Lainey’s List Chapter 15

Nick

When I get home, Charlie is in the kitchen preparing a pitcher of margaritas. I look at the table set for four, the tequila and limes, with mixed feelings. I’m supposed to be shedding my attachment to Lainey and Cassidy, not fostering it.

“Honey, I’m home,” I announce. I toe off my athletic flip-flops and toss the gym bag near the front door.  Charlie shoots a disapproving gaze at my sloppiness, but if she can invite people over without telling me, I figure I can be a slob.

Speaking of surprise guests, I tell her, “By the way, Chip is stopping by.”

She pauses on her way to the table and makes a face. “Why?”

“Because he’s got some film for me to watch.”

“Can’t he email it?”

“Probably but he’s going to deliver it in person.” I pat her shoulder as I walk by on my way to the refrigerator. Inside, a Mountain Dew tempts me. I shove it aside and grab a jug of water. “Why’d I buy the soda?”

“For the same reason we have a giant container of cheese puff balls in the pantry. Because in the grocery store, you have the impulse control of a toddler.”

“Don’t insult Cassidy like that,” I joke.

Charlie grabs my arm. “I know you said that you wanted to move on, but Lainey’s my best friend and I love—“

“Cassidy like your own daughter,” I finish for her. “Same here.” A rueful smile tips the corners of my mouth up. “I couldn’t cut them out of my life, even if I wanted to.” I give Charlie’s hand a reassuring pat. “We’re all going to be friends. It’ll be fine.”

Good thing I’m not drinking the water yet or I might’ve choked on the friends label. I’ve got one female friend. Pretty sure that’s the limit for any heterosexual male.

“When is Chip coming over?”

“Dunno. Why?”

“You know Lainey and Chip don’t get along.”

“Do I know that?” I suppose I did. Whenever he came into Stacks, it seemed like Lainey disappeared to whatever side of the bar Chip was not on.

“Chip’s okay. He’s just…”

“A giant, walking, talking ego?”

“Yeah, but he was an NFL quarterback for five years.” I drink another glass of water before sticking the container back in the fridge. The green can of soda mocks me as I close the door reluctantly.

“So?” Charlie hands me plates, which I dutifully deliver to the table.

“So he’s used to a little adulation.”

She sniffs.

“Okay, he can be a jerk at times, but the guy’s got a lot going on in his life.” I’m not sure how I’d feel if I only got to play five years in the pros before being taken out by a massive injury. Resentful, jealous. I’d definitely not be in the mood to celebrate everyday. When I look at Chip, I see how easily my career could be over in an instant. So yeah, I’ve got a lot of sympathy for ol’ Chip.

“You know he hits on me all the time at the bar,” Charlie informs me.

I shoot her a confused look. “Do you want me to do something about it?”

In the past, Charlie’s always been touchy about me putting my nose where it doesn’t belong. Her dating life is her business, she says. Which is true to a certain extent. I’ve gotten fairly good at picking out which guys have potential for being decent long-term boyfriend material and heading them off before they can make a connection. It’s for the guy’s sake, really. Because as much as Charlie might want to deny it, she’s still in love with my brother, and any guy she hooks up with is always going to play second fiddle to Nate.

It’s best that I tell the lost boys to scram before she breaks their heart. She ruined a couple of my college teammates, not on purpose, just through sheer obliviousness.

“No. I’m perfectly fine telling him to go to hell but Lainey is not. If I’m not around, he’s hassling her.”

“What? Since when?” I haven’t seen any evidence of this, and I’ve been in Stacks plenty when Lainey’s been working and Chip’s come in as a customer.

“Oh, he doesn’t do it when you’re around—or many of the Mustangs for that matter. He’ll come in alone or with that jerk Kirkwood.”

Kirkwood is a third string tight end who has a perpetual scowl, likely from seeing so little playing time. He is a little bitch. I don’t like him much, but I also don’t have to spend any time with him now that I’m the starter. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was cut from the roster during the first round of trimming in August.

