12. Conner

12

Conner

I flick on my signal, take a right turn and glance at Dani in the passenger seat. She's smiling as she checks on the dogs at the Airbnb. "It's crazy that no one at the party last weekend thought it was odd that you and I were ‘dating'." I do air quotes around the word dating.

"I know. I mean we hang out a lot so I guess they thought that was just a natural progression of our friendship and no one cared that I used to be married to Alec."

"Yeah, I got congrats from all the guys. They all said we make a good couple."

"Really?" She scrunches up her nose.

"Why so surprised?"

She snorts out a laugh. "Let's face it. I don't look like the girls you normally date."

What is she even talking about? I haven't dated in years, and haven't really felt like I missed out on anything. "Puck bunnies," I explain. "You can't tell one from the other."

She nods. "The girls wanted all the details."

"I swear women are worse than men when talking about sex."

"Are you telling me stories aren't shared in the locker room?"

"No."

She laughs at that. "But I think you might be right, and no, I didn't tell them you were amazing in the bedroom."

I grin at her. "Amazing, huh?" She rolls her eyes at me. "Oh, I was talking to Noah, and they're not going to their summer home until tomorrow."

She sets her phone down. "They don't mind staying home?"

"No, Camryn and Tate are looking forward to hanging out with Zoe, and it's a long weekend so they'll go to their summer home on Sunday. Besides, it's Noah's weekend with the cup, and he wants to have everyone over."

Frowning, she glances at her lap. "I didn't realize it was going to be a party." She nibbles her lip, concern on her face.

I capture her hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd mind."

She snaps back to her perky self quickly. "No, it's okay."

What the heck is going through her head? Did she want quiet time with Zoe and me? "Tonight, we'll make popcorn and watch a movie with Zoe."

She gives me a big smile. "I'd like that." A beat of silence and then, "Are you going to have a party when it's your turn with the cup?"

"I don't know. I wasn't really going to." I groan. "All that work and clean up." I eye her. Is that disappointment on her face? "Do you want to have a party?"

"I think it could be fun. I can't remember the last time I had a party." She chuckles. "I think it might have been my wedding. Alec never wanted to have anyone over."

"I can't remember the last time I had a party either." Maybe a party would be a good idea, a way for us to move on after…well, after Alec. I'm pretty sure Dani has just been going through the motions, right up until she asked me to be her baby daddy. How could I say no when she needs this so much, when it was her first big step in creating a new life?

"I was thinking," she says quietly, a little too seriously.

"About me naked?"

That makes her smile. "Always," she teases. "But seriously. I was thinking if we're going to baby proof my place, maybe it's time I did a bit of remodeling. Some new furniture, and maybe clean out some closets and boxes, and a new bed."

My heart tightens and I squeeze her hand. "Yeah?" She nods, attempting a smile as she wrings her hands together. There are so many stages of grief and clearing out her place of old memories so she can make new ones in an effort to move on is not going to be easy on her. "I can help with all that."

"No, that's okay. I wasn't asking that."

Maybe she really doesn't want me there, so she can be alone with her memories of Alec. She's definitely still in love with him. "It's going to be hard, Dani," I point out quietly.

"It's going to be hard for you too, Conner."

I nod in agreement. "Then let's do hard together, okay?"

She gives me a grateful smile that tugs at my heart. "I was online looking at some new furniture, and a new bed. Mine is getting kind of lumpy."

"A new bed is a good idea." I take another turn. "Seems kind of crazy that we both have such big houses, and we're the only ones living in them."

She laughs. "Yeah, we could probably share one and not even bump into each other for days."

Is she suggesting what I think she's suggesting? Would cohabitating be such a bad idea if we had a child? I guess it would be if she continues to move on and eventually find a husband.

"We'll have to baby proof my place too," I inform her. "Our little one will be at my place too."

"Right, and again, if we shared a place, we wouldn't have to do double the work."

Maybe she really is hinting at the idea of living together, but again, is that a good idea? Maybe if I did have her under one roof all the time she might see just how good we are for each other before she found a husband.

It was your brother she chose, dude.

Yeah, but it was me she chose to have a baby with.

