Page 1 of Protecting the Boundary
ONE
There is nothing in this world that I love more than my daughter—not even football.
That fact is driven home as I watch my sweet, tiny three-year-old curl up on the couch, a small tear falling silently from her face as she stares at the television playing one of her favorite cartoons.
“She’ll be fine,” my mother-in-law says from behind me.
Reluctantly, I break my gaze from my daughter and focus on my mother-in-law. Larissa Brooks is one of the finest women I know, and I’m grateful she was able to move to Los Angeles after Sydney died to help me take care of Kaylee. My parents wanted to move as well, but I encouraged them to stay put in Washington. They’re close enough that Kay and I can visit them, but not so close that I’d feel smothered by parents when I needed to learn how to be a parent myself.
Larissa somehow found the line between parenting me, helping me with Kay, and sorting through her own grief at losing her only child.
But even with her help, I still feel guilty every time I leaveKay, especially now that she’s old enough to be aware of how often I’m gone during the season.
I must not be hiding my feelings of guilt very well because Larissa steps forward and wraps me in a hug. “It’s okay, Romel. She knows you love her, but you have to go to work. She’ll be fine while you’re gone.”
I wish her words would soothe me, but they don’t. Especially not when Kay comes first. Football has given me the ability to give her a better life than I could’ve ever dreamed of, but it’s also the one thing that keeps me away from her more often than I would like.
Larissa steers me toward the door, keeping her hand on my back as she presses me forward. I could stop her if I wanted, but I wouldn’t dare disrespect her that way.
“I was hoping I could run something by you,” she says. “Kay is getting bigger and more active, as you know.” I nod. “While I’m loathe to admit it, I’m not as spry as I used to be. I can’t always keep up with her, which is why I was thinking maybe it would be better to get a nanny. I’ll still help out every so often, but the nanny would be able to keep up with her better than I can on a daily basis, especially during the season when you need more help.”
“A nanny?” I don’t love the idea of a stranger in my house, alone with my daughter. What if something happens?
“There’s a very reputable agency I’ve found. Full background checks—even going so far as to check fingerprints. They serve elite clients in the LA area, so you know they’re going to cover their b-u-t-t-s to make sure that their clients don’t end up suing them for all they’ve got.”
Now new doubts fill me. “So all these nannies know they’re working for rich clients?”
The last thing I need is some woman walking in herethinking she can be a nanny for the rich and famous when really she’s looking for a sugar daddy. That’s never going to happen.
As if reading my mind, Larissa frowns. “Romel, please keep an open mind. This would be a professional, not some woman looking for her future husband.”
“Good, because she wouldn’t get one.”
Sadness fills her light brown eyes—the same shade Sydney had, the same shade my daughter has. “The nanny thing aside, I don’t think Syd would’ve wanted you to be alone for the rest of your life.”
My chest tightens. “I’m not alone. I’ve got Kay. Plus, you and Jimmy are nearby, and I’ve got my brothers.” They aren’t brothers by blood, but they’re my brothers all the same.
I don’t know how I would’ve survived the loss of my wife if it weren’t for Gabe Romero, Dom Smith, and Ty Russell—the other three members of what LA Wolves fans have dubbed The Fierce Four. They kept me afloat when grief left me hollow. They are the reason I’m able to be the dad Kay needs.
Which is why the thought of retiring at the end of this season fills me with so much guilt. It would be the end of an era, the end of the Fierce Four and the LA Wolves as we know it.
“Romel.”
Oh, I know that tone.
“You know what I meant,” she says, sighing heavily and shaking her head. But instead of doubling down on me not being alone, she gets back on the topic at hand.“About the nanny?—”
“I don’t know, Larissa.”
“What if I did all the work? I’ll hold the interviews and make sure we get someone good. You know I love Kaylee more than life itself and would never put her with someone who might harm her.”
That’s true. If there’s anyone I trust to make sure Kay is always safe, it’s her grandmother.
“Alright.” I give in. It’s only for one more season anyway—not that I’ve told anyone that. “If you can find someone highly qualified and not psycho or money hungry or boy crazy or?—”
She pats me on the back with a smile. “I’ve got it covered.”
Then she pushes me out the door for my preseason meeting with the team.
