Page 31 of Cross-Checked

Holding her facing out, so she can see him, I dip my head toward hers. “See that scowl, baby girl? You’re going to need to learn how to ignore it when your daddy does that.”

I glance at him in time to see the way he bites his lower lip like he’s trying to hold in a smile.

“I’m not scowling,” he grumbles as he gathers up the changing pad and wipes, tossing them in the bottom of the stroller before he puts Abby’s diaper in a small bag, ties it off, and tosses it in the trash. It’s all done with practiced efficiency, and before I know it, he’s nodding his head toward the door.

I lead the way, with Abby in my arms and him following behind with the stroller. And when we exit into the hallway, Ralph is walking toward the bathroom and giving us an inquisitive look.

“That was a nasty diaper change,” I tell our security guard. “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.”

“There’s not even a changing table in there.” He looks at McCabe. “Why would you?—”

“Don’t you dare ask why a man would need to change his baby’s diaper,” I say. “The better question is, why aren’t there pull-down changing tables in the men’s bathrooms like there are in the women’s?”

He holds his hands up. “I wasn’t saying...”

“It’s a problem that will be rectified soon enough.” I turn back toward my player, my voice oozing professionalism. “McCabe, let’s finish that conversation in my office. Now.”

“So that’s your solution?” McCabe says, sitting across from me while I hold Abby, lightly bouncing back and forth where I stand behind my desk. The six feet of distance and a baby between us have kept things professional, but there’s no doubt we’re more familiar and friendly than we would have been before he had me naked. “You think your brother would be a more reliable nanny than the one I just fired? Even though he’s the same age she is, with even less experience?”

“Like her experience did you any good” I give him a pointed look. “Besides, Nicholas is like me with babies.”

“And how’s that?” he asks with a curious tilt of his head.

“Babies love us.” I don’t know why we are both so great with kids, given our upbringing. “Plus, he’s studying child psychology, and he volunteers at the NICU where his girlfriend interns. He’s dealt with much fussier babies than this perfect angel,” I say as I look down at Abby gnawing on her fist, and kiss the top of her head. She’s still got that baby scent, and if I had functional ovaries, I’m sure they’d be exploding with the desire to have a baby just like her someday.

“But has he ever spent a long period of time with a baby? Holding them for a couple hours in the NICU is...really nice of him...but it’s not exactly the same as taking care of a nine-month-old.”

“I think he could handle it. And he lives with his girlfriend, Nicole?—”

“Wait, so their names are Nicholas and Nicole?” He lets out an amused chuckle.

“Yeah, and they’re stupidly cute together, and super easy to get along with. Anyway, she’s getting her nursing degree, and interning at the NICU, and taking a summer class, so that all keeps her pretty busy. He’s just waiting tables for the summer and could easily switch to watching Abby instead.”

“I’d only need him until the playoffs are over,” he says. “Would it really make sense for him to quit his job for what could be...”

He doesn’t say it. He doesn’t mention that this could all be over next week if we don’t win four games. No hockey player is going to jinx it like that.

“I’m pretty sure you’re going to need him well into June.” I’m confident these men can take us all the way to the finals, and I’m looking forward to watching them do it.

“Why would a college-age guy want to watch a baby for the summer?”

“For the same reason a college-age girl might, I suspect: it’s a job. With better pay than waiting tables. And like I said, babies love him.” He’s come over to Lauren and Jameson’s with me before, and Lauren’s twins treat him like he’s their own personal jungle gym, which, somehow, he seems to love. “I’d have to double-check with him about this, but I know my brother pretty well, and I think he’d be up for it.”

“Even with all the nights he’d have to stay at my place with Abby?” He sounds like he can’t imagine a college kid who doesn’t want to go out partying every night.

“He’s kind of a homebody. Plus, he and Nicole stay at my place when I travel with the team, so he’s already used to being there while we’re gone. Staying at your place to watch Abby wouldn’t be that big of a difference.” As if she recognizes hername, she kicks her feet excitedly. “See how excited she is about this?”

McCabe unfolds his arms from their resting spot across the t-shirt that’s stretched over his chest, and drapes them along the arms of the chair instead. “Why do they stay at your place when you travel?”

“I have an ancient cat who hates people but also goes crazy and pees on the rugs and tears apart the furniture when no one’s around. I assume she’s confused and thinks she’s a dog.”

A small smile graces his pale pink lips, pushing his cheeks up and making the angular lines of his cheekbones soften. He looks good when he smiles. Not that he everdoesn’tlook good...but he looksbetterhappy.

“What?” he asks, studying my face.

I lift my eyebrows and put a neutral expression on my face, afraid to let him know how closely I was watching him. The only time I should be watching him that closely is on the ice.

“We still haven’t talked about the press conference,” I say, as if that was the thought running through my head a moment earlier.

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