Big Stick

by Kelly Jamieson

  “It’s important to stay hydrated,” Max said.

  “Yes.” Zyana nodded solemnly.

  Jodie exchanged a smile with Max.

  He was such a great guy, and he and Kendra were perfect together, and he was so good with Zyana…which made Jodie feel a tiny pang of regret that Zyana didn’t have a dad. But again, she’d known that going into this whole parenting thing, and she also felt lucky that she had friends like Max who could be male figures in Zyana’s life.

  She’d done a bunch of reading on the subject of whether kids needed a father figure in their lives, and there were differing views on it. There were things Zyana could learn from a male presence, but the main conclusion Jodie’d come to was that what kids really needed was…love. Okay, and hugs and kisses, patience and discipline, food and shelter, and…love.

  And she had lots of love for Zyana.

  Plus, she herself had never known her dad, and she seemed to have turned out okay.

  She passed her hand over Zyana’s dark curls and let her daughter’s wet smile with her tiny baby teeth reach right into her heart and squeeze.

  “Come on, let’s go get you in the tub for a bath. Then after we eat dinner we can read for a while.”

  After some watery playtime, some lasagna, then snuggles and stories in bed, Zyana crashed quickly, no doubt exhausted from her afternoon of hockey. Jodie smiled and gently tugged some hair off her baby’s cheek, leaned over to kiss the soft curve, then tucked the duvet around her.

  She let herself out of Zyana’s room quietly and moved into her own room next door, remembering last night when she’d done this and encountered a big, gorgeous—and drunk—man in her bed while she was stark naked.

  She closed her eyes, another wave of heat sweeping over her at the memory. Jesus. She shook her head and let out a long breath, climbing onto her bed and picking up her phone to check emails and social media. Her lips twitched. Some of the shock and embarrassment had faded, and it was actually kind of funny. Did Nick even remember what had happened? He was a friend of Max’s, so chances were pretty good they’d see each other again at some point, and that was going to be awkward. Ugh.

  She found the pictures of one of the condos she’d looked at earlier and let out another sigh. Nice, but too much money. It was lucky that Max’s huge home had room for them, but even so, Jodie had an acutely uncomfortable feeling of being in the way. Max’s schedule meant that his hours varied, and she was sure when he got up in the morning he didn’t want to deal with a toddler eating breakfast or shouting the place down as she ran around chasing poor Molly when he was trying to take a game-day nap.

  Not that either Max or Kendra ever did or said anything to make her feel uncomfortable; it was just her own feeling of being in the way. Next week, she’d find somewhere. Even if it was a shack, she’d find a place that was her own. She could always keep looking for something better, she thought with a sigh, although she knew that wouldn’t be easy—raising a two-year-old and growing a business took up a lot of time.

  It would all work out. Somehow.

  Chapter 3

  “No fucking way.” Nick stared at Hallsy in disbelief, shook his head, then returned to applying sandpaper to the maple and cedar chest in front of him in his garage. It was two days after the disastrous birthday party, and he still hadn’t recovered from the humiliation of what had happened in Jodie’s bedroom. Now Hallsy was trying to convince him to let Jodie move in with him. No fucking way.

  “Come on! I know…” Hallsy hesitated. “I know you wanted Aleks to move into the coach house. But…”

  Yeah, the unspoken words hung between them. But he’s gone.

  “It’s just sitting there empty,” Hallsy finished.

  Nick’s jaw tightened. “I know.” Couldn’t argue with that. “Look, the truth is, she’s kind of annoying.”

  Also hot as fuck. Damn. He kept seeing her standing in her room, gorgeously naked, all smooth curves and glowing skin, her breasts lush and full and tipped with tight brown nipples, her legs long and lithe.

  “Jodie? Annoying? She’s a sweetheart.”

  Forget about what she looked like. So what if she was completely fuckalicious. “She talks too much. She’s too perky. Plus she’s nosy. Also, I hate kids.”

