Page 23 of Their Perfect Daddy

The move puts him close enough to where I can reach him too. Letting go of Skye's grip, I take Danny's hand in mine.

“Thank you for getting me a sweet treat. You could have come back yourself and that would have been enough.”

The laughter that comes from him makes me feel as good as I did moments ago when I had Skye doing the same. All my life I've been the one to crack a joke, the one to be the center of attention. I would do anything in my power to have others look my way.

I’m sure a therapist would say it has something to do with being raised by a single parent who worked an insane number of hours to keep things afloat. My need for attention only seems to get worse with age too.

Still, it's different with these two. My actions are less about having their eyes on me and more about making them happy.

All I want is to make them happy.

The next season of our lives is going to be challenging instead of fun. Not only for me but for us all.

Grizzly steps up to the bed next. He stays on the opposite side from my partners, his gaze taking in every inch of me. He pokes my good leg and shakes his head.

"Hell of a hit."

I shrug as best I can given my soreness. “Wasn't like I asked the guy to do it.”

“Don't think you’d ever ask anyone to do something like that,” Grizzly replies.

“As it stands, the player is looking at some really harsh penalties. I’d suggest going after him for criminal charges as well because his intention to harm you was clear as day.

The cameras just so happened to be on you two in a close-up when everything went down.

While we can't hear what he says, his expression and the way he goes from watching your face to looking at your legs makes it clear that there was no accident to be found. The commissioner is launching a full-scale investigation, which I think is a waste of time.”

I blink at him, not quite sure what to say to all that information.

"I'm sorry, I don't think we've met," Skye says, turning more to the side and sticking a hand out. "I'm Skye."

Grizzly shakes his hand, his big palm covering Skye's in a hysterical way. It becomes more amusing when the big man blushes under Skye's intense stare. "Sorry about that. I needed to check on my best client."

At Skye's raised brow, Grizzly rushes to finish.

"I'm his agent. His manager, too, technically I guess. And his friend. I don't know what you’d call me these days. I'm Gri-Grizzly. Yes, Grizzly.”

The way he falls all over himself makes me and Danny share a smile. Skye smiles right along with us. You can tell his is one of indulgence that we're amused and not because he's making fun of Grizzly.

"It's nice to meet you," he tells my friend. "Thank you for coming to check on him. I didn't really know who we needed to call given his career and everything. I figured someone would call him. They took all his stuff in after he showed up via ambulance, so I have his phone.”

My brow furrows as I try to remember everything that took place earlier. It's all so broken up in my mind. One minute I'm on the field and the next I’m in immense pain. Then I'm heading into an operating room and after that I'm waking up to find my brother standing beside the bed.

Speaking of my brother, I tap Danny's hand.

"Where did Micah go?" I ask.

"He got a work call," Danny says with a sigh. "I think it's about the project that I had to hand off quickly. I feel so guilty about it. At the same time, I don't want to leave your side. It's a mess."

He throws his arms up, only barely missing Daddy's face. He gasps, then quickly wraps his arms around the other man, and apologizes while burying his face into his shoulder. I give the two of them a moment as I look over at Grizzly to see what he’s thinking.

Only, my friend isn’t looking at me. He’s staring at my men. Not in a way that says he covets them. More like he wishes he could have something of his own.

"Grizz." I call out to get his attention. When he turns my way, that redness in his cheeks increases. “Is there anything that we have to do right now? Anything damning that’s going to cause issues for you and me?”

And suddenly, a light bulb clicks on.

I blurt out, "Oh, shit! The sponsorship deal. What happens to everything we already shot?”

My mind goes haywire wondering what the penalties are going to be for this. Will I have to pay back the advance they gave me? Will I lose the contract? Are all those shots going to be considered wasted since I won't be playing anymore?

Most sponsors only want athletes who are constantly bringing in fresh news and winning games. I'm of no use to them if I can't play.

"Hey!" Grizzly yells. He tugs on my pinky finger, hard enough for the thoughts to stop.

"Whatever your head is going on about, get away from it. You know I’ll help take care of you.

I always have. And not only because you're my client, but because you're a good friend.

" I nod as I wait for him to explain. "The sponsorship is still yours. I made sure of it," he goes on to say.

"The contract you signed was airtight. No matter what happens to you, whether you're on the field or not, they are going to use those shots.

Given the news of everything and all the pending investigations, you're going to be in people's faces for a while.

They're going to want to support you any way they can.

Considering you get a commission along with the sponsorship deal, I would think that you're going to have some cash flowing in pretty soon. "

I swallow thickly. The relief inside me was immeasurable.

"Good. I want all the money funneled into that thing we spoke about,” I tell him as I cut a quick glance over to see if my men are watching.

Of course they are. Their eyes are on me, not Grizzly, as if they're waiting for me to tell them what I mean. I give a slight shake of my head and focus back on my friend. Once he sees my attention has returned, he nods.

"I'll get with Casper about the finances. We'll get it done.”

“Casper Vanni?” Skye interrupts.

I tilt my head to look at him. “That’s him. Do you know him?”

“Yeah, I know him. He’s the one who handles everything for me,” he replies, careful not to mention his social media persona with Grizzly around.

I understand since it’s not like they really know each other.

Even I was surprised to find out Daddy had this whole other life outside his prim and proper doctor vibe.

Taking the silence as his chance to continue, Grizzly tells me, “As for all the other events we had planned, I think we should postpone them.

Or maybe see if some of your teammates are up for stepping in for you.

I know you've always kept this part of yourself separate, but you're surrounded by some really good guys. I think they could do good work too.”

Biting my lip, I think over it for a second. "Sounds good. The getting my teammates involved part," I say. "Let me call them though. I want to make sure they understand the reasoning behind it all, and I need to know they're committed. This isn't PR for me, you know?"

Grizzly grins. "I know. I've been with you since the beginning, so yeah, I get it. And speaking of beginning, I can feel my stomach starting to rumble, so I’ll head out of here.

If you need anything, I'm a text away. Same goes for either of you.” He points a finger at my guys.

“If you're too busy taking care of him and need me to pick up food or send a delivery over, I can do it.”

"You're a good friend too, Grizzly,” I tell him. “I really don't say it enough.”

He dips his head, then turns and flees the room. Micah comes in a second later, his expression amused.

“Was that Grizzly who practically ran out of here? The big guy was walking like his feet were on fire.”

The three of us share a look and then nod. “He might have gotten a bit uncomfortable there at the end. I was being nice to him.”

Micah hums at my reply. "Oh yeah, poor Grizzly can never take a compliment. Such a softie.”

Yeah, he is, I think to myself. I hope one day he finds someone who nurtures his softness instead of expecting him to be the big, rough guy he looks like on the outside. He deserves his own happiness.