Just a Little Flirt

by Renita Pizzitola

  “I’m in.” I headed to the living room and plopped onto the couch. “The more fucked up the better.”

  With a sigh, I settled back. Mason reached over and slipped his arm around my shoulders. Not in a romantic way. He was more like the guy girls turned to when life sucked, and, in some ways, I think he needed me to help him fill that role more than I needed him. Either way, it was nice to feel like someone else gave a shit.

  With my gaze glued to the TV, I got lost in a false reality; tomorrow I’d face my own.

  Chapter 10

  When two o’clock rolled around the next day, I headed downstairs to meet Cade. He never texted or called, so all I could do was wait and see if he showed. If he didn’t pick me up, I’d know he’d heard me over the phone and probably hated me.

  But I didn’t have to wait long for my answer. As I descended the last few steps, his Jeep pulled up.

  “Hey.” He smiled. “Mind holding these?” He raised the two gifts I’d helped wrap.

  I sank into the passenger seat with the two pink bags nestled in my lap and buckled up.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  I glanced at him. He really seemed totally normal, which made me hopeful everything I’d said had been muffled through the phone. “Um, too much vodka last night.”

  “Did you go out?” He glanced back as he reversed out of his spot.

  “No, stayed home and watched crappy television while drinking.”

  He laughed. “Sounds like you had a fun night.”

  He chatted as we drove, mostly about his family and the twins, but never mentioned my calling. By the time we’d arrived, I’d mostly convinced myself he hadn’t heard anything. Though it was weird he hadn’t brought up the call at all.

  His sister’s house was moderately sized, two-stories, nestled in a suburban neighborhood. He pulled along the curb behind several other cars.

  “You ready?” he asked, as we stood outside the front door.

  “You’re kind of making me nervous. Is there something to be ready for?”

  He grinned. “Not really.” Instead of knocking, he pushed the door open and called out. “Hello.”

  “Is that you, Cade?” A tall woman leaned out from the kitchen into the hall. She had his complexion but her hair was darker and her eyes were lighter. She wore denim capris with an oversized flowing floral top and a long beaded necklace.

  “Hey, Sis.” He moved to hug her and she smiled at me over his shoulder.

  “You must be Fallon.” She hugged me too and I sort of stumbled into her, still not used to the way Texans hugged everyone in greeting. “Well, the twins are playing outside with Michael. Not everyone is here yet, but there are snacks and drinks. Help yourself. I’ll be back out in a second.” She looked slightly frazzled.

  “Can I help you with anything?” I asked.

  A huge smile lit her face. “Well, aren’t you sweet?”

  I was pretty sure the answer was no. People never called me sweet.

  “I’ve got it. But I may take you up on that later.” She turned back to a tray she was lining with cupcakes. “Presents go on the table by the door.”

  Cade led me to the back door, depositing the gift bags along the way. He smiled at me then swung the door open.

  There was an inflatable castle with mesh around the sides. It dipped at the corners as kids bounced inside.

  “Cade,” a man said. “You made it.”

  “Was there an option? I’m pretty sure my invitation said: Come or die a slow painful death. Love, Sis.”

  The man grinned. “Those sound like the words of the gentle soul I married.”

  Cade chuckled then turned to me. “Fallon, this is my brother-in-law, Michael.”

  “Nice to meet you, Fallon.”

  “Where are the twins?” Cade asked, glancing around the backyard.

  “Bouncy castle,” Michael said.

  “I’m going to say hi.” Cade reached for my hand, like it was no big deal, and led me to the castle.

  “Ava. Mia,” he called from the entrance.

  Several kids were bouncing around but the birthday girls were easy to spot due to their outfits. One wore a pink tutu with a black shirt embellished with a pink number two, while the other wore the same outfit in reverse colors.

  The one in the black tutu stopped jumping and smiled. She rushed to the side and yelled, “Cade.” Well, it actually sounded more like “Clade.” Maybe a hybrid of his name and “uncle” or just a toddler pronunciation.

