Page 55 of Not On Your Life

I fold my arms. “It was late, I was tired and overwhelmed. Clearly I didn’t mean for my stupid words to be spread around the office.”

Her eyes narrow. “You’re not new to this world, Connor. And you aren’t any better than me. Anything you say can andwillbe used against you.”

She pushes past me, leaving me alone in the breakroom with my guilt.

As it should be.

Chapter 18

Maddie

Who needs a gym pass? All anyone needs is a hyperactive five-year-old and an hour at a park that should never have been built.

Seriously, did they make that place for parents to lose their children and their minds at the same time? And don’t they believe in shade? Longest, hottest, and most miserable two hours of my life. No wonder Lyndi has never taken him there.

I had to turn on the TV for the last forty-five minutes so I could catch my breath.

I don’t know how Lyndi does it, and it makes me appreciate my best friend more. How she works, parents, and has time to listen to me whine about my life is a miracle.

My alarm rings to get ready for the gym. Hopefully Ward is here to pick him up soon.

I slip on my shoes and check my phone to find a text from Lyndi.

Lyndi:I’m still at the expo and Ward is running late. Can he pick him up from you at the gym?

That’s not ideal, but I can make it work.

Me:It’s fine. It’s just Connor tonight. If Ward is late, I’ll have Crew teach him a few things.

I place my phone in my bag and heft it over my shoulder. “All right Crew, time to go to the gym.”

Crew stops the tumbling routine he’s doing off my couch into the pile of pillows on the floor. “Do I get to play in the play center again?”

“Only if Mary Jane is working.” It’s technically against the rules, but Mary Jane loves me, and I love her.

“I hope she’s working.” He crosses his fingers and closes his eyes. He really is the cutest thing.

I cross my fingers as well.

I walk around the room, gathering the socks, shoes, and toys he scattered around the second we returned from the park.

“Ready!” he says, holding something suspiciously behind his back.

“What do you have there?” I lean around him to get a peek, but he turns, preventing me.

“A surprise for Mommy.”

“All right.” I’m too exhausted to worry about it, and I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry.

Mary Jane isn’t working, which is a problem because now Crew is upset, and Ward still isn’t here.

My boss will kill me if he finds out I brought a kid I’m babysitting to work.

I guess I could say Crew is Connor’s child. That’s one way to get out of training him. I have no time to prepare another lie.

“Hey, Maddie.”

I jump at Connor’s voice a foot from me. Speaking of the man who doesn’t know he just became a father.