Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

I smile gratefully at her. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Of course. Hope everything is okay.”

“Thanks.” As I rush out of my office, everything I just said and did becomes a reality for me.

I just admitted to having a boyfriend.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jaylin

* * *

When I arrive at Kirby’s house, Jean is holding back her tears.

I wrap my arms around her and Celeste, hugging them both tightly as Jean lets out a sob. My heart is full when Celeste puts her cheek to mine, holding my chin in her hand. As sad as my friend is, I can’t help but grin. I rub Jean’s back as I whisper softly, “It’s all okay. Go.”

“I don’t want Kirby to be mad. I couldn’t get ahold of him. He’s in meetings, I think?”

I nod, squeezing her. “I’ll call him. It’s totally fine. Don’t worry.”

“Okay. Thank you, Jaylin. Really.”

“Anytime. Have you heard anything?”

She shakes her head, her eyes dewy with tears. “Not really. I don’t talk to my oldest sister much, so it’s very awkward and hard, but she just said I needed to be there.”

I squeeze her one last time. “Okay, keep me in the loop. If anything, I’ll take Celeste to my place tonight, as long as Kirby is cool with it.”

She nods as she pulls out of my arms. “Hopefully, you won’t need to, but thank you for the offer. I’ll call you.” I watch as Jean gathers her things. “You know I don’t do this, right?”

“Jean, you’re fine. I promise.”

“It’s just my dad and all—”

“Honey, I completely understand, and Kirby won’t be upset. I promise.”

She chews on her lip for a second then meets my gaze. “Thank you again.”

“Of course.”

After explaining to me when Celeste ate last and that she may need a nap soon, Jean also gives me the keys to Kirby’s truck with the car seat in it. Just in case, she says. Jean is a mess, shaking with not only fear for her dad but for her job. I basically have to push her out the door with reassurance that this is not a problem. When she leaves, I lock the door behind her just as Celeste leans her head on my chest. I rub her back, thankful I’m able to be here with her and to help Jean out.

I know Jean, I know the company she works for, and they wouldn’t allow her to leave like this unless it was an emergency. I’m worried that the situation with her dad could be worse than she thinks, so I’m glad she is able to go. I know Kirby won’t be upset. How could he? She is so good to him, and this is an emergency.

I carry Celeste and my work bag to the living room, before sitting her down on her bottom. She bounces happily as I set up the baby gates so she can’t get far. She isn’t very fast crawling but still dangerous in a non-blocked-off area. I kick off my shoes before stepping into the barricade with her, opening my computer to work. Of course, my laptop is the holy grail for this baby, so for the next hour, I try to work and keep her away from my computer. I don’t get much done, but her laughter makes it okay. I check my phone to see if I have anything from Jean, though it hasn’t sounded with notifications at all. I haven’t heard from her or Kirby. Makes me worry more for Jean and, of course, makes me wonder what Kirby is doing. He has a game tonight, but he isn’t usually in meetings all day. I really want to talk to him. Not just about Jean, but also about my conversation with Feliciana. I hope he won’t mind that I’m having lunch with her tomorrow.

I highly doubt he will when I tell him what I admitted. Or…maybe I won’t tell him that.

Though, it would make him extremely happy.

If I’m honest, it did tickle me pink.

“Almost as much as you tickle me, you little sugar bear!” I gush, tickling Celeste. She giggles and snorts happily before I glance at the time and notice it’s time for her to eat dinner. “Wanna eat, sweet girl?”

She holds up her arms, opening and closing her palms. I interpret that as her asking to be picked up, so I do as she requests. Celeste sits perfectly on my hip as I carry her to the kitchen. Before I can reach it, though, my phone starts singing in my back pocket. It’s not my normal tone or even my tone for Kirby. It’s my mother. I groan as I answer since I’m sure she’s already called the office and knows I’m not there.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Why aren’t you at work?”

“I had to help a friend,” I say, leaving it very vague. I may admit things to my boss, but my mother is a whole other beast I am not ready to fight.