Page 14 of Puck Your Nanny

I have William’s diaper bag packed and ready, his favorite blanket already tucked inside. He’s in his carrier as I bring him down to the living room where Calvin waits. "Ready to go?"

He nods. "Yep." He smiles at William. "Ready for a road trip, little man?"

We head out to Calvin’s car, a surprisingly practical SUV. He opens the back door for me with a grin, and I fasten William’s carrier into the seat. As I pull back and straighten, sandalwood and lavender waft from Calvin as he closes the door and opens the passenger side for me.

I smile. "Thank you."

We're close enough it's clear, the scent is coming from him, and my stomach flutters as I slip into the car. He comes around and gets into the driver’s seat.

"That’s a nice cologne, Calvin. What brand is it?"

Calvin glances at me, puzzled. "Cologne? I’m not wearing any. I showered at the rink, and they only have unscented stuff there."

I frown. "But I smell something. Like sandalwood and lavender."

He shrugs. "Maybe it’s an air freshener? I buy them sometimes and then forget about them in the car. I don’t smell anything."

It must be an air freshener.What else could I be smelling? I shake my head. "Must be. Anyway, how long isthe drive?"

He glances at the GPS. "About an hour. Should give the little man a chance to take a nap." He pulls out of the driveway and heads onto the road.

I turn to check on William, but he’s wide awake. "He’s been staying awake longer lately. He seems curious about the world, which is good. Having some of the toys and things that are familiar will help."

"What about you? What scent are you wearing? Smells floral."

I blink, surprised. "I’m not wearing any perfume. I haven’t since I started working with kids. Too many sensitivities."

He glances at me at a stoplight, opens his mouth, then seems to think better of it, turning his attention back to the road. That was odd. Maybe we’re both imagining things.

"So." I try to fill the silence. "Nate said you sometimes cook?"

Calvin grins. "Yeah, I’m the designated chef of the pack, but I wouldn’t mind cooking together. Your lasagna the other night was really good. Don’t let Peter scare you off if you like cooking. He’s just an ass. But yeah, I grew up with a big family, so I’m used to it."

I lift a brow. "How big?"

"Six younger siblings, if you can believe it." He laughs. "My mom’s an Omega, and she always wanted a lot of kids. She got her wish. She had two kids with each of her mates, well, except for my biological dad. She had three with him, counting me. But I’ve always looked at all of them as my parents. I know that’s weird to people who had Beta parents."

I shake my head. "I mean, it wasn’t what I grew up with. Just me and my mom. But seeing pack dynamics in shows always made it seem fun. You never have to be alone, and there’s a togetherness Beta families don’t quite have. Before I presented, I secretly hoped I’d be an Omega to experience that one day. I come from a long line of Betas on both sides, so the chance of me being an Omega was slim."

Calvin chuckles, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, pack life isn’t all sunshine and roses. There are squabbles, disagreements, just like any family. But the bond, that’s something else. Knowing you always have someone who has your back is wonderful."

I nod, still looking at William in the rearview mirror. "I can imagine." I turn slightly in my seat. "Do Nate and Peter get along? Besides the pack bond, I mean?"

A wry smile twists Calvin’s lips. "They’re like oil and water. Nate’s all heart, all impulse. Peter’s all logic, all control. They clash constantly. But," he shrugs, "they respect each other. Andthey’d do anything for each other. Or for William, now." He glances in the mirror at William again.

"And you? You seem calmer than both of them."

He laughs. "Someone’s gotta be the mediator, right? I’m the eldest. It’s in my nature. Plus," he adds with a wink, "goalies need to be calm under pressure."

I smile. "I guess that makes sense." I notice how broad Calvin’s shoulders are, the way his t-shirt stretches across his chest. He’s strong, in a way that’s both reassuring and something else. Something that makes my cheeks heat as the memory of last night’s dream surfaces, unbidden. Nate, shirtless, in my old bedroom, then Calvin beside him, his hand resting on Nate’s bare shoulder, both of them looking at me with an intensity. Thankfully, William’s cries had jolted me awake. I don’t need to be having dreams like that about my bosses.

I clear my throat. "So," I start, "the other night, Nate mentioned his dad built the pack house. Is this house similar?"

Calvin nods. "Yeah, he made good money. Real estate. This place is more traditional, though. Less glass and steel, more homey, I guess. He designed it with a family in mind." He pauses. "Stacy loved it here. She was always decorating, gardening, filling the place with life." His voice holds a hint of sadness.

We lapse into silence, and I find myself staring out the window.

The drive takes a while, but we have a few trivial conversations along the way.

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