  He’d been weirdly disturbed to learn that Jodie was a single mom. Where was the dad? The ex? The…whoever.

  “You do not.” Hallsy shook his head. “I’ve seen you with all those kids at schools and the youth center. You’re great with them.”

  “Okay, sure, boys who play hockey. A two-year-old girl? Fuck no.”

  “You’d never even have to see them.”

  Hallsy was doing his best to convince him. This was a terrible idea. But the more he argued against it, the more he felt like an asshole.

  “Look, do it for me,” Hallsy said. “Kendra just moved in with me. No offense to Jodie and Zyana, but we want to walk around naked and have sex in the kitchen.”

  “Ugh. Thanks for that.”

  Hallsy grinned. “You’re just jealous.”

  Nick snorted. “Hey, I can walk around naked whenever I want. And I wouldn’t be able to do that with them living in the coach house.”

  “Oh, fuck that, yes you could, just lock your doors. And close the curtains. Wouldn’t want to scare them with your scrawny bod.”

  Nick actually laughed out loud at that one. He was a big man, six feet four inches, two hundred twenty-five pounds. He hadn’t been scrawny since he was twelve years old.

  Hallsy grinned. “Good to hear you laugh.”

  Nick bent his head and focused on smoothing the wood. “I know I’ve been kind of salty lately. Sorry.”

  “Hey, no worries. I know it’s a rough time for you.”

  He nodded.

  “You want to talk about anything?”

  He sighed. “Nothing to talk about.”

  “You sure? I know what it’s like. You won’t forget him.”

  “I know.” Nick’s voice was low, and his hand stilled. “I still miss him.” His brother had died almost three years ago, and it did get easier over time, but every year when the anniversary of his death came around, it sucked Nick back into all that grief and guilt he’d nearly drowned in.

  Hallsy’s hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed. “I know. You always will. Nothing wrong with remembering him. Honoring him. Just don’t…” His voice trailed off, but Nick knew what Hallsy was thinking.

  “I’m okay. Don’t worry about me.”

  “So look…you wouldn’t have to see them if you don’t want to, but having some other people around might be good.”

  Nick’s head snapped up, and he narrowed his eyes at his friend. “You want her here to watch out for me?”

  “No!” The genuine shock on Hallsy’s face reassured Nick that hadn’t been his intention. “Christ, no. She’s the one who needs looking out for, for fuck’s sake.”

  Nick’s forehead creased. “So you want me to look out for her?”

  “No, not that either. Shit.” Hallsy pinched the bridge of his nose. “All I want is for her to have a place of her own. I know she feels like she’s cramping our style, and honestly, she and Zyana need their own space. That’s all. She’ll keep looking for an apartment or a house to rent. It’ll only be temporary. It really shouldn’t be that big of a deal for you.”

  Nick sighed. Everything Hallsy said made sense. The coach house was sitting there empty. “Okay, fine. She can move in whenever.”

  “Great.” Relief lightened Hallsy’s tone. “Awesome. I’ll go tell her the good news.”

  “Great.” The word didn’t sound very enthusiastic though.

  * * *

  —

  “I have the solution to your problem,” Max announced.

  Jodie turned her head to give him a skeptical look. “Oh yeah?
”

  “Yeah. My buddy Nicky—you met him at the party the other night, I think.”

  She closed her eyes, remembering that embarrassing moment. She hadn’t said anything about it to Max or Kendra. “Um, yeah.”

  “Well, he has this great big house, and it has a separate coach house behind it. It’s sitting empty right now. He’d planned for his brother to move in, but…that didn’t happen. Anyway, he says you can stay there.”

  She blinked at Max.

  “Oh wow!” Kendra clapped her hands together. “That’s perfect! His place isn’t far from our new office, and it’s a nice neighborhood!”

  Jodie turned her head from side to side. “No.”

  Max’s forehead furrowed. “What? Why?”

  “He’s an asshole. Sorry, I know he’s your friend.”