  The other one stopped bouncing and smiled, but looked down a bit, like she was unsure whether to approach.

  “Mia,” he called. “Do I have to come get you?”

  She grinned more and shook her head.

  “I’m coming in there.”

  She giggled as he leaned through the mesh entrance.

  The other kids squealed and Mia bounced up and down. Cade climbed in and grabbed the little girl. He spun onto his back, holding her in the air above him. She broke into some serious belly laughs while Ava jumped on his stomach. He grunted and sort of winced. Which only made both girls laugh harder. The other kids saw the opportunity to dog-pile him. And soon Cade was buried under six kids.

  He squirmed and pretended to be stuck, which was pretty freaking cute considering how tiny they were compared to him.

  “Cade,” his sister called from the back porch. “I’m pretty sure the recommended age is twelve and under.”

  Cade finally sat up and grinned at me, then called back, “Keyword: ‘Recommended.’ ”

  He nodded for me to join him and I shook my head. He nodded again and curled his finger. “Come on,” he mouthed.

  I laughed and shook my head again.

  He tilted his head, studying me. The corner of his mouth slowly tugged up and he scooted to the entrance, finally accepting there was no way I’d get in.

  I stepped to the side, giving him room to get out.

  He pushed the curtain open with his arms then wrapped them around my waist and yanked me inside like I weighed no more than his nieces.

  I squealed. “Oh my God. What are you doing? We’re going to pop it.”

  “Nah.” He set me next to him, then stretched out his legs and leaned his arms back. With a grin, he bounced. The little kids lost their balance and I rolled inward toward his lap.

  He raised an eyebrow as if I’d jumped into it.

  I straightened back out. “So is this what you do at kids’ parties?”

  “They still make me sit at the kid table, might as well enjoy all the perks.” He bounced up and down again.

  My body flopped toward him again and I put my hand out to catch myself before falling face-first into his crotch.

  He glanced down at my hand, which I’d planted on his inner thigh. I righted myself and yanked my hand back. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

  “Don’t be,” he mumbled back.

  What the heck? When did he get so forward? With kids around, at that. He always seemed to wait for me to take the lead before kicking up the flirting.

  The girls squealed and one jumped on his back, disrupting the moment.

  I took it as my opportunity to flee. I started to crawl out but just as I got to the door, he latched onto my ankle and tugged my knees from under me.

  I flopped onto my belly, rolled over and mock glared at him. “Seriously?” I pushed back to sitting.

  “The view was really nice, but I couldn’t let you miss the fun.”

  “Cade,” I gasped. Not sure if he meant my ass in my shorts or the view up my shirt as I crawled away. I gestured to the kids.

  He chuckled and tugged me closer. “Best part about little kids, they have no clue what I’m talking about.”

  I bit my lip to avoid laughing.

  He whispered, “Maybe when these little guys go down for a nap, we can come play out here by ourselves.”

  My lips parted. What the heck had gotten into him? He was all sorts of ballsy with the flirtations.

  Just then one o
f the twins jumped in his lap, followed by the other. “Whoa.” He shifted. “If you two ever want cousins, you need to be a little more careful with Uncle Cade.”

  I stifled a laugh and took my chance at escaping again. I crawled my way to the entrance and felt around for the opening.

  “I think you have to pull it. Tug the left side,” Cade said.

  I tried but it wasn’t the opening.

  “A little to the right. Perfect. Now just move your hips a little.”

  I sat back on my legs. “Oh my God. What’s gotten into you?”

  He laughed as I finally managed to open the meshing. I slipped out and turned to him as it closed.

  “You,” he answered with a super sexy smile that pretty much turned me to mush.

  Words failed me. Most of my typical retorts wouldn’t be kid-friendly, so there was that. But what really stumped me was my general lack of response. Usually I flirted back, a part of the game I played well. Normally I’d throw on a smile, give him the look, whatever it took to show him he’d won me over…in a completely artificial way. But there was nothing fake or forced behind this flutter of emotions.