“I get that he’s got a big ego, but he’s been a pro quarterback for five years. You have to have a big swinging dick to play at that level. Sometimes that bleeds over into off the field stuff.”

“You’re not an asshole,” Charlie points out.

“Because I have you and Lainey telling me I’m not worth more than two grubby cents.” I’m only half joking.

Charlie gives me a ‘who cares’ shrug. “Someone’s got to do it.”

“Do the two of you have to enjoy it so much?”

The buzzer from the doorman interrupts whatever smart assed comment Charlie was going to zing back at me.

She peers into the screen. “Oh good, it’s Lainey. I’ll have time to warn her. Actually, maybe we’ll just go out for dinner while you and Chip meet.”

“What? No!”

She jerks back at the unintentional volume in my voice. I strive for a more reasonable tone. “I want to see Cassidy,” I explain.

Charlie gives me another arched look that says I’m not fooling her one bit.

Fortunately, I’m saved by the bell. Literally.

I don’t even have to work at summoning up a civil smile because Cassidy’s dressed up in her Cinderella costume, complete with her fairy godmother star wand. The girl is so danged cute.

“Uncle Nick!” she shouts as I lift her off the ground. She waves her wand and nearly pokes me in the eye.

“Hey doll face.” I give her baby soft cheek a kiss.

“I’m Cinderella.” She rubs her hand along my stubbled cheek. “You’re scratchy.”

“Didn’t know you were coming or I would’ve shaved for you.” Cassidy has made it clear on more than one occasion that she likes my face smooth. Lainey, on the other hand, has a certain appreciation for a rough cheek. I glance over the top of Cassidy’s blonde curls and see by the heat flashing in Lainey’s doe brown eyes that she’s thinking the same thing. The heat colors her cheeks, and my body tightens in response.

“Ow, Uncle Nick. You’re hugging me too tight.” Cassidy wriggles in my arms.

I force myself to turn away from Lainey. Christ, I need to get a grip. “Sorry, pumpkin. Want to show me what’s in your purse?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. Mom says my purse is private.”

“Okay then.” Again, my eyes move to meet Lainey’s to share the cuteness that is this adorable kid. Her face is averted, though, trying to avoid looking at me.

Cassidy pushes at my arms again. Was I holding her too tight again? I set her down and swallow a sigh.

“Come here, baby,” Lainey says and pulls out a coloring book and pencils. “Why don’t you sit at the table while I help your Aunt Charlie with dinner.”

Cassidy obediently follows her mother’s order. She pats the seat next to her with a small but imperious hand. “Come sit and color with me.”

“Sure.” I take a seat, but it’s not long before my gaze drifts back toward Lainey and Charlie, their two heads close together whispering something. Likely about Chip coming over. My eyes linger on Lainey’s heart shaped ass, show-cased by her tight yoga pants. Every woman seems to wear them but none like Lainey. I lick my lips thinking of all the times I’ve had my mouth on those curves. It’s criminal how little control I have when it comes to Lainey. I pick up a crayon and focus on Cassidy.

“Mind if I color?”

She gives me a sweet smile and I shade in a leaf, carefully because Cassidy’s particular about coloring outside the lines.

My best defense here has to be another woman, but I’m in the middle of training camp and the season starts in two months. It’s not like I have time for that shit.

“It’s different this year, isn’t it?” It’s Lainey’s voice, soft and caring.

“Do I look tense?” I try to joke.

“A little,” she says and hands me a glass of water. A few orange slices and a couple of cranberries are now in the pitcher that I’d had in the refrigerator.

“Thanks.”

“Charlie is saying we need to do a refrigerator cleanse.”

“Did she also say I need to stay away from the grocery store?”

Amusement dances in Lainey’s eyes. “Something like that.”

“I’m going to be so fat when I retire.” I lean back and rub my belly.

Cassidy giggles and copies me. “Me too.”

“You two are so silly!” Lainey exclaims. She leans forward and kisses Cassidy on the neck. The two squeal and giggle. How do I get past these two girls? I want them to be mine so damned bad.

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