Page 2 of Hat Trick
I quirk my lips as I dry my hands off. "I'm not sure that's how that works. It looks like you kinda already do."
I finally meet his eyes and take pity on him. He's clearly panicked. I'm not exactly sure why, but I also can't recall any rumors of him being with anyone for a while now.
"Mr. Rhodes, come have a seat, let me get you a bottle of water." I say, gently tugging on his arm towards our reading glider. Looking at the glider I'm suddenly not sure if his large glutes will fit in it, but he manages to. He looks comically large in such a small chair.
I take the car seat from him and sit it down next to him before retrieving a bottle of water from our mini fridge. The daycare is small. We only have about six kids at the moment, and Margaret and I are the only employees, but I love it. It lets me earn an income while getting childcare hours while I finish my degree in pediatric behavioral science.
I squat in front of Carter and rock the car seat to ensure the beautiful little girl continues to sleep before looking at the distraught team captain.
"Okay, so tell me what's going on."
Without looking up from between his knees, he explains.
"So, let me see if I've got this," I say in summary. "Thirty minutes ago you were given a daughter you didn't know you had and appointed sole guardian." His eyes finally meet mine and I fight a swoon. Carter "Roadie" Rhodes is my number one fantasy. He's stunning and intenseon and off the ice, and right now, the way his eyes burrow into my soul, gives me goosebumps. Goosebumps I really hope he can't see.
"Yes." He sighs in relief. "I need a nanny."
"I'm sure we can find you someone. When do you need one?"
"Now. I need a nanny. Now. You. I'll pay you whatever you want. And you have to move in with me." He's starting to ramble again, but holy fuck. "Gabe and Luca will just have to deal with it."
"Mr. Rhodes, I'm sure we can find you someone suitable."
"Triple. I'll pay you triple whatever you make here, and we have a guest room in our house you can take. I work crazy hours, and travel. Oh my God, I have so much travel. I can't take a baby on the road with me!"
"Deep breaths, Mr. Rhodes."
"Carter, please."
"Alright Carter," I smile at him, patting him on the knee. Becoming Carter's personal nanny is both a daunting proposition and an intriguing opportunity. I've never been a personal nanny before, and I don't really know Carter, beyond what's available to fans everywhere. Now, not only would I be caring for his child but living with him too? And not only him, but I'd also be living with two other men I don't really know. I'd always assumed Gabe and Luca and Carter all lived together because they always carpooled to the arena together, but they're all very private about their personal lives.
I'm nervous. How do they live? Would they be annoyed by my presence? Were they typical bachelors and I was about to move into a frat house? Caring for one child would be simpler than caring for the six in the daycare and would allow for a more personal connection with the girl, but it was definitely out of my comfort zone.
I look back at Margaret who is essentially my boss. She smiles at me, knowing how I'm saving money for college, and triple my current salary would help me get there faster.
She waves a dismissive wave at me.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, dear, we can't have our Team Captain distracted or stressed. Especially at the start of the season. I'll call in one of the other girls and see if she can't fill in. Whenever you want, you'll always have a job here, though."
I love her for giving me an out. This is an incredible opportunity for me that I can't pass up. I give her a fierce hug and then she's on the phone with her sister to come in as my replacement.
"What's her name?"
Panic and grief mar his handsome face. "Oh my God! I don't know! I've been a dad for all of thirty minutes and I'm already fucking it up. I mean," he stutters, looking at the kids around him. "Screwing it up."
"You're not screwing anything up, you've had a bomb dropped on your lap and you're figuring things out. Do you have the case worker's number?"
"Oh! Yes!" He shouts, pulling a card from his back pocket.
I dial the number.
"This is Letty Washington."
"Good afternoon Mrs. Washington, this is Emily, Mr. Rhodes' new nanny. I believe Mr. Rhodes may have been in a bit of shock when he saw you earlier and doesn't remember the child's name."
She chuckles good naturedly on the other line of the phone.