  “He’s a good guy,” Max objected. “Really, he is. I’ve known him for years.”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “I guess it’s just me, then. And I’m surprised he agreed to that, because I got the distinct impression he didn’t like me very much.”

  An uncomfortable expression flickered over Max’s face. “Of course he did!” he protested heartily.

  Right. “Look, I appreciate the offer, but I can’t impose on him like that.”

  “It’s not an imposition. It’s a totally separate house, and it’s really nice. We can go over there and have a look at it, and see what you think.”

  “No.” She shook her head firmly. She wanted nothing to do with Nick Balachov. She never wanted to see him again—the memory of standing in front of him naked, her heart pounding with fear, burned into her mind forever. “I’ll keep looking. I have a few places lined up to go see this week.”

  The corners of Max’s mouth turned down and he shot Kendra a look, as if asking her to help. Jodie caught Kendra’s tiny shrug.

  He pressed his lips together, then let out a short breath. “Okay. But keep it in mind. I’ll tell him you’re thinking about it.”

  “Okay, sure.” There was an easy out. Thinking about it. She’d just think about it until she died. Or found a new place. Whichever came first.

  Over the next few days, she looked at a beautiful, affordable house for rent that was miles from a bus or train station. When she made sure the next place she saw was close to the L, she found out how close it was when the entire house vibrated as a train rattled by. Then there was the duplex that seemed like it might be perfect. It had three bedrooms, one and a half baths, a nicely remodeled kitchen, and was in a nice neighborhood. The price was a wee bit steep, but she was getting desperate, so she could probably make it work. Except the man who owned it and lived in the other half of the house kept staring at her breasts and, when he heard she had a daughter, kept talking about how much he liked little girls.

  Fuck that.

  Back at Max and Kendra’s, she walked in on them making out on the couch. They sprang apart as she stepped into the foyer, Kendra tugging her sweater down. “Oops, sorry.” Jodie winced. “Zyana in bed?”

  “Yes,” Kendra said with a breathless laugh. “She’s asleep.”

  “Thanks for looking after her. Again.”

  “You know I don’t mind.”

  Kendra had been almost like another mother to Zyana at times, and Jodie was grateful for all the support she’d given her since she’d made that decision to have a child. But this was too much.

  She dropped her purse on the carpet and sank onto a chair. This was taking way too much time. She had a business to run and a daughter to look after and she was in Max and Kendra’s way. “Okay,” she said wearily. “I give up. Let’s go look at Nick’s coach house.”

  Chapter 4

  Nick had thought he’d dodged the bullet of having Jodie move into the coach house, since she’d been “thinking about it” for more than a week and there was still no sign of her. He’d assumed she was as thrilled about the thought of moving in as he was. Which was not at all.

  So it had jolted him when Hallsy called to say she’d decided to take him up on the offer and wanted to come have a look. Shit.

  They’d had a game that night, Friday, and were leaving right after the game for Columbus, where they played again Saturday night, so they’d arranged for Jodie to come on Sunday afternoon to see the coach house.

  He let himself out his back door, crossed the stone patio, and tramped over the ice-encrusted lawn toward the coach house. Where the hell was spring? It was snowing like crazy and colder than a brass toilet seat in the Yukon. He’d have to turn up the heat in there so it didn’t feel like they were moving into an igloo. Although maybe if he left it freezing, she’d change her mind…

  He sighed.

  Both the house and the coach house had needed work when he’d moved in, but he’d hired someone to renovate the coach house so he could convince Aleks to move in. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, leaving his snowy boots on the mat. Yeah, it was chilly in here. He padded across the new shiny dark oak floor and turned up the thermostat. Then he flicked on the gas fireplace in the corner to speed up the heating process.

  He looked around, rubbing his hands together. The place looked great, he had to admit, and it was a total waste sitting here vacant. He checked out the empty rooms, then heard the knock at the door. He thudded down the stairs to find Hallsy, Kendra, Jodie, and a tiny girl with dark curls walking into the house.

