Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
A nnie
Mom is sitting on the love seat with Louise, Ford’s mother, while Dad is speaking with William, Ford’s father, by the old grand piano in the corner of the living room. The house was built with high ceilings and Grandmother hired carpenters to do the intricate woodwork around the walls and ceilings. She also hired seamstresses, who made beautiful curtains to cover the very large windows in this room. Ford’s sister, Lola, stands off to the side chatting with me, while Ford speaks with Cade. He’s already figured out his father is the famous John Price. Besides my run-in with him on Thanksgiving weekend in Daddy’s office, I haven’t actually seen Ford since our breakup senior year of high school, so things definitely feel awkward. I don’t know what I was expecting, but the half hug he gave me and warm smile threw me off. The last time we saw each other I had a tearstained face as I confronted him about his cheating. He didn’t apologize. He said they were stupid mistakes. I told him I never wanted to see him again. I was serious. It’s a miracle we hadn’t bumped into each other since it’s a small town, but I understood he spent less time in town since leaving for Harvard after high school, and I was grateful.
“So he’s just a friend?” Lola nudges, referring to Cade.
She’s a couple of years younger than me and Ford is one year older than me. I know both of the Bancroft siblings from school.
I blink since I’m feeling off-kilter, while my mind transports me to the past and my horrible breakup with Ford. “For now. I’m hoping for more,” I say because she seems to be intrigued by Cade.
“Ooh.” Her eyes widen. “He’s a hottie. Look at that physique. All the girls go crazy for the hockey players at Westfall.”
“How is college life treating you?” I inquire.
“Fine. I’m majoring in political science. Daddy expects me to attend law school,” she says with a tone lacking enthusiasm. “At least Ford enjoys that stuff. Can you believe he’s transferring to Riverside U?” She waits expectantly.
No, I can’t believe it.
“Um. . . I didn’t really understand why he would leave Harvard,” I say instead.
“He wasn’t happy and Daddy wants him more involved in the firm. It’s an easier commute for him,” Lola explains. She’s wearing a pleated mini dress with gold buttons and high-heel black boots. Her black hair is slicked back and her makeup makes her green eyes look feline. They are a good-looking family. That’s for sure.
“Makes sense,” I reply.
“Do you want to go to the kitchen and get a drink? I feel like we’re going to need alcohol if we’re getting through tonight,” she suggests.
There’s a waitress Mom hired who is handing out hors d’oeuvres and the dads have moved toward the moms, so they are chatting together now.
“Lola, are you already causing trouble?” Ford smiles and his dimples pop as he peeks his head into our conversation.
“Seriously, Ford, we need drinks,” she sighs.
“You got anything good lying around?” he asks.
My gaze moves to Cade. This all feels very awkward and there is no way I am drinking or letting my guard down around Ford.
“Daddy does have a stash in the kitchen in a cabinet over the oven,” I say.
“Lead the way,” he says.
I walk first and feel Cade directly behind me. He places his hand on my lower back and that small touch feels stabilizing and reassuring. I take a small easy breath for the first time tonight. When we get to the kitchen, Lola hops up on a counter and her dress moves up her thighs.
“So, Cade, I hear you’re a hockey player. I go out to a lot of the Westfall games,” she says.
“They are a respectable opponent.” Cade nods.
I take a bottle of tequila out of the cabinet. I also grab a few tumblers.
“I hope tequila is okay,” I say as I place the tumblers on the counter.
“Fuck yeah,” Lola cheers.
Cade watches me carefully.
“Who’s having?” I ask.
“Me,” Ford says.
I look over at Cade. “None for me. I’m not much of a drinker.”
“Seriously, buddy? I remember partying with the hockey guys back at Harvard. Those guys were a blast,” Ford says.
“I don’t drink during the season,” Cade explains.
“You’re on holiday.” Ford shrugs. “It’s important to take time for yourself and just chill. Am I right?”
“Definitely, being on the farm has been a different pace of life for me,” Cade says.
“Boring,” Lola chimes.
