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I don’t want to have to kill them for putting a move on her. And they would. She’s a fox. A challenge. And when she gives it up, her laugh is like music.
And then, because I’m a fucking idiot, still staring at Nora’s profile wondering if she’s going to give me another look… Baxter introduces himself and asks about Otto.
“Shit, sorry. Yeah, Otto’s doing good.” I fire off his stats, weight, length, and wingspan, which the doctor didn’t get but I did. “How’s Julia?”
“Awesome. On her way home from LA tonight. She’s going to be pissed she missed meeting this guy.” Baxter’s wife is Julia Wesley, the top sports reporter in the country, and she travels even more than we do.
We walk back toward Talia’s office, where I’ve got some paperwork to sign, and Baxter wants to know if I’m still set to return to practice on Friday and travel with the team on Sunday.
Christ, I want to tell him no, but this is my job. My only means of providing for this kid who’s already gotten shortchanged too much. But the thought of leaving him makes my gut ache.
So, I do what I’ve been doing the last couple days and look at Nora. She’s not paying much attention to Baxter or that we’re inside the main offices for Slayers Hockey. She’s reaching into Otto’s car seat to adjust his blanket and give his little fist a stroke with the soft pad of her finger.
I’m not leaving him alone.
I’m leaving him with a woman who knows how to take care of him and treats him like she loves him already.
Turning back to Baxter, I nod. “Absolutely. I’ll see you Friday.”
We get to Talia’s door where she’s waiting, and he peels off.
She congratulates me and hands me a gift bag with one of those impossible tiny T-shirts that snaps beneath his baby junk with the Slayers’ logo on the front andErikson #6on the butt. It’s fucking adorable, and I end up pulling her in for a hug even though I barely know her.
But after a few minutes of small talk, it’s time to get down to business.
“I’ll take him back to reception and give him a bottle,” Nora says, slipping his diaper backpack over her shoulder and then reaching for his car seat.
I don’t let go. “Talia, give me one sec to get her settled, and I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time. Oh, and there’s a lounge area no one really uses away from the elevators if you’d prefer less traffic.”
I know where she’s talking about and guide Nora there.
“Sure you’re good? I don’t have to do this now. I can come back another time.”
She lets out a light laugh and waves me away as she takes a chair and sets Otto on the coffee table in front of her.
She doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t look like she’s at a loss for what to do next… ever. She just coos at my baby and deftly transfers him to her lap for some lunch.
I can leave.
“Do you need any help?” I ask.
The look she gives me is patiently amused. The answer clear. “No.”
I can go.
“Okay, I’ll just…”
“Axel, go. Meet with the nice lady so we can get out of here.” She points to the bag. “You want to put a monitor up so you can watch from your phone? It’s in there.”
She showed me how to use it yesterday. But—
I’m tearing through the compartments in a flash. “It’s not that I don’t trust you.”
“I know. It’s in the side pocket… other side.”
“This isn’t like with the door.” An incident I will never live down.
