The Langfield Brothers: Box Set

33. Millie

THIRTY-THREE

MILLIE

Gavin left early for practice, kissing Vivi goodbye before reminding me of her schedule for the sixth time. The only interactions we’ve had since he kicked the guys out last night and disappeared into his room with Vivi have revolved around that schedule.

I took my time organizing my clothes—which basically took me no time at all because there is only a small dresser that’s already half-full of kids’ stuff. No way was I going to move it and risk getting yelled at by Gavin again. I’d rather live out of my suitcase.

As promised, there’s a bunk bed in the room, but fortunately, the bottom bunk is a double mattress and surprisingly comfortable.

Though when Vivi woke in the middle of the night, I did hit my head on the top bunk. I rushed into her room, only to find Gavin already changing her. Without a word, I tiptoed to the kitchen and made a bottle. When I offered to give it to her so he could go back to sleep, he just turned away and settled in the cream-colored rocking chair, his eyes trained on Vivi and Vivi alone.

It’s how it should be. He’s a devoted dad. I saw that within moments of meeting Vivi, though being so easily dismissed stung. It’s not that I even wanted his attention all on me. I just wanted to stand in that room and watch him rock her and talk to her in that soothing voice.

But I’m not a creeper, and his body language made it clear my presence was unwanted, so I went back to bed. Or more like I lay in bed and listened to every little sound, every creak of his movements, until he closed his bedroom door softly. Then I snuck in to check on Vivi, who was fast asleep.

It seemed I needed them more than they needed me in that moment, so I crept back to bed and tossed and turned for the rest of the night.

“What should we do today, bestie?”

From her Boppy chair on the floor, Vivi watches me, curious as ever.

“Maybe we should go for a walk. Get some fresh air?”

She babbles excitedly, kicking her feet, as if she actually understands me.

“I agree, baby girl. Fresh air will make everything better.”

Once I’ve got Vivi bundled up in a cozy little outfit with lightning bolts that I imagine came from one of her uncles, I strap her into her car seat and clip it onto the stroller next to the door.

I can’t help but chuckle, wondering if Gavin has figured out this contraption yet. I’m cooing at Vivi as I maneuver the fancy set of wheels out into the hallway. But when there’s a flash of pink, I stop and do a double take. A tall woman with pink hair quickly disappears into an apartment, and the door slams shut behind her. A heartbeat later, though, it swings open again.

“Oh my gosh. Is that a baby?” The woman pokes her head out into the hall and looks one way, then the other. Then she motions me over. “Come here, but shh. Don’t let anyone know I’m here.”

My heart takes off at a sprint as I wheel Vivi’s stroller back and step in front of it. I was under the impression that Gavin had this building on lockdown, but if that’s the case, then how did this insane person get in here?

“No, that’s okay. I’m just going to head back into my apartment.”

She tilts her head, her brow furrowing in concern. “Are you okay?”

“Um, sure.”

“Oh my gosh. You think I’m a stranger.” Her face splits into a bright smile.

“Um, yeah. I don’t know you. That makes you a stranger.”

“True, but I’m not strange. Promise.” She tosses her head back and laughs, her pink hair flying. “Okay, I’m a little strange.” She holds up her hands. “Okay, I can be a lot strange. I admit it. But I’m not a stranger. I’m Sara’s best friend.”

That response does nothing to ease the trepidation running through me. “Who’s Sara?”

“Oh my god,” she shouts. “Maybe you’re the stranger.” She puts her hands on her hips. “How do you not know who Sara is?”

I shrug, still keeping Vivi behind me.

“She’s head of PR for the team, and Brooks Langfield’s girlfriend.”

Oh, that Sara. “Right.”

“Is that Gavin Langfield’s kid? Oh my gosh.” She slaps a hand to her mouth. “Are you the mom? How could you just leave her on his doorstep all alone like that?” Her blue eyes go hard, and her face flushes with anger. “Why are you here? So you can steal her back?”

Both my jaw and my stomach drop. “Oh my gosh. That’s what happened?”

She pulls out her phone and unlocks it, all the while glaring at me. Her pink-tipped finger does a little circle as she points. “Who are you?”

I sigh, my heart aching for the sweet baby girl behind me. “I’m Viviane’s nanny. And I’m Daniel Hall’s twin sister.”

Her scowl quickly morphs into a megawatt smile. Then she scampers out, grasps my hand, and gives it a tug. “Why didn’t you start with that? Come in, come in.”

The way she says it—as if I’m the one with something to prove and not her—puts me at ease while also making me laugh. I’m not sure how Vivi and I end up in her apartment, but for a minute, I hover at the open door and take in our surroundings. The place is much smaller than Gavin’s, but it’s warm and cozy. All light creams and coffee-colored everything. Serial killers don’t have serene apartments like this. We should be good.