“I’m loving it,” Cade says, surprising the Bancroft siblings.
“Did she introduce you to Sally?” Ford asks Cade. “That cow is something else.”
Cade watches me curiously. “I met Sally.”
“She licked his face,” I say then I watch Ford for a reaction.
Ford’s eyes bulge. “No shit? She would get pissy when I was around. There was one time she chased me around and she liked to bite the hems of my pants. I had to throw away a lot of clothes when I was dating Annie.”
“Sally liked Cade,” I say and Cade’s honey eyes lock with mine. He’s trying to read me. That much I can tell. I just don’t know what he’s looking for.
“Are you drinking, Annie?” Lola asks.
“Nah, I’m a lightweight,” I reply.
“Aw, come on, you two,” Ford says. “Don’t be boring.”
Here we go. Ford pressuring me to do something I don’t want to do and then calling me names when I don’t comply with him. I see not much has changed.
“Annie and I will be boring together,” Cade says, placing his arm around my shoulders. It almost feels like he’s claiming me and, on some level, I want to be claimed by Cade. The thought confuses me because I have never been in a relationship where I felt I could trust my partner.
“You said you guys are friends, right?” Lola notes curiously. I pass Ford and Lola their tumblers and they clink glasses.
“Probably friends with benefits.” Ford winks to Cade.
I feel Cade stiffen beside me. “We are what we are,” he grits out.
“Why don’t you guys finish off those drinks. My mom probably wants us all seated around the table,” I cut in with a clipped smile.
They finish their drinks, and we leave the kitchen. Cade side-eyes me and I inhale deeply, feeling very stressed.
When we get back to the living room, our parents have been clearly waiting for us.
“So nice to see all of you getting along,” Mom states.
“Indeed, you’ve grown so beautifully,” Mrs. Bancroft says to me.
“Yes, well it would have been nice if my daughter could dress for the occasion and not look like she is going out for a line dancing competition,” Mom says.
My eyes widen. I can’t believe Mom just said that in front of our guests.
“I think Annie looks beautiful tonight. What I don’t like is the way you speak to your daughter. She has a right to choose what clothes she wears, but you don’t have a right to put her down all the time. Annie deserves better than that, and if you can’t control yourself then we’re leaving,” Cade says, completely throwing me for a loop.
Mom’s jaw falls slack. I’ve never seen her look so shocked before. She holds on to her neck, which is a nervous tic, and she’s speechless.
Mom snaps her mouth shut and takes a deep breath. “My apology, Annie. I just loved the dress I bought you.”
I think I am more stunned than Mom. I can’t find words. Mom is the one person I have been taking shit from my entire life. I wonder if Cade somehow heard our conversation earlier. I wonder if he heard me crying. When I think back to the moment I kind of lost my shit, I know I wasn’t so quiet.
“Annie does look beautiful. I like her unique look,” Lola chirps. Then she elbows her brother, who coughs from the elbow to the ribs.
“I agree. Annie looks good in anything she wears,” Ford says, smiling to me and looking into my eyes.
Cade takes a step toward me and holds my hand.
“Did someone mention dinner is ready?” he asks.
Mom laughs. “It sure is. Let’s take a seat at the table.”
“Great, I’m always starving.” Cade laughs too, but I can tell it’s forced.
Mom has set up the table beautifully. A server comes around to place the food on the center of the table. Dad takes over the conversation by talking about the farm and politics. Everyone around the table is chatting about their plans for the holidays. The Bancrofts are leaving for Hawaii tomorrow, which is good to know because it means they won’t be around town over break.
When dessert is all done, Cade excuses himself to the restroom. I wait a few seconds before excusing myself. I head in the direction of the kitchen. I need a moment to catch my breath. Tonight has been very overwhelming. Not only did I have to face Ford, after not seeing him for a good three and a half years, but Cade has been surprising too. The way he stood up for me to Mom was. . .I lean against the kitchen counter with my head down. No one has ever stood up for me like that before, not even Daddy when he knew Mom was being mean. It’s messing with my head.
