Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
A nnie
“Hello,” Briar answers my call.
“Oh, thank goodness. I thought you would still be sleeping,” I say, thankful she answered the phone. “I’m low key freaking out. I’m meeting Cade’s parents in half an hour.”
“Um, what?” she asks, clearly confused.
Right, I didn’t tell her about my little plan.
“I kind of asked Cade to fake date me so I can get Ford off my back. He agreed because Scarlett was hounding him too,” I explain quickly because I don’t want to be late for breakfast with his parents. “The twist is, Cade was talking to his mother on the phone. I’m pretty sure she was giving him a hard time about the Scarlett breakup, like she was thinking it was his fault, so he told her Scarlett cheated and he and I are seeing each other.”
“Holy shit.”
“I need you to talk me down, Briar. The panic is real. I don’t like meeting parents. I’m awkward. I’ll say all the wrong things. This thing isn’t even real. How are we going to fool his parents? They’ll probably see right through our lies,” I splutter as I go on a word vomit rant.
“Calm down, you’re talking a mile a minute. Deep slow breaths. You’re sweet and beautiful. His parents will love you. And the great part is, you already know you guys have off-the-charts chemistry,” she adds.
I groan. “That kiss didn’t mean anything. It’s totally irrelevant right now.”
“That kiss was hot, and you know it,” she asserts.
“It was hot,” I concede. “But Cade and I have an arrangement. We aren’t interested in each other in that way.”
“He’s hot AF and you haven’t received a good screwing in forever,” she reminds.
“What a way to put it,” I scoff. Geez. “I’m not saying he isn’t good-looking, but I’m more than happy with my battery-operated friends,” I reply.
“See, there you go. You have everything figured out. There’s no need to panic,” Briar says.
“You’re so right. This is no big deal. Let’s just hope I don’t put my foot in my mouth.” I chew on my lip.
“Even if you do say something awkward, you’re so pretty it will be considered cute. Now, go charm the pants off his parents,” she pushes.
“Now I’m worried again.”
She groans.
“Go, you don’t want to be late. First impressions are everything,” she demands.
“He isn’t a real boyfriend. Does it really matter?” I ask.
“It does if you want them to believe you and him are the real deal,” she points out.
“You aren’t wrong.” I take a deep breath when I remember. . . “What are your plans for the holidays? I’ve been inside my head since Thanksgiving, but you know you can come home with me.”
“Thanks, but I have a job lined up at Black Jack’s, and I make time and a half for holiday hours,” she explains.
“Okay, but if you change your mind, please be in touch,” I urge her.
“You know me. I’m a lone wolf.” She laughs dryly.
“Yeah, okay,” I say, even if I don’t like her answer. I know she is stubborn and won’t change her mind.
“Let me know how breakfast goes.”
“Thanks, and please keep this between us.”
“Obviously,” she answers.
“Talk soon.”
“Bye.”
We end the call. I check myself in the mirror. I’m wearing a pair of tight jeans with a blue flannel top and a pair of Ugg boots. I slip on my puffer jacket and hat.
I get a text from Cade that he’ll be here in five, so I head downstairs. My housemates have already left for the holidays, so it’s just me in the house.
I wait by the front door a couple of minutes until I hear a honk. I head outside.
Cade gets out of the car to open my door.
“It’s cold outside. I don’t need you being a gentleman,” I tell him.
“Get in the car, Annie,” he says like I tire him.
I get in with a smile because he’s smiling too.
When he gets in the car, he rubs his hands together and turns up the heat. “My mom raised me to be chivalrous. If she found out I didn’t hold a door open for a girl, she’d feel like she failed as a parent,” he explains.
“Well, I can’t wait to meet her. Am I dressed okay?” I ask.
“You look good,” he says, looking at my legs then up at my face.
He’s wearing a black peacoat and a pair of dark jeans. He looks very GQ .
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I say. “I kind of feel underdressed.”
