Page 19 of Cade

Cade gives me a kiss on my temple and follows his dad out. Dad follows them and Pops goes to the restroom. I grab the last couple of dishes and bring them into the kitchen to rinse off and get the dishwasher running. Mom and Cara are doctoring up their coffees, and last I overheard, they were talking about a YouTuber they both watch for tips to make their gardens more prolific.

As I put the last fork in the dishwasher and move to rinse the last couple of dishes, I feel someone walk up next to me, and I know it’s Pops. He lets out this sigh before I look over, and he looks at me for a moment before he speaks, like it pains him.

“You really do love him, don’t you?” I nod. Pops sighs again as he turns and leans against the counter. “I know he loves you. His family seems to be good people too.” I chuckle and glance at him as I rinse a dish.

“You don’t have to look so bummed about it, Pops. You just said all good things about him.” He gives me a slight smile. “Yeah, I do. Not only is it a sign you’re all grown up, but you’re going togo off and start your own life with him. I know I’m not losing my princess, but things are changing, and you know how I am with change.”

“You hate it.”

He nods and sighs. “But I’ll adjust in time. Your mom reminds me that I should be happy you found someone like him, that he’ll be good to you.” I close the dishwasher, wipe my hands, and give my dad a hug.

“You could never lose me. Yes, I’m probably moving out and gonna live with Cade, but you’re always going to be my pops. I’ll always need you.”

He hugs me back and kisses the top of my head. “I know, but now your dad and I have to share you with the man who’s taken the leading spot. I’m happy you picked so good, but you just gotta give me time to adjust.”

I know Dad is usually the one with the words of wisdom, but Pops has his moments, so I decide to ask him. “I know you’ve told us kids about how you and Dad met Mom and talked her into going out with you both and everything, but was there one moment when you realized you had no choice because your heart already loved Mom?”

Pops shakes his head. “Loving your mother has been a choice every day since the first day I met her. Love is a choice, andone that, if you found the right person, you know you’re going to make that choice every day for the rest of your life. I’ve loved your mom from nearly the moment I met her, and I will love her till the gods see fit to take me from this earth because I choose to love her every day, just like she chooses me and your dad every day. See, the person you marry—that person who you find a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love? They’re the only person in life who, purely by choice,choosesto love you.” I must show my confusion because he quickly explains what he means.

“Let’s take you and Cade, as much as it hurts me to say. Mom, your dad, and I love you because you're ours. You’re our DNA, evidence of our love and commitment…and blood, sweat, and tears raising you.” That gets him a soft elbow to his gut, but he continues. “Your brothers love you because you’re their sister and you’re blood and were raised together. One day, if you have kids, they’ll love you because you brought them here and gave them life. If Cade is the one for you, like he seems to be, then his love is different, and not only because it’s a romantic partner kind of love. It’s because he will make a daily decision to choose you. He’ll choose you over everyone, choose you on days that are easy as much as he chooses you on days that are hard. True love is a choice, but if it really is true love, then it’s the easiest fucking decision you make.”

I hug him again. “I do love him, and that’s only getting stronger each day we spend together. I’m glad you’re getting on board with it.” Pops sighs again before moving away from the counter.

“I am. At least you gave me a reason to watch a new sport. Your mom hasn’t complained once when I was watching one of his matches, so there’s that at least.” I roll my eyes because he would watch paint drying if it was considered a sport.

He pulls me into him and kisses the top of my head. “Let’s go join everyone. I’m pretty sure if left alone, your mom and Cara could plot and achieve world domination. I don’t think your dad, Mike, and I are equipped to prevent it either.” I simultaneously roll my eyes and laugh. I love my parents.

CHAPTER SEVEN

There are times a woman wants a man to come and fix a problem, but most of the time they just want you to listen and let them rant and rave. If you try to fix things when they don’t want you to, then you become the problem.

~Text from Jackson to Cade~

Hanna

Dad, Pops, Mike, and Asher have gone off to get beers and some food for all of us. The match is going to start in a few minutes, and I’m happy to be surrounded by Cara, Emma, Amy, and Mom. Logan had to work, so he couldn’t make it, but he texted me yesterday that I was gonna be invaded by an uninvited Asher since he’s gone all gung-ho over the whole rugby thing. Good thing I love my brother.

We just found our seats a couple of minutes ago and said our greetings to a couple of the wives I met last time, along with Carter’s sister, May, and Coach’s girlfriend. I just introduced Mom to everyone, and Cara knew some of them and was introduced to the rest when four women walked by to sit a couple of rows down from us. They’re close enough that I can tell it’s the four jersey chasers that seem to always be around. I’m not sure if that Zack guy and Katie are serious or what, but she’s here with the other three who seem to always be around. Tinalooks at me with daggers, and I have no idea why, but my mouth moves before I think better of it.

“You’re glaring awfully hard at me considering we’ve never even had a conversation. What’s got that stick up your ass?”

Carol, standing next to Tina with her hands on her hips, speaks up while Tina just keeps glaring at me. “I don’t know if he got up her ass, but I know Cade was in her bed just a few nights ago.”

Oh, she’s not going there, is she? Time for reality to smack her upside her head. “You mean when they were on the road trip, and he FaceTimed me for hours from his hotel room, or do you mean as soon as he came home and the fact that I’ve been with him since then?”

I watch as I swear steam literally comes out of Tina’s ears as she sputters, trying to figure out what to say when Katie chooses to show her lack of intelligence. “It’s not like you’re with each other every minute. He’s been over to Tina’s a number of times. She’s a real woman. She knows what Cade needs and knows how to please him.”

Oh, this bitch. I’ve never been thrown out of a place before, but I am my mother’s daughter. I think that’s about to fucking change, but Emma shocks the shit out of me.

“Wild how chicks with STDs still refer to themselves as snacks.” That gets all four of them hot and sputtering to find acomeback when Cara adds to their rage by holding up her hands momentarily and looking at all four of them.

“Okay, food poisoning, calm down. You know she’s just speaking facts. I also know my son, and he wouldn’t touch any of you with someone else’s dick. There’s something to be said for not dining at the same place all your buddies have dined at. The appeal just ain’t there. Now, you four have a choice. You can turn around and sit your Botoxed asses down, keep to yourselves and watch the match, or I can get security to escort you to the nosebleed section.”

Tina finally speaks up, and I’m pretty sure her voice was made to grate on my nerves. “Katie’s dating Zack. Carol and Cindy work for the team, and I’m someone important to Cade. We all have the right to be here. You trailer trash people don’t.” Emma’s clearly over this conversation because she gets in Tina’s face and speaks slowly, enunciating every word methodically.

“If you were actually important to Cade, you’d know you just insulted his family, friends, and the woman who’s going to be in his life for the rest of his days. Now, my mom, you knowCade’smom, just gave you two options of what you can do. I’m going to give you a third option. Leave now. Go home and rethink your choices in life, in friends, and in threats to people who areactuallyin Cade’s life.”

Carol, looking like she’s just eaten some rotten fish, glares at all of us. “You don’t have the power to make us move, let alone to kick us out of here.” Before I can say something that will probably cause fists to fly, a deep voice speaks up behind me.