CHAPTER FOUR #2
We’ve been standing around talking and waiting for maybe a half hour at most, and we’ve been joined by some of the other girlfriends, including Katie, whose expression looks like she’s been sucking on lemons or has a stick up her ass.
It could go either way. She doesn’t talk to anyone else waiting, keeping her nose in her phone the whole time.
After a few more minutes, the door to the clubhouse opens, and a few players come out, all looking freshly showered and much cleaner than the muddy messes they were when they walked off the pitch after the match. Most of them look to be in a good mood, thanks to their win.
A few more minutes pass, and the door opens again, but this time with a bang, startling most of the people still waiting.
Some guy who I don’t recognize comes stomping out with a pissed-off expression on his face.
I go to move more out of the way, but before I can take a step, the brute hits my shoulder with his big old arm and almost knocks me over.
I’m only stopped by Emma grabbing onto my arm to help.
The asshole has the nerve to sneer at me. “Fat bitches like yourself should learn their place and it ain’t fucking in my way.”
“Harrison, you better get fucking gone and now. If you don’t, Evanich is going to send you to Butte without getting on the fucking plane.
” The asshole turns and moves enough that I can see that it was Zane who gave him that warning.
He looks as pissed as I can feel Asher is, standing right behind me.
I can’t see Cade, but I hear him let out a growl then speak up behind Zane. “If you speak to her like that again, you’ll be drinking through a straw for fucking months.”
Asshole fucktard whose name I don’t know lets out a huff and stomps away, calling Katie to follow him. The fact that she’s his girlfriend doesn’t shock me one fucking bit. I’m betting they’re both as shallow as a kid’s pool at Disneyland.
Cade comes up to me and pulls me into his arms as he looks me over.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” I shake my head, and he leans down and gives me a quick kiss before he speaks to our whole group, not letting go of me.
“Do you guys need to take off right away, or would you wanna grab something to eat before you drive home? There’s a noodle place just a couple of blocks from here that’s fantastic. ”
I look to Asher since he’s my ride. He shrugs. “We could eat.”
Logan nods and pipes in, “I haven’t had good noodles in a while.”
Emma and Amy have to take off, so after our goodbyes and my promise to text them, Cade guides us the short couple of blocks before a bright sign beckons to the world, bright enough that I can see it from down the street.
I hear Asher behind me revert to the thirteen-year-old teenager he still is inside.
The sign, with a cartoon picture of a bowl of noodles, reads Hung Far Lo.
Underneath the name, which I know is what has Asher snickering, it reads, We have the best noods in town.
Cade squeezes my hand, so I look over at him, and he’s got a grin on his face.
“So do you eat your noodles like a normal person, or do you have a special way like you do with the nuggets?” Asher bursts out laughing behind me.
Logan even chuckles. Traitors, both of them, I swear. I can’t help but glare at Cade.
“I haven’t found it yet, but there’s gonna be something you do differently, and just you wait, mister.
” He pulls me into him and kisses my temple before he reaches for the restaurant door to open it.
“I’m sure Emma will help you with that, but I don’t think there’s anything on the level with your nugget routine.
” All three of them snicker, and I know that’s just won Asher’s approval. Fuckers.
Cade
It’s been barely forty-eight hours since Hanna left with her family, and I’m pretty sure we’ve texted dozens of times and did a couple of FaceTime calls.
We travel this week and have a couple of strategy meetings besides practice every day.
I’m just about to head out to practice when my phone dings with a message.
Emma: So your girlfriend is pretty fucking awesome. Don’t screw this one up, brother. Amy and I both like her, and I like her for you.
Me: You act like I have a horrible track record with women or something. I have no intention of fucking this up. I know how amazing she is.
Emma: You have had some doozies. That one who wanted to be a shoe model?
I’m pretty sure she’s still lost in that roundabout in Buffalo.
Anyway, I know you will do what you want, but for what it’s worth, we like her a lot.
I think Mom and Dad will like her too, but that only matters if you like her, and I’m pretty fucking sure you’re twitterpated.
Me: I think I passed that a few days ago.
Emma: Wait. Seriously? What do you think is past twitterpated? Are you saying you’re in love with her?
Me: I haven’t said it out loud or to her yet, but yeah, I’m thinking that’s where I’m at.
Emma: Then I repeat what I said before. DON’T FUCK THIS UP!
Me: I don’t plan to.
Emma: The best-laid plans go awry. Don’t plan, just don’t.
Me: I won’t.
Practice is grueling, but cardio has never been and never will be my favorite. Well, cardio in the gym or outside, that is. In the bedroom with a certain curvy and beautiful woman is a whole other story. Yeah, I’m in fucking deep and can’t seem to find it in me to care that it’s fast.
Focus, man.