“You look very pretty, Annie. You don’t need to worry. My parents are chill people,” he says as he pulls out of the driveway. The other times I have seen Cade, he’s always been very casual. He’s usually wearing jeans and a hoodie. Now he seems very sophisticated in his fancy car and fancy clothes.
We head out of the student housing area to a neighborhood where there are larger homes. It’s where the professors live. We pull onto Sacks Street and Cade parks in front of the restaurant. Sacks Street has a small-town heritage vibe. With all the lights and Christmas decorations, it all looks pretty and magical.
“Have you been here before?” Cade asks.
“No, I don’t really venture out this way,” I admit.
“Well, you’re in for a treat. They have an award-winning breakfast,” he says, opening the door for me. The place has a rustic country feel to it, but it also looks fancy enough that I’m sure the food is gourmet.
Cade spots his parents at a table and his mom waves to us and stands. Cade walks over to her and hugs and kisses her cheek. It’s very sweet to see how he is welcomed.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, honey.” She reaches up to hug him and holds him tight, squeezing her eyes shut.
She isn’t what I am expecting. Even though I don’t know what I was expecting. She’s a fancy lady with long pin-straight black hair that’s pulled into a high ponytail. She is wearing a cream-colored dress with black accents. Her nails are perfectly manicured in fire-engine red and the jewelry she’s wearing is so sparkly.
She pulls away from him. “You must be Annie. It’s such a pleasure to meet you,” she says, reaching out her hand to shake mine.
“Nice to meet you too, ma’am,” I say, shaking her hand.
“Please don’t call me ma’am, I’m Nari but you can call me Lily,” she says.
“Okay, Lily, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Hi, Dad,” I hear Cade say. His dad is built big, like him, with light-brown hair and the same hazel eyes, but that’s where the comparison ends. His dad gives off a steely vibe, he’s too serious and cool, where Cade is friendly and warm.
“Hi, Son,” his dad says. He gives Cade a firm handshake.
“Dad, this is Annie,” Cade introduces.
“Hi, sir, nice to meet you,” I say. He seems like the type who wants to be called sir.
“Nice to meet you, Annie.” He nods.
I take a seat beside Cade.
“Honey, how are you holding up?” his mom asks as she reaches across the table to take hold of his hand.
“Lily, stop treating him like a pussy. He’s a grown man. Things went down. He’s clearly over it,” his father cuts in.
What a jerk.
“I’m fine, Mom. Can we not do this now?” he asks, clearly feeling awkward with me sitting beside him.
“Do you have a suntan?” his mom observes.
“Um, yeah, I went to Tampa over the weekend. Hayden is signing a contract with them,” he says.
“Good for him,” his dad adds. “Tampa is a strong team.”
“So what is your major, Annie?” his mom inquires.
“I’m an agricultural science major,” I answer with a smile.
“Wow, that’s something you don’t hear every day.” She giggles. “What made you choose agriculture?” she asks, truly interested. She is a striking woman and very kind.
“My family owns a dairy farm. I plan to work there after I graduate,” I explain.
“That is cool. Cade here used to love animals when he was younger. I’d take him to the farms and he would run around with the animals,” she says.
A waitress comes up to our table. I watch Cade exhale like he is relieved. “What can I get you all to drink?” she asks.
“I’ll have a café au lait,” Mr. Price says.
“Same,” his mother answers, smiling to the waitress.
“I’ll have the same,” Cade adds.
“Well, since I don’t want to be the odd one out, I’ll take one of those too.” I laugh awkwardly.
“Sure thing,” the waitress answers.
I look over at Mr. Price, who is blatantly checking her out. She looks to be in her twenties. She’s blond and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was a student at Riverside. She’s attractive and her outfit is revealing. Her black mini skirt is tight and hits mid-thigh, and her top is a tight scoop neck. She smiles at him and bats her lashes.
Cade’s mom shifts uncomfortably.
Cade frowns.
“I heard you’re all leaving for Mexico. That sounds so beautiful. I’ve never left mainland USA,” I note because I need to change the vibe at the table. It’s giving me an ick feeling.
I hear Mr. Price sigh.
