Chapter 9—Getting Chippy

For the next few days, Amelia gave Brick the cold shoulder, and Macy glared at him as if he’d murdered her Barbies in cold blood, even though they were all present and accounted for.

His search for a new nanny wasn’t going well. Finally, he called Al, listened to him bitch about not being a damn personal servant, and tasked him with finding another nanny. Al’s luck hadn’t been any better.

The team had lost Tuesday night after one of those games where they all played like shit. Brick’s obvious distraction had set the tone, and things had gone downhill from there.

Tonight, the team played at home, and all this domestic shit was fucking with his game. Brick sat at his stall and mechanically went through his pregame ritual. Goalies were notoriously superstitious, and Brick liked to believe he was beyond all that. But lately, he’d found himself making sure he put on his pads and uniform in the exact same order. He put on the left skate and then the right skate. Tightened the laces on the left, then the right, and repeated. Satisfied, he crossed himself. Not because he was Catholic but because he’d done it as a joke before a major junior championship game, and had his best game to date. He’d done it ever since.

Matt had occupied the space next to him for the past few years, yet Brick knew little about him. The guy didn’t hang out and party with the team on road trips. After home games, he disappeared quickly. Brick took a swig of water and pondered how little he knew about his teammates beyond the superficial. He was a shallow guy and a bad friend. Which had never bothered him before. Why it did now, he wasn’t sure, but it probably had a lot to do with coming to terms with his current situation.

“How’s it going?” Brick asked, inviting conversation.

Matt’s head jerked up, and Brick realized he’d interrupted meditation.

“Good. I guess. And you? How’s single fatherhood?”

Brick smiled wryly. “Tough.”

“Yeah, it’s not easy, but the rewards are worth it.”

“How old are your boys?”

“Five and seven.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize they were that young.” He was a shitty teammate. He hadn’t bothered to learn about the guys’ personal lives beyond their drinking preferences and carousing habits. Matt didn’t party, so Matt wasn’t on his radar.

“Yeah.” Matt beamed and pulled out his cell. He tapped the phone a few times and held it up to reveal a picture of two boys dressed in Sockeye jerseys.

“They look like you. Their mother’s still in Florida?” At least he knew that much, because Rush liked to keep up on the team gossip.

“Yeah, it’d been rocky for a while. Met her at a game, got her pregnant, and stuck it out for five crappy years. We had no business staying together. When the team moved to Seattle, she lasted less than a month. Hated the rain and moved back to Florida.”

“She left the kids with you?”

“Sure did. My mom moved in. She takes care of them.”

“Your mom lives with you? That’s fucking brutal.” Brick couldn’t imagine the horrors of his mom living in his house. No wonder the poor bastard never went out after games.

“Tell me about it. Don’t get me wrong. I love my mom, but having her underfoot does pose problems.”

“How do you ever get laid?”

“I don’t. It’s been a while. A very long while.”

“That’s tough, man. I’m sorry.” Brick had a brilliant idea. “Maybe you could give your mom the night off and bring the boys over. They could stay with the nanny, and we could party.”

“You have a nanny?”

Brick nodded, suddenly feeling miserable. “For now.”

“Is she hot?”

“Oh, no, she’s an old hag with nose hairs and gnarly knuckles.” Brick grinned, reveling in how pissed Amelia would be if she heard him.

Matt chuckled. “Oh, yeah, I remember you mentioned that. I can picture the type.”

They laughed together, and Brick felt as if he’d made a friend. Not a party friend, but one who might actually be around when Brick needed him. Matt was a straight-up guy. Never causing problems on the team and doing his job on the ice in a quiet, workmanlike manner. He was one of those guys you didn’t notice unless he was gone. Then his absence screwed with the team’s mojo.

And to have his mother live with him?

Brick shuddered at the thought. His own mother was cool, but even she would have her limits and would put a definite crimp in Brick’s routine. Then again, his routine had already been seriously crimped. He hadn’t had sex since his daughter had moved in. On the next road trip he’d rectify that. No reason to stop partying on the road, even if fatherhood clipped his wings at home.

