Page 24 of Single Glance

“Nah,” I said. “Gotta get home to my kid. Missed her like crazy.” I looked over at my new teammate who’d become my friend. “But have fun, man. Looking to meet someone?”

“Nah, not for me.” He shook his head. “That shit’s too hard during the season. Gotta give everything to the game, you know? No one’s going to get in the way of that.”

“I get it.”

“So no to the bar?”

“Not tonight,” I said as I closed my eyes. “Maybe next time.”

It was almostdawn by the time I walked through the front door. Maybe getting an apartment in the city wouldn’t be the worst idea. I’d have to wait until Victoria got back, but it wouldn’t hurt to look, find a place to spend my nights when I didn’t have Emilia. My ultimate plan was to get a house a little closer to her, but a smaller crash-pad in the city for late nights like this one wouldn’t hurt.

The house was silent as I crept through the hallways, stopping when I saw the television on in the living room. I walked over and grabbed the remote, hitting the off button before I found Hadleycurled up on the couch. Test papers laid scattered all around her, some graded in a pink, sparkly pen, others still blank.

I smirked as I leaned down and gathered the ones that had fallen to the floor. Hadley made sense as a teacher. When she first mentioned it, I didn’t know if it would be a good fit. She was too wild, too unpredictable. But after watching her with Emilia for years, I’d learned that was only one side of her. Hadley had this way about her, a graceful patience I’d never emulate. She’d always show Emilia how to do things on her own, guiding and correcting her but letting my daughter discover new skills for herself. It helped Emilia when she got to school. She wasn’t afraid to take risks or try something outside her comfort zone.

All because of Hadley.

The fearless, willful woman who was becoming my obsession. After dropping the papers on the table, I ran my hand over my face. I was not this guy. I didn’t get obsessed—especially about a woman. Emilia and baseball. Those were the only things that mattered. I barely had enough time for those two things, much less a relationship.

Hadley shuddered in her sleep, her face scrunching up. She shivered, and for a moment, I thought about draping a blanket over her and leaving her on the couch, but she squirmed against the cushions like she couldn’t get comfortable enough. Fuck it. I reached down and pulled her gently into my arms, letting her head settle against my chest. A soft hint of her shampoo hit my nose, the smell soft and intriguing. Floral, fresh. It reminded me of opening days and quiet spring mornings. When I took a step toward the stairs, Hadley stirred in my arms. Her brow furrowed with confusion as she looked up at me, her eyes out of focus, like she still slept.

“Cam?” Hervoice crackled. “What are you doing?”

“Putting you to bed,” I said. “Close your eyes, Hadley. I’ve got you.”

Normally, something like that would have caused her to lash out, reminding me she didn’t need anyone to take care of her. Instead, Hadley just nodded, her head returning to the crook of my neck. Her soft breaths graced my skin, and I had to shake my head to still the images crashing into my mind.

Holding Hadley was a mistake. Her body was too soft, the curves that always called to me too close. She’d made plenty of comments about her body before, especially how she filled out clothes, but I loved her curves, such a contrast to her sharp personality. It was an intoxicating combination that made my head spin. Lately, I’d been obsessed with wondering what it’d be like to guide her full hips as she rode me, my fingers soft enough not to hurt but tight enough to leave marks on her skin.

I pushed open Victoria’s bedroom door and placed Hadley down on the bed. She’d stayed here plenty of nights, but the room held none of Hadley’s stuff. It was all mementos of Victoria and Adam’s life together. Emilia was a frequent addition in the photos, but most were just the two of them. Looking around the room, I expected to feel a pang of nostalgia, longing for what might have been. Instead, the woman lying on the bedspread drew me in, consuming all my thoughts.

I walked over to the bed and grabbed the blanket at the foot, then draped it over Hadley. She smiled in her sleep. I put that image away for later, wanting to remember the content smile when she hated me tomorrow. Without thinking, I reached down, brushed a couple of her blonde waves away from her face, and kissed her forehead. Don’t ask mewhy I did it. I had no fucking idea. But I couldn’t stop myself.

When Hadley got settled, I went upstairs and peeked my head inside my daughter’s room. She slept in her bed, clutching another stuffy in her little arms. I sat on the edge of her mattress and ran my fingers through her hair. She must have sensed me, because she opened a sleepy eye. When she realized it was me, she bolted up and smiled. “Daddy, you’re home!”

“Yeah, baby. Sorry I woke you up.”

“It’s okay,” she yawned. “I missed you.”

“Missed you more, kiddo. Did you have fun with Auntie Hadley?”

“So much fun,” Emilia said as she leaned back against her pillows. “We made a present for Mommy and Adam. Hadley let me use the grown-up markers and everything.”

“Glad you had fun, Em.” As her eyes fluttered closed, I leaned down and kissed her forehead. No matter how much I wanted to crawl to my bed, I wasn’t ready to leave her side. Five more minutes. That was all I needed. After almost a week without my daughter, I wanted a couple more minutes to hold her as she slept.

At least, that’s what I told myself before my eyes closed as well.

NINETEEN

I woke up the next morning wrapped up in a blanket. It took me a minute to realize where I’d fallen asleep. The last thing I remembered was trying to keep my eyes open until Cam got home, wanting to see him for some unknown reason. Apparently, I must have forced myself up here.Thank God. That couch might be comfortable for sitting, but now that I was getting older, I couldn’t crash like I used to.

Wait—what time was it? I fumbled for my phone, unable to find it in the mess of pillows. I glanced over at the alarm clock. 6:35. Shit, shit, shit. I’d overslept by an hour, and now, my whole morning routine was fucked. Most days, I was an early riser, trying to get my morning yoga session done before I got ready for school. I’d let it slip this week, too busy trying to get Emilia presentable and out the door.

I jumped out of the bed and dashed down the stairs. If I didn’t rush, we’d be late for drop-off, and Laila had to be starving. Okay, feed the cat, then get the kid out the door.

When I rushed into the kitchen, trying to figure out where I’d left my phone, I instantly stopped in my tracks.My cat laid on the floor by the sink, purring contentedly as she basked in the sunlight. She barely even looked up as I walked over and scratched her head. “How did you get over here?”

“I grabbed her this morning.”

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