Page 12 of Manny Included

“It is.It’s a solid house.Good schools.Lots of activities.”

Pete was beginning to relax.Bay could see it, as the booze did its job.

“So we’re good size-wise?I could look for something bigger in the same area.For when the kids are more ready to move… Or now if being here is going to hurt them.”He just didn’t know.They needed to talk to a family therapist, he thought.

“This is home, right?I mean, this is where they know everything, and it’s got the great basement…”

Bay tilted his head.“The great basement?What the heck is that?”

“That’s what Tony called the reno of the basement.The Great Basement.”A single tear escaped and slid down Pete’s lashes.

Bay didn’t know what to do, so he reached out and patted Pete’s shoulder.“Finish your drink.It’ll help.”That’s what he was telling himself anyway.

“Okay.Sorry.I’m sorry.”Poor Pete.The nanny needed a nap.

Ooh.Alliterative.

Maybe he was getting drunk after all.He finished his drink, but he didn’t pour himself another one.

“So what do we need to do to get you a break?”

“Huh?”Pete’s eyes were so damn green.

“You’re running on empty.You need some downtime.I know you said you’d not worry about time off until the kids were settled, but you’re not going to be any good to anybody soon if you don’t get a good night’s sleep.So do we hire a babysitter for a night or two or what?”

Pete looked totally confused, searching his eyes.“I don’t know.I don’t really know any babysitters.Just other nannies.”

“Well can one of them take over for a night?Don’t you feel like you need to sleep?To have a break?”

“I don’t know!I’m—I don’t know how to do this any more than you do!”

He stared at Pete for a long moment, then grabbed his phone, hit Will in his contacts.

“Yeah, Boss?”

“We need someone to watch the kids for a night or two so Pete can get some sleep.”

“Done.Might be tomorrow night before I can have someone there.”

“Tomorrow?”

“If you want someone reputable, yes.”

“Fine.Just get it done.Please.”

“You got it.”

He hung up the phone.“Someone will be here for tomorrow night.So you need to hang on until then.”

“I’m sorry.I’m just?—”

Bay thought that, in his own way, Pete had lost as much as the children.

“Don’t apologize.This terrible thing has happened and we’re all dealing with it as best we can.”He rubbed his face.He was fucking heartsick and tired; he could only imagine how exhausted Pete was.

“So… are you going to move in here?I’m sure you have things you need from your home.”

“Yeah, Will is having what I need packed up and sent here.I’ll take the master.It’ll work as my office, too.”He wasn’t sure how he was going to do it, but he didn’t see that he had a lot of choice.Those kids were his responsibility now.