CHAPTER FIVE #5
I can hear him trying to stifle his laughter with little luck.
Jerk. Sexy, but a jerk. He finally stops laughing enough to speak.
“If I was at all concerned about the parts of what you said last night that were in English, I would say something. I’m not gonna cover shit up like that or gloss over something that rubs me the wrong way.
We’re both adults, Hanna. I need you to believe me when I tell you that you didn’t say anything bad.
I liked how open you seemed to be.” Well, shit.
I didn’t think he’d be sweet about it. I don’t say anything as Cade continues speaking and gets me in a way that no one else ever has.
“Now, I’m gonna go demolish those fucking Spud Makers.
Their hooker has been asking for it all season.
Afterward I’m gonna shower, change, and before we head home, I’m gonna call you and make sure you understand just how much you mean to me and that I was serious about picking you up tomorrow. You on board?”
I nod, but then my brain kicks into gear since he can’t see me. “I’m on board. I’ll pack a bag in the morning. How many days are you thinking?”
I felt the pause through the phone before Cade answered. “Honestly, I don’t want you to go back at all, but we can figure things out tonight. I’ve got a couple of things in the next few weeks where I would love to have you come with me, but we should probably talk more about it later.”
I nod in agreement. “Okay. You have a good match and stay safe, you hear me?”
I can hear the smile over the phone. “Yes, ma’am. I gotta go, we’re about to warm up.” He pauses, and I’m about to say goodbye and that I’m gonna watch the match when he shocks the hell out of me. “By the way, I love you, too.” The asshole hangs up the phone before I can respond.
Oh my gods. Ohmygodsohmygods. I did tell him I loved him last night. I mean…it wasn’t a lie, but I wasn’t planning on sharing that just yet. I mean, it’s too soon…but…but he just said he loves me! I mean, me! I just…I still can’t believe he’s interested, let alone in love with me.
Where’s Mom when I need her? As if she knew she was being summoned, Mom walks through the doorway holding her coffee cup and looking way too put together for how inebriated she was last night.
I sip my coffee, and the question comes out before I realize I’m speaking.
“How are you not dying in bed this morning after how much we drank last night?”
Mom pours herself another cup of the dark elixir and chuckles.
“Not my first rodeo. I’ve been drinking longer than you’ve been alive.
It’s all about management. When we got home, your dad got me some aspirin and your pops made me drink a bottle of water.
When I woke up a couple of hours later to use the bathroom, I repeated both and then again as soon as I woke up.
Now am I tired and see a nap in my future today?
You bet your ass I do, but I’m not feeling like death warmed over like you are, my girl.
With age comes wisdom and experience. I learned a long time ago how to keep that hangover mess away from me as much as possible.
” She sits down across from me and gives me a look-over before voicing her observations.
“Something tells me you’ve got more on your mind than the drums pounding in your head.
” I nod and decide to tell her all of it—the part where I called him last night but don’t remember what I said, our conversation this morning… even when he told me he loved me too.
Mom listens, not interrupting me, just taking everything in.
Once I finish, she leans back in her seat and looks at me…
really looks at me. She must see what she’s looking for because she nods her head once.
“Well, we better plan for your young man to stay for dinner tomorrow night. Your pops and dad need to meet him properly before he moves you out.” She holds up her hand before I can even get a word out of my mouth.
“Hanna. I know you’re an adult. Hell, you’ve even lived on your own before.
But what you forget is that you are your dad and pops’ little princess.
You’re their girl who has had them wrapped around your finger since the moment you were born.
That only got stronger when your diagnosis came.
They wanted to protect you from everything in this world, but also didn’t want you to miss out on anything.
I’ve heard only good things about Cade, even from Asher, and you know he almost never praises anyone, but they would be hurt if you didn’t let them meet Cade properly.
If he is as important to you as I think he is, then he’s gonna be around a long time and needs to get to know all your parents.
I know he ate well at the family day, but a mother needs to know he has manners, too.
” She reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“I know the look I see in your eyes. It’s the same look I get with your pops and dad.
It’s the same one Asher gives Logan when he thinks no one is looking.
It’s the look that tells me your soul is settled.
It’s settled because it recognizes what you’re still coming to understand.
It, my dear, has found its other half.” What scares me is that what she just said doesn’t scare me at all.