  “Hey,” he greeted them. “Come on in.” His gaze went straight to Jodie, and their eyes met in a nearly physical jolt. Hers skittered away as she looked down and toed off her short suede boots.

  He wasn’t going to think about the amazing curves under that chunky blue sweater and those snug skinny jeans. The curves he’d seen completely naked. He only wished he’d been sober for it.

  The embarrassment of passing out in her bed kind of took away from the thrill of seeing her naked.

  The little girl walked over to him and cranked her neck to look up at him. “You are vewy big,” she stated. “Like a giant.”

  He blinked down at her.

  “I’m afwaid of giants.”

  She didn’t look afraid. Not even a little. Her steady brown eyes studying him actually made him a little nervous. “I’m not a giant.”

  “This place is gorgeous, Nick!” Kendra said, walking into the middle of the living room. “You did a great job on it.”

  “I didn’t do much.” He shrugged. “Hired a designer and she made it all happen.”

  “Mommy, I need to go potty.”

  Oh Jesus. Panic flared in Nick’s chest. He stared at the girl.

  “Okay, Zee. Um, bathroom?” Jodie looked at Nick and grinned. “She’s been out of diapers for a few months, don’t panic.”

  “Main floor bathroom is right there.” He pointed.

  “I’ll take her.” Kendra reached for Zyana’s hand and whisked her toward the bathroom. “You look around.” They disappeared inside, closing the door.

  Nick shook his head. “I know nothing about kids.”

  Jodie walked into the kitchen area, surveying the stainless-steel appliances, white cabinets, and the set of five lights suspended above the island. “This is beautiful.” She opened a cabinet door.

  “The kitchen’s small,” Nick said.

  “It’s nice,” Jodie replied, still looking around. “Lots of cupboard and counter space for a small kitchen. I like the island.” She peered at the cabinets beneath it. “And this sink is awesome.” It was a farmhouse-style sink the designer had convinced him to install. “Microwave too and, wow, this fridge…” She laughed, opening the double doors. “So much room. We had a tiny little fridge in New York, and our stove only had two burners. This is luxury!”

  She was definitely a chatty chick.

  “The main floor is basically one big room.” Nick gestured at the living area. The island separated the kitchen from
the living and dining area. “You can put a seating arrangement around the fireplace, and there’s room for a small dining table. Or you could just put stools at the island.” He laid his hand on the cold granite. “Sorry, it’s still a bit cool in here; I just turned the heat up.”

  Jodie nodded, going on her toes to peer out one of the windows above the sink. “I have stools, actually. And instead of a dining table, I might put a desk there and use that as office space.”

  “There’s a laundry room there.” Nick pointed to another door, which Jodie opened and poked her head into. “It has storage space as well.”

  He heard the toilet flush, then water running. Then the door opened, and Zyana skipped out, followed by Kendra. Luckily he’d left a couple of towels in there.

  “The bathroom’s lovely,” Kendra said.

  Jodie then peered inside at the pedestal sink and toilet. “It is,” she agreed. “Love the wall color. Gray could be depressing, but with the bright white tile and trim, it’s really nice.”

  “Bedrooms are upstairs.” Nick pointed to the staircase. “And two more bathrooms.”

  “Wow.” Jodie laid her hand on the newel post and set a foot on the stairs. “Coming, Zee?”

  Nick followed them upstairs where he showed them the two bedrooms and bathrooms, and the door from the master bedroom onto a small deck.

  “This is my woom.” Zyana plunked herself down on the floor of the smaller bedroom and crossed her arms, still wearing her bright pink parka.

  Jodie smiled at her. “Yes, I guess it is. Do you want to live here, sweetie?”

  Zyana nodded.

  “Okay then. Now for the most important question.” Jodie turned and met Nick’s eyes. “How much rent are you charging?”

  “Rent?” He stared at her blankly.

  “Yes. Rent. How much?”

  “I don’t know. Nothing. The place is sitting here empty.”

  “You have to charge something.”