“Yes, we like to take a trip every year over the holidays. We’ve been to Mexico before, but we figured it’s good weather and nice beaches. Something for everyone,” Lily explains.
The waitress returns with our coffees. They each have a heart shape in the frothed milk made from coffee.
“This looks delicious,” I say.
She asks us if we are ready to order. All the Prices order eggs Benedict.
“I’ll have the Belgium waffle with berries and cream,” I say, passing her the menu.
“On second thought, I’ll have the same thing,” Cade says, and he passes her his menu.
“Cade, that is a carbfest,” his father cuts in. “If you want to be a champion you need to eat like one.”
“I’m a grown man. I’ll eat what I want,” he replies with abrupt finality.
His father passes the waitress his menu and grins to her in a sleazy way that makes my skin crawl.
“If you’re a grown man, why aren’t you paying your way?” Mr. Price asks.
“John,” his mom chides. “This isn’t the time.”
Mr. Price blows out a breath. He looks at his phone. “I have a call to make.”
He gets up and walks away from the table.
“He’s just a little grouchy this morning from the early flight. Don’t pay him any attention,” Lily waves off, smiling with such ease.
Her husband is a royal prick, not a grouch.
My cell rings and Mom’s name lights the screen. My phone is sitting on the table and Cade looks at it.
“You can take the call, Annie,” he says.
“I can just let her go to voicemail,” I assure.
But when Mom calls a second time, I begin to worry.
“Excuse me,” I say. I head in the opposite direction of where Mr. Price just left.
“Hi, Mom,” I answer the call. “Is everything okay?”
“As okay as it can be,” she replies dryly, never pleased. “We’re being sued. Your father screwed up again. We need to find a way out of this mess,” she sighs. “But that isn’t why I’m calling. I have great news.”
“You have my attention,” I say, trying to find a quiet area in the restaurant since it’s freezing outside. There are little fireplaces situated throughout the restaurant, and I find a space where the tables aren’t filled at the back.
“Where are you? There’s a lot of background noise,” she notes.
“I’m out for breakfast with a friend.”
“Say hi to Briar,” Mom says.
“It isn’t Briar. I’m out with a guy,” I reply, knowing my mother is not going to like to hear it. I know she is banking on Ford and I getting back together and by banking, I mean, she likes the idea he comes from old money.
“Oh, you didn’t mention you were seeing someone when you were home for Thanksgiving,” she says.
“Because I wasn’t seeing Cade then.”
“I see. Well, the reason I was calling is because the Bancrofts are coming to us Christmas Eve,” she declares cheerfully. “It’s going to be so great to see Louise after all this time. And you and Ford can spend some quality time together.” She rambles on, not realizing I’ve gone silent because she is too absorbed in hosting her rich friends.
“I’m not interested in Ford,” I say, my tone cool while I try to stay calm, even though I’m inwardly freaking out.
Cade walks by and points that he’s headed to the restroom.
I nod.
“Why would they be coming to us? Aren’t they doing Christmas in the city?” I ask. When I was dating Ford in high school, my parents were over the moon happy. When he kept screwing up, Mom told me he was young and making stupid mistakes. There was always an excuse I always bought. Now, that pressure is making me feel like the walls are closing in and my breathing turns shallow.
“Nope,” she says with the pop of the p. “They want a nice quiet Christmas in the country.”
I start to feel lightheaded and grab on to the back of a chair, as sweat prickles my forehead. My heart also starts beating fast.
“Why aren’t you speaking, Annie? Isn’t this great news?” Mom continues, not reading my anxiety.
I don’t notice Cade has returned from the restroom until he is beside me. His hand rests on my shoulder and his amber eyes fill with concern.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Mom, can you hold on a second?”
“Yes.”
I mute her.
“My parents invited my ex and his parents to our house for Christmas Eve. Ford wants me back for some crazy reason, and my parents are going to encourage it,” I speak fast, my panic hitting an all-time high. “I need to sit down,” I say as my breaths quicken.
“Hello. Hello. Annie,” Mom is borderline shouting through the phone. I am too panicked to answer.