“I thought I saw you come in here.” Ford’s voice pulls me from the tumult in my mind, but it also puts me on edge.
“What do you want, Ford?” My tone is clipped now that the adults aren’t around. I also don’t have Cade beside me as a protective barrier.
“Aw, come on, Annie. It’s good to see you after all this time. You’re looking good,” he says, moving closer to me.
“What are you doing, Ford? Whatever we had is in the past,” I remind him gently.
“I don’t think so. You’re still hot for me. I can tell,” he says.
My head rears back. “Have you lost your effing mind? I’m not interested in you,” I say as he stops a couple feet away from me.
“Are you sleeping with Cade, Annie? Does he get you as hot as I got you?” he asks, his voice all sultry. He reaches out and moves the hair off my shoulder.
“That isn’t any of your business. If you touch me again, I swear I’ll scream so loud I’ll wake the cows,” I warn.
Ford laughs and it’s so condescending. I don’t know how I didn’t see it from the start, but he views me as a simple farm girl and thinks of himself as better than me.
“Annie, can’t we have a fresh start? Our families are getting along. Daddy is helping with the farm,” he has to remind.
“Why is he helping with the farm, Ford? What’s in it for him?” I ask, knowing his family doesn’t do anything for free.
“Nice, Annie. Are you insinuating my father has ulterior motives?” he asks, seeming offended.
“Yes.” I nod.
“Look, it was me. I asked Daddy to take on the case because I wanted to see you. I want a second chance,” he says, just laying it out.
I hate to say that he looks sincere, which is just so messed up.
“Ford, you cheated on me multiple times,” I remind, crossing my arms in front of my chest, which is a mistake because it presses my breasts together, and his gaze drops there and his nostrils flare.
“I was a stupid kid, Annie. I’m a man now. I know what I want,” he says and looks like he wants to devour me, and somewhere deep inside me I want him to. I’ve been lonely and he’s familiar. But then a different part of me, the part that is no longer the broken girl who was willing to take the shit he was shoveling, rears her head and says you can definitely do better than him . I don’t know if I believe her, but I do have a fake boyfriend to rely on.
“You’re too late. I’m with Cade,” I state.
“I thought you said he was a friend,” he counters, cocking his right brow in challenge.
“Does this mean you aren’t going to help Daddy?” I ask him.
“Is that how low you think of me?” He rears back, clearly offended.
“I don’t think you want me answering that question.” I raise my brows.
He winces. “I deserve that. I’ll prove to you I’ve changed,” he says, pointing at me as he backs away.
He leaves the kitchen, and I take a deep breath. This isn’t good. If Mr. Bancroft doesn’t help Daddy, he’ll have a big fine to pay on top of making the proper changes to the farm. I take a few gulps of air, needing to get my bearings.
By the time I leave the kitchen, my parents have the Bancrofts at the door.
“We had a lovely time. Dinner was delicious,” Mrs. Bancroft praises.
Cade walks up to the door.
“It was good to meet you,” Mr. Bancroft says to him and shakes his hand. “I’ll guess we’ll wait to see which team you end up on next year.”
His comment reminds me how, in a matter of months, Cade and I will be going our separate ways. We haven’t been friends long but in the time he has been in my life, he’s slid under my skin.
Cade smiles and shakes his hand. Ford shakes his hand next and when Lola shakes his hand, she gives him the most obvious bedroom eyes and whispers, “If things don’t work with her, call me.”
Cade pulls his hand back like he’s been burned.
Lola hugs me and whispers in my ear, “It’s nothing personal.”
I pinch my lips together because this night was all kinds of crazy and my head is spinning.
With the Bancrofts gone, Mom goes to sleep without saying a word to anyone.
“She’s overwhelmed and she isn’t handling it well,” Daddy says, making the usual excuses for her. “We’re going to have our special skate tomorrow, right?”
“Of course,” I reply.
“Merry Christmas, kids,” Daddy says.
