Page 2 of Keeping the Single Dad
Brodie flew into my arms. Pain crackled the length of my spine. The fitness test at the football club today had nearly destroyed me. My son squeezed me tight and the pain in my back intensified. I worked to keep a grimace from my face. I hadn’t seen Brodie since yesterday. We’d never spent a night apart. I’d missed him terribly.
“Bit swish here, isn’t it?” My sister, Rachel, peered around the fancy restaurant at the Beaufort Hotel.
Mirrors sparkled on every wall and the gold accents on the black furniture reflected the light in a dazzling display. The gentle tinkle of silverware and the low hum of conversation filled the air.
I pulled a chair out to let Brodie sit. “Would you expect anything less from Gabriel Rivers?”
I’d expected Gabe Rivers,theGabe Rivers, one of the richest men in England, and football royalty, to be a prick, but his reputation did him a disservice. He was down to earth and charming. He’d insisted I stay in his fancy hotel. Only a fool would turn down a free dinner and a four-poster bed for the night.
Rachel’s smile widened as she slid into a chair next to Brodie. “They must be serious about signing you if they’re rolling out Gabe Rivers to schmooze you.”
“Gabe’s a good guy. They all seem like good guys. It’s a young squad. Most of them are in their early twenties. The captain is half my age.”
Rachel picked up an elaborate silver salt shaker and examined it with a faint smile. “They don’t have your experience.”
No, but they have fresh legs and spines that don’t creak.
I smoothed the thick tartan wool of my kilt and sat. Usually, I only wore the kilt for special occasions. I’d never worn it outside of Scotland. The Calverdale United social media team had insisted upon full regalia for the promotional video. In the end, it was ridiculous. It wouldn’t have surprised me if they’d pulled out bagpipes and haggis.
I winced at the prices on the fancy menu and sent my sister a‘can you fucking believe this?’glance over the top of Brodie’s head. After humble origins, I’d been playing football long enough to afford anything, but I still didn’t appreciate being ripped off.
Brodie bounced excitedly on his chair. “Daddy, who’s your second favorite pirate?”
“I don’t even have a first favorite pirate.”
The nutmeg freckles on Brodie’s nose bunched. “Why not?” He leapt from his seat and swished his imaginary sword in an arc through the air. “I’m going to be a pirate when I grow up, either that or a dog walker.”
An elderly woman at the table next to us fingered the pearls around her neck and shot Brodie a withering look. I raised a questioning brow. She frowned and turned away. I had no time for people that had an issue with kids in public spaces. Brodie had as much right to eat his outrageously overpriced meal in here as anyone else. He just did it with more relish. The poor kid had been through so much. I chose my battles these days.
“Come here.” I smoothed his thick yellow hair between my fingers. “When the time comes, you’ll make an excellent pirate or dog walker. Or do both. Pirates must outsource their pet-care. How else do they go on those long voyages? You could be a dog walker for pirates. They might pay you to look after the parrots, too.”
Brodie’s toothy grin made warmth bloom in my chest. Our overpriced food arrived and we tucked in. The only time Brodie was quiet was when he was eating.
Rachel sipped her wine. “So? When do you start?”
“I have a contract meeting tomorrow. If the lawyers agree then it’s good to go.”
Rachel smiled. “We can’t wait to have you both down here. The girls are so excited to have their favorite cousin around.”
Brodie straightened in his chair. “Can I stay with Auntie Rachel, tonight? Please. Please.”
Rachel hitched her shoulder. “It’s fine with me as long as your Dad doesn’t mind.”
My heart contracted. That would mean two nights apart in a row. Brodie squeezed his hands together and gave me puppy dog eyes. As if I was ever going to say no to that. Anyway, this was good. Great, actually. This was Brodie being independent. He’d been so anxious and clingy. For a while, I couldn’t even shower without him in the bathroom. This was a good thing.
I ruffled his soft hair between my fingers. “If you like, pal, but you’re missing out on the fancy rooms they’ve got here.”
Brodie shrugged. “Auntie Rachel’s house is fancy.”
Rachel chuckled. “I wish.”??
We finished our meals and when it came to the bill, the waiter wouldn’t let us pay. Gabe Rivers wasn’t just letting me stay in his fancy hotel, he was also feeding me. Definitely a good guy. I held out Brodie’s coat for him.
Rachel squeezed my shoulder. “A night off daddy duties. You should treat yourself to a drink at the bar.”
“I don’t drink in the season.”
“One pint won’t hurt.” She raised a mischievous eyebrow. “You never know, you might meet a beautiful stranger to spend the evening with.”
