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Bianca:The world is eating this shit up. Y’all look like you belong on a romance novel cover.
Along with her text is a link to an article, but even without clicking on it, we can see the article’s headline and cover photo. It’s a photo of Daria and me from yesterday, when I kissed her in the lounge after the game. Our profiles are visible, her face looking small in my hands, as I kiss her like I had been dying to do so throughout the whole game, knowing she was there. The headline reads,
Chicago Rebels’ starting wide receiver, Caden Bennett, seen kissing mystery blonde!
When I look back at Daria, the sight of her coy smile surprises me a little. “Never thought I’d be a celebrity’smystery blonde,” she says teasingly.
I let out a breath, raising my eyebrow. “You okay with this?” I ask. This article and photo are just the start. Now that the public has seen this, they will dig until they find out who Daria is—and they would eventually find out anyway, when she and I start going out in public. We haven’t done so yet because we’re just starting out, but it will happen.
Daria takes a breath, looking at her phone once more before nodding. “Yeah, I am,” she says confidently, meeting my gaze. With an arm wrapping around Elaine’s shoulders, Daria rests her cheek on top of Elaine’s head, her gaze on me as she smiles. “I’ve got my baby and I’ve got my guy. I don’t care about anything else.”
Heat spreads through me at her words, at the look in her eyes that is so fucking loving, it nearly pushes me to say those three words that have been dancing on the tip of my tongue for so long. But I keep them in.Not yet.
I look at her and Elaine.My girls. And there’s nothing else I need.
17
DARIA
Anxiety has my stomach in knots. It’s been like this for the last hour or so and, finally, I give in and text Caden.
Daria:I know it’s super last minute, but would you come with me to my parents’ party?
I stop myself from chewing my bottom lip, not wanting to mess up my lipstick as I wait for Caden to respond. Fortunately, he does so within a few seconds.
Caden:Of course. Give me 15 minutes to get ready.
A sigh of relief expels, my shoulders relaxing somewhat. I give myself one last once over in the mirror. I decided to wear a dress because the party is happening at a heated rooftop venue of a hotel, so my outfit consists of a deep emerald green dress with a tight bodice, sheer puffer full sleeves, and a hem that flutters just a few inches above my knees. Hair straightened, makeup done, jewelry and shoes on, I let out a breath and grab my purse before heading out of my room.
Sounds grow less muffled as I approach the living room, and I see Bianca sitting on the couch with Elaine, the two of them watchingTangledon the TV. They both look towards me, and Bianca lets out a whistle. “Well, aren’t you dressed to impress?” she says with a cheeky grin.
Next to her, Elaine beams. “Pretty, Mama!”
My heart warms as I smile at her. “Thank you, baby,” I say, walking over. My heels click on the floor as I approach the couch and drop down next to Elaine. With a huff, I look to Bianca and say, “I caved and asked Caden to come with me.”
Bianca snorts out a laugh, not at all surprised. “Having some gorgeous arm candy when you see your parents for the first time after years is a power move,” she nods approvingly.
“If they’d care,” I remind her, rolling my eyes.
Sure, my parents would know who Caden is, but that’s not why I’m bringing him with me. I fully intended on going to this party on my own with my head held high. But the nerves hit me out of nowhere, and I know fully well what a calming presence Caden is for me. I told myself there’s nothing wrong in bringing him as emotional support—God knows I’ll need it facing my parents after so long.
Honestly, I don’t know what I’m expecting by going to this party. This last week has kept me on my toes after Elaine’s hospital visit. A few days ago, I received the paperwork from Logan, finalizing my sole custody rights. I felt selfish for feeling a kind of relief, because Elaine just lost her dad, but she hasn’t even asked about him. If anything, I’ve seen her cling closely to Caden, which makes me feel all sorts of things I can’t name.
Cody and his girlfriend, Louisa, visited after hearing about Elaine’s ER trip, Grandma Alice called many times, and Elaine even received adorable gifts from Caden’s friends, which was surprising and so sweet. All these people reached out for Elaine, and Cody had handed me a get well soon card from my parents for Elaine, along with a hefty check. It had felt so. . . Cheap, the writing in the card generic, like the check would make up for it.
Part of me wanted to pettily rip up the check, wanting to show my parents I didn’t want or need anything from them. But then I thought of my daughter, who deserves more, and decided to cash the check and deposit it in the savings account I made for Elaine after she was born. It’s her money to do with as she pleases.
God, my parents sent a damn card instead of reaching out to Elaine or myself, knowing my little girl was in the hospital. Why the hell am I going to this fucking party? What am I trying to prove?
I get lost in my tumultuous thoughts while watching the movie, and fifteen minutes pass quickly because there’s a knock on my door and I know it’s Caden. “Time to go,” I sigh, grabbing my purse. I kiss the top of Elaine’s head and say, “Be good for Aunty B.”
“She’s my angel,” Bianca says, squeezing a giggling Elaine to her side. Looking at me, she adds, “Good luck. And remember—you don’t have to stay there if you don’t want to. I know they’re your parents, but they’ve proven that you’re a better person than them. Don’t forget that.”
Her words make my heart swell, a smile touching my lips as I squeeze her hand. “Thanks, B,” I murmur before bidding the two of them goodbye and heading to the door.
When I open it, the breath gets trapped in my lungs at the sight of Caden, a fire bursting in my belly. Black shoes, black slacks with a black button down tucked into it, all pulled together with a leather jacket on top. He stands tall and incredibly handsome in front of me, dirty blonde hair brushed back, and facial hair trimmed.
Holy hell—fuck this party, I just want to drag the man into my bedroom and not leave for hours.
