Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

DAY CARE

JOSH THE PRESENT

I walked into the daycare with Asha balanced on my hip, feeling like a giant in a world that wasn't built for me. The room was alive with chatter, the unmistakable hum of moms exchanging stories about nap schedules, tantrums, and organic snacks. I didn't miss the glances thrown my way, the double-takes, and the lingering looks. I knew why-they'd seen the articles. "Famous NFL Defender Leaves Wife in Hospice and Starts New Life in Texas."

The headlines had circulated like wildfire for weeks. Reporters camped outside my house, my gym, the grocery store- anywhere they thought I might show up. I'd gotten through it by keeping my head down, refusing to comment, and waiting for the storm to pass. Eventually, it did. But not before everyone had their opinions about my choices.

Now, here I was, standing in the middle of a daycare center, clutching my daughter, and ignoring the stares of judgment from a room full of women who didn't know the first thing about my life.

Jess had called a few nights ago, her tone surprisingly softer than usual. She didn't lecture me for once. Instead, she asked about Asha and the nanny I'd hired after we moved. She even sounded almost proud when I mentioned considering daycare. So, here I was- enrolling my daughter and trying to pretend like I belonged here.

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DAY CARE

The receptionist led us down a brightly lit hallway to a

classroom. The walls were painted a soft baby blue, and the ceiling was dotted with fluffy white clouds. A rainbow stretched across the back wall, cheerful and hopeful in a way I hadn't felt in a long time.

woman, her dark curls tumbling over her face as she

out of my depth as Asha tugged on my ear with her

slightly as she straightened. Her glasses slid down her narrow nose, and she pushed them back

a flustered rush, and I noticed how small she looked, sitting there in a

glasses again, tugged at the hem of her already modest dress, and finally reached out to shake it. Her hand was small and warm, and when

the kind that always seemed to light up

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12.06

DAY CARE

258 Vouchers

you get your looks from your mother, don't you?" Miss Worth continued, her gaze locked on Asha as

stealing my breath for a moment. Laura. The mention of her-even indirectly-still hurt

that you're here," she went on, oblivious to the effect her words had on me. "It's usually the moms, you

I said, my tone sharper than I intended. Her head snapped up, and I saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes

details have been provided to the school.

expression calm despite my gruff tone. She reached for Asha, who willingly leaned into her arms, babbling happily as if she

back to Asha. "Your dad

mouth, realizing I was clenching my

door, dropping Asha's bag