Grumpy Makes Three: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance, page 10
Joe bit back a smile. “Goodnight, Ada.”
He cut the connection and we both watched as she opened her bedroom door and glared up at the camera.
I tapped my knuckles on his desk and hesitated a second. “She called you a shitty father and you still want her.”
Joe nodded towards his office door. “Out.”
“You didn’t fire her.”
He narrowed his eyes even further and pointed. “Get out of my office, Collin. I don’t want to see you right now. Or anyone else, for that matter. I’m going to sit here and think about the fact that my kid hates me.”
“Come on, Joe. She doesn’t hate you.” I stood up and moved towards the door anyway, knowing he needed to lick his wounds in private. “Ada, on the other hand, I think she might hate us all. She’s all sunshine and butterflies but I feel like there’s a demon hiding under that sweet top layer.”
I left him to stew in his own misery and climbed the stairs to head to my room. I’d missed an entire day of work but I needed a shower before I could head back down to get anything done. Kendall opened her door as I was passing by and frowned when she saw it was me. I wanted to demand a smile from the kid I’d helped raise but I knew that wasn’t how it worked.
“Have you seen Ada?” She peered around me like I was hiding the nanny. “I want to ask her to take us to camp tomorrow.”
I froze. “Your dad always takes you and the twins.”
“Yeah, well, things change.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I want Ada to take us.”
“No. Your dad is downstairs beating himself up because you made him feel like a bad father today. He loves you and you know it. You can’t take away tomorrow, too.” I shook my head at her, frustrated that she was so taken with the nanny and so quick to dump on Joe. “Seriously, Kendall, what’s gotten into you?”
Her eyes flooded with tears and she glared at me, the same glare I’d gotten from Joe minutes earlier. “You don’t get it. You’re the same as him. All of you are. You’d rather work than take care of your kids. You probably can’t even tell the twins apart.”
I didn’t even get past the initial pain from her words before she’d slammed the door in my face. The anger didn’t hit until I was in the shower, roughly scrubbing my body. I knew my kids. I was the only parent willing to be a parent to them. Their mother had taken off to California after the divorce to be an actress and she barely saw them. I took care of them. I made sure they could do to the expensive summer camps and schools and I made sure they had everything they could ever want.
The depression had struck by the time I was going back downstairs to work. Alex and Avery’s faces had been a clear indicator that they didn’t know how to act around me. When we’d gotten locked in, they’d just stared at me and then at each other. They’d seemed nervous. It was gut wrenching to think that my kids were nervous to spend time with me.
I took a detour and went by their room, the one they insisted on sharing, despite the plethora of rooms available in the home. I listened outside for the sound of games or talking but it was silent. Opening the door as silently as I could, I peered inside and saw they were asleep in their beds with a nightlight on between them. It cast the constellations around the room and I watched as a shooting star danced across Alex’s face.
I left feeling like a piece of shit.
23
***Ada***
I balanced Milo on my hip and thanked the woman who’d stopped to hold the coffee shop door open for me. The inside of the expensive cafe Jules had picked for our coffee date was quiet and so minimalist that I wanted to take Milo and the bag of toys I’d brought for him and run. Before I could, though, I spotted Jules at a small table near the back.
She lifted her hand in a wave and smiled when I reached her. “You brought work!”
I laughed and settled Milo on a chair next to me before pulling out a few toys he was in love with that day. There was a truck, a doll with pink hair that must’ve been one of Kendall’s old toys, and a rock he called Harry. “I did. The older kids started summer camp and it’s just me and Milo during the day. Are your kids at camp?”
She nodded. “Of course. These rich lake people wouldn’t be rich lake people if they didn’t send their kids to all these specialized day camps all summer long. One of my kids is at a day camp being run by an actual astronaut. Can you believe that?”
I smiled and shook my head. “It’s a lot different from how I was raised. I didn’t even know it was happening until I woke up on Monday and the kids were dressed and ready to go. Let me tell you, being a nanny has shown me that I’m going to need a giant calendar when I’m a mom. I forget so much and there’s so much I just don’t know. It’s painful.”
“Are you a new nanny?”
I didn’t know if I could trust her with my real secret so I just nodded. “Yeah. This has all been a learning experience for me.”
She looked up as a waitress approached us and took our order and then waited for the young woman to leave before leaning closer to me. “Tell me what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far and I’ll tell you mine.”
I felt my cheeks darken as I thought about my parents’ reaction to me telling Joe that he was a bad dad. “I think I overstep a lot.”
“What do you mean?”
I was surprised at how fast the waitress returned with our drinks and treats. I got Milo set up with his apple juice and fancy grilled cheese while Jules thanked the waitress. I grinned as the woman seemed surprised and caught off guard. Was she so used to the wealthier people ignoring her or something?
“Thank you, Mrs. Mayhew.” The waitress hurried away and missed the way Jules made a face at me.
“They think I’m the wife and I’ve never corrected them because they’re so much nicer to me when they think my husband is loaded and powerful. That’s terrible of me, isn’t it? Playing the wife? I know I shouldn’t…” She shook her head while looking down at her coffee. “Do you think I’m a monster?”
