Page 59 of Payoff Pitch
I blow out a long breath. “I do, and that’s why I can’t get involved with anyone, especially someone so important to Harper. And Bailey deserves to be treated right. Look at my track record. I haven’t had a real relationship since my divorce. Nothing but meaningless encounters. There’s a reason for that.”
Layton places his hand on my shoulder. “Look at what’s happened in my life over the past few months. I thought I didn’t want anyone until I found the right someone. Leave the possibility open. Bailey is an amazing woman. You’re one of the best men I know. I think you two could be incredible together.”
I shake my head. “No. Not happening. I’m not interested in something real with her or anyone else. Meaningless encounters. That’s it for me for the foreseeable future.”
He nods toward an attractive woman sitting alone at the bar. “She’s gorgeous and she’s been staring at you since we sat down. If you’re not into Bailey, go talk to her. Go have a little casual fun with her.”
He’s challenging me. Maybe I need to do this to get over Bailey. To move on from my infatuation.
I stand. “Fine. I will.”
I’m finallyon my way home. After ultimately being uninterested in an extremely willing and attractive woman, I’m more stressed than ever. The guys were testing me, and Ifailed. I don’t want anyone but Bailey. They know it. I know it. The question is, what am I going to do about it?
I arrive home just after nine, meaning I won’t get to say goodnight to Harper. It’s rare, and I hate when it happens. My time with her is already cut in half. When I miss one of my nights it feels like double the amount of missed time.
I walk in through the garage and the entire first floor of the house is dark. I wonder where Bailey is. On the few rare occasions I’ve been late getting home, and Harper is asleep, I always find Bailey in the family room either watching a movie or reading a book.
The only light I see is in the stairwell leading to the second level. I quietly make my way upstairs and hear voices. In her sleepy voice, Harper asks Bailey, “Will you still be my nanny when your season is over? All through the school year?”
“If you’ll have me, sweet girl.”
I can’t help but wince at the nickname she calls Harper. It makes me cringe.
Harper whispers, “I don’t ever want you to leave. I love you.”
My heart melts for my little girl and how much Bailey has come to mean to her.
I hear Bailey sniffle as if Harper’s words clearly made her emotional. “I love you too, Harper. Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. My season will be over tomorrow. Then we can spend even more time together.”
“Will you come to my championship game next week?”
“I sure will. Nothing could keep me away.”
“Do you think you’ll be the hero again tomorrow night?”
“My sister was the hero last night. Not me.”
“Daddy says you’re the real hero. Will you teach me that flip thing you did?”
Bailey lets out a laugh. “I’m not sure you can teach that.I was a little crazy for doing it. I think my adrenaline got the best of me.”
Harper giggles. “It was the coolest thing I ever saw in my life. Daddy and I replayed it on his phone a thousand times.”
“Throwing from the slot at seven years old is pretty cool too. I think you’ve finally got it down.”
“I’ve been doing what you told me. I’m visibilizing it.”
I hear Bailey giggle. “It’s visualize, not visibilize. You’ve got to close your eyes and imagine yourself doing the things you want to do.”
“I will. I’m going to visualize being a hero like you.”
“I have no doubt it will happen for you. Do you remember the softball phrase of the day?”
Harper responds, “Ducks on the pond. When two or three runners are on base. You say it to the batter to encourage them to knock in the runners.”
“Excellent.” I hear her kiss Harper. “It’s time for bed. It’s past time for bed. You need to rest up and eat well going into your big game next week.”
Harper lets out a huge, audible yawn. “Okay. Will you tell my daddy to give me a kiss when he gets home? Even if I’m asleep.”