“Shit,” Cade curses and he squats in front of me. He takes my hand in his. “I need you to focus on me, Annie. Just watch me breathe,” he says softly. I do as he says. I focus on his handsome face. I watch how his shoulders rise and fall. My gaze drops to his full lips as I remember the kiss we shared at Fair Shot axe throwing. “Good, now I need you to breathe slowly with me.” Again, I do as he says. I feel myself relaxing as I slowly inhale and exhale. I hear Mom complaining about where I disappeared, but she seems like background noise as I stare into his mesmerizing eyes. “You don’t have to be with anyone you don’t want to be with.”
A sardonic laugh escapes me. “Maybe send that memo to my parents.”
“Annie, if you don’t come back to the phone now, I’m hanging up,” Mom warns.
I unmute her. “Sorry, Mom. Cade was just updating me on something.”
“Right, I was telling Annie I think it’s time I meet you guys. I’m coming home with her for the holidays,” he says, leaning into the phone.
My jaw falls slack as I look at Cade, completely dumbfounded.
“You are?” I mouth.
“I can’t wait to meet you guys. Annie has told me so much about you,” he continues. What the hell is he doing?
“Um, oh, well, I didn’t realize you and Cade were that serious,” Mom stutters.
“I’m out for breakfast with his parents now. I wasn’t going to say anything until I got home,” I explain.
Now it’s Mom who falls silent.
“Mom, I need to go. I’ve been away from the table for too long.”
“Sure. I’ll see you in a couple of days,” she says, but her enthusiasm has dried out like a desert.
“See you soon.”
We end the call.
“You really don’t need to come home with me.” That’s the first thing I say.
“Are you okay? What just happened here?” Cade asks instead of responding to my statement.
“Things are complicated with my family,” I relay, not wanting to divulge too much to a guy I barely know.
He snorts. “More complicated than mine? My dad left the table to go sign autographs at the entrance.”
I pinch my lips together. “Damn.”
“I think he may have gotten our waitress’s number too,” he adds.
I wince. “I’m sorry, Cade.”
“This isn’t new. I’m used to my family acting this way. Dad acts badly. Mom sweeps it under the rug and acts like everything is okay.”
“That must be tough. My parents don’t have the best marriage either,” I share, since he is opening up to me. He also just helped me calm down through my panic attack.
“I want to hear what happened with that phone call, but my mom is probably sitting at the table alone,” he says.
“Oh yeah, of course. We should go sit down. Your mom is so sweet and she’s gorgeous,” I say as we walk through the restaurant back to our seat.
“She really is. It makes me angry how Dad treats her, but he is who he is. He’s a star. He loves the attention,” Cade grumbles.
“I don’t think he liked me.”
“That’s because you didn’t get excited over who he is,” Cade states, surprising me.
“Right, you mentioned autographs, but I was so worked up I didn’t ask you why he’s famous? Is he an actor or something?” I ask.
Cade laughs.
“He’s retired now, but he was one of the best enforcers in the NHL. He wants me to be like him,” he says like he has a sour taste in his mouth.
“You’re not. . . like him,” I say. “I don’t know you all that well, but I can tell.”
“Thanks, Annie.” His amber eyes swirl with warmth.
“Sorry, I’ve never watched a hockey game in my life so, obviously, I didn’t know who he was.” I shrug.
“It’s refreshing, trust me,” he answers, confusing me.
We make it back to the table. Cade apologizes to his mom and so do I.
“No worries. I just didn’t want your food to get cold. I had them place a cover over it. It looks so good. I may need to have a bite.” She winks to Cade.
We all dig into our meal. Mr. Price returns. “Sorry about that. The call took a little longer than expected.” He smiles to his wife. She smiles back. I see a little of myself in Lily. I was once that girl who put up with all of Ford’s stupid behavior. My resolve to keep Ford out of my life strengthens because there is no way I want to see myself excusing his behavior twenty years from now.
“So, tell me about your family farm, Annie,” Lily smiles as she eats her eggs Benedict.