He tried to picture a hot, buxom blonde hanging on him, maybe a pair of blondes, but his dick shriveled at the thought.

Maybe he wouldn’t be partying on road trips after all.

 

* * * *

 

As soon as Amelia heard Brick turn the key in the lock, she shrugged into her coat and slung her purse over her shoulder. Seeing her standing five feet from the door, his eyes widened in surprise.

“In a hurry to leave?” he said drily.

“You bet I am.”

“What the hell did I do to piss you off so much? I came home right after the game.”

“You did nothing you can help. You were just being you.” She stormed past him and out the door before he could stop her. She’d had enough of Brick and his insufferable ways. Resentment bubbled up and came to a hard boil. She’d give anything for a child, and all that asshole wanted was to pawn Macy off on someone else.

She hopped in her car and couldn’t help glancing up at his condo. He stood in the doorway, staring down at her, his face hidden in the shadows. She backed out of the parking place and tore out of the lot. A few blocks later, Amelia took a corner too fast, and her car skidded. She worked to tamp down her anger.

Her reason for being mad at him might be petty, but she embraced her anger. His reference to all his women was just the tip of a large iceberg anyway. Being mad at him kept her safe from his charms, or she hoped it did.

She reached for her phone and realized she didn’t have it. She’d be damned if she’d go back to Brick’s tonight if she’d left it there. Amelia mentally retraced her steps to when she’d last used the phone and realized it’d been this morning. She’d let one of the kids watch a video on it and left it on a bookshelf. She could see the iPhone sitting there clear as day.

Being only a few blocks from the day care, she might as well pick it up now, in case she had messages she had to check. As she pulled behind the building into the small parking area, she frowned. Ruby’s Toyota was parked in the lot with another car she didn’t recognize—definitely not her brother’s.

Anger curled through Amelia.

That bitch.

That cheating bitch.

She’d been suspicious for a while, but she’d never seen actual proof.

In the day care? Are you kidding?

Driving past the entrance to the lot, Amelia parked down the block and jumped out. Her hands shook and her stomach twisted. Sick with dread, she trudged through the puddles in the gravel parking area at the back of the building.

Please, please, please let me be wrong.

She unlocked the side door and entered the kitchen, expecting them to be in another part of the day care where the furniture was more comfortable than a countertop.

She was wrong. Oh so wrong.

Ruby sat on the counter bracing herself on her elbows with her legs over the bare shoulders of a man who wasn’t her husband. Her head was thrown back, and she was in the throes of a good orgasm. So was her lover. They were both shouting so loud, no way could they have heard Amelia.

With simmering fury, bordering on murderous intent, Amelia stood in the doorway. Her hands fisted at her side, and her entire body vibrated with rage, while the stench of betrayal filled the air.

When she couldn’t take anymore, she stepped into the kitchen and slammed the door with a force that rattled the windows. The lovers jerked to attention. The guy whipped around, sweat running down his chest.

Amelia didn’t look lower. She met the man’s familiar blue eyes. “Patrick?” Her brother’s longtime friend and best man at his wedding.

“Oh, fuck,” he muttered as he scrambled off Ruby and fumbled for his clothes scattered across the tile floor.

It must have been a damn good orgasm, because Ruby took much longer to gather her wits and process what was happening. Her hands reached out for Patrick but met emptiness. She blinked multiple times before she focused on Amelia. She shook her head several times as if attempting to wake from a bad dream.

“Amelia?”

“Yes, Ruby.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I forgot something.” Amelia answered through gritted teeth, unable to come to terms with this inane conversation so out of place considering the circumstances.

“I can explain.” Realizing she was naked, Ruby dived for her clothes and yanked them on. Amelia waited with knife-edge patience, preferring to have this showdown with her sister-in-law fully dressed.

“What you’re doing needs no explanation.”

“Maybe not, but please hear me out.”

