Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

BAILEY

I smile at my computer screen. “Yes, Daddy, she’s behaving.”

Kam stands behind my computer out of his line of vision, shakes her head, and mouths, “No, I’m not.”

I can’t help but let out a laugh, and my father smiles. “She’s behind your computer and she’s not behaving, is she?”

I shrug and Kam dives onto my bed in front of the screen. “I always behave, Daddy. I’m an angel.”

She bats her eyelashes while he raises an eyebrow. “Kamryn Sarah Hart, you haven’t behaved a single day since you were born. Your sister came flying out with ease and then the doctors had to reach into your mother to pull you out kicking and screaming.”

Kam twists her lips. “I certainly can’t imagine why I’d want to stay in Beverly. Even her uterus is probably hostile.”

Dad sighs. “You know she hates when you call her by her first name.”

“The title of mother is an earned one, Daddy, and she most definitely hasn’t earned it.”

He shakes his head. “Stop vilifying her. She’s not a bad person. ”

Kam scoffs. “Did you throw up a little in your mouth when you said that?”

I better break this up. “As fun as Mom-bashing is, let’s change the topic. Daddy, have you seen many of our games?”

He smiles widely. “I watch all of them. You two are killing it. The announcers said Philly is loving you all and attendance grows every single day.”

I nod. “Yes. I’m sure you’ve heard that Arizona is dating Layton Lancaster. He comes to the games and brings other Cougars players. It’s been a huge draw.”

He shakes his head disapprovingly. “No, Bailey, it’s because of you and your teammates. You all are showing them how great you are. You’ve had three games where you two have gone back-to-back in home runs. With the way you two, Arizona, and Ripley are playing, that’s why the fans are attracted to you.”

Kam nods enthusiastically. “Fuck yeah, it is!”

Dad scolds, “Kamryn. Watch your mouth.”

I nod in agreement. “Speaking of which, I just got a job nannying and found myself cursing in front of the kids. I need to censor my Kam-inspired potty mouth.”

His face falls. “I thought you two were making more money in Philly. Are you okay? Why do you need a second job during your season?”

Kam answers, “We’re making decent money, and we have a lot of modeling offers, but Bails doesn’t want to do any of them. I’m doing ads for a skincare line. Bailey would rather work for pennies compared to what we can get for a few hours in front of a camera.”

I place my hands on my hips. “I enjoy working with kids. It’s so fulfilling. Why is this a foreign concept to you?”

“Maybe because I had a shit mother and therefore I don’t have a maternal bone in my body.”

We hear a nasty, froggy female voice yell out, “Stop your whining. And stop with the silly ball playing. You two should be married by now. ”

My head snaps to Kam, and I mouth, “Don’t start.”

We never FaceTime with our mother. He should know better than to call us when she’s around. And holy shit, her voice has gotten bad.

Before we can continue, I hear the front door of our apartment open. I get a glimpse of Ripley’s red hair, and I don’t want Kam and our father to get into things. I quickly mumble, “Daddy, Ripley is here to go to our game. We’ll talk to you soon.”

He blows out a breath. He knows I’m playing peacemaker. “Okay. Maybe during our next call you’ll chat with Mom for a bit,” he says hopefully.

Kam scrunches her face. “Ooh, I think I have a proctology appointment that day. That sounds more appealing.”

He shakes his head and sighs. “Love you both.”

In unison, we respond, “Love you too, Daddy.”

I end the call and look up at Kam. “Why do you start with the mom shit?”

She rolls her eyes. “Because she sucks. Thank god I’ve had you to mother me my whole life. Otherwise I’d probably be in jail.”

I notice Layton, Cheetah, Quincy, and Ezra all in the stands at our game this afternoon. Ezra waves at me and turns around, showing me that he’s wearing an Anacondas jersey with my name on the back.

I look over into the next section as something catches my eye. It’s Harper and Tanner. She’s waving like crazy at me and gets excited when she catches my attention. She turns around to show me that she’s wearing my jersey too. So cute.

Tanner smiles down at her. He’s such a loving father. He reminds me of my own in that regard.

