Page 3 of Learn Your Lesson

She snorted at that — like actuallysnorted. “Trust me — I have nothing better to do.”

I grabbed the back of my neck, looking at the time on my watch before I glanced behind us at where practice was in full swing. I knew if I needed to leave, Coach McCabe would understand. It was rare for me to ask foranything, and I was a leader on the team.

But I didn’twantto leave. We had a big home game tomorrow night against a team fighting us for a spot in the playoffs, and I needed the ice time.

“If you’re sure you don’t mind… just this one time,” I clarified quickly. “And I’ll pay you.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“I’ll pay you,” I reiterated.

Chloe offered a soft smile, her fingers twiddling with her skirt. “Yes, sir.”

My nostrils flared at that, for a reason that was entirely inappropriate, and I mentally slapped myself before turning my attention toward Ava.

“You’re going to go spend the afternoon with Miss Knott, okay?” I said, lifting her into my arms so I could look her in the eye. “And I’ll pick you up after work.”

“Can’t I stay here?”

She didn’t whine those words. In fact, she said them as if she didn’t actually care what I responded with. Her lips were turned down, her eyes seemingly bored.

She had my feigned indifference down pat.

I hated that I’d rubbed off on her.

“Not today, Pumpkin,” I said, kissing her temple. I sat her down then, squeezing her hand. “But if you behave, we can talk about you coming to the game tomorrow.”

She considered that, and then nodded, but still didn’t show any emotion when she said, “Okay.”

Chloe arched a brow at Ava, then at me, and shook her head on a soft smile. “Don’t worry about picking her up,” she said. “I’ll bring her home around six?”

“That would be perfect.”

I wondered if she heard the relieved exhale leaving my chest. I’d seen her in action at the school, knew about her outstanding reputation as a teacher and a babysitter, and remembered all too well how she’d helped my daughter find confidence to speak in the first semester of tutoring. The way Ava was too shy and uncomfortable to speak those first few weeks of kindergarten was something I hadn’t been equipped to deal with, but Chloe had found the solution easily.

Knowing Ava was with her meant I could focus on practice.

Of course, I still had rage for my former employee simmering under my skin — but I’d deal with that later.

“Maybe you could have dinner with us,” Ava said, and she did so on a shrug that indicated she didn’t care either way. “Chef Patel always makes too much food for just me and Daddy.”

I tried to give my daughter a warning glare that would tell her not to put me on the fucking spot like that, because as much as I was thankful for her teacher stepping in to help, I wasn’t eager to haveanyonejoining us for dinner.

Chloe peeked up at me, and for a moment, I thought she looked pleased by that idea. But the second she saw my face, her smile dropped.

She cleared her throat. “Oh, that’s okay, sweetie. You and—”

“You’re more than welcome,” I cut in. I hoped the words didn’t sound as forced as they felt, that she didn’t notice how much my teeth gritted together when I said them.

At that, Chloe tilted her head a bit, as if she could read right through the lie.

Then, she smiled. “Okay, then. Dinner it is.”

I blinked.

I hadn’t expected her to take that offer seriously.

I certainly hadn’t expected her to accept it.