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Sage came barreling down the stairs, waving her field hockey stick, oblivious to the fuckup I was in the middle of. And this was a big fuckup. I hadn’t even begun to wrap my head around it and couldn’t, so long as my kid was here.
Clara threw herself out of my house as Sage skidded into the foyer.
“Whoa, who was that lady?” Sage’s eyes went wide, and she scurried toward the door to press her face to the sidelight. “She’s got really tall heels on. How does she walk so fast in those shoes? Mom, do you have heels that high?”
Carly laughed and joined our daughter at the narrow window, both spying on Clara. “You know I trip when I’m barefoot. She makes it look easy, though, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah,” Sage breathed before twisting to look at me. “Who is that?”
This was why I didn’t do this. I didn’t bring women back to my house, and I sure as hell didn’t let my kid get a look at them. Explaining a no-strings hookup wasn’t my idea of a good time. Then again, that didn’t sound like the right way to describe Clara either.
Carly took over for me, as she should have. They weren’t supposed to be here at all, so this was partially her fuckup too.
“That’s Dad’s friend. They’re both early birds, so they had a quick coffee this morning, but she had to get home,” Carly explained.
Sage’s brow furrowed as she glanced back and forth between us. Thirteen and whip-smart, she probably wasn’t buying what we were selling, but she was still young and sweet enough not to have a list of other possibilities readily available in her mind.
Sage scanned me, crossing her arms. “Coffee without a shirt on?”
Yeah, this kid was way too smart for me. “Spilled it all over myself. Had to take it off, or I would have gotten a third-degree burn. You don’t want me burned alive, do you?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re exaggerating.”
I nodded toward the stick in her hand, intent on veering the subject away from Clara. “Did you forget your field hockey stick—the key component to playing field hockey? Really?”
“Yeah, but I remembered before it was too late, and that’s what counts.” She frowned. “I guess I interrupted your coffee friend meeting or whatever. You should tell the lady to come back. Mom and I have to go.”
A swell of feelings for my girl rocked me back on my heels. “You think I intend on missing your first game of the season?”
Sage chewed at her bottom lip, uncharacteristically unsure. “Well, it’s Mom’s day with me.”
I raised a brow at Carly. “Mind if I go to Sage’s game?”
She raised her palms, playing along. She knew it had always been my intention to be there. “I have no objections.”
“Then it’s settled. You two go ahead. I’ll meet you there once I’m cleaned up.”
My daughter’s eyes pinched. “With a shirt on please.”
“Yeah, Sage, I’m well known for showing up at your games shirtless.”
She snickered. “Just making sure.”
I drew her in for a quick hug and kiss to the top of her head. “Do your best on the field. Be a good sport, but don’t be afraid to throw some elbows.”
Carly stepped in and took our daughter away from me. “Enough of you two. We were in a rush, you know,” she reminded Sage. “Let’s hit the road.”
I saluted Carly and winked at Sage. “See you on the field, tiger.”
She giggled at the nickname. “Bye, Dad. Don’t forget your shirt.”
“I won’t,” I promised to the back of her head as she ran out the door.
Carly lingered for a moment. “I’m sorry. If I’d had any idea you’d had someone over, I would have…well, done something other than barge into your house.”
“I appreciate it. I doubt I’ll be in a situation like that any time in the near future, but you not barging in would be a welcome change.” I nodded toward the door before she could register her displeasure at that statement. “You better get going.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll see you at the field.” She started for the door, then spun around with a gasp. “We’re supposed to bring oranges. Shit, I completely forgot. What am I going to do? I have to get to the—”