It was your DNA she wants, remember?

Fuck off.

"My place or yours?" I tease.

"You have the pool."

Okay, she really has been thinking about this. Probably because she wants what's best for the baby. But before we make any decisions, she has to get pregnant first. "You're staying with me now while we work on getting you pregnant, and if you're going to be doing some remodeling, and buying new furniture, you'll need a place to stay until it's done."

She smiles like she likes that idea. I pass by Gina's café and look for a spot to park. The city is busy on Saturday. I finally find one and ease into the tight space. Dani sits up a little straighter, excited to be taking Zoe for the night. She's going to be an amazing mother, and knowing that eases some of my anxiety. If our child has troubles like I did in school, I'm sure she'll know what to do, and I suppose I eventually have to tell her about my dyslexia. I can't have her guessing what might be wrong with our child. Hell, I was in high school before anyone figured it out, and those early years were hell. Thank God I had a big brother who scared the shit out of my tormentors. And, if I hadn't acted out all the time, my parents might not have put me in hockey so I could take my aggressions out in a different way. It's funny how things work out.

That thought makes me think of Alec, and how I'm with Dani today because he died, and a huge knot tightens in my stomach, as a sound catches in my throat. I cough to cover it and reach for the door. I step out and circle the car to meet Dani on the sidewalk. I put my hand on her back and tug her to me.

We stop outside the café, and note the closed sign on the door. I turn to Dani who is frowning. "What's going on?"

"I don't know. She's always open on the weekend. Let me text her."

I put my face to the glass and glance in. "The place is empty."

"I hope nothing is wrong." She shoots off a text and a moment later, her phone buzzes. "She's inside and on her way to let us in."

The door opens and we find a very frazzled Gina standing in front of us, a bit of grease on her face, and sheets of paper in her hand. Honestly, she looks adorable, and I'm not blind. I've noticed the way the guys on the team watch her, but she has a child and maybe that scares them off.

Dani touches Gina's arm. "Gina, what's wrong?"

"Something's wrong with my commercial fridge, and the damn air conditioner is on the fritz again. I'm beginning to wonder if my uncle liked me when he left me this place." She waves the papers as she holds a screw in the other hand. "I had to close because the food all spoiled and I was googling how to fix it, because I can't get anyone in to repair it until next week. I found this screw on the floor so it might have something to do with it."

Dani takes the papers from her, and looks them over. She shows them to me, but they might as well be written in Greek. "Do you know anything about refrigeration?" Dani asks.

"Only that it keeps my food cold." I pull my phone from my pocket. "But I do know someone who does."

"Really," Gina says, her eyes wide with relief and gratitude. "Do you think they could come by today?"

"I'm going to check." I call up my contacts and call my buddy. He answers on the second ring. "Hey, you busy?" I hear his TV blaring in the background and know he's watching old games.

"Nah, just hanging, and heading over to Noah's for the party later." He mutes his TV.

"What's up?"

"I'm at the Nook with Dani. Gina's fridge is broken. She can't get anyone in to fix it for a week. Can you help her out?"

A moment of hesitation and then, "Yeah, sure. What seems to be the problem?"

I glance at the screw in Gina's hand. "We're not sure. It might just be a loose screw. Gina found one on the floor. Hopefully it won't take you long. We're taking Zoe for overnight, but we'll wait until you get here."

"Okay, be there shortly."

He doesn't live too far, so that won't take long and hopefully I'm not setting him up for a whole afternoon of work. "Thanks, buddy. I owe you."

"Yeah, you do," he teases.

I end the call, and Gina throws her arms around me. "Thank you." She turns to Dani and winks. "Cinnamon roll, told you."

Dani grins and they exchange a look that I know nothing about. "I'll have a cinnamon roll," I say.

"Come in. Zoe is upstairs with the sitter. I sent the staff home today because I couldn't open. But I do have coffee and cinnamon rolls."

We head inside, and the smell of fresh coffee reaches my nose. "Have a seat." Gina wipes her forehead and I tug on my shirt, the warmth of the place a bit unbearable. "You should have him check out the air conditioning too."

"I hate to ask too much."

