Not Daddy Material (Billionaire's Contract Duet 2)

“Jeremy, this is Rosie, June—I call her Junebug or ladybug—and this is Samuel.” She tapped each one on the head.

If I could remember this morning’s stat sheets, I could get three kids’ names straight. I was good with names. My memory never failed me.

Frannie walked over. “Hi, again.”

“Cute kids.” I smiled. I might know the names, but I was never going to remember who was who. They ran in circles.

“I want you to meet Marcus.” Frannie waved her husband over.

I extended my hand toward my brother-in-law’s. “Nice to meet you, man.”

“Likewise.” He had a surprisingly firm grip. “I followed your career in the majors. I played in high school, myself.”

Frannie slapped him on the chest. “You were in a rec league, honey. It’s not the same”

“Ball is ball,” I tried to help the guy out. He had a small build. He was more wiry than I expected.

“Thanks.” He nodded toward me just as Evie’s parents stepped away from the stove. They had been waiting in the wings to make their own greeting.

The kids ran out of the room and Marcus and Frannie stepped aside. I forced myself not to tug on my collar. It suddenly felt like a fucking sauna in here. Why were there so many ovens on?

Evie folded her arms around her father. “Hey, Dad. It smells great in here.”

“I made your favorite.” He released her, his eyes on mine.

Mrs. Rossi reached her hands for my cheeks. She was a petite woman. I hadn’t forgotten what Evie told me about her battle with breast cancer. This woman might be small, but she was a fighter. She was strong. I knew she was protective of her family. She seemed to have warmed up to our marriage faster than her husband had.

“We’re so glad you’re here, Jeremy.”

I leaned down to let her hug me.

She stepped back, watching her husband closely. “Marco.” She poked him in the ribs.

It sounded like all the air had been sucked out of the room. I could tell everyone was holding their breath.

Mr. Rossi cleared his throat.

“Dad,” Evie whispered.

I knew I couldn’t make the first move. I was in his territory. I had taken his daughter. This was his moment—not mine. If the man wanted me to sweat it out, that’s what I had to do. In front of the entire family. Sweat bullets until he was ready.

“Son.” He rolled his tongue in his mouth. “There are a lot of things we need to talk about.”

Fuck. This was off to a bad start.

“But,” he continued. “This weekend is about celebrating you and Evie. Dinner is almost ready.”

It wasn’t an open-arm welcome, but I’d take it. It could have gone worse.

“Thank you, sir.” I’d wait until after dinner to ask about the woodshop.

Evie smiled. “Let’s go see what the kids are doing.” She pulled me into the dining room. The air was cooler in here.

I’d made it through the first stage of Rossi initiation. Only two days to go and I’d be fully indoctrinated. I wiped my forehead. I hadn’t thought about this part when I married Evie. I never considered her parents or anyone else in her family.

I knew that was because I wasn’t anchored to anyone like she was. There was nothing keeping me in Newton Hills. Nothing to bring me back. There wasn’t joy here. There wasn’t a house full of my achievements. No scrapbooks. No baby book. Not even my Little League trophies.

I never thought about her family, because I never thought about mine. I was free, or at least that’s how I viewed it. We were adults. Thirty years old. I shouldn’t have to ask or consult anyone.