This is the first time I’ve seen him in casual clothes. He’s in what appears to be golfing shorts, and an Anacondas T-shirt is spread across his broad chest. He’s just so hot.

When the game is over, I see Harper being hugged by all the Cougars. How exciting for her that she gets to be around so many superstars.

Kam, Ripley, Arizona, and I walk over to them. Arizona kisses Layton while Harper jumps into my waiting arms. I love how comfortable she is with me already.

I tug on her jersey. “I like your new shirt, sweet girl. Want me to take it to the locker room and have everyone sign it?”

She grins. “That would be awesome. Thank you.”

Cheetah nods. “That’s very charitable of you, Bails.”

Kam crosses her arms. “Are you not charitable, kitten?”

He winks at her. “I’ll have you know that I give about fifty percent of my money to Charity.” I smile at the sweetness but then he continues, “And when she’s not working, I give it to Destiny.”

The guys all chuckle. Fortunately, Harper has no idea what he just meant. Tanner and I look at each other and shake our heads.

He pulls Harper to him. “Ignore Uncle Cheetah. He’s a neanderthal.”

“Is he pompous, Daddy?”

Everyone looks shocked by her use of the word. I know her toilet paper is the reason for her enormous vocabulary, but they don’t.

Tanner smirks while he nods at her. “He most definitely is pompous.”

Layton, sensing a topic change is needed, says to Harper, “I heard a good joke. Want to hear it?”

She nods.

He turns to Cheetah. “Start dancing. Shake your booty.”

Without hesitation, Cheetah does as instructed. Harper is already grinning from ear to ear while watching his over-the-top moves.

“Faster. ”

Cheetah complies.

Layton smiles as he looks back to Harper. “What do you call a cow who twerks?”

Naturally, Cheetah begins twerking.

Harper giggles and asks, “What?”

“A milkshake.”

Harper’s giggles get louder. “That’s silly, Uncle Layton.”

Arizona looks at Layton practically with hearts in her eyes. She fell hard and fast.

TANNER

Even though it’s my night with Harper, I allowed Fallon to take her tonight before she leaves tomorrow to travel to her father. I texted my poker group about putting together a last-minute game.

Monthly poker games with several of my favorite local clients have been something I’ve always done. When Fallon and I were married and we lived in New York City, I hosted them there. Since I moved to Philly a few years ago, I’ve continued the tradition, though most of the faces have changed. Layton and Cheetah are now regulars. Trey comes sporadically. I think Gemma forces him to socialize with the guys now and then, though he prefers to spend all his free time with her. Vance McCaffrey and Daylen Humblecut from the local professional football team, the Philly Camels, are regulars too.

We drink high-end whiskey, eat good food, smoke Cuban cigars, lose money, and have a lot of laughs. I value this time with my clients who I consider my closest five friends.

I called my regular caterer to see if she could put together a few last-minute snacks for us, but she couldn’t do so on such short notice, so I just ordered a few pizzas. These guys don’t care. I prefer for it to be classier for my clients, but it doesn’t faze them.

I have a fantastic bar and game room in my house. Some might call it a mancave, but I think it’s a bit nicer than that. It does have a large, fully stocked bar, along with professional-grade poker and billiards tables.

Layton and Cheetah are pouring their drinks when Vance and Daylen arrive. They have a friendly rivalry. Cheetah holds up his fist for Daylen to bump. “How’s it going, Bumblebutt?”

Daylen lets out a loud, bellowing laugh from his enormous tight end’s body. “It’s Humblecut, Cheetah . Did you know that cheetahs can’t even roar? They’re the only big pussy cats who can’t. They only meow. So pathetic.”

Layton chuckles. “That’s a great fact. I’m using it with our team.”

Cheetah elbows him and mumbles, “Says the man who’s pussy whipped.”

Layton licks his lips and wiggles his eyebrows. “Sure am.” He looks at his watch. “In fact, you’ve got about two hours until my girl is back and then I’m outta here to go be with her.”