Pink girl saunters to the kitchen, her hips swaying. The woman has curves as big as her personality. It’s slightly infectious. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Um.” I glance down at Vivi in her seat. She’s totally chill, doing what she always does and silently taking in the world around her. Babies can sense danger, right? Or maybe that’s animals. Either way, I get the sense that this girl might be delusional, but she’s harmless. “I’m sorry, what’s your name?”

“Oh, right. That would be helpful, huh?” She giggles as she grabs two bottles of water and returns with both of them. “I’m Lennox Kennedy,” she says as she holds one bottle out to me.

The water bottle tumbles to the floor between us as I snap my attention to her face. “As in Kennedy Records?” My dad’s label may be the most prestigious at the moment, but her family is rock royalty. American royalty, really. They own a little piece of every industry known to man.

She smiles, but her blue eyes dull a fraction. “The one and only.”

“Wow. Do you work for the Revs?”

She shakes her head, her lips pressed together.

“The Bolts?”

Her pink hair sways as she shakes it again.

I frown, confused. “Then why do you live here?”

Her lips twist, and she hums. “About that…”

My heart stops, and my fingers go numb. Shit, she doesn’t live here. She’s probably a psycho off her meds who snuck in.

Slowly, hoping not to startle her, I take a step back, being sure to stay between her and the baby.

“Oh my god, will you relax?” She waves a manicured hand. “I’m just kinda sorta squatting in my best friend’s apartment.”

“But you’re a Kennedy.” I can’t hide the judgment in my tone.

“And you’re a Hall, yet you’re nannying for the man next door,” she counters.

I sigh, shoulders slumping. She has a point there.

With a nod at the couch, she asks, “Can we sit?”

I look over my shoulder, checking on Vivi. “I promised her I’d take her for a walk and some fresh air.”

“Oh!” Lennox clasps her hands in front of her chest. “I love that idea. Let me grab a scarf, and I’ll join you.”Then she’s gone, scurrying into the bedroom without waiting for a response.

Leaning over the stroller, I run a finger gently over Vivi’s cheek, checking to make sure she isn’t overheating. “Looks like we’ve got a new friend, Viv. What do you think?”

The sweetie rubs her eyes in response.

“You’ll be asleep in minutes, won’t you? Guess it’s good I’ve got someone to talk to, then.” I stroke her cheek again.

She grasps my hand, her tiny fingers wrapping around my thumb.

“Oh, Vivi girl,” I whisper, my heart cracking open. “I’m sorry your mommy left you.”

I’ve known this little girl for forty-eight hours, and already, I dread the day when Gavin finds a real nanny. If I can’t convince him to forgive me, if I can’t get him to see that I’m ready for this—to be his partner, to help him raise his little girl—then I’ll have to walk away too.

And I have absolutely no idea how I’d ever do that.

I fell a little in love with Gavin the night we met, and I’ve been in love with him for almost a year. Viviane must have inherited her daddy’s bewitching powers, because I’m already head over heels for her.

Lennox appears again, wrapping a black scarf around her neck. She pulls a leather jacket from a hook near the door and slides it on over a light pink shirt that dips low, emphasizing her ample chest. I’m pretty sure each of her breasts is bigger than my head. “How long have you been banging Hockey Daddy?”

My breath gets caught in my lungs, and I have to pound a fist to my chest before I can breathe again. “Excuse me?”

“You and Hockey Daddy. How long has it been going on?”

“Is that what people are calling him?” Despite the shock she’s just put me through, I giggle at the thought of Gavin’s reaction to that. Old Gavin would find it hysterical. I’m not sure about this new guy, though.

She shrugs. “I don’t know about people, but I am. So spill. When did you start doing the nasty?” She holds the door open wide.

This time she doesn’t just get a giggle from me. It’s a full-blown belly laugh. “Is this how you talk to everyone?”

Brows arched, she nods, serious. “Yes, so spill.”

“I barely know you. Five minutes ago, I was trying to decide whether you were a serial killer or a harmless delusional person.”

She shrugs, a big smile on her face, and leads me toward the elevator. “Jury’s still out. Now tell me, is he pierced? His brother is, and let me tell you, my friend is very satisfied .”

“Wait.” I gape as she presses the call button. “Brooks Langfield is pierced?”

“Oh, was I not supposed to tell people that?” She taps a finger against her pink lips. She’s like a life-size Barbie, all bright pink and bubbly. “Hmm, probably not. Brooks is pretty quiet, but Sara is a blabbermouth. You’ll love her. Just you wait and see.” She clutches my arm, and her eyes go wide. “But don’t tell her I’m living in her apartment.”

I snort as the elevator door slides open and she pushes me inside. “How does she not know?”

