Daria glances at me. “ So, Cade, I see you guys are shaping up to be a pretty good team this year. Both of those Addison boys comin’ back?”
“Yes, sir. We have quite a few experienced guys returning.”
“Do you have any intentions of going pro?” I shake my head. “No, sir, not re ally. If they approach me, I’ll talk with them. Right now, though, I’m just concentrating on my education. I would like to continue on into sports medicine.”
“I have some friends involved with the NFL. I know a couple of the owners. An opportunity with the NFL could bring bright things for your future.”
Who does this asshole think he is to give me career advice?
I look at him, seething. “So could a career in sports medicine.”
Daria tenses beside me. She changes the subject. “Are you guys ready to order? I’m starving.”
Chapter 17
Daria
To say there is tension between my dad and Cade is putting it lightly. I can tell Cade wants to rip my dad’s head off. Meanwhile, my dad is too busy trying to recruit Cade for the NFL because of the money. He doesn’t see how much disdain Cade has for him.
Cade blames my father for a lot. In most cases, he’s justified, but it’s like my therapist said. “It’s not a good idea to think that way. Blaming him is looking for an out in being responsible for one’s own actions.” Hence, my snorting coke up my nose at seventeen and blaming him for it.
“So guys, I think I’m having the crab stuffed manicotti.” I look over at Cade. “What about you, baby?”
“I’m thinking about the Bistecca Fiorentina.”
My dad nods. “Very good choice; the steak here is great quality. I’ll be having the same.” After what feels like a very uncomfortable eternity, our food is brought out. My dad finally looks to me. “Daria, I wanted to talk to you about my retirement plans. Once we are finished eating, I’d like to talk with you.”
I stop eating and shake my head. “Excuse me? I’m sure you just said something about retiring. Did I hear you correctly?”
“Yes, dear. When we’re finished, I’d like to find someplace private to talk.”
I nod. “Why don’t you just follow us back to my place?” Cade looks at me. “I think your father means private private. Like for your ears only. Why don’t I drive your car back to your place and you can ride with your father and talk along the way?”
I look over to my dad; he nods. “That sounds like a pretty good plan. Thank you for understanding, Cade.” I know it’s not really Cade understanding as much as it is the fact that he doesn’t want to be around my father or hear what he has to say about his business.
After we finish up, I’ll Cade I will see him soon and get in my dad’s car. As we pull out of the parking lot, I figure I might as well go ahead and get into this. “So talk to me about your retirement plans. How are you even able to retire? I mean, your ‘business associates,’ do they allow that sort of thing?”
“Yes and no. I’ll be working with the authorities. That isn’t something I even want your mother or Jim to know. This will be very risky for me and I don’t really want you guys in danger. I’ll be moving away; you and you alone will know how to contact me. That doesn’t mean you’ll know where I am.”
“I’m really not sure you should do this. I know you want to get out of this, but can’t you just retire to your property in Costa Rica or something?”
“Sweetie, you don’t understand. I’m alre ady caught. The authorities already have evidence against me, so I can do this, or I can go on the run. To be quite honest, I’m tired of living this life. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed the money, but as much as I have put you and your mother through, I regret it. If I had it to do all over again, I’d still be with your mother and you wouldn’t have been through everything that you’ve been though. I’ll still make sure you are taken care of before I get out of pocket.”
“Dad, that’s not important. I’m worrie d about you. What happens if they find out? I mean, let’s be brutally honest here. I know, and you know, there is law enforcement on the payroll, so how can they guarantee your safety?”
“There have been some special measures put into place to take care of you and your mother. To ensure your safety. My safety measures will be of my own accord. Some agencies, not local ones, have helped me make some plans.”
“So when are you going to do this?” “Within the next few weeks. I have to find some info on a couple of things going down. Then I report in to the feds.”
We pull into my apartment complex. “I understand. I just wish there was another way for you to do this. Promise me we’ll do lunch or something once more before you are out of pocket.”
He kisses me on the top of my head. “I promise.”
“Dad, I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetie.”
~*~*~
Cade meets me at the door of my apartment. He pulls me into a hug. “Everything okay?” “I think so. Can you stay with me again tonight? I seem to sleep better and without nightmares when you are here.”
“Are you sure everything’s okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just a little sad. After my dad retires, he’s moving.”
“Just because he moves doesn’t mean that we won’t be able to visit him.”
“Actually, it does. Don’t ask me to go into the details because I can’t. Plus you wouldn’t want to know.”
“Okay, well, how about we go soak in that big ass tub in your bathroom? I’ve already filled the tub and all.”
“Mmm, sounds wonderful.” After we slide into the tub, I sit in between Cade’s legs. Looking over my shoulder to him, I say, “I’m going to ask a crazy question.”
“Ask away.” “I plan on going to the doctor sometime this week, hopefully to get on birth control. I know I’ll have to wait until the end of the week before they can hopefully do blood work to make sure I’m not pregnant.”
“Okay, so what is the question?” “First, will you use condoms until we find out and well even after for a month or so if I’m not because I have to get the pills back in my system? Second, will you go with me? Because, if I am pregnant, I’m probably going to need someone with me. I’m pretty sure they’ll have to pick me up off the ground.”