Cheetah turns his attention to Vance. “What about you, camel-toe QB, are you seeing anyone?”

Vance and Daylen are night and day, yet somehow, they’re the best of friends. Vance, with his dark, nicely brushed, and slightly overgrown hair, shows the world a grumpy exterior, even though I know the heart of a lion exists inside him. Daylen and I are the only people privy to just how big that heart is.

Daylen has blond hair that seems to have a new style each week. It toggles between longer and messy to a damn mohawk. He messes with his facial hair just as much. He’s goofy and lights up every room he enters with his larger-than-life personality.

Vance narrows his green eyes at Cheetah. “I might have my eye on someone from the Anacondas that you all like to hang out with. You know Kamryn Hart, right? She’s smokin’ hot. I met her at a club recently and we hit it off.”

I see Cheetah’s jaw tighten, and I turn to Layton with an unmistakable expression of surprise. He mouths, “He has a thing for Kam.”

Interesting. In all my years of knowing him, Cheetah has never been serious about anyone. I clear my throat. “I met her twin sister this week. She’s Harper’s new nanny.”

Vance asks, “Are they identical? I don’t think I met her.”

I nod, desperate to maintain a cool demeanor. “They are.”

Daylen wiggles his eyebrows. “Are you going to tap your nanny?”

Before I can answer, Layton does. “Hell no. Ezra has a thing for her. He’s super into her.”

I nearly break my glass I’m gripping it so hard. I bite back the unexpected surge of rage and casually ask, “Are they together?”

He shakes his head. “No. She keeps shooting him down, but he’s not giving up. He follows her around like a puppy dog.”

Cheetah nods in agreement. “I told him to play it cool, but he has no chill when it comes to her. She’s shy. I can’t imagine she goes to clubs at all. Bailey and Kam are total opposites. Kam is outgoing. She’s the funniest chick I’ve ever met.”

Vance winks at me. He knows about Cheetah’s crush on Kamryn and is messing with him. He looks back at the guys. “Kamryn told me they’re from southern Florida. I love it down there. The weather is amazing. For ten months of the year, it’s bend her over the balcony and lift up her sundress weather.” He bites his lip and mock shivers. “And Kam’s ass is quite a sight. When I had my hands on it—”

Cheetah stands and grabs Vance by the shirt, but Vance just starts laughing. “I’m just fucking with you, man. It’s clear you’re into her. I didn’t lay a finger on her.”

Cheetah releases him and mumbles, “Asshole.”

Vance nods. “Yes, I wear the asshole tag proudly. I did meet her. She’s a cool chick, though I thought she was into girls. I think she went home with one the night I met her.”

Cheetah smiles. “She’s into both. So fucking hot.”

Daylen smirks. “I have a lesbian friend, Bella. She gave me a Rolex watch for my birthday last year. I think she was confused about what I meant when she asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I said I wanted to watch, not a watch.”

We all burst out laughing. Daylen may be an even bigger goofball than Cheetah. The two of them together bring epic levels of madness.

Cheetah shakes his head before turning it to Daylen. “Bumblebutt, she’s bi, not a lesbian. There’s a difference.”

“Ooh, nice. What do you call a lesbian with braces?”

Cheetah thinks for a moment before a huge grin finds his face. “A box cutter.”

Daylen lets out a laugh. “You got it, pussy cat.”

Cheetah nods toward the pizza. “While you’re busy laughing at your own joke, hand me a slice.”

Daylen grabs one for Cheetah and one for himself and then snarfs down his slice in two bites. I swear the man must be half giant. I’m six feet, two inches and he’s at least four or five inches taller than me. He smiles when he notices me staring, and asks, “Did you ever wonder why pizza, which is circular, is put into a square box? And the biggest kicker of it all? We cut it into triangles. It’s one of the greatest geometrical mysteries in the world.”

I shake my head. “You’re a weird dude. ”

“Thank you.”

“It wasn’t a compliment.”

He gives me his big, goofy smile.

We have a great night of drinks, poker, and ball-busting. These nights always lift my spirits. I love this group of guys.