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I slap his arm because he totally avoided my question. “If you want. Now, answer me.”
He sighs. “Remember that day we met Raelynn? My face was all messed up?” I gasp. “Don’t worry. Z’s face looked similar. We worked it out, and it’s no big deal. It’s long over. Leave it alone.”
***
Deanna was stunned as I pushed her into her car. The last thing she was probably expecting to hear is that Z and I exchanged a few punches. Maybe she’ll be over it by the time we reach the bar. Things have remained tense yet civil between Zane and me, but maybe the tense part is over now. I most certainly never want to walk into that box again if all those eyes will be watching me.
“I can’t believe you hit sweet, good guy Zane,” Deanna murmurs as we walk to where some of the guys are already sitting in a booth.
“He hit me first,” I defend, gritting my teeth at hearing her call him a “sweet, good guy.”
“Who is the hot chick?” Cal asks as I take a seat next to him.
“Hot chick is mine. Her name is Deanna. Deanna, this is Cal and Collin.” Deanna pinches my thigh and I glance over at her. “What?”
“Hot chick is yours, huh?” She grins.
“Don’t get cute.”
That only makes her grin widen.
“You’re the karaoke girl, right?” Cal asks. “Have you made him use the machine we gave him?”
Fucking great. Deanna glances at me before nodding and explaining to Cal that I gave her another show one night, while leaving out that it was only to cheer her up. When Meredith and Rams show up, I’m thankful, if only because Meredith talks to Deanna and asks about her. Not about us. They also start to bond over the fact that they are pet owners.
Z shows up, but Deanna doesn’t notice, even though he talks to Rams. The twins busy themselves talking to Hells about some video game. This is why I don’t come out with the guys. Most of my teammates are younger than I am. I don’t play video games anymore. Not exactly jumping into the conversation with Z and Rams because they’re across the table and I don’t know what they’re talking about. Where’s EJ or Savage when you need them?
Think of the devil and he shall appear.
EJ comes over with a beer in his hand and I scoot Deanna out of the booth for him to take my place. I take Deanna’s seat and she sits in my lap sideways.
“I didn’t think you’d come.”
“I wasn’t going to, but Raelynn said if I wanted to, I should since the kids are asleep. I don’t plan to stay too long.”
“How is she doing so far?” I ask.
“Good. I almost feel like I can finally relax knowing that Ma isn’t away from home and away from my dad, but at the same time, I don’t feel like much has changed. She’s hesitant about some things, but I don’t really have time for her to be hesitant. And then, having Jackson there is kinda crazy, but he’s a quiet kid. It’s working out, so that’s all that matters.” He turns his bottle of beer on the table and glances at me. “You know what I kinda miss? Having the house completely to myself.”
“Seems reasonable.” He went from living alone to having a baby and his mom with him and now, it’s two kids and a nanny.
“I feel guilty for missing it because I love my princess, but one of my favorite pasttimes was lying on the couch in an empty house and watching movies. I never get to do that anymore.” He groans. “I’m not complaining, I swear.”
I laugh. “Didn’t think you were.”
“Hey, EJ,” Deanna says, turning in my lap to face him. “When can we babysit that beautiful baby of yours?”
“Don’t offer babysitting services for me, darlin’,” I tell her as I pinch her side.
“Whenever you want,” EJ answers. “And he loves Bree, so he’ll do it anyway,” he adds, which earns him a glare from me.
“She offers to babysit and you say yes. I offer to babysit and you never actually let me. What the fuck?”
He laughs. “It’s not intentional. Why does someone need to babysit my daughter when I have no reason for someone else to watch her?”
“Do it for the people who want to watch her,” Deanna says as if that’s the most obvious answer.
“That won’t work either,” Meredith jumps in. “I tried that.”