“Yes to both. First, why wouldn’t I use condoms? Second, I’d already planned on going to the doctor with you.”
“We never had to use them before. I was always on the pill.” “I don’t mean to sound gross, but all the girls before you, I always used condoms with them. I told you a long time ago you were different. Most of those girls I wouldn’t have cared if they told me they were on the shot, took two pills a day, and had that thing implanted in them. I would never have went at it raw.”
I can’t help it; I start laughing. “You must have had some quantity not quality issues back then, huh?” “I can’t even defend myself because I was young, dumb, and full of come. All I was worried about was getting off and not having to do it myself.”
“Ha, your mother would be so proud.”
“Who in the hell do you think preached the condom lecture to me?”
“Honestly? Gabby.” “Yeah, her, too. But my mom went and got me like this huge jumbo box after she found out through the grapevine that I was active. She sat the box right on the damn breakfast table and was like, ‘I’m too young to be a grandma and you are too young to die from thinking with your wiener.’”
“No way. Lydia would not say something like that.”
“She did. I swear. I’ll call her.”
“No thanks. I cannot have that conversation with your mother.”
“You sure? ’Cause I can call her for you?” “No thanks. Let’s just finish this nice bath. I’m really tired and I want to snuggle up to you in my bed. Hopefully to sleep all night.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me, baby.”
Chapter 18
Cade
Waking up with Daria in my arms, her head resting on my chest, ma
kes everything feel right in the world. I don’t care what I have to do; I’ll never lose her again. I kiss her forehead and she snuggles closer.
“Mmm.” She reaches down and starts rubbing my crotch.
“Hmm, that’s a nice way to wake up.”
She looks up at me. “I know. Because that’s how you woke me up yesterday.”
“Yes. Well, let’s see if we can have a repeat of yesterday morning then.”
She climbs up to straddle me. “Oh, I totally think we can make that happen.” I look over at the clock. “Shit. Baby, we are gonna have to be quick. Today is the first official practice. If I’m late, Coach will kick my ass.”
She flashes me a wicked smile. “I think we can handle fast.”
~*~*~
An hour and a half later, I walk into the locker room with a ridiculous grin on my face. Russ looks over at me.
“Dude, you’ve got to wipe that ‘I just got my dick rode seven ways to Sunday’ look off of your face.”
“You’re just jealous.” “No. Not everyone knows you’re back with Daria. But they damn sure know you live at my house. Don’t want people getting any ideas.”
I smack him in the back of the head. “Whatever, asshole. You are not raining on my parade. I just got my girl back and I’m one happy son of a bitch.”
Linc comes in, looking like warmed over shit.
“Hey, man, you okay?” He sighs. “Yeah. Marsh was terrible last night. He didn’t sleep. I didn’t sleep. Gabby didn’t sleep. We are all exhausted. For a little guy, he has a big set of freakin’ lungs.”
“Why don’t you call mom and Richard? I’m sure they’d come help for a few days.”
He shakes his head. “Gabby doesn’t want to. She said we should be able to do this ourselves.”
“What if Anna and I come over and stay even a few hours? Then you guys can catch some sleep.” I put my hand on Linc’s shoulder. “Daria and I can come over tomorrow night and do the same thing. You guys gotta get some rest and, as stubborn as Gabby is, she is going to have to realize that she needs help.”
He nods. “Yeah. Maybe. Just act casual about it. Just show up and want to play with the baby or something.” Russ laughs. “I got this, man. On the plus side, look at Cade’s face. He’s been getting laid again. It’s going to be a good day.”
Linc groans. “Shut up, Russ. Don’t talk about getting laid. I still have another five weeks.”
Russ looks confused. “What do you mean?” I sigh. “Damn, Russ. All that shit you were talking about your anatomy class and you didn’t hear the part where women can’t have sex for six weeks after a baby is born?”
“Shit, I must’ve missed that part. Damn, Linc, a screaming kid and no sex. That sucks.”
Russ sinks on the bench beside me. I look over at him.
“He’ll get to have sex again. Just not right now, unless he’s going solo.” “Fuck, you two quit talking about my sex life. How about I remind you that we are talking about my sex life with Gabby? Russ, do you like thinking about Anna’s sister like that?”
Russ and I both shiver. “No,” we say at the same time.
“Good. Russ, I’ll see you and Anna tonight.”
With that, he walks out to the practice field.
~*~*~ I don’t know how Linc hung in there for an entire practice, but he did. On the way out to our cars, I look over at Russ and motion for him to come over to me.
“Hey, why don’t you and Anna pick up some takeout for tonight? Then tomorrow night Daria and I will do the same. That way we know they are actually eating meals, too.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll talk to Anna. Maybe Saturday we can have an all guy’s day watch game films or something with Marsh. Then maybe the girls can take Gabby to lunch. I don’t think she’s left the house except for Marsh’s checkup.”
“I’ll talk to Daria when I get home.”
