Attached to You (Carolina Rebels 4)

This might be the perfect way to tell Deanna and immerse her into things. But is that the right way to do it? We’re not dating. I don’t need to “immerse” her into my hockey life. However, if she’s surrounded by people, she’s less likely to make a scene because of my lie, right? Would she make a scene?

When EJ arrives, we don’t have to worry about him lying about his job. Deanna takes one look at Bree, asks to hold her, and it’s all about the baby. We sit in the living room and I keep an eye on Otis since this is his first time around a baby that we know of. He’s sitting as close as possible to Deanna with his head on her knee, watching.

“Did you get Scotty’s text?” EJ asks me.

“Yeah. What do you think it is?”

“It’s about Sylvia, I think. She hasn’t been coming to—” He stops himself before he can say that she apparently hasn’t been coming to the games. “She hasn’t been around lately,” he corrects himself. “Has to be good news if there’s food and booze, so it’s essentially a party.”

“What are y’all talking about?” Deanna asks, taking a few seconds to look away from Bree.

“One of our friends is having some sort of party tonight because he has news.”

“Oh cool.” She resumes playing with the baby.

“Want to go with me?” I ask.

EJ’s eyes widen because he knows I won’t be able to keep everyone from talking about hockey, so he doesn’t understand why I’m asking. He also doesn’t know my relationship with Deanna. If he did, he might have paused like Deanna just did.

“Is Bree going?”

EJ laughs. “Yeah, my babysitter is currently sick, so she’ll be with me and I’m going.”

“Then, yeah, I’ll go.”

Nice. She’ll go for the baby, but not for me? She gives me a small smile, though. Otis whines and lifts his big paw for attention, just missing landing on Bree’s leg. He’s a big jealous baby.

“Come here, Otis. She’s busy. Let’s make breakfast.”

He reluctantly comes with me and EJ into the kitchen.

“What are you doing?” he whispers.

“I’m telling her tonight, obviously.”

“Why did you lie in the first place?”

I glance at him. “Seriously? You don’t wonder about people’s motives sometimes? Besides, she was only supposed to be a one-time thing, and then only a preseason thing, and somehow, I’m still seeing her. When are you finding a nanny?” I ask to get us off this conversation and because I know he’s been picky.

EJ glares. “I’m not leaving my princess with just anyone.”

“Your mom can’t do it forever.”

“I know that. I’ve restarted the search. I’m hoping to have someone before the new year.”

I hope he can find someone. At the very least, his mom could use a break. Although, I’m sure she doesn’t mind and I know that EJ does most, if not all, of the work he can associated with raising a kid when he’s home.

The three of us spend the day together. We mostly play with Bree and watch movies until it’s time for us to separate and get ready for Scott’s party.

“This seems like a big step,” Deanna says when I return to pick her up. “Me meeting more of your friends.”

“Are you changing your mind?”

“No. I’m excited.” The smile she gives convinces me that she’s telling the truth. This is also a much healthier outing than going to a bar and getting drunk.

“Good.”

With that, we head to Scott’s house. Sylvia greets us at the door with what seems like a tentative smile. Her stomach is bigger and a little too round to be from simply gaining weight. I’m guessing the news is she’s pregnant.