Shaking her head, Amelia hurried past them into the other room and grabbed her phone. No way was she leaving the damn thing here after what she’d gone through to get it. When she walked back to the kitchen, Ruby and Patrick had composed themselves and were clothed, though somewhat disheveled and still panting.

Disgusting.

“Amelia, please don’t tell Dean. This was a mistake. A moment of weakness.”

“It only happened one time,” Patrick added, but refused to meet her gaze. If she’d had any doubts, his obvious guilt dismissed every one of them.

Amelia raised one brow. “I’m not stupid. This has been going on a long time. It all makes sense now.”

“Please, I beg of you. Dean would never understand.”

“You lying, cheating bitch. You’re right. He’ll throw you out on your deceitful ass. I would never keep a secret like this from him.” She pointed a finger in Patrick’s face. “You should be ashamed of yourself. After all Dean’s done for you.”

Patrick, at least, had the presence of mind to stare at his feet. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t tell me you’re sorry. Tell Dean. Not that it’ll do a damn bit of good.” Amelia hiccupped as tears welled up in her eyes and a sob choked her. She wouldn’t let these two cheaters see her cry. She pushed past both of them, sprinted to the door and down the block to her car.

Once inside, she started the car and drove aimlessly along the tree-lined street. She didn’t want to go home to her tiny basement apartment with its little windows and dreary walls in need of paint. Especially not with her brother and cheating sister-in-law living in the house above.

She’d need to tell her brother what she’d witnessed, but she needed to calm down first. The poor man worked his ass off at two dead-end jobs to make ends meet, while Ruby spent every penny and then some. They’d mortgaged their asses to finance the day care, yet Ruby resented being tied down to it, even though it’d been her fucking idea to start it.

Amelia pulled over to the curb and rested her head on the steering wheel and let the tears flow. Her brother wouldn’t be shocked, but he would be devastated. And she’d need to find a new job. She couldn’t work with that bitch one more day.

Feeling petty and vengeful, she whipped out her cell and texted: Just in case you didn’t figure it out, I won’t be in tomorrow or any other day. I quit.

She didn’t expect a response, and she didn’t get one. Most likely, Ruby had run straight home to do damage control. Had she been a fool not to beat her there? Her sister-in-law possessed impressive manipulative talents, but she doubted Ruby could manipulate her way out of this one.

Dean and Amelia had a knack for picking the wrong partners. They’d probably gotten that from their mother, with her succession of boyfriends and ex-husbands. Five, not including their father, to be exact. Their mother had gotten pregnant with Dean at sixteen. Their father had died overseas while in the army. He’d stepped on an IED. At least he hadn’t suffered. Amelia had been six, close to Macy’s age, and Dean had been eight, and their younger sister, Cami, had been four. Not wanting any more kids, their mother had her tubes tied and proceeded to enjoy her freedom from a man she’d probably never loved.

Amelia didn’t remember much about her father, other than the empty hole left by his absence. Dean became the head of the household at an early age. As a teenager, he worked nights while going to school. He and Ruby met in a bar a few years ago after Dean’s longtime girlfriend had dumped him. He’d been vulnerable and lonely. Ruby had seen a guy with a stable job, a decent house, and an easygoing attitude. She’d pounced on him, and they’d married in Vegas a month later.

The honeymoon had been over before it began, but Dean continued to believe in Ruby despite all the red flags being waved in his face.

And now this.

Dean would be inconsolable.

At least they didn’t have kids. She guessed that was a blessing, even though it’d been a sore spot with Dean, who desperately wanted children. He’d thought Ruby couldn’t get pregnant, but Amelia had known the truth. Ruby was on birth control. It was one of many secrets Amelia held. She couldn’t keep this secret. As much as it hurt, he had to know. She was a great believer in fate, and fate had thrown her brother a curveball. And by association, she’d been thrown out at home plate.

