I scoffed. “Yeah, that’s happening.”

Harper came back out in heels, her head tilted as she worked an earring.

“Why not? I can take care of my nephew. How hard can it be, you feed him, burp him, bounce him up and down and tell him to go to sleep.”

“No, we’ll find someone,” Harper assured. “Hey why don’t I try Nic?” she said to me and then reached for her cell phone.

Troy stayed silent while we tried a few more people. I watched him with a light smirk on my face, pure fondness and affection like I’d never known from my brother emanating as he held my little boy.

But that didn’t qualify him as a babysitter for what would be no more than three hours, including travel.

Harper set her phone down, clearly having as much luck as I did. Then muttered something about packing a bag for him if he were indeed coming with us and disappeared into the bedroom.

Troy waited until she closed the door then stood with Seb. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Besides I’ve already got a date.” He reached for his phone. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t I just tell Gina to meet me here and we can double? Fun times huh?” He nudged me as I glared at him.

“Gina Malone?”

“Yeah, I mean the girl’s been chasing me for ten years, figured I’d throw her one, if you know what I mean.” He straightened his tie.

My glare intensified and I started feeling it in my chest. “You’re not fucking serious,” I hissed. Harper may not have given two shits about who Troy was throwing bones to, but I wasn’t taking any chances that she would have to relive that night.

Not even for a second.

“Okay, diaper bag is packed. Frankie said he’ll watch him but we need to bring him over.”

My jaw flexed as Troy cocked his head and flashed me a wide grin.

“Actually, Troy is going to watch Sebastian tonight.”

“What?”

I turned away from my brother’s smirk as he reached for the kid again, and went to Harper, lowering my voice. “Yeah, he’s only in town for the weekend, I think it would be good if he spent some time with his nephew.”

She grunted in response and glanced at the baby monitor as if to ensure it was in place—good sign.

“Let’s leave him the list, they’ll be fine, Harp.” I didn’t doubt Troy’s abilities with a toddler—but still, it was worth keeping him far away from Gina Malone tonight—of all nights.

He’d been completely sober and now in his second year playing for the Chicago Icers after huge improvements to his game in minors.