Fighting Temptation (9 page)

Chapter 18
Cade

Waking up with Daria in my arms, her head resting on my chest, makes 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 5
^th
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?”
“Yeah. No problem. I’ve wanted to walk around anyway.”

I load up the tray of refills and head over to the corner. I see a few guys I recognize. One is that guy, Lucas, from the other night.

“All right guys. Who had the Mic Ultra?”
A guy raises his hand. “Okay, so the rest of you had Bud Light?”
They all nod. Lucas flashes a smile my way. “Hey, Daria, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“So what happened to the little cute girl that was waiting on us?”
“She had to take a break. So you are stuck with me for a little while.”
“Oh, I don’t mind. Actually, I’d like to be stuck
in
you.”

I glare at him. “Well, in order for that to happen, you’d have to have a dick bigger than a toothpick. Also, I’m afraid my boyfriend would take issue with me doing anything with you.”

I storm off from the table. When I reach the bar, I look over to Lanie.

“Let me guess which one was handsy. The little douche with a dimple on his cheek, a red polo shirt on, and a chip on his shoulder?”

“Yeah, how did you ever guess?”
“Well, when he told me he wanted to be ‘stuck in me,’ I figured.”
“Oh my God. What did you say back?”
“I referenced his dick and a tooth pick being the same size. Also that Cade might have a problem with it.”.”
She smiles. “So, how are things working out between you and the storage room sex god?”

I laugh. “I can’t believe Jack told you about that. It sure wasn’t planned. Cade and I are working on things. I love him; he loves me. It’s just all the baggage I carry is a pain sometimes.”

“Sounds good. Trust me… that night, I looked at him, and I knew he was in love with you. I can see why you’d be in love with him, too. Well, if I went for guys, that is.”
“Lanie, just exactly what is your type?”

“Well, I think you’re pretty, but I can tell you’re straight. I’m a boob’s girl; what can I say? Plus, I don’t like girls who can’t decide if they are gay or straight. I mean, really. Pick a sex that you like and go with it.”

“That’s pretty blunt. Although I get what you’re saying. I can say a girl’s pretty but I just can’t go there. I like dick too much.”

She bursts out laughing. “That’s funny, because I think dicks are repulsive. It’s like God said, this is the leftover human crap I have. I guess I’ll give it to the man. And don’t even get me started on balls.”

We are both laughing when Mack walks up. “Hey, the table over there is trying to get your attention.”
I look across the room. “Guess I’m taking another round to Douchebag Central.”
“Do you want me to take a turn?”
“Nah, I got this.”
I walk over to the table. “Can I help you guys?” One of the guys looks up. “Yeah, another round. Except… what do you want, sweetheart?”
Carrie is sitting on one of the guy’s laps. Poor guy. He’s a freshman. I can tell he’s just desperate to get laid.
She looks at me and seethes. “I’ll have whatever these guys are having.”

I bring back their round of beer. Lucas looks at me. “You sure I can’t talk you into coming home with me tonight?”

“I’m not just sure. I’m positive.”

With that, I spin on my heel and tell Lanie I’m taking a break. I walk back to the bathroom to catch my breath. It’s been so busy I haven’t even had time to take a pee break. After I finish peeing I stand at the counter for a minute washing my hands and resting against the counter. I open the bathroom door and find Lucas leaning on the opposite wall. I turn to walk past him and he grabs my elbow.

“Why are you always such a bitch? I’ve only met you a couple of times and every time you are a bitch to me.”

“I just don’t like your attitude. You act like women should just fall at your feet.” I snatch my elbow away. “Guess what I’m not going to fall at your feet and I don’t like people with that attitude. So I don’t like you.”

“You think just because you date another one of the players I should be afraid? I’m not.”

“Well, that just goes to show the lack of respect you have for your team. But as to why you should be afraid, trust me, you don’t want to find out the answer to that question.”

“Don’t get a fucking attitude with me.”
“Get out of my way so I can get back to work.”

He grabs me and tries to push me to the wall. I knee him in the nuts and then punch him in the throat. “Ouch, you bitch. You’re gonna pay for that.”

“Unless you wanna meet my fist again, I suggest you leave me alone. I don’t need Cade to fight my battles, but believe me when I say he will if he has to.”

I walk off, leaving him gasping and leaning against the wall.
Once I get back to the bar, I tell Lanie what happened. She calls Mack over.
“Daria, I can’t believe you punched the guy.”
“Mack, that asshole was manhandling me, not to mention calling me a bitch.”
“Well, you can’t do that. He could sue the bar, press charges against you.”
“Fuck, would you have preferred I just let him grope me? Look, he’s not going to sue, so just shut up.”
“Don’t hit anymore customers.”
“That is the first customer I’ve lost it with at all so don’t give me that shit.”

“Well I’m sure he thinks you’re easy since you fucked in our storage closet the other night and he’s just trying to get in on the action.” As soon as the words leave his mouth you can tell he somewhat regrets it, but part of him doesn’t. I’ve kinda thought for a long time that Mack had a thing for me. I think he’s pissed now that Cade and I are – well whatever Cade and I are.

I slam my hand down on the bar. “You know what? I don’t need this fucking job. I damn sure don’t need you condoning some asshole’s drunken behavior. I quit.” Slamming my apron down on the counter, I throw up my hands and grab my bag.

Lanie looks over at me. “You know what? Screw you, Mack. I quit, too.”
Out in the parking lot, I look at Lanie. “Girl, you did not have to quit because of me.”

“Yes, I did. I was this close to punching Mack for talking to you that way. I’ll be fine for a bit. I have some savings and I’ll find something soon. Look Dar, don’t be a stranger. Call me.”

I nod, getting into my car and say goodbye.
As soon as I’m in the car, I see that I have a text from an unknown number.
You and Cade should meet me for lunch Friday.
I text back.
Where do you want to meet?
Slickers Deli. Okay. See you around noon? Yes.