CHAPTER SIX #3
He’s gone off to do a quick workout. Tomorrow’s match is going to be intense.
For one, it’s against the Vancouver team, which is the division leader.
If the Axemen win, they will be tied for first place.
Their team hasn’t seen first place in over three seasons, so it would be awesome if they did.
Mom, Pops, and Dad are coming down today to meet Cade’s parents and to go to the match tomorrow.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Asher and Logan tag along.
Asher’s dived headfirst into becoming a serious rugby fan.
He’s even mentioned agreeing to travel to Australia and New Zealand with Logan if they can go see the All Blacks.
I think Logan started looking at tickets and planning a trip as soon as the words came out of Asher’s mouth.
I think our parents will get along fine. In fact, Cade’s a little worried that Mom and his mom, Cara, will get along too well. Emma loves that idea and told me last night that she’s coming to the match and dinner afterward just to watch it all unfold.
Last night, Cade also learned that the team had officially been sold.
The day after tomorrow he’s got a meeting where the new owner wants to meet the players.
Cade said the only thing he knows so far is that he was told it was a local businessman, so they shouldn’t be worried about the team relocating. Hopefully.
I was in the shower when Cade left for his workout, both of us knowing if we took a shower together, then what happened in bed would most definitely happen again. Then his parents would have, without a doubt, heard us since the bathroom wall is shared with their bedroom.
It took me a little longer to get ready this morning.
My sight is definitely blurrier on the edges, and it’s annoying.
I also know I need to make an appointment with my doctor because my distance vision—well, what I had left is pretty much just a blur now.
It’s not darkness like night, but I can’t really make out trees or anything over fifteen feet away or so.
I haven’t mentioned this to my parents. I know I should, but honestly, it’s not been on my mind every moment of the day.
That’s thanks to Cade. He knows about it getting worse lately.
He even noticed it before I said anything.
I tell you, he really is a marshmallow of a sexy hunk.
I still keep waiting to wake up and realize this was a dream or that he’s someone I read about in a book.
I finally feel put together for the day and make my way out to the open-concept living area, which includes a kitchen I love cooking in.
Why is it that it’s almost always someone who doesn’t really cook that ends up with an amazing kitchen?
I can smell that someone has already made coffee.
I move on autopilot over to the cupboard to get a cup when a voice breaks the quiet of the room.
“Morning.” I look over, and Cara is sitting at the table just a few feet away from me. She gives me a smile as I mumble a, “Mornin’,” back to her. I make quick work of doctoring my coffee. I take a sip and then pull out a chair, sitting across from her.
“Mike went with Cade this morning. Something about needing to be around more testosterone after yesterday. He acts like I made him go shopping for the entire day. We went to three stores, and one of them was a grocery store!” I smile, thinking I’ve heard something almost word for word come out of my mom’s mouth before.
“My dad and pops both act that way with my mom after they go shopping. I think they complain exactly the same way every Christmas, and they only have to go out like once since Mom discovered online shopping!”
Cara rolls her eyes as she nods.
“Mike does that too! I try to go by myself, and he gets all butt-hurt. I mean, I go grocery shopping usually without him, but other shopping? He says he’s my bag sherpa and I need him with me.
Frankly, I think he likes it enough but thinks he’ll lose his man card or something if he ever admits that. ”
I completely agree because I know Pops and Dad would complain for days and act all butt-hurt if Mom went on those shopping trips without them. Silly guys. Cara sips her coffee and looks at me as if she’s either studying me or trying to figure out what she wants to say.
“I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous to meet you.
” I let her continue because even if I couldn’t see her, I would know that wasn’t the end of her train of thought.
“It probably wasn’t for an obvious reason.
It wasn’t because I thought you’d be awful or anything like that.
I know Cade’s got better judgment than that, and even if it had slipped, you having Emma’s seal of approval and that goes a long way.
No, it was because the only couple of girls before you that Cade ever brought around…
they were nice enough girls, but the moment they first saw me without my leg, all I saw was pity.