Surely Dean would let her stay in the apartment, assuming he kicked Ruby out and he could afford to keep it. That was a lot of assumptions, and where Ruby was concerned, Dean wore blinders. But right now Dean was her concern, not her personal situation. She’d figure out her problems later.

Telling her brother would be one of the toughest things she’d ever done. She debated getting it over with by waking him up or waiting until tomorrow evening. If she were him, she’d want to know right away, but she wasn’t a guy, and the only guy who came to mind for advice was Brick. Hell if she knew why she wanted to confide in him. She was still mad at him and should stay that way for her own good.

She could call Vi. Being a night owl, she’d still be up but most likely with her newest boyfriend. They’d been going at it like bunnies since they’d met a week ago and had barely come up for air.

Lifting her head from the steering wheel, Amelia wiped the tears and squinted into the darkness. Once again fate had intervened. In her aimless driving she’d somehow ended up across the street from Brick’s condo. A light shone in his kitchen window. He was still awake, unless he’d left a night-light on for Macy.

Feeling one part stupid, one part needy, and two parts desperate, she walked up the stairs to his door and listened. She could hear the faint murmur of male voices. He had company. Now what?

He was probably drinking, but she could use a drink right now. Besides, she desperately needed to talk to someone, and more than one male opinion would be a good thing.

Not allowing herself to debate her options any longer, she rang the doorbell.

She didn’t wait long. The door swung open to reveal Brick in nothing but low-slung shorts. Her eyes fastened on his chest and took a leisurely journey downward. She licked her lips as she took in those ridged abs and that flat stomach. A bulge appeared in his crotch area right before her eyes.

Damn.

Rather than be embarrassed, Brick chuckled. She jerked her head up. Her face burned with mortification right to the tips of her ears.

“Change your mind?” His cocky grin spread widely.

Mutely, she shook her head.

“I thought you were mad at me.”

“I—I am, but I need a cease-fire.”

“You do? For what, eh?” He spoke in an exaggerated Canadian accent, one of the few times she’d noticed it. His hand flew to his chest and he gasped dramatically.

“I, uh, no, I—I need some male advice.”

His brows drew together, and he frowned, disappointment clouding his eyes. “Advice?” His voice was incredulous. “That’s it?”

“Yes, advice. Do you have company?”

“Uh, no, it’s just Rush. He’s not company.”

He stood back and opened the door wider for her. “Come on in.”

She walked past him, brushing against his body when he didn’t give her enough room. He winked at her. She rolled her eyes.

“Hey, beautiful.” Rush greeted her with a hug. She couldn’t help but like the guy. He was gregarious and gorgeous, and his accent was enough to make most women swoon. Only Amelia wasn’t a swooner, and Brick was barely clothed. Rush didn’t stand a chance. At least, not with her.

The guys were a few beers into it judging by the bottles on the coffee table. Good thing Macy was a sound sleeper, as they weren’t exactly quiet.

“It’s freezing in here.” She upped the thermostat five degrees, ignoring Brick’s irritated scowl. “What is it with you and heat anyway?”

“He likes it cold. Heat gives him panic attack, reminds him of childhood.”

“Really?” Amelia looked to Brick, who was shooting poisonous darts at Rush with his eyes.

“Vhat you need advice for?” Rush popped the top off one of Brick’s beers and handed it to her.

Amelia’s gaze slid back to Brick. She couldn’t help it. He was so…so…hot. He leaned against the kitchen counter, watching her with a hooded gaze that sizzled a slow burn across her body. He stroked his arm slowly, the motion mesmerizing her. Amelia’s hand rose to her chest as she tried to calm the million butterflies fluttering inside her.

“You vant to take it in the bedroom or what?” Rush interrupted.

“Uh, of course not.” Amelia winced, responding much too loudly, drawing a soft chuckle from Brick.

“So much heat being generated, air conditioner will never keep up.” Rush gestured for her to take a seat on a barstool. She did so, and Rush sat next to her.

“Tell us what’s up,” Brick said.