“Home?” “Shit, I mean to her apartment. I guess I just feel like wherever she is, that’s my home.”
“Aw, how sweet. Now do we need to pick up some tampons at the store for you and your feelings?” I nut check him. “No, but you might want to stop at the minute-clinic and see if they can help your balls drop back down.”
I barely hear a ‘screw you, asshole’ as I jog to my car.
On the drive home, I get a call from an unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Cade, this is Sam Broxton.”
“Hey, Sam.”
“Could you meet me tonight for a drink?”
“Um. I’ll check with Daria and see what we have planned.”
“Daria has to work. Plus I’d like for this meeting to be just between you and I.” “Of course you knew Daria had to work. Okay, I’ll meet you, but know I’m not crazy about keeping this from Daria.”
“I understand, but it’s necessary. Meet me at Henry’s over on 5th around seven.”
“Okay. See you then.” He just hangs up. Maybe this will be a good thing. I can say all the things I was trying not to say to him the other night.
As I come in the door, Daria greets me with a huge kiss. “What did I do to get that treatment?” “I just got off the phone with Anna. What you guys came up with today was so sweet. I think I’ll bake lasagna tomorrow and we can take that over. That way they can freeze what’s left over for later. Anna took Chinese tonight, but she said the next time she’s doing a roast. I’m very proud of you and Russ.”
“I’m glad you’re cool with it. I mean, I was going to run it by you tonight. I figured you’d be okay with it, but I didn’t just want to assume. Then I looked at poor Linc today and he looked like shit.”
She looks at me with that fight or flight look. Like she’s not sure if she’s ready to say what’s on her mind. “That could be us in that same boat. Are you sure we’re ready? Linc and Gabby always have their shit together and we don’t.”
I pull her in and kiss her. “Baby, if it happens to us, we can use this time to get in some practice with Marsh. Also, we’ll be racking up IOUs with Gabby and Linc.”
She laughs. “I love you, silly ass, but I have to get to work. Will you be here tonight when I get in? I would say that you could stop by and see me at work, but I’m gonna go with that’s a bad idea, since the last time you were there… Yeah, just not a good idea.”
“I’ll be here tonight when you get in. And I won’t stop by your work, get drunk, screw you in a storage room, and tell everyone how magical it was.”
After seeing Daria off, taking a quick shower, and putting on a change of clothes, I head to Henry’s. As soon as I make it in the bar, I see Sam sitting in the corner. Of course. Most paranoid people do.
I walk over and sit down. “You said you needed to talk to me?”
“Nice to see you again.”
“Wish I could say the same.”
“Look, Cade, I know with everything you’ve went through.” I cut him off. “No, this isn’t about what I’ve been through. This is about what you’ve put your own daughter through.”
He shakes his head. “I’m aware I’ve made life difficult for her.” “I don’t think you are. Did you know that she doesn’t think she deserves to have friends or someone to love because of people coming after her?”
“Why would she think that?” “Well, look at last year. She’s afraid that’ll happen again. She thinks that our friends are crazy for wanting to be her friend. She still has nightmares about last year’s attack.”
“I didn’t know.” “Hell, she didn’t even unpack her bedroom until I helped her a week ago. She couldn’t go through the boxes. She said there were too many good memories in there. She was sleeping on her couch because she was afraid to sleep in her bed because of the nightmares.”
“Cade, I’ve failed my daughter in so many ways. Trust me, if life had doovers, I’d be the first one signed up. I live with many regrets. I decided to do the best thing I can, though. This retirement is going to be her way out of my life. The only thing is… after I retire, I’
ll have to leave here. I want to leave knowing that you are going to take care of her. Better care than I took of her.”
“Of course I will. She’s my everything. I can understand living with regrets; I have a few myself. But I’ll always love her and make sure she’s taken care of. The fact that I’m not a fan of yours doesn’t play into that equation.”
He stands up, throwing some money on the table. “I knew you were a good man, Cade. I know there are going to be times she’ll pull away again, but don’t let her go. Just keep going with her.”
I stand up and give him a firm, keep your friends close but your enemy’s closer, handshake. “Good; we’re on the same page.”
With that said, we both make our way outside and go our separate ways.
Chapter 19
Daria
I love to think about the fact that Cade will be at my place when I get there after work. It’s nice to have someone to come home to. Hopefully, work will pass by pretty quickly.
Bryan one of the guys from the team sits down at the bar to close out his tab. “It’s seems pretty busy tonight.”
“Yeah most of the students have moved back to start school next week. Everyone is excited to be away from their parents and to try out their new fake IDs.”
“Wow that’s funny, but I guess I remember those days.” “I love some of the crap they try to pass off. If you’re going to get a fake ID, pay the money and have someone good do it. Don’t walk in here with some crap. I’ll bust you in a heartbeat.”
“Night Daria.” He shakes his head walking away.
Lanie walks behind the bar and slams some bottles into the garbage can.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you?”
She shakes her head. “Yuppie bunch of college douchebags over there. A couple of them are quite handsy.”
“Do you want me to get Mack to throw them out?”
“No, that would just cause more problems, but can you take them their next round?”
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