That I was a burden they’d have to take on at some point if they stayed with Cade.
He never said anything, but I’m pretty sure that was a factor in things ending with his college girlfriend.
You haven’t looked at me like that once. ”
I would never, but I also know that look all too well.
“I don’t think of you as a burden and definitely don’t pity you.
Do you have something that can make your life not as easy at times?
Yes. Will you one day, when you’re much, much older, need help?
Maybe, but that’s not because you’re an amputee.
That’s just a fact of life. I mean, my parents will probably need help when they’re that age too.
Most people do. Pity? Life is too short to pity anyone.
I figure everyone has their own challenges in life to deal with.
Yours and mine are visible, whereas most people deal with theirs internally.
I figure that the gods give those of us with the best support the challenges that are out there for the world to see. ”
Cara looks at me as if I just spoke another language or something. I don’t feel the need to say more. Plus, my coffee needs consuming. I lean back in my chair and take a couple of sips before Cara leans in and points toward me.
“Hanna, that was the most intelligent explanation I’ve ever heard.
I’m gonna have to beat my boy senseless if he doesn’t keep you.
Holy shit. I knew I liked you. Your mom must be somethin’ special to raise a woman like you.
I’m excited to meet her later. I understand Cade requested her to bring her lasagna? ”
I nod. “Yeah, he did, but I don’t want you to think it’s traditional or anything. I know coming from your part of the country, you’re exposed to a lot better home-cooked Italian food. I’m pretty sure there are some Nonas rolling over in their graves every time she makes it.”
Cara shakes her head. “Darlin, I ain’t one percent Italian, but I had a nona live next door to me while I was growing up.
She taught me a lot of things, but two were at the top of the list. The first was to use fresh ingredients whenever possible, even if that just means grating your own cheese, but take that extra step.
She also said that the best Italian food doesn’t follow a recipe.
That’s why every family has its own version of each dish.
She said the only thing that they all have in common is that they were made with love.
” She rolls her eyes as she scoots her chair back from the table to stand up.
“I loved that woman something fierce, but her ability to take things beyond cheesy was greater than anyone I’ve ever met.
Now, I don’t know about you, but that conversation was about enough of being in our feelings than I can handle for the day.
What do you say to us prepping the salads and making dessert so we can just hang out when your parents get here? ”
Yeah, she’s gonna get along with my mom just fine. “You lead the way, and I’m happy to help with whatever you need.” I get up and follow Cara, sending up a silent thanks to the gods for her. Cade really did come from some awesome people.
Cade
I just finished my last time up and down the stadium stairs, and I stop at the bottom where Dad’s been sitting since his third run up.
He’s slouched down in the seat and looks up at me.
“Son, I love ya, but fuck if I’m doing that shit again.
I’m too old for that. My knees tried to give out at least three times going up and coming down.
” I reach out to the assistant on the field and grab two water bottles.
I hand one to Dad before I sit on the railing at the bottom of the stands.
He takes a few sips as I chug mine down. I finish and tell him my thoughts.
“You kept up with the whole workout a lot better than I thought. Do we need to have Mom make sure there are ice packs in the freezer for later tonight?” The look he gives me would make a weak man piss his pants, but it’s not anything new to me.
“Son, all you need to make sure is that there’s enough beer to go around. I know you won’t partake, but that girl of yours has not one but two fathers that I need to get to know, and as we all know, beer helps with that.”
“I know you picked some up yesterday, but we can stop on the way home and get some more.” Dad nods and leans forward without taking his eyes off me.
“You seem pretty serious about this girl. You’ve introduced us to her, and you made it through the introductory dinner with her family.
She someone you see yourself with long-term? ”
I nod. “Yeah, I do. I know it’s fast, but I can’t imagine a future without her in it. In fact, I was gonna talk to you about Grandma’s ring…” Dad’s eyebrows go up in surprise.
“You thinking of proposing soon?”