“She gave me a key to use one night when I was visiting, and I sorta just stayed.”

Situating the stroller to one side of the small space, I side-eye her. “When was that?”

She bites her lip. “A month ago.”

Head tipped back, I laugh. I haven’t laughed this much in months. “But why?”

When the door opens on the ground floor, she peeks her head out and scans the lobby. “All clear.”

“Who are you hiding from?”

“Sara!” she hisses, exasperated.

I scoff, even as I’m smiling. “I thought she was your best friend.”

“She is, but she’ll be all Lennox, you need to grow up . Get a real job and stand up to your family .”

“Oh, I get that. My friends are judgmental too.” Just the thought of Chrishell and Taylor sends a bitter chill rolling through me that has me tugging my jacket tighter. I haven’t thought of them since I got on the plane on New Year’s and blocked their numbers. And good fucking riddance.

Lennox turns around and gives me a far too knowing frown. “That came out wrong. Sara really is the best. She’d be right to yell at me. I do need to grow up and stand up to my family. Just need a few more days—or weeks—to lick my wounds.” She stares at me for another beat, then she spins and heads to the door.

Outside, I adjust Vivi’s hat, pull her blanket up to her chin, and adjust the canopy of her seat to block the cool wind. April in Boston is still chilly, but the sun is out, and the breeze is mild. “Where to?”

She shrugs. “I’ve barely left the apartment—too afraid to be caught. You know where to get good coffee around here?”

I pull out my phone. “I just moved here, so Google it is.”

We find a spot and head down the street, following the map on my phone.

“So Hockey Daddy?” she teases.

“Wow.” I grip the stroller and shake my head. “You’re like a dog with a bone.”

“I could take my guesses, but if I do, you might blush.” One eyebrow lifted, she smirks.

“No, please, have at it.”

She rubs her hands together in glee. “Fine. If I had to guess, you’ve done just about everything with him, and it’s not new.”

I blow out a breath to combat the tightness in my chest. “It’s definitely not new. In fact, it’s so old it’s over.”

“No it’s not.” Her smile is kind. “It may feel that way, but I’ve known Gavin most of my life.” She pulls the coffeeshop door open and holds it for me. “He’s wildly protective of his brothers, so I can only imagine he’d be far more so with his daughter. So if he’s allowing you to take care of her, to move in and be alone with her, then I promise, it’s not over.”

I ignore the way that lights a fire in my belly and how my heart races at just the thought of him allowing me to truly be part of their lives.

“How do you know him so well?”I ask as I push the stroller inside.

She points to the corner where there’s a table lined with cozy benches. The sun filters in, softly highlighting the quaint space in a heavenly glow. “Go sit with Vivi. I’ll grab food and drinks. What do you want?”

Once she’s got my order and has popped into line, I park the stroller beside the table. As expected, Vivi fell asleep in her seat. It takes everything in me not to pull her out and hold her against my chest. Never wake a sleeping baby, they say, but they , whoever they are, have never spent time with this beautiful girl.

Snuggling with her was irresistible before. Now that I know that her mother just left her outside Gavin’s door? Yeah, I get why Gavin doesn’t put her down.

Last night, while I couldn’t sleep, I finally googled his name. The images that populated included dozens of him skating around at practice and before games with her in a sling on his chest.

If I ever see that in person, my ovaries might just jump out of my body and latch themselves on to him, begging him to impregnate me.

It’s wild. Only a few months ago, the idea freaked me out. But now…God, Gavin as a father? It’s otherworldly and so damn hot.

Lennox plops onto the bench across from me. “I used to date his brother.”

I tear my attention away from Vivi. “Huh?”

“You asked how I knew Gavin so well. His brother was my high school sweetheart.”

Jeez, this girl’s ability to pop from one topic to another makes it hard to keep up.

“Brooks?”

She laughs. “That’d be awkward, right?” Her lashes dip down. “No. Aiden.” If I’m not mistaken, his name comes out softer.

“Ah, the funny one. I can see that.”

She smiles.

“Is he still dating that vapid woman all the guys hate?”

Lennox lifts her shoulder in a shrug. “No idea. I don’t really ask about him, and we don’t talk.”

Oh, hmm. Lennox doesn’t seem like the type to leave a relationship on bad terms. She just seems…I don’t know, direct, maybe?

“Was he a jerk in high school?”

Her blue eyes widen, and she laughs. “God no. I don’t think that boy has a mean bone in his body.”

“So what’s the story, then?”

She pulls her shoulders back and smirks. “It’s ancient history, that’s what it is. Yours, on the other hand”—she looks pointedly at Vivi, then me—“is very much in play. So tell me, how do we fix things with Hockey Daddy and get you the happy you so obviously want?”