Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

I’m aware that I’m over thirty, but I enjoy very much doing TikToks with Callie.

It’s a long drive to Nashville, so to fill the time, we TikTok like I’m only eighteen and heading to college to start my new future. Not like I just spent the most amazing day in bed with one hell of a gorgeous man and then the afternoon with a beautiful father and daughter duo. I want to say I want to go back to my college days and relive them all with Callie, but I also don’t want to miss a moment with Kirby and Celeste. I hate that time was stolen from us, that we didn’t get to explore what could have been. Now that I have that chance, I can’t—hell, I won’t—give it up.

Yes, I am terrified by all these thoughts and feelings. In no way am I saying I’m falling in love. I adore him. I do. And I’m extremely attracted to him, but I’ve never had a relationship, so I need to pace myself. I can’t ruin this. I can’t overthink it. So instead, I’m going to do TikToks with Callie and try not to think of Kirby or Celeste.

It’s tremendously hard.

Especially when he is sending me pictures of Celeste.

“Aw, Kirby’s baby is so cute,” Callie says as she leans on me, looking at my phone. Celeste is in her high chair, with oatmeal all over her face. Her sweet blue eyes are shining with such happiness, and my stomach sinks at the thought of him not getting full custody. His court date is tomorrow, and I hope his ex shows up. This shouldn’t be prolonged. It’s cut-and-dried; she needs to let go. Though, I don’t think he believes she will. It makes me nervous. We didn’t talk about the court case at all today. Instead, we enjoyed Celeste and each other.

“She is,” I gush, grinning as I type how cute she is.

Aviva turns in her seat to see the picture and grins. “I just love her sweet little face. So, you spent the whole day with them?”

“Yup. I skipped work and hung with them. It was fun. Kirby is convinced she is going to be walking soon, but I don’t think so,” I giggle as Aviva beams at me. “She’s got some fatty legs.”

Aviva and Callie laugh, but Nico, he’s been quiet since I got in the car. I’m unsure if it’s the endless laughter or the TikToks that has him upset, but it’s easy to tell by the set of his shoulders that he is unhappy. “I love her little squishy self,” Aviva gushes.

“Me too. I had a blast today,” I admit, and Aviva grins.

“Good, I’m glad that you two are getting a chance at this.”

“For sure,” I agree, and Callie leans on me again.

“So, is he your boyfriend? ’Cause you’ve never had a boyfriend.”

I give her a dry look. “I’ve had boyfriends.”

She scoffs. “I may not have had time to date or even care about relationship stuff, but I know for a fact there is a difference between consistent hookups and boyfriends.”

Aviva and I gawk at our sweet Callie. “I don’t know what to say.”

Aviva shrugs. “She does that. Hits me with things I’m not ready to handle,” she says with a sigh, and Callie grins. “She may be growing up.”

Callie wiggles her shoulders in a cute, excited way. “It’s true.” We all giggle as she leans more into me, her chin on my shoulder. “Seriously, I’m excited. I love Kirby. He is so sweet, and it’s obvious you’re digging him,” she says then, her intrusive eyes making me feel a certain way.

Am I that obvious?

“I am, but you know.”

Aviva eyes me. “Know what?”

“That she isn’t the settle-down type,” Nico says then, his voice carrying through the SUV.

I make a face. “I was going to say, I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

“Don’t you mean, he shouldn’t get his?”

Callie and Aviva become very uncomfortable as I gaze at the side of Nico’s face. “Whoa, that’s harsh.”

He shrugs. “Just telling the truth. You don’t do relationships, and now you’re stringing my best friend—who is dealing with kid stuff—along. I feel like you need to walk away because he won’t.”

Aviva moves her hand onto his forearm. “Nico,” she warns, but I hold up my hand.

“No, please. Tell me how you really feel, Nico,” I say with more sass than needed, but shit, he’s offended me. “Because really, you don’t know me, so I feel I should know what you’re thinking so I can correct your thoughts.”

He blows out a breath, and when his eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror, his gaze is stone-cold. Wait, I thought he liked me? “I have known you for over a year now, and in that time, you have dated countless men and haven’t settled down. My best friend has been through the wringer with his baby momma and is now taking full custody of his daughter. The last thing he needs is someone who just plays with his heart.”