I waved her off. “No way. Just don’t get caught by the real Mrs. Mayhew.”
“Never. I’m careful. I wouldn’t want to ruin a good thing.” She laughed and it was the softest, most gentle sound. “Now, tell me what you meant about overstepping. I’ve been terribly bored lately with the kids leaving everyday. I need gossip.”
Milo looked up at Jules and studied her. I could see his little brain working and then he threw his grilled cheese at her and stuck out his tongue. “Shitty.”
I gasped and pulled him closer to me. “Milo! You don’t throw your food! That’s not nice. Apologize to Ms. Jules.”
He held his breath and strained, his version of the silent treatment when he was mad but he hadn’t learned he could still breathe. His little face turned bright red and when I pulled him into my lap, he sucked in a big gulp of oxygen and then screamed it out.
“I am so sorry, Jules. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. Well, with the throwing. I definitely accidentally taught him that swear. I think I have to take him home. I’m sorry! Oh, my god. Miles, baby, shhh.” It was useless. The silent retreat had been ruined and I was getting dirty looks from the few people in the cafe.
“I’ll come with you. I’ll get all this packed up to go. I saw you got out of a car. Why don’t I drive us back?” Jules winced with every one of Milo’s screams and I got the impression the kids she nannied for never screamed or threw grilled cheese at her.
“That would be amazing. Thank you so much. You could come inside and hang out with me, if you wanted.” I scooped up Milo’s toys and started backing away. “I’m just going to take him outside. I’m so sorry.”
On the sidewalk outside I knelt on the ground in front of Milo and held his hands. “Buddy, you can’t do that. You can’t hit people with food. It’s not nice.”
He huffed. “Mi-wo no like her.”
I sighed and pulled him in for a hug. “I know, buddy. I don’t know why, but I hear you. Jules is nice, though. She’s my friend. Can you play nice? For me?”
He turned his face away from me but then he latched on, locking all of limbs around me as much as he could. “Mi-wo love Aya.”
I held him a little tighter and smiled. “I love you, Milo.”
Jules joined us and she pointed to the expensive looking SUV pulling up in front of us. “This is us. There’s a booster seat in the back. He’s big enough for a booster, right?”
I made a note to google that once I was free that night. Strike five hundred against my nanny skills. “Um, yeah.”
Milo forgot about his hatred of Jules once he was in a new car with a new booster seat. He stayed quiet and allowed Jules and I to chat while her driver pulled away from the curb.
“Let’s try this again.” She laughed and passed me my to-go cup of coffee. “You said you overstepped.”
I took a long drink and nodded. “Yeah, I told Joe that he was a bad father.”
Her face fell. “Did he fire you on the spot?”
I shook my head and pointed to Milo. “No, he did not. Or I wouldn’t have Milo.”
She waved her hand at me and rolled her eyes. “Of course! Duh!”
“Do your kids have good relationships with their parents?” I saw the look on her face and rushed on. “I don’t mean to pry. I know everyone is big on privacy here. I just don’t know if the relationships I’m seeing are normal. The dads are so frustrating and it’s not like I can just ask them.”
“I get it. The dad in my house is a raging ass. He’s always working or going out to play golf.”
I laughed and nodded. “My dads don’t golf, but that’s only because they don’t have the time after all the hours they work. It’s so infuriating. The kids need more time with their fathers. They’re making massive amounts of money, but what’s it all worth if the kids aren’t happy?”
“I mean, it’s worth that giant mansion you’re living in.” She smirked at my shocked face. “I’m kidding, of course.”
“Are you from around here? I just realized I know next to nothing about you and I don’t think I ever asked. I’m so sorry!” I wanted to get into safer topics. It didn’t feel good to bash the guys in front of someone who didn’t know them. I wanted to rant but I didn’t know Jules well enough to trust her yet.
“I grew up here, on Lake Dun.” She shrugged like it was nothing. “I went away to college, came back, and became a nanny. That’s pretty much it.”
“Way to condense it down.” I laughed. “How long have you been with the family you’re nannying for now?”
“Six years.” Nodding, she glanced back at Milo and smiled. “Mine have all outgrown that phase.”
Looking back at Milo, I felt my heart swell. I’d spent almost every waking minute with him since arriving and I was already so in love with him. “I don’t think I’d hate lingering in this stage. He’s so sweet and cuddly.”
“Yeah. Sweet.” Jules paused and then we both burst out laughing. “I think I still have cheese in my hair.”
“I really am so sorry about that. He’s definitely like his uncles in how headstrong he is. Once he makes up his mind about something, that’s it.”
“What about his dad?”
I saw that we were passing through the open gate and made a note to mess with Joe about his lacking security system. The gate was always open. “You know? I don’t really know. He’s in his studio most of the time. Even more than the other two are in their offices.”
“Well, that must be nice, right? You don’t have to deal with them constantly.”
I snorted. “They work from home.”
Jules’ eyes widened. “They’re always home? Even right now?”
I nodded. “Sometimes they leave but mostly they’re just here. Why? I’m sure it’s okay if I have a guest over, if that’s what you’re worried about. You look like you just saw a ghost.”
