All-American Father by Anna DeStefano

Author:Anna DeStefano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“HOW ARE THINGS going with Bailey?” Selena asked from where she stood beside Derrick at Langston High stadium.

They’d just gotten up from one of the picnic tables the alumni were still milling around, even though the football game had already begun. So far, Amanda was a no-show—she’d spent the day shopping and catching up with friends—and Derrick was trying unsuccessfully not to be grateful.

“Bailey’s great with the kids.” He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the sight of Savannah and Leslie near the bleachers, laughing as Bailey set down a hot dog, licked ketchup off her thumb and in the process smeared a dab on her nose.

“Yes, I can see that.” Selena quite frequently saw way too much. “But I was asking about the two of you, not the girls.”

A recent client passed by.

“Great to see you here,” Michael Brody said.

Derrick smiled and shook the man’s hand. “It’s great to finally make one of these things.”

And it was.

His girls were having a blast.

What’s a football game without hot dogs, Bailey had insisted when they began clamoring for something from the concession stand, labeling the adult food catered in for the alumni social too boring to choke down. Left to his own devices, Derrick would have done what he’d assumed was fatherly, and refused to indulge them. But thanks to Bailey, the girls were now content to hang out while he played the see-and-be-seen game that was part of his job. And as an added bonus, he got to keep glancing Bailey’s way, writing it off as being an observant father.

As a rule, he didn’t attend football games. Or any other sporting event anymore. The reality of what he’d never do again was still too raw for him to be able to play rec league sports or enjoy being a spectator. Instead, he worked out daily at home, in private, with the free weights and elliptical glide machine in his guest room.

Selena’s eyebrow raised at his refusal to answer her question.

“Bailey and I aren’t going anywhere right now,” he explained. “We both have too much else going on.”

His friend chuckled as her son and their newly adopted dog bounded up to the girls. The mutt made a leap for Bailey’s food. With a whoop, Bailey jumped up from the bleachers, and dropped her hot dog down her front, earning her even more doggy affection as the creature tried to lick up every crumb.

“Hope you like the smell of dog slobber, DC,” a purring voice said from behind him. Amanda, the only person on the planet who still called him DC, looped her arm through his elbow. “That one seems a little slimy, even for you.”

“Speaking of too much,” Selena said under her breath. For the crowd of people now looking their way, she added, “Amanda, you’re looking wonderful.”

Amanda’s strategically too-tight Western High jersey and larger-than-necessary diamond earrings were just enough trying too hard to guarantee her the bevy of compliments she adored.

“And you’re as refreshingly colorful as ever.” Amanda air-kissed Selena’s right cheek.

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