Page 5

For a moment, I racked my mind, trying to think of anyone else we could trust to look after our daughter. The list was extremely short. There had to be someone, though.

Not having someone to watch Joey was a rarity. Between the three of us, one of us was usually available, and we all made a conscious effort to be present in her life. In seven years, this sort of thing had only happened once or twice.

A thought crossed my mind.

“What about Bethany?” I asked.

“What about her?” Cullen said curiously, his pacing momentarily paused.

“She and Joey get along great, and she’s said multiple times she owes us one after Gideon helped her friend with her legal troubles.”

“She doesn’t owe us shit for helping her out.”

“I agree, but we’re up shit creek without a paddle and we need a babysitter.”

I pulled out my phone, looking up Beth’s number.

“Do you think she would do it?” Cullen asked.

“It’s worth a try.”

Clicking on her contact, I placed it on speaker and held my breath while it rang.What if she doesn’t answer? Am I getting my hopes up for nothing?

On the third ring, she picked up. “Hello,” that soft, familiar voice said.

“Hi, Bethany, it’s Jensen. I’m sorry to disturb you.”

“Hi, Jensen, what can I do for you? Is Joey okay?”

Despite my panicked state, I couldn’t help but smile at her immediate concern for Joey.

“Well, I know this is a somewhat unorthodox request, but we are in a bit of a situation and could use a hand. Gideon is out of town for a work thing, and I have a game with the Chargers tonight. Cullen’s just been called in for a work emergency aswell, so I was wondering if you’d be willing to watch Joey for a few hours? We will pay you, of course! It’s just, otherwise, she would have to go to the restaurant with Cullen, and we hate to drag her there late at night.” I spoke in a rush.

“Sure, I can help!” Bethany said.

“Are you certain? If we’re disturbing you, let us know.”

A delicate snort came from Bethany. “The only thing you’re disturbing is a bubble bath, and I can take one of those at any time,” she assured us.

My eyes widened and my throat tightened at the mental image of her in a bubble bath.

Fuck, I wanted to see that.

Did that make me a creepy old man?

Judging by the way my pack mate’s eyes were nearly bulging out of his head, we werebothcreepy old men.

“If you’re sure…” I trailed off.

“When do you need me?” Bethany laughed lightly.

“As soon as possible?” I grimaced. “Cullen needs to leave ASAP, and I should be leaving any minute for the game, but I can hold on for up to an hour.”

“Just let me know where you guys live, and I will see when the next bus is.”

Bus?

She was planning to take public transportation to get here?