Sucking in a deep breath, she told her story in a shaky voice but managed to hold herself together. The two men listened without comment. Brick’s expression tensed when she got to the part about walking in on the two of them, and he grimaced. Rush narrowed his eyes, and his mouth drew into a grim line.

“Iz not good for your brother. She iz beetch.”

“She’s a beetch, all right,” Amelia agreed.

“Did you tell your brother?” Brick asked.

“Not yet. I hate to wake him up. He works for Boeing and has to be at work at four thirty a.m.”

“Sheesh. That’s vhen I go to bed,” Rush said.

“You didn’t tell him? I’d fucking want to know right away.” For a guy who slept around and hated any kind of attachment, Brick was getting pretty wired about this.

“I thought I’d tell him tomorrow after work.”

“I can take care of her and her lover if you vant. My uncle Vladimir knows people. Very mean people. They vill never find her and her boyfriend,” Rush volunteered helpfully with a cheerful grin.

Just what Amelia needed—to be in debt to the Russian Mob. “Thanks, but I can handle this.”

“If you change your mind, you know vhere to find me.”

“I should go. You two leave early for that road trip to Anaheim.” Amelia stood, and the two men stood, too, walking her to the door.

She paused in the foyer. “I’m not going to be working at the day care anymore. Do you still want Macy to go there after school?”

Brick shook his head. “Not if you’re not there. I never trusted Ruby.”

“Okay, I’ll pick her up after school and bring her here. Will you tell her to look for me?”

“Sure.” Brick opened his mouth as if he might say something more, but he didn’t.

“Good luck with your brother,” Rush said.

“Thanks.”

Brick followed her to her car, his dark eyes filled with concern. “Are you going to be okay?”

She shrugged. “I have to be. He’s going to need me.”

“I know how it feels.” Brick rubbed the point of her shoulder with one large hand. She couldn’t resist leaning into his touch. He pulled her gently against his strong chest, and she let him, giving in to the strong comfort of those muscular arms. Laying her cheek on his shoulder, she gazed up at him.

“You do? Did a woman cheat on you?” She couldn’t believe he’d kept a woman around long enough to even have an exclusive relationship, but decided it would be best not to voice her opinion.

“My parents.” Pain flickered in his eyes, and he momentarily closed them. When he opened them, the pain was still there, dulled but there.

“What happened?”

“My dad had an affair with my best friend’s mother. Shocked all of us, especially when he left Mom for her.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not as sorry as I am. It wasn’t a good time in my life. I thought they had the perfect marriage, and it was all a sham. My dad fell prey to a manipulative, evil bitch with plastic boobs and slutty clothes.” The memory tinged his words with bitterness, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. They stood there for a long moment, listening to each other’s heartbeats, absorbing each other’s warmth, and taking comfort from the shared pain.

Amelia drew back first, resisting the temptation to throw herself back in Brick’s arms and forget the rest of the world for a night, but she didn’t. She smiled feebly at him. “Thank you.”

“Thank you—for everything. Even if I never say it, I appreciate you.”

Amelia’s throat constricted. She could feel the heat of unshed tears. She moved to the car, and Brick opened the door. “Good night.”

She got in her car and drove the short distance to her studio, feeling somewhat better and not so alone in the world. She had Brick and Rush as friends if nothing else.

Ruby’s and Dean’s cars were in the driveway. Amelia parked in the back alley and entered through her sliding glass door. She hesitated in the living room, listening for shouting or signs things weren’t going well, but all was silent upstairs. Crawling into bed, she set her alarm so she’d make her first class on time. Only, sleep eluded her. Her mind churned with thoughts of her brother and Ruby.

Then it hit her. Right to the gut. She was unemployed. She had Brick’s income for the next week while he searched for a nanny.

Why not tell him she’d changed her mind and wanted the job?

Maybe because she’d be living under his roof 24-7. Maybe because they’d end up in bed, and she’d be one more conquest. Nothing more. Maybe because she was tired of fighting the attraction.

Maybe, just maybe, she’d stay on as a nanny with benefits.