Both Cade and I answer at the same time, “Merry Christmas.”
When Daddy makes it to the top of the stairs, Cade turns to look at me. Only, having him watch me after he stood up for me makes me feel naked. He knows how Mom puts me down. He must have figured out I’ve been allowing her to do it for years. His amber eyes bore right through me.
“Thanks for standing up for me.” I swallow.
“As long as I’m around, you’ll be treated with the respect you deserve.”
My breath hitches as a whirlwind of emotions bursts through me. I want to reach up and kiss him, but I take a deep breath. He’s a good guy, but we are both broken. I give his hand a squeeze instead.
“It wasn’t a big deal,” he then says, clearly reading that I feel overwhelmed by him.
“Nope,” I pop the p. “You don’t get to belittle what you did. It was a big deal. No one in this house has ever stood up to my mom. She gets away with murder.”
“So does my dad,” he admits. “And Mom never bats a lash.”
“It’s tough, isn’t it?” I ask. I’ve never had anyone understand me like Cade does.
He nods. “It’s so messed up. Being around you has given me a lot of clarity.”
“Clarity is good.”
We keep staring into each other’s eyes a beat too long. Like the magnetic pull surrounding us is pulling us together. I’m fighting it hard.
“How about we get away from here for a few days?” he suggests, surprising me.
As enticing as it sounds, I can’t agree to go away with him. It means more alone time with Cade. More time to fall for him.
“I have my Christmas Day skate with Daddy tomorrow. You’re welcome to join,” I offer.
“I wouldn’t want to intrude if it’s a ritual or something,” he replies, looking uneasy. Why is he uneasy now? He had no problem speaking up in front of all our guests to call my mother out on her poor manners.
“We’d like for you to join us,” I assure. I try not to bat my lashes like a fool because I need to get a grip on my feelings. So what if he’s handsome as hell, is super nice, and has come to my rescue. He may be a knight in shining armor, but I’ve assured myself that I’m no longer a damsel in distress.
“Sounds good,” he yawns.
“I’ll see you in the morning. Don’t worry, I won’t come knocking at 7:00 a.m.” I giggle.
“I wouldn’t mind if you did,” he replies.
His words are flirty and testing every ounce of my willpower. “Cade,” I say with a warning tone.
“Annie,” he replies with the same warning.
This is trouble.
“Ford admitted to me earlier that his dad took on Daddy’s case to get Ford closer to me,” I relay.
Cade’s jaw tenses. “I’m not surprised. He was checking you out all evening.”
“He so much as told me that he wants me back. I told him there was no way,” I make clear.
He nods. “Good.”
“I’ll never be that girl again,” I vow to him.
“I know,” he says, staring into my eyes with a firm belief that tells me he sees how far I’ve come. We have a shared understanding of what it feels like to be walked all over, and Cade knows I can never do that again.
“I’m going to need you to help me when we get back to school. Ford is on a mission to get me back.”
“I’ll be there, Annie. I gave you my word,” he reassures, and his eyes drop to my lips.
It would be so easy for me to close the steps between us. To allow Cade to take me to his bed in the guest room. A part of me wants it so bad. But I can’t allow myself to go there.
“Scarlett messaged me today. She wished me a Merry Christmas and told me she feels horrible. That she made a terrible mistake.”
My heart stutters at his words. Not only because I would never want Cade to be in a position where Scarlett would take advantage of him, but also because I don’t want him kissing anyone but me. That’s slightly problematic.
“What did you say to her?” I ask, my bones tensing.
“I wished her a Merry Christmas and asked her not to text me again,” he replies and his Adam’s apple bobs.
“Good. Because you deserve so much better, Cade. You’re a good guy.”
“Thanks, Annie. Right back at you.” He licks his lips. His very kissable lips.
“Have a good night.” I rock back on the heels of my boots.
“You too.”
With that, it takes everything in me to turn and walk away. I head up to my room and take out the big guns. My trusted pink vibrator. It hits all the right spots and doesn’t leave me with a broken heart.