“I have to be honest. There’s something about the possibility of running into those three that makes me feel very underprepared and underdressed.” She motioned towards her outfit like it was something she’d pulled out of the garbage. “Raincheck? Or maybe you can come over to my place? We could make this a normal thing we do. I’d really like that.”
“Me too. Once you’re working in the real world, it’s so hard to meet and make friends. This is great.” I hesitated when the driver pulled to a stop. “Thank you for giving me a lift back here. I hated using their driver this morning but Joe doesn’t trust me to drive, just because my car looks like it’s been in a few accidents.”
The driver made a sound that might’ve been a chuckle. Jules rolled her eyes at him and caught my hand. “Next time we’ll actually get to chat more and we can spill all the juicy details.”
I gathered Milo and our things. “Sounds good. I just hope there aren’t any juicy details by then. Any more and I’m definitely going to be fired.”
24
***Ada***
That weekend, after the kids had gone to camp every day and come home so tired that they couldn’t do anything but eat and fall asleep, I decided we needed some family time. I set up everything in the theater with David’s help and set about wrangling the dads before I brought the kids together. I didn’t want to disappoint them if the dads wouldn’t join in. It was seven o’clock on a Saturday night, though. They had to stop working at some point.
I went to Jud first. He’d mostly retreated back into his studio and I hadn’t had any real interactions with him so I was nervous when I knocked on his studio door. There was something about him that set my nerves on edge and made the outer borders of my brain itch. He gave me intense deja vu and it drove me a little crazy.
He opened the door, hair and beard still wild, a paint brush captured between his lips. When he saw it was me, he dropped the brush and his lips turned up in what might’ve been a smile if a smile forgot how to be a smile. “Hi.”
I gave him a real smile, one with lots of teeth, and gripped my hands together behind my back. “We’re having a family movie night. You have to come.”
His mouth lifted higher on one side. “I have to come?”
I nodded. “Please?”
He looked down at his bare feet, covered in paint, and cleared his throat. “Okay.”
I barely stopped myself from fist-pumping. “Yes! Thanks, Jud. Milo probably won’t make it through the first half of the movie, but he’ll be so happy to see you there. There are snacks and drinks down there. Adult beverages are available upon request, via David.” I slowly backed away and lifted my hand in a wave goodbye. “See you down there in just a few minutes. I’m going to gather everyone else.”
“You came to me first?” The question hung between us, Jud’s rough voice sending a wave of heat over my body.
I didn’t know what to say so I waved again and then hurried away. It wasn’t my finest moment but I’d gotten what I needed. Who cared if I embarrassed myself during the acquisition?
I went to Collin next and let myself into his office, something I knew irked him. I closed the door behind me and smiled sweetly as I crossed to his desk. He was on the phone so I sat across from him and waited somewhat patiently. After a few seconds, he hung up and frowned at me. “Before you get cranky with me, let me tell you a few things. Okay?”
He sighed. “Go ahead.”
“It’s Saturday night. You’re not an old man. Your boys have been talking about your game day all week. We’re having a movie night tonight and your presence is required.” I stood up, so excited that I couldn’t just sit down.
“Ada…”
I held up my hands. “Don’t say no! Please.”
He grunted and tossed his pen down. “You’re not going to leave me alone unless I agree, are you?”
I shook my head. “I’m not. I really want this for the boys.”
“Fine.” He rolled his shoulders. “I was just finishing up anyway. Do I have time to change?”
I took in his suit and made a face. “I assumed that was just your skin. You have other clothing?”
“You saw me in swim trunks.”
I smiled before I could stop myself. “Yes, I did. Big fan. Now, come on. You have five minutes. Okay?”
His lips twisted into a devilish smirk. “How big of a fan?”
“See you in just a few minutes, Collin. Don’t be late.” I hurried out of there and stood in the hallway for just a moment to catch my breath. Flirty Collin was dangerous.
I knew Joe’s door would be locked so I lifted my fist to knock but he pulled it open before I could connect. I gasped in surprise and he grumbled something under his breath before shifting aside to let me in.
“I saw you coming this way and figured I’d avoid you making a scene like you normally do.” He sighed as he went around his desk and sank into his chair. “What do you want, Ada?”
“How’d you see me coming? Your creepy cameras?” I edged my way around to his side of the desk and leaned against it as I checked out his computer screen. Hitting the button that I knew switched cameras, I scrolled through and only stopped to show Joe that his brothers were both on the move. “See that? They’re both going to the theater room. Want to know why?”
He didn’t answer. He just looked at me, standing beside him, and frowned.
“We’re having a family movie night. Your brothers both agreed.” I paused to see if he’d volunteer his presence, but of course, he didn’t. “I’d like it if you came, too. You are a member of the family, after all.”
He huffed. “A shitty one, according to you and my daughter.”
I turned to face him completely. “Are you going to let that keep you from hanging out with your family?”
He shook his head and shot me a look that was pure frustration. “Did you ever stop to think that I’m busy? You just come in here with plans you’ve made up out of nowhere and expect me to fall in line?”
“I promise I’ll be just as excited about any plans that you might make.” We both knew he wasn’t going to make any plans. That was part of the issue.
