One Baby Daddy (Dating by Numbers #3)(30)

“You don’t have a membership.”

He shrugs, “I’ll ask for a guest pass. I’m sure they’ll be more than accommodating for Hayden Holmes.”

“You don’t have a bathing suit.”

He shakes his finger at me. “Funny thing, I always have one in my truck in case I come across a lake I want to jump in.”

“Dinner. You can’t swim on an empty stomach.” Can you see I’m grasping here?

“Isn’t that reversed? You should never swim on a full stomach.”

I drag my hand down my face, exhausted. “Fine, I’m not going to a fucking glow-stick water class.”

Racer crosses his arms over his chest. “Then where are you going?”

There is no way of getting around this, not one I can think off the top of my head. Besides all my “lies” have been pitiful, so I might as well go with the truth so I can get out of here faster.

“I’m going to Adalyn’s house, okay?”

Pretty sure Racer wasn’t expecting that answer because his face falls in shock before turning brutally sharp with anger. His jaw ticks, his eyes narrow, and the veins in his neck start to twitch.

Okay, maybe the truth wasn’t a good idea, after all.

“Did I not tell you to stay the fuck away from her? What the hell are you doing?” He takes a step forward, but I stand my ground. I’m a few inches taller than he is and have about twenty more pounds of muscles wrapped around my body.

“I’m sorry, but I like her.” I run my hand through my hair. “I like her a lot.”

“For how long?”

“Since I met her at your house. I went to each hospital in town and looked for her. Once I found her, I didn’t let her out of my sight. I’ve taken her lunch, made her dinner, and treated her like a goddamn queen. And before you even ask, no, I haven’t slept with her, and I have no plan of doing so anytime soon. I haven’t even kissed her. I know she’s fragile, I know this is new to her, and I know she’s been hurt before. I have no intention of hurting her. When I say I like her, I mean it. I want to see where this goes.”

Studying me, Racer’s eyes bouncing back and forth, he grinds his teeth together, still not happy, but the crease in his brow lessens. “I don’t like it.”

“Didn’t ask you to like it, didn’t even ask for your approval, because either way, I’m still going to pursue her.”

“She’s my friend, Hayden, my good friend.”

“I understand.” I squeeze Racer’s shoulder. “But I’m your good friend too. Trust me. You know me, you know the kind of person I am. I’m not the kind of guy who’s going to purposely hurt someone, or get what I want and then leave. I’m honest and trustworthy. I will treat her well, I promise you that.”

Moving his jaw back and forth, he sighs and lowers his head. “Fuck, you’re right. If I had to choose someone for her, I guess it would be you . . . unfortunately.”

“Don’t be too excited about it,” I joke.

“She’s been hurt before.”

“I know.” I pat Racer on the back. “She told me. She told me everything.”

“She did?” Racer looks surprised.

“Yeah, she did.”

Nodding slowly, he understands the importance of Adalyn opening up to me. He gets it. “And you’re going over there tonight to . . .”

“Eat cake.” Racer suggestively raises his eyebrow at me. Rolling my eyes, I clarify. “Like, actual cake. Chocolate cake to be exact.”

“Gah, chocolate cake. That sounds really good. Can I come too?”

“Are you mental? Of course you can’t come.” I make my way to my car. “Three’s a crowd, man. Sorry.”

Hopping in my car, I wave goodbye through the windshield and make a quick pit stop at the cottage for a one-minute shower, and to pack my overnight bag. Then I’m back in my car on route to Adalyn’s place, which thankfully isn’t too far away.

The conversation with Racer went a lot smoother than I expected. I can’t tamp down the euphoric elation I’m feeling, or the giant smile I’m sporting. That is until I pull up to Adalyn’s house and see Racer’s rusty old pickup parked right outside.

What. The. Fuck.

Trying not to barge through the door with a serious chip on my shoulder, I take a calming breath and rap my knuckles on the wood. I run my hand through the short strands of my still-damp hair as the door opens. Adalyn’s eyes are wide as she shakes her head and goes to shut the door on me, telepathically telling me now is not a good time.

Clearly Racer hasn’t told her about our little conversation. The asshole. I bet he’s sitting on her couch right now, eating my goddamn cake.

Before she can shut the door on me, I press my hand against the wood and push open.

Under her breath, she says, “What are you doing? Racer is here.”

“I know.” I push through the door and walk into her living where Racer is perched on the armrest, a smug smile on his face and a plate of cake in hand.

That motherfucker.

“Hayden, what a pleasant surprise. What on earth could you be doing here at Adalyn’s house?”

“What the hell did you not understand about the phrase three’s a crowd?” I make my way toward him as he quickly shovels the cake in his mouth.