  Cade studied me as kids bounced around him, as if trying to read my expression. Decipher the unspoken words hanging between us. The afternoon sun turned his normally dark eyes into a slate blue and I kind of lost myself in them as they slowly lowered down my body.

  The world went on mute. My breath trapped in my chest. The pulsing of my heartbeat was the only reminder that this moment was real. And I really wanted this guy who was now coming my way.

  Cade’s gaze cut to the right as a woman stepped up alongside me.

  “When your sister mentioned you were playing with the girls, I didn’t think you were actually playing with the girls.” The lady smiled and something about the turn of her lips combined with the shape of her eyes registered somewhere inside my brain, regardless of the fact Cade had turned it to mush.

  “When did you get here?” Cade’s smile mirrored hers and it all clicked into place. “Where’s Dad?”

  And it was confirmed. I stood two feet from the mother of the boy who currently had me stewing in sexual frustration. Awkward.

  “Oh, he’s right over there.” She pointed to the porch as Cade stepped out of the bounce house and wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

  My gaze shifted between them, but when Cade glanced at me, it dropped to the ground. Did his mom know he was bringing a friend? Would she mind? What if she didn’t like me? Would Cade care? What if—

  “Mom, this is Fallon. Fallon, this is my mom, Kelly.”

  Her gaze swung to me and she smiled, extending her hand, which resulted in me being pulled into another quick hug. “Fallon. What a unique name. Very pretty.”

  Cade’s smile widened. “We go to school together and she’s a Child Life intern over at Memorial.”

  His mom tilted her head slightly; her gaze flicked to Cade then back at me. “That’s a great place to volunteer your time.” She patted Cade on the chest. “Go say hi to your dad while I wish my grandbabies a happy birthday.”

  Cade’s fingers looped through mine as he led me to where his sister was laying out pink paper plates, while his brother-in-law followed along, dropping a slice of pizza onto each one.

  I glanced down at our hands. Knowing his parents were there made this little gesture seem much more monumental.

  Though he didn’t acknowledge my staring, Cade’s mouth hitched into a slight grin, and something about it told me he knew exactly what I was thinking.

  As we stepped onto the porch, a man turned. His gaze swept from Cade to me—shifted down to our interlocked hands—then back to Cade.

  “Hey, Dad.”

  I smiled, while praying my palm didn’t start sweating profusely.

  “Mom finally got you out of the bounce house?” Cade’s dad pulled him into a quick hug then turned to me.

  Cade chuckled but didn’t release my hand. “This is Fallon.”

  He shook my hand but thankfully didn’t try to hug me as well. “Scott. Nice to meet you.”

  I smiled while wishing I had some water. It suddenly felt hotter. Like a whole lot hotter.

  His gaze flicked to Cade then his smile broadened. “Always nice to meet a friend of Cade’s.”

  Was that approval? Or was he just really nice? And why did Cade’s hand feel like a vise?

  His dad took a sip of soda. “How’s work?”

  Cade shrugged. “Not too busy during the summer. But it frees up my volunteer schedule. I’ve picked up some extra hours at the hospital.”

  His dad shifted his weight and waved to a family nearby, then looked back at Cade. “I’m glad to hear that. It’s nice of you to spend more time there.”

  “I met Fallon there actually. She volunteers in Child Life.”

  His dad’s eyes widened a bit then he nodded. “How long have you been working there?”

  “Just a few weeks.”

  “You like it so far?”

  “I love it.” I smiled because that was the truth, and an easy topic of conversation to be completely honest about.

  “Great. Not many kids your ages would do what you two do. You should be proud. I know I am.” He clapped Cade on the back and nodded toward the yard. “I’m going to say hi to the Chapmans. I’ll be right back.”

  “See, that wasn’t so bad.” Cade tugged me a little closer. “And right after I pry your nails from my skin, I’ll get us something cold to drink.”

  Oh God. I relaxed my hand and muttered an apology.

  Cade watched my reaction then laughed. “C’mon.” He led me to an ice chest and pulled out two water bottles.

