CHAPTER TEN
There are times I look at you and think you’re doing great at life and doing a great job at raising Daisy. Then there are days where I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but I’m betting it’s hard to pronounce or because Pops or Dad dropped you on your head.
~Text from Hanna to Mayson~
Cade
We’ve been at Hanna’s parents’ house for three days, and I’m finally feeling human and don’t have a splitting headache. Now I know better than to go outside when the sun isn’t out just yet, but I can manage to get out of bed and interact with people just a bit.
Hanna’s been amazing. She brought me food and made me take my medication on the schedule the doctor told her.
She also refused to give me my cell phone because the team doctor told her no phones or screens of any kind for the first couple of days.
When I asked for it yesterday, she stood at the foot of the bed with her hands on her hips.
“You won’t go against the doctor’s orders, Cade Evanich.
You’re still sometimes seeing double. I will not assist in helping you possibly cause long-term issues.
Not on my watch. I love you, and this is for your own good.
” She did let me apologize and kiss me to make it all better.
I’m not ashamed to say that her kisses and attention definitely helped.
I was able to take a shower and not get lightheaded, though my collarbone did hurt like a motherfucker when I tried to lift my arm on that side. I know I can’t play this weekend, but I’m gonna do everything I can to be in the playoff tournament.
I found some of my clothes, got myself dressed, and decided to go in search of my wife and some coffee.
I walk out of the bedroom, and that’s when I realize that we’ve been staying in Hanna’s old room.
Anna must’ve moved things around because I didn’t recognize it, though to be honest, I didn’t spend much time studying the walls and the furniture inside the room.
I walk down the hallway and hear voices, so I follow them to the kitchen, where the first one to greet me as I turn the corner is Tucker.
I give him some head rubs with my right hand, not wanting to move my left arm much.
Hanna gets up and comes over to me. She pushes her glasses up, and I can tell by her expression that she’s studying me.
“You okay enough to be up and out of bed?”
I lean down and give her a quick kiss. “Yeah, I am. My head’s not pounding, I’m not seeing double, and the light doesn’t make me want to hide away like a vampire.”
That earns me a smile and another kiss. Anna speaks up from the kitchen table.
“Come on and have a seat. I’m gonna make you a good breakfast while you have your coffee.
We have to get you all mended up.” I see both Jackson and Wyatt at the table, having coffee.
Jackson nods and gestures for me to sit.
“Son, I find it best to do what she says when she sets her mind to something like this. Besides, if you don't, she's likely to tell your mom when she gets here this afternoon.” Valid point.
I sit, and Hanna brings over a cup of coffee for me before sitting next to me. I take a sip and am thankful that my wife’s family takes coffee as seriously as mine does. No weak coffee found around here.
Hanna helps her mom make breakfast, and in no time, a plate filled with eggs, sausage, homemade biscuits and gravy, and hash browns is set in front of me.
I know most of this I shouldn’t be eating during the season, but I think the bigger threat to my health at this moment would be the reaction of the two women in this kitchen if I didn’t eat what they just served me. My dad didn’t raise a complete idiot.
**********
I managed to stay up a bit after breakfast, but around noon I gave up and went to take a nap. My head wasn’t unbearable, but it was throbbing just a bit.
I woke up about thirty minutes ago, got up, splashed some water on my face, and just came out to the sound of people at the table again, though this time I found Hanna, Anna, and Asher.
The three of them have a bunch of bridal magazines spread out on the table, and it looks like Anna has a notepad in front of her.
I walk up, lean over my girl, and give her a kiss on her temple. “Making decisions about everything?” She looks up at me and sighs.
“Mom and I were making headway till Asher got here and started suggesting all sorts of things. I want something simple, homey, and natural.” Asher’s glaring at Hanna.
“I wasn’t suggesting Technicolor lights or anything.
I just thought you could be unique. I mean, I’ve never seen a cheese fountain with potatoes as dippers or a make-your-own sundae bar.
People love food, and both of those would be tasty as could be.
” I don’t think he means to aggravate his sister this time.
As a guy with a sister, I can see where he’s coming from with this.
“Let me guess, you wanted both of those for your wedding, and Logan put his foot down about it.” Asher turns his glare from Hanna to me. He crosses his arms.
