Page 10 of Nanny for the Rockstars

“We are,” Julian says.

“Okay, but like, who is the official father?” I ask, phrasing the question a little more specifically. “Like, who is the specific one who is actually Daddy?”

“We all are.” Julian motions to the three of them as he speaks. “The girl didn’t point out who it was, so we’re all stepping up to take the baby.”

“No paternity test?”

“A standard paternity test isn’t going to say which of us is which,” Caleb says. “But it will say whether this girl is the mom.”

“Wouldn’t you need the mom around to do that?” I ask. “And isn’t that a maternity test?”

“Same difference.” Julian rolls his eyes. “And we would need to have her around except for the fact that we found several of her hairs on the baby blanket. We’re assuming that’s her hair, and that’s what we’re using to confirm whether she is the mother.”

“We’re getting off topic,” Caleb announces, clearly having an attitude. “We’re not here to figure out who the parents are, we’re trying to find a nanny for Hendrix. So, let’s come back around to that and discuss whether you’ll be a good fit.”

“Right,” I say, wiping my hands down the front of my jeans.

I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I know these guys, and what I know of them is that they are royal assholes. It’s not like I’m here to impress or anything. Though, after what we shared at one time, I’m having a terrible time wrapping my mind around the fact that there’s now a child in the mix.

I break the silence.

“It’s crazy that you have a son,” I tell them. “And what? No mom? Why do you need a nanny?”

“Long story,” Terry says.

“Not really,” Julian argues. “Baby showed up backstage with a note, and now we’re the daddies. So yes, we need a nanny. And I think you fit perfectly. You’re hired.”

“What?” I gasp, shocked at what I just heard. “You aren’t going to ask me questions or anything?”

“How have you been?” Terry asks with a smirk. “How’s that?”

“Look, the fact that we know you puts you above the rest of the applicants, so I agree with Julian, you’re hired,” Caleb says. “The kid’s name is Hendrix, and it’s up to you to keep him alive and happy while we’re on the road.”

“Whoa whoa whoa,” I say. “Hendrix? He showed up in your dressing room, and now you’re just hiring me to be the nanny? You can’t be serious.”

“How are we not?” Julian asks. “You’re the one who came in here to answer the job listing. It’s not like we set this up knowing you of all people were going to apply. We didn’t put our names in the listing for a reason.”

“I wish you had,” I say. “I never would have applied.”

“Oh, come on, let’s let bygones be bygones at this point, can’t we?” Caleb asks.

“No,” I say. “I hate you. I hate all three of you! And I’m sure once your kid is an adult, I’m going to hate him too if he’s anything like you! Do you have any idea of the hell you put me through all those years ago?”

“It was high school,” Terry says with a shrug. “And besides, you’re the one who saw it was us and still came over here. That tells me something.”

“I need a job,” I spit at him. “And you have a job. It really is as simple as that.”

“Then are you going to take it or what?” Julian asks. “We’re not asking to be friends here. We need someone who’s going to watch Hendrix for us, and you applied for the job. Black and white, you’re hired. How’s that?”

I don’t know what to say. I know this job is good pay, and I know I can take care of a baby. I don’t know about the other jobs I’ve applied for, the fact is I haven’t heard back from any of them in the past day, and that’s not a good sign in a place as large as Detroit.

“Fine,” I say. “But all I’m doing is what I’m hired to do, and that’s take care of the baby. I don’t want anything to do with the rest of you, got it?”

“Sure.”

“Fine with me.”

“Great, problem solved,” Caleb says. “We’ve got your number on the application here, but since you’re accepting I’m just going to blow off the other applicants this afternoon. We’ll be in touch later today and tell you where to meet us tomorrow to go over the details.”

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