Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
“Matthew, don’t fucking go there. Not today, not ever. Don’t try to be a matchmaker when there isn’t anything there to match.” From what our mom said, she’s going through a lot. She’s also, with any luck at all, become Josephine’s babysitter a few times a week. The last thing I need is to add a complication into either of our lives.
“We’ll see about that,” he grunts, hands me the phone back, and goes to grab the handle of my door. “Finish having your pity party, then let’s get to work.”
“Get outta here. I’ll call Kody and then the backup if needed.” My brother, ever the shit starter, lets out a low whistle and gets out of the truck. That leaves me with making plans. I shoot out a text to Kody in case Josephine is down for her nap. Waking her up is the last thing I want to do right about now.
Me: Hey, you got a minute?
Kody: Sure
Me: Calling now
I get the text sent, wait until the message appears as read, and hit the call button.
“Hello,” Kody’s answers quietly. I hear the door open and then closing in the background. Probably stepping into the bathroom or walking out front to take my call.
“Hey, sorry to call. I figured it’d be easier than relaying everything through text.” I had the truck running when I pulled up to the site and while Matthew was inside. Now that he’s gone, I turn my vehicle off, take the key out of the ignition, and drop them in the cupholder.
“It’s not a problem. I’m technically working for you. You can call whenever,” she replies. I’m sure by now, she saw the baby monitor I leave in the living room, a display with a live feed to Josephine’s room. Even still, I should have gone over things a bit more.
“Thanks, I appreciate that. I was calling to see if you would mind staying late?” I wince out the question, worried I’m scaring her off before she really has a chance to settle in and agree to potentially watch JoJo a few days a week.
“Not at all. Do you mean late as in dinner time or late as in get her ready for bed?” Once again, Kody is saving me ass when I don’t deserve an ounce of her help.
“Fuck, the way work is going,” I grumble, “It’ll probably be around bedtime, which I know I didn’t give you a lot of information to begin with, so I will now. The monitor is in the living room. She can sleep in my bed or hers, probably better in her own bed, but I’ve been letting her decide.” A decision that will no doubt kick me in the ass when I wake her up on one of my bouts of insomnia or I when I get home too late and end up making more noise than a pack of wolves. Then she’ll be up for hours, completely fucking me.
“Noted. What about dinner ideas, bath time, and bedtime?” She takes me asking her to stay late with grace. Jesus, she’s perfect but also off fucking limits.
“She’ll eat whatever, but there are chicken nuggets in the freezer I use in a pinch. Josephine likes salad, and she’ll want either macaroni and cheese or rice. Whichever you feel up to. Bath time before bed, which is around seven, depending on how tired she is. She’ll want a bedtime story, too. Shit, I feel like I’m asking entirely too much. Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I ask, worry sitting in the pit of my gut.
“I’ve got this. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t currently have a job, and Josephine is not a hardship. One last question, then you can get back to work. A sippy cup at bedtime, and if so, what does she get in it?” Josephine isn’t in a crib anymore. Emma caught her trying to climb out of hers. I take that back, not trying to; she had her whole body over the side of the rail, her stomach on the top bar and her legs kicking for traction. She transitioned her into a big girl bed that night. I did the same the next time she was at my house.
“Sometimes, she’ll take water, but for the most part, she’ll only get up if she’s thirsty. Obviously, you know she’s potty trained by now, which I didn’t tell you this morning. I promise I usually have my act together,” I tell her honestly. If it weren’t for Shaun and my mom telling me all of her experience with kids, I’d have never asked Kody to watch her in the first place.
“It’s okay. I learned it pretty fast this morning. Kudos, by the way. Not even a trainer at night, and she’s Little Miss Independent. Okay, I think that covers everything. I can always call my mom if something comes up and you’re not available. I better get back in the house. Josephine is starting to squirm on the monitor. I’m assuming nap time is about over.” I’m still wondering where she’s at in or outside of my house.