Page 26 of Over Time Advantage

Diane: He’s a sports figure.

Lloyd: You like them that young? Maybe I’ve got your age wrong.

We haven’t officially exchanged ages. It’s become a running joke trying to guess, though I suppose it’s always me trying to guess his age.

Diane: I didn’t say he’s a player, did I?

Lloyd: Ah, perhaps a sportscaster?

Diane: Not that either. That’s all you’re getting from me. A girl needs to have her secrets.

Lloyd: I’m too old for secrets.

Diane: How old are you?

Lloyd: Old enough that in elementary school, we made ashtrays for our parents in art class.

I giggle.

“Mommy,” a sweet little voice croaks from my doorway.

I look up to see a sleepy Harper standing there in her pajamas, rubbing her eyes. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I’m parched.”

I smile at her word choice as I motion for her to come join me in bed. “I have a bottle of water right here.”

I quickly shoot a message to Lloyd, letting him know motherhood has called and I need to cut our conversation short before placing my phone down on the night table.

Harper crawls into my bed and downs half the bottle of water before snuggling up to me. I hold her tight as I inhale her hair, taking comfort in the familiar strawberry scent of my little girl.

She looks up at me with turquoise eyes just like mine. “I like that I get to be with you every night. I miss you so much when I sleep at Daddy’s house.”

Tears immediately flood my eyes while my heart feels the squeeze that only a divorced parent can understand. “Me too, baby. Me too. But I’m always thinking about you and missing you when you stay at Daddy’s house. Every single second.”

She nods. “Do you think Daddy misses me when I’m at your house?”

“I know he does,” I answer without hesitation while giving her a reassuring squeeze.

“I don’t remember when we all lived together in New York, but the past few weeks have been the best. I really like us all living together. I get to see both of you every night before I go to bed.”

I don’t know if my heart can take this conversation. Putting on my best brave face, I say, “It’s like a big slumber party, right?”

She nods. “Yes, and I love it so much.” She’s quiet for a moment before asking, “Are you going to move back to your house soon?”

“Eventually, but not yet,” I answer. I was actually going to talk to Tanner about doing so sooner rather than later. Bailey is out of the woods. I live nearby. I can come and give her therapy without living here. Now I’m reconsidering. Maybe Harper needs this time with us. Something special for her to remember. The only time she’ll remember living with both of us. I think I’ll shelve that conversation until after the holidays. I can stay and give my baby one special holiday season with both her parents.

SIX

JETT

“Men have cycles too, not just women,” Beau declares as if it’s common knowledge.

I place the weighted bar I’m pressing back in its slots before sitting up and looking at him in disbelief. I glance around at the rest of the team in our gym, and they all appear as bewildered as I feel.

Daylen’s eyes toggle all around. “Sorry to break it to you, but my dick doesn’t bleed.” He pauses briefly before continuing, “Except after that weekend I spent with Racecar Rachel in Mexico. My dick bled after that.”

Vance sighs as he towels off sweat from his brow. “I know I’ll regret asking this, but remind me why she’s called Racecar Rachel.”