“Maybe. But I still say they’re both delicious sounding.” I mean, he’s not wrong, but I can tell by the look on Hanna’s face that she’s not even remotely sold on it. I get an idea. It sounds good, but if it gets nixed, it sure ain’t a hill I’m gonna die on.
“What about a stuffed potato bar for the main course? We could have the normal toppings, but then also have pulled pork, brisket, or grilled chicken to top the potatoes as well?”
I watch as all three of them think about my idea for a minute. Even if they don’t go for it, it was considered for more than the nanosecond that Asher’s idea was, so I’m calling it a win no matter what they say.
Hanna looks at me and smiles. “You know, I actually really like that idea. I think we should do it.” I look over at Anna, and she’s nodding as she writes all sorts of ideas for things to go on the potatoes.
Asher doesn’t say anything, but I get a chin lift in acknowledgment. As a man, I know the kind of compliment he just paid me, and that means a lot. Sometimes us men don’t have to say anything to get a message across.
A few more things are decided on as the back door opens and Jackson, Wyatt, Grant, and Mayson all filter into the house.
Mayson comes up to the table and gives me and Asher a horrified look.
“You’re voluntarily looking at wedding stuff?
” Hanna reaches out and smacks his arm, missing his stomach that I know she was going for.
Mayson grins and looks between Hanna and me, and I have a feeling I’m not gonna like what he says. “You know, between Cade here having double vision ‘cause of his concussion and Sis with her near-to-nothing vision, you combine them together, and we got one person with twenty-twenty vision!”
Mayson laughs as if what he just said is fucking hilarious.
What he doesn’t notice is Hanna’s hands clenching into fists.
She hasn’t shared with her family just how much worse her distance vision has gotten, and I think she’s more sensitive about it than she lets on.
I’m not gonna sit here and let her be the butt of a joke, even if Mayson didn’t mean any harm.
I look at him. “That ain’t funny. Not even a little bit.” I know Mayson’s not an asshole in general, but blind to what hurts his sister? Yeah, that he seems to be because he rolls his eyes.
“Yeah, it was. It’s a joke. Don’t need to be so sensitive about shit.
Besides, I didn’t say anything that wasn’t bordering on the truth.
It’s like when she bumps into the wall walking down the hallway.
They haven’t moved her whole life, and she can feel them as she walks, but at least once a day she’s gonna bump into it. ”
Hanna’s hands are almost white as she continues tightening her fists.
I stand up and lean forward, getting into Mayson’s space.
“Enough. That shit ain’t funny, and if you were aware enough to notice, it’s upsetting your sister.
” Mayson scoffs like he doesn’t believe me.
I’m done. I reach out and grab the front of his shirt and pull him closer to me.
My voice deepens and gets calm so he can hear every fucking syllable I say.
“I know you’re not a fucking idiot and I know you’re not a complete asshole, but you’re sure acting like one. Ever think that Hanna might be sensitive about her vision and the fact that she doesn’t have any fucking control over it? So I’m going to say this one time. Do. Not. Pick. On. My. Wife.”
Asher, trying to defuse the situation, pulls Mayson back and tries to correct me. “You mean fiancé.”
I respond before thinking about what I’m saying. “No. I mean, my wife.”
It takes a second of the room being silent for me to realize what I just said. I look down at Hanna, and she’s got tears in her eyes but a smile on her face. She mouths, It’s okay. I love you.
A moment later, the kitchen becomes a scene of chaos and raised voices. I think her entire family asks the same question at almost the same time, so it’s a chorus of…
“What do you mean, wife?”
“Are you married?”
“What the hell is going on?”
I hold my hand up and set my other hand on Hanna’s shoulder. “If you want answers, why doesn’t everyone calm down and listen? We’ll tell you everything.”
Anna, who hasn’t moved from her seat, glances over at Jackson and Wyatt, then back to us. She nods her head and speaks in a tone only a mother can. “Okay. Start talking.”
I tell them about the proposal in Vegas. I don’t tell them the exact words because that’s between Hanna and me, but I tell them about the ring and it being my grandma’s. I tell them how Hanna said yes. I get to the decision to get married, and Hanna speaks up.
“It was my idea to get married in Vegas. Cade didn’t come up with it. I did.” Before Hanna can continue to explain why, Jackson scoffs and sits down directly across from us.