“We are a dairy farm. We mostly deal with cows that produce milk, but we also have goats, sheep, and a few horses. My grandad ran a strong business but once my dad took over, he changed a lot of the old ways. He turned the farm into an organic farm. We had to get rid of some of our cows because of spacing. That was hard because we’ve had the same lineage of cows for years,” I explain.
“Is that why you chose to study agriculture science?” Lily asks.
“Yes, my dad worked for my grandad. That’s how he met my mom.”
“You seem very passionate. It’s nice to see that trait in a young person. I feel like most young people I meet don’t have their lives figured out,” she says.
“I love the farm and the animals. I get the confusion of not knowing what to do with the rest of your life,” I say to her. “Cade, do you plan on continuing with hockey after graduation?”
His mom’s brows hit her forehead, and she watches us with surprise.
“We are still new. I don’t know much about Cade,” I explain.
“Yes, Cade is continuing with hockey,” his father answers. “He’s going to be a famous enforcer, just like his old man.”
“What does that mean exactly?” I ask, looking between Cade and his dad.
Lily laughs for some reason. “I like her.”
Cade shakes his head and laughs. I feel like I’ve been left out of the joke.
“It means I’m the fighter or the tough guy, so to speak. The one who responds to and prevents violent or dirty plays from the opposing team,” Cade explains.
Hmm. I pinch my lips together.
Cade doesn’t seem like a fighter to me. He’s too sweet.
“Cade is one of the best enforcers in NCAA hockey,” his dad adds.
I smile. “Well, when the season starts up again, I’ll need to come watch a game.”
“You haven’t seen him play?” his dad asks, surprised.
“Okay, I’m missing something here,” I say, looking from Cade to his parents.
“Darling, you should eat your waffle. It’s going to get cold,” Lily urges me.
“What my father is trying to say is that he’s surprised you aren’t a puck bunny. It’s a girl who dates a player for status,” Cade explains.
My eyes bulge.
“Cade, that was unnecessary,” his dad says with a firm, angry voice.
“You set yourself up for that one, Dad. You don’t think a girl can like me for who I am,” Cade says to his father and my stomach flips. I wish I could run away because this must be so awkward for Cade. I feel sorry for him.
“The food is delicious. Why don’t you kids dig in? Forget about the nonsense,” Lily suggests.
I watch Cade’s jaw tick and his body grow tense.
“You know what? I’ve lost my appetite,” he says, and he moves his chair back and stands. “I’m sick and tired of this nonsense. I’m not going to Mexico. Annie invited me to stay with her family for the holidays. I’d rather spend the time there,” he continues, and he puts on his peacoat.
I stand too.
“I’m really sorry breakfast was a bust,” Lily says apologetically. She’s a nice lady. I just wish she would stop being so apologetic about her asshole husband.
Cade leans in and kisses his mom’s cheek. “We’ll be in touch. Have a good holiday,” he whispers .
“You take care and enjoy the farm,” she answers. “I like her,” she murmurs.
Oh dear. I feel bad for fooling her. She’s such a sweet woman. His father on the other hand sucks balls.
“Dad,” Cade says with a clipped tone.
His dad doesn’t say anything.
With my jacket on I say, “It was a pleasure meeting you both. Happy holidays.” I sound too cheerful, which is awkward given the circumstances.
Lily nods and smiles and Mr. Price gives us a clipped nod.
We leave the restaurant. Cade is so tense I’m not sure what to expect. He parked on the street so I follow him to his car. We get inside.
“I’m sorry you had to witness that,” he says.
“Don’t worry about me. Does stuff like that happen a lot?” I ask.
He nods and blinks. He isn’t looking at me and his head is hanging low.
“Do you still need me to come home with you for the holidays? Because if you don’t, it’s cool. I can stay behind and chill in Riverside or head home with Hayden.”
“Oh no, you’re definitely coming home with me now, Cade Price. We are going to have so much fun together. I’m going to introduce you to Sally,” I tell him.
“Who is she?” he asks.
“My favorite cow.”