Playing the Player(53)

“Home sweet home.” I pulled into the driveway and jumped out of the car. “Come on in and meet the shrinks.”

She sat in the car, not moving. I walked toward her, leaning into the open window. She stared at the floor mat, and I noticed how her eyelashes brushed her cheeks.

Damn. I was worse than any of those guys in the stupid movies I watched.

“Come on. I promise they won’t bite. They’re shrinks, but they take off their mad scientist coats when they’re at home.”

I forced myself to put my slacker Slade mask back on, to be the cool guy who wasn’t totally rattled about bringing a girl home to meet his parents. A girl who might or might not think I was a total ho. Who might not be interested in pushing this nanny gig beyond the boundaries of work and friendship.

She finally looked at me, and I was shocked to see how nervous she seemed.

“Hey,” I spoke softly, like she was a deer that spooked easily. “They’re probably not even home. They go out all the time.” I grinned at her. “Movies with subtitles. Sushi. My favorite stuff.”

Relief flooded her face, and her cherry lips widened into a relieved smile. “Okay.”

She stepped out of the car and I wondered why she was so bothered by the idea of meeting my parents. She was the type of girl parents loved. I groaned inwardly, imagining how thrilled they’d be to meet her. I hoped they didn’t embarrass me.

“So, do they ever, like, psychoanalyze you?” She scuffed her sandal on the sidewalk, not looking at me.

I touched her shoulder, hyperaware of the warmth of her skin under my hand. “Don’t stress, BB. They’re cool.”

“If you say so.” She smiled up at me, shy and sweet. My mouth went dry, and I ran up the steps ahead of her.

Dad stood in the kitchen pouring coffee, even though it was hot as hell outside. His eyes widened when Trina stepped into the room behind me, but he recovered quickly. “Your nose for fresh coffee never fails you.”

“Dad, this is Trina Clemons. My nanny partner.”

He stepped forward and held out his hand. “Hi Trina, I’m Dad. But you can call me Mike. Want some coffee?”

I watched Trina blush as she shook his hand. For the hundredth time, I wondered how I’d never noticed her—actually noticed her—for so many years.

“Hi, um, Mike.” Her hand looked so small in his. Fairy hands, complete with chipped purple nails. “Nice to meet you. And, yes I’d love some coffee. It smells awesome.”

Dad’s smile widened. “Fair Trade. Arabica. Shade grown. I know a roaster across town who gets me the best beans.” He poured her a cup and held it out. “Cream? Sugar?”

I knew it was a test.

“No thanks.” She took the cup. “I’ve had your coffee before. It’s so good I’ll take it black.”

Dad raised an eyebrow at me. “She’s a keeper,” he said.

I didn’t have to look at Trina to know she was blushing. I glared at Dad, whose eyes glinted with laughter behind his glasses. He leaned against the counter and studied me like a lab specimen.

“You’re kind of a mess. I didn’t think you were nannying today, but you look like the kids put you through hell and back.”

I grabbed a cup and poured my own coffee. I dumped in a heaping spoon of sugar just to piss him off.

“I was moving furniture. At a shelter. Trina asked me for help.” I glanced at him in time to see shock quickly replaced by speculation.

“Shelter? Which one?” He flicked his eyes to Trina, then back to me.

“Redemption Family Shelter,” Trina answered. “I’ve volunteered there for a while. We needed to move some beds down from the attic for a new family, so I called Slade. He and Alex were awesome helpers.”

She sucked down more coffee, smiled at Dad, then stared at her toes. Also painted purple. They matched her fingernails. Huh. Was that a thing girls did?

“Awesome helpers, eh? I’m so…pleased to hear that.” He studied her carefully then turned his speculative gaze to me.

I hoped she wasn’t freaking out, because he was totally psychoanalyzing the situation. I shot him a warning glare, which he ignored.

“Slade! I thought I heard you. You’re just in time to—” Mom stopped short, staring at Trina like she was an alien. “Well, hello there!” She put her hand on her throat, gawking at us like we were celebrities. She was practically giddy. Probably because there was an actual girl in the house. Between her and dad, our date was doomed before it even started.

And they wondered why I never brought girls home.

“Karen, this is Trina,” Dad said. “Slade’s nanny partner. And conscience prodder.”

Mom kept her eyes on Trina, who stared at the floor. “His what?” Mom asked. Trina’s face was so red I hoped she didn’t burst into flames.

I was never bringing a girl home again. Ever. “Dial it down, docs,” I snapped. “Trina, if you want to ditch my parents and go hang out by the pool while I shower—”

“Oh, what a wonderful idea,” Mom chirped. “Follow me, Trina. I was just about to head out there. I’ve had a long day.”

Trina followed my mom, still staring at her feet, Mom chattering one hundred miles per hour. “It is so nice to meet you, Trina! For the first time!”