  I twisted the cap off. “I didn’t expect your parents to be here. I don’t know why, I mean, it’s their grandkids’ party, but, you know…I’m sorry if I came off like a complete idiot.”

  “Are you kidding? They loved you.”

  It shouldn’t matter, but it did. I bit back a smile. “You sure? Because they didn’t even ask when the wedding was.”

  “Hey, I told you they wouldn’t.” He raised his bottle of water then paused. “Doesn’t mean they weren’t wondering about it though.” He tilted the bottle to his lips.

  A little body wedged between our legs.

  “Swing. Push me.”

  I tried not to laugh at the toddler’s demands. “You heard her.”

  Cade scooped up his niece. “Okay, Ava, let’s go swing you.”

  Mia was already in a swing being pushed by Cade’s mom. “Oh good, reinforcements. I think my back’s going to give out soon.” She smiled at me. “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all.” I stepped behind Mia and gave her a light push to keep the momentum going.

  Cade placed Ava in the other bucket-style swing, as his mom stepped around to the front of the swings and snapped several pictures with her phone. “How’s Sean?” she asked Cade.

  “He’s good. Out of town this weekend.”

  “And Emma? How’s she doing?”

  Emma? I peeked over at Cade.

  “They broke up over a year ago.”

  God, I was turning into a jealous freak. Of course, his mom wouldn’t ask about some other girl in front of me. Or would she? I wasn’t with Cade, so really I had no business caring. But I did care. And that was a problem.

  His mom snapped a few more pictures. “Oh, I’m out of it. I can’t keep up with who’s dating whom.” She glanced at me and I quickly looked away.

  I sensed Cade watching me as I stared at the back of the swing. When I finally looked over at him, he grinned. Like a secret little told you she was wondering. And I couldn’t help myself. He was just too damn cute. I smiled back.

  “Sorry, Mom, I’ll try to keep you more informed about Sean’s love life.”

  “Oh, that’s okay. I’m much more interested in yours anyway.” She grinned and snapped another picture.

  “As soon as I have something to report, I’ll get back to you.”

  Ava squealed as
he gave the swing a push, sending her little feet higher in the air.

  “Well, I’m sure I’ll be hearing from you soon then.” She smiled at us. “I’m going to see if Addison needs any help.”

  As she walked away, Cade chuckled. “I sense a twenty-questions phone call in the near future.”

  But according to what he’d told me, he brought girls around his family all the time and it was never a big deal, so why would his mom have questions now? Unless…“I’m sure she knows I’m just like all those other girls you bring around. You know, the ones you aren’t planning on marrying, the ones you hang around all the time.” I glanced at him as his mouth curved into a sly smile.

  “Hmm, that would make sense. One problem: I kind of made that up to get you here.”

  I knew it. With a small shake of my head, I tsked. “Lying already.” I gave the toddler swing another light push.

  “I’d like to think of it as verbal padding. I figured it might help soften the idea of meeting my family.”

  “Or make me super jealous,” I mumbled under the sounds of the girls’ giggles.

  His eyebrows pushed together. “What’s that?”

  “I said, good call. It did help.”

  “Hmm, that’s exactly what it sounded like.”

  I glanced over at him and he grinned like he knew full and well the idea of other girls made me jealous. And I think he even liked it. Which was weird. Didn’t that make me seem insecure? People who lacked self-confidence suffered from jealousy. But maybe I had it all wrong. Because when it came down to it, jealousy was fueled by emotions, and the desire to have something you didn’t. But not having it, didn’t mean I couldn’t, right?

  Except…I had three weeks left of this internship. I could wait out those weeks and then give things a try or I could go for it now if we kept it secret. It made more sense to wait it out. But three weeks? That was a long time to wait for Cade. Of course, if I went for him now, I’d have to guarantee things went well for the remainder of the internship. Three weeks. An even longer time to commit to one guy.

  Then again, he’d already consumed my life for three weeks. What were three more?

  As Cade studied me, his grin slowly sank, taking my heart with it. The rush it had given me turned to longing. A yearning for him to look at me like that again. Followed by a decision. Why not go for it now?