second my eyes land on my brother. He stares at me with his eyebrow arched in question, not understanding my bewildered look. “Daddy, you’re not going to believe what I did today.”
I shift my gaze to my daughter and crack a smile, leaning against the doorframe. “Tell me.”
“I was a lost girl.” She grins at me and steps closer, holding my gaze. “Piper and I snuck away from Hayden and went to watch the fennecs. They are her favorite animal.”
Her words ignite my anxiety, and it takes a toll on me not to snap. Being a lost girl and sneaking away with someone she just met doesn’t sit right with me.
“Weren’t you afraid to leave your uncle?”
“No. I was sure he was going to find us.”
“But what if he didn’t?” I ask Story, but Hayden decides to step in.
“And that’s why I was sure she shouldn’t tell you anything,” he mutters, the disappointment clear in his voice. “I trust Piper like I trust myself. She would’ve never done anything to hurt Story, would’ve never let anything bad happen to her. She’s wonderful, and she made the day a thousand times better.”
“I didn’t—”
“I know you, Hunter.” Hayden scratches his platinum blond buzz with his hand. He’s annoyed and disappointed, and I feel torn. Yes, questioning his decisions and his friend’s intentions isn’t nice. But at the same time, he has no idea what it means to be a dad.
“Sorry, it won’t happen again,” he says.
I open my mouth to tell him that he’s taking this the wrong way, but Story’s words make me freeze. “I want to see Piper again. She’s the best.”
“When did I say you can’t see her?” I crouch in front of my daughter, taking her hands in mine. “You know how much I love you, and hearing about you getting lost scares me to death.”
Story’s eyes roam over my face, the corners of her mouth twitching. She tries hard to suppress her smile, but fails. “We didn’t get lost. Piper sent a message to Uncle Hayden when we left. She gave him a clue.”
“Like a scavenger hunt?” I glance between Hayden and Story, and they nod. “Nice. She must really know what she’s doing.”
“Piper rocks. I’ve never met anyone who’s so good with kids. It’s like she understands them,” Hayden murmurs, grinning at me. “I felt like a third wheel.”
Chuckling, I stand. “Sorry if I upset you. It wasn’t my intention.”
“Nah, it’s all good.” My brother steps closer and covers Story’s ears with his palms. “I’m kinda used to my brother being a jerk.”
“Fair.” I lower my gaze to my daughter’s face. She reminds me of her mom so damn much, and sometimes that’s not a good thing at all. “Go to your room, change your clothes, and wash your hands. I’ll be waiting for you in the kitchen.”
“Okay.” Story runs to her room without looking back.
I focus my attention on my brother. “Want some coffee?”
“Definitely.”
In the kitchen, I quickly make the coffee while Hayden tells me more about his day with Story and his best friend. The longer I listen to him, the harder it is not to smile. Thanks to my brother, my daughter had an incredible day, and I should be grateful to Piper. I’ll make sure to thank her later.
“What about you? Did you find a nanny?” Hayden asks, taking a sip of his drink.
My eyes zero in on his tattoos. They cover his fingers and knuckles and go up higher, hiding under his tee. I have my fair share of tatts too, and they all are special. I could talk for hours about the things I’ve inked on my body, but I know nothing about my brother’s. Another thing I need to fix.
“Unfortunately, no.” I shake my head and lean back on the stool. “I need to find a new agency, because the last one was a total fiasco.”
“What are you looking for? I mean, I have no clue what you need from a nanny.”
“At this point, I just need someone who’ll love Story and be happy to spend time with her. Someone your niece will like.” I heave a sigh, looking around the kitchen. “Heck, I don’t even need someone with a degree. Just someone kind and attentive to my kid’s needs.”
Hayden watches me as if he’s in a daze. Slowly, he inches forward, setting his elbows on the table. “I know the perfect person for the job.”
“What? Who?”
“My best friend. Piper’s exactly what you’re looking for.”