"If he can, he can, if he can't, he can't. He won't mind."

"If you're sure." I nod and she smiles. "Okay, I'll get the coffee."

"I'll help," Dani says and they disappear into the back. Feet pound on the set of stairs behind me, and I turn to see Zoe coming my way.

"Hey kiddo."

"Conner," she squeals. "I can't wait to go swimming." A teenage girl comes down behind her, and her eyes are wide when they see me. "Hey."

"You're Conner Birch."

I grin. I always find it funny when people tell me who I am. "I am."

"Can I have an autograph?"

"Of course." I pick up a napkin. "This okay?" She giggles, and it tugs at something deep in my brain, something that reminds me of the day my brother died. I search the tables for a pen and try to push down the unease. Dani and Gina come from the kitchen, and I turn toward them as Zoe squeals, so happy to see Dani.

"You wouldn't happen to have a pen, would you?" I ask Gina. She sets the coffee down and pulls a pen from her apron. I scribble my name on the napkin and hand it to the girl.

"Thank you," she says, and giggles some more. She glances at Gina. "Do you need me for anything else?"

"No, we're all good. Same time next week, though?"

She nods, and gives a little wave as she heads out the front door. "Someone's a fan," Dani teases as she slides a cinnamon roll across the table.

"Dani, are you going to swim with me?" Zoe asks.

The smile falls from Dani's face. "Would you like me to?" Zoe nods emphatically as Gina shares a cinnamon roll with her.

"Mommy, are you going to be okay with me not here?"

Gina laughs. "I will miss you, but you don't have to worry about me, and you are going to have so much fun with Dani and Conner and Camryn and Tate."

"A lot of the other guys are coming with their families too, so there's going to be plenty of kids." Dani looks down, picking at her cinnamon roll. She has that concerned look on her face again. I know she likes the guys on my team and their families, so I'm not really sure what's bothering her.

"Do you have a favorite movie, Zoe?" I ask.

She throws her arms out. "I love Wish."

"That's streaming?" I ask Gina, and she nods. "How about we watch that with popcorn tonight after swimming?"

"Yes," she practically screeches.

"Inside voice, Zoe." Just then the front door opens and a little squeak, much lower than Zoe's crawls out of Gina's throat when Ash walks in. She sets her cup down, and if I'm not mistaken, her cheeks are turning a light shade of pink.

I stand and slap Ash on the back. "Thanks for coming."

Gina pushes back in her chair. "You called Ash to help with my fridge?"

"Yeah, sorry. Didn't I tell you?"

"No, you just said you were calling a friend." Gina stands, and smooths her hands over her apron. "You know how to fix fridges?"

"You seem surprised," he mentions.

"No, I mean yes…I guess I am surprised."

"This guy can fix anything," I tell her. "His dad was a handyman, and he made sure his son learned the skills."

"Oh, okay. Great. I really appreciate it, and I'll pay you for your time of course."

"Hi Ash," Zoe says. "Do you want a bite of my cinnamon roll?"

He glances at Zoe and backs up, like he's terrified of the little girl.

He holds his hand up, palm out. "No, I'm good." Zoe shrugs and finishes off the roll, and Ash looks past Gina's shoulders. "Do you have that screw?"

"What?" Gina says, the pink intensified in her cheeks.

"Screw." Ash looks a bit flustered himself. "You got a screw loose."

Gina almost looks offended. "I don't have a screw loose."

"No, I'm mean." He holds up his metal toolbox. "I brought all my tools. I wasn't sure what tool you might need."

I bite back a chuckle, because this is coming out all wrong.

"He's not insulting you, Gina. He's asking about the screw you had in your hand earlier," I explain, coming to their rescue. "Do you have it?"

"Oh, yeah, right." Blinking rapidly, her chest rising and falling rapidly like she'd been running, she reaches into her apron and produces it. "Screw."

I pick up Zoe's small backpack. "You got everything you need?" She nods, and I help her put it on her back. "Okay, see you at the pool later, Ash."

Ash grumbles something under his breath, as I turn back and spot Dani wagging her eyebrows and mouthing something to Gina, something that looks like, "Tell him what tool you need."