Zack(93)

But I also know as I lie here, with her warmth against me, that I’m just not ready to do it yet. Like I said…selfish fucker and all. I’m going to continue to be a drain on her, take her light and her good to help ease my dark. I’m going to do that until that day comes when she demands more and I say I can’t give it.





Chapter 28


Kate


“Have you gotten anything to eat yet?” Mely Bressard asks me as she lightly touches my shoulder.

I’m watching Ben play with some of the other kids in the giant inflatable bouncy house that’s set up on Coach Pretore’s back lawn. It’s only been five days since the Cold Fury lost to the Atlanta Sting in the first round of the playoffs, but it’s apparently a tradition to have a celebration at the end of the season.

I shake my head at Mely and with a smile tell her, “Haven’t had a chance yet.”

Because I’ve been focused on watching Ben, which is why I was brought to the party.

Zack told me that he would probably have a few drinks and wanted someone to keep an eye on Ben, which I also translated loosely into: he needed a designated driver.

But that’s fine. I know that Zack and I have become a little closer over the last few weeks, but I never forget my primary role as Ben’s nanny. So, I might not be able to hang with Sutton and Alex as they stand up on the back deck drinking their cocktails, and I might not be fortunate enough to have Zack look at me the way Garrett watches Olivia like a hawk, but that’s fine. I’m grateful for the strides I’ve made with Zack and even though I know I shouldn’t do it, I build up more hope as every day goes by that he will let me all the way in.

“You go and get some food before it’s all gone,” she says with a slight push on me toward the house. “I’ll watch Ben until you get back.”

I glance back at Ben, unsure if I should leave him. But Mely pushes me again and says, “Go. The quicker you get food, the quicker you can get back.”

“Okay,” I tell her with a grin. “Give me five minutes.”

I make my way into the house, wasting a few precious minutes as Sutton drags me over to meet some of the other players and wives. It warms me when she introduces me first as her friend, and then tacks on, “Oh, and she watches Ben for Zack.”

The food is all set up in the kitchen. I had seen this when I first walked into the monstrosity of a house. I haven’t been back inside since then, as there were so many activities set up outside for the children that I got stuck out there playing with Ben and some of the other kids.

I’ve seen Zack a few times over the last few hours we’ve been here. Despite his claim that he was going to tie one on, I’ve seen him with nothing but bottled water in his hand. I wonder why that is, but am afraid to hope that it’s because he really didn’t need me here to be his DD or to watch Ben. He wanted me here for himself and was just too afraid to admit it.

Fine. No worries. I’ll just keep trying to punch through his shell.

Apparently, I had not paid as much attention to the layout of the house as I had originally thought, and I mistakenly find myself cutting through the wrong side of the living room to get to the kitchen. As I start to turn back, I end up glancing into a large study, and I see Zack and Ryker standing in there talking. They’re both looking at some of the plaques and awards on Coach Pretore’s wall.

“He’s an excellent coach,” Ryker says. “It’s one of the reasons I was eager to come here.”

“Yeah.” Zack nods in agreement. “He changed my game completely around…made me a better player.”

“Good guy,” Ryker adds.

“Really had my back after the accident,” Zack reflects. “I owe him a lot.”

I met the coach when we first arrived and I was a bit intimidated by him, but his wife was very lovely and welcoming. I’m glad he’s a good man, though. Zack needed that type of support.

I smile to myself and turn to head toward the kitchen.

“So, how are things going with Kate?” Ryker asks, and my body halts in mid-step, my ears perking up like satellite receivers. I’m stunned that Ryker knows anything about me and Zack.

Or maybe he’s just asking about me in my capacity as a nanny? But if that’s the case, why is he asking? Has Zack been unhappy with the way I’m caring for Ben?

Even though it’s absolutely wrong, I lean up against the wall and lurk outside the doorway.

“Dude,” Zack admonishes him. “You know I’m not going there.”

This is definitely about our personal relationship.

“Oh, come on,” Ryker teases. “Give me something here. I’m dying to know.”