The Pickup (Imperfect Love 1)

“Who knows?” I laugh. “If I were going to get one, he’s the guy I would trust to do it.”

After we’re done having lunch, and Killian tells me he’s only a phone call away if I need any help with Reed, I head across the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn Heights. I find fifteen-minute parking in front of Olivia’s brownstone and then head up, buzzing for her to let me in. See? I know how to work the intercom…

When I get to her front door, her dad opens it up. He’s dressed to the nines in a three-piece tux. He must’ve stopped here on his way to the team party. He enters the hallway and closes the door behind him instead of letting me inside. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

I’m confused as to what he’s talking about. “Coach—”

“Not here. Outside of the locker room, I’m not your coach. I’m Stephen Harper, the father of the woman you created a baby with…a baby you initially said you didn’t want. I’m the grandfather to the baby you’re now demanding to take.”

We commence in a stare-down for a few moments before he closes his eyes and sighs. When he opens them back up, he says, “Just tell me this, are you taking him to prove something? To punish my daughter?”

I take a second to think about my answer. Growing up I never had a man to look up to. When I was in college and then playing pro for North Carolina my coaches were assholes. It wasn’t until I was picked up by New York I felt like I truly found my place in the world, a place I felt at home, and a lot of it has to do with the man standing in front of me. The day we found out I slept with his daughter, our relationship changed. We should’ve had this talk a couple weeks ago, but like the men we are, we both avoided it.

“I didn’t know she was your daughter.” I blow out a harsh breath. “I never would’ve slept with her had I known. I’m sorry for all of this. I never wanted to hurt her. You of all people know the shitty relationship I have with my dad. My initial response toward becoming a father was out of fear that I would end up like him. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I know my word doesn’t hold a lot of weight right now, but I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure the relationship I have with Reed is nothing like the one I have with my parents. So, to answer your questions, I guess I’m trying to prove something to myself, but it isn’t to hurt Liv. I want to be a good dad.”

“Okay,” he says, “as a father, I can respect that.” Without waiting for me to respond, he opens the door wide, allowing me to walk through first. There are several people here: Olivia, Giselle, her stepmom, and stepsister. They’re all sitting around her and appear to be comforting her.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, suddenly worried something has happened to Reed. The women all turn to face me, four pairs of glaring eyes that have me taking a step back.

Olivia stands, wiping her eyes, her chin raising in defiance. “Yep.” Giselle goes to say something, but Olivia stops her. “No.” She shakes her head.

“Is Reed okay?” Something is going on, but nobody is saying anything.

“Yes.” She hands me a diaper bag. “Reed’s formula and bottles are in here, as well as a change of clothes and diapers and wipes in case you don’t have any yet. He usually eats every three hours, and he was just fed.” Her voice cracks, and I want to ask why she’s crying, but I don’t. “Do you have a car seat?”

“Yeah, my car is parked in the short-term parking in front of your building.”

She nods and heads down the hallway.

“You’re such an asshole,” her stepsister hisses, but before I can ask what the hell I did, Olivia reappears holding Reed.

“Okay, sweet boy,” she murmurs to him. “Mommy is going to miss you so much.” She gives him a kiss on his forehead, her eyes closing and her lips lingering. When her eyes open, the tears she’s trying to hide, escape. “I love you,” she whispers to him.

She hands him over to me, and looking me dead in the eyes, she pleads, “Please take care of him.”

“Of course.” I take him from her, and when he squirms slightly, I tighten my hold on him. “I’ll bring him back in the morning.”

Since I’m almost positive every person in the room hates me, I quickly say goodbye as I head straight for the door.

“Wait!” Olivia runs over and hands me a piece of paper. “This is my number. Can you please text me yours in case of an emergency? This paper also has Reed’s doctor’s information and anything else you need to know about him.”