Page 11 of One Baby Daddy
“Wha—” Emma gives him a stern look and recognition lights up in Tucker’s eyes. “Oh, yeah, snacks. Boy, I could really use some more.” Rubbing his belly, he stands and takes Emma’s hand. Leaving me alone with Hayden.
That wasn’t obvious at all.
I could kill them.
Looking behind at the retreating couple, Hayden asks, “How long have they been together?”
“Seems like forever,” I sigh and take a seat on one of the logs surrounding the fire. Without invitation, Hayden joins me.
“I feel like we started off on the wrong foot.”
“Well, you were snooping.”
“Yeah.” He pulls on the back of his neck, and I take that moment to observe him.
Strong, thick thighs stretch the denim of his jeans. Pulsing, sinew-filled forearms, biceps like boulders straining the sleeves of his T-shirt, and a set of the broadest shoulders I’ve ever seen, making me feel incredibly small and fragile. His jawline is sharp, caressed in a light brown stubble. And his eyes, shades of brown and gold hooded by dark brown eyebrows and a thick head of styled hair. He’s rough and untamed with his scruff, but styled and sophisticated when it comes to his hair.
In fascination, I watch his large hand move back and forth along his neck. Does he have calluses on his hands from holding a hockey stick a good portion of his life? Does he enjoy the scrape of his fingers along his skin?
And his ears, they stick out barely more than others, giving him a boyish charm that warms my heart.
“I’m worried about him,” Hayden says, pulling me from my reverie. “His house used to be fully decorated, fully furnished, and he has all those overdue bills. I didn’t mean to snoop, I just . . . is he doing okay?”
“He’s making things work,” I answer honestly, knowing a little bit about Racer’s financial struggle from Emma, who heard it from Tucker.
“I would offer to help him, but knowing Racer, he would never accept any kind of help.”
“Never.”
“So how do you know Racer? You guys seem pretty close.” Chuckling, he adds, “Really close. Told me you were off limits.”
My eyebrow rises, my head tilting to the side. “That man is infuriating. We’re just friends if that’s what you’re getting at. I met him through Tucker and Emma, and for some reason, he thinks it’s his job to protect me from any and all men.”
“It’s good to have a friend like that, you know, with all the psychos out there. You can never trust just anyone.”
“Especially hockey players, right?”
“Oh no.” Hayden shakes his head. “Hockey players are very trustworthy. Upstanding citizens. Some of the best people you will ever meet.”
“Is that right?” I turn on the log to face him, straddling the wood. Insert your perverted thoughts right here, I know you’re having them. “What brings you to Binghamton? Don’t you live in Philadelphia?”
Propping his thigh on the log, turning as well, he says, “Needed a little breather. It was a long season, the Brawler fans are ruthless, so I didn’t feel like walking around the city being heckled every turn of the corner.”
“They do that?”
He nods slowly. “At the beginning of the season, when I was still getting my feet wet, we lost against our rivals. It was a tough loss and wasn’t taken very well by the fans. The next day, I couldn’t walk ten feet in the city without being booed. They are ruthless.”
“Seriously? Wow, I had no idea grown men could be such babies.”
“Grown men, women, and children.” He chuckles. “So you can understand wanting to get away.”
“Makes sense. I’m wondering why Binghamton out of all places. If I were you, I would have gone to some exotic location.”
“Thought about it, but I have obligations in the city, sponsorships and whatnot. Figured this would be easier. And I’m staying in a killer cottage up on a hill that looks over the city. It’s peaceful, just what I need.”
“Sounds relaxing. What I wouldn’t do for a little break right about now, which sounds ridiculous because I’m new to the workforce, but still . . .” I shake my head, hating that I have an early shift tomorrow. Seven to seven. It’s better than a late night shift, but it’s still tiring.
“What do you do?”
