Page 37 of The Accidental Nanny

“Hi, Alex.” Penny’s voice grates on me.

The children moan when they see who their father is now talking to. She is getting too close to him.Move away, bitch.I’m surprised at myself. I don't have any right to be possessive over Alex, but I know a bimbo when I see one, and she's it. She’s looking for money, and Alex is that ticket for her.

“I’ll play with you,” I tell the kids. I get up, going over to them.

We kick the ball between us. Ace has moved positions; he stands in front of his father. I stare at Alex and Penny. My eyes narrow as Penny touches Alex’s arm. It sends shivers down my spine. He isn’t mine, but I don’t want her near him either.

“To me,” Ace shouts.

A stupid thought pops into my head. Lining the ball up, I hitch my dress to just above the knees. Taking aim at Penny, I kick it as hard as I can. It goes up in the air, higher than I anticipated, and smacks Alex on the forehead.

Hard.

“Alex, shit!”

He stands there, unsure of what just transpired, and pats his head.

“You said a swear word,” Eden shouts.

“I know.” I run over to Alex, who looks a bit dazed.

“Are you okay? You poor thing.” Penny is all over him, rubbing his head.

I doubt that is helpful.

“Dad.” Ace and Eden follow me.

“I’m okay. What did I do to upset you?” he jokes.

“Gemma did a swear, Daddy.”The little tattletale.“She said sh.. iii?—”

“Eden, no," Alex and I both say at the same time.

“Gemma is an adult. She shouldn’t say those words in front of you, but if she does, you never repeat them. I have a bit of a headache now,” Alex says, shaking his head a little.

“You have a lump.” Penny touches him again, she examines him, ignoring the children.

“I’m not surprised. Did you see that thing flying at me?” Alex smirks at me. "You could have been a professional striker."

“I’m sorry. I can’t play football very well.”

“Daddy, will we have to chop off your head?” Eden asks, laughing like a wild animal at her father’s injury.

“I hope not.”

Ace glares at Penny the whole time. It doesn't go unnoticed by me; it’s what I do when I don't like someone.

Once Penny leaves us and the swelling starts to go down on Alex’s head, we decide to take a walk. I carry the picnic basket while Alex has Eden on his shoulders, and Ace carries the football.

“I want an ice cream.” Eden moves her father’s head sideways so he can’t miss the ice cream truck.

“I have an injury. On my head,” Alex points out.

“Look, Daddy.” Eden keeps his head still, making sure he can see.

“Who wants an ice cream?” Alex asks.

Ace is just a bit ahead of us and Eden is between Alex and me as we walk with our ice cream cones.