Page 15 of Cade

I look at Kinsley. “As long as someone doesn’t bring out the UNO cards, we should be good. Mom is ruthless when we play that.” I think that was the understatement of the year.

I look over the room, and it only spins slightly. I might have had a few more drinks than I planned, though by the looks of it, I’m not the only one. Shelby, Madison, and Kierstie are slouched on one of the couches, all with smiles on their faces and drinks still in their hands. Jane is in the chair next to them. She lets out a cheer. “Come on, ladies, show us what ya got!”

Over next to the stereo stands my mom, Ma, Romona, Millie, and Kinsley’s mother-in-law, Ada, all in a line. Ma hits the stereo, and the first beats of a song from the nineties come on. I’m pretty sure this was a big hit back then. None of them have great rhythm because they’re as drunk or drunker than I am, but they’re all swaying and singing along.

I never imagined tonight would end up with my mom and the other women in our family who are in their fifties dancing and singing along to a Salt N Pepa song. All the girls except for Christy and Shandy are as happy as I am feeling right about now. Kimbra calls out from next to me as she’s dying of laughter. “Get it, ladies!” I’m pretty sure a couple of them are twerking, and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Mom dance quite that way.The song ends, but the one that starts up next gets everyone up and dancing. I think we all know the words to this one. The epic words from Sir Mix A Lot fill the room, and even in my inebriated state, I know this is a night to remember.

*********

I wake up, and I’m pretty sure someone is playing theMusic Mansoundtrack in my head. If not that, then I’m pretty fucking sure some damn woodpecker is choosing my head as the surface for calling his next mate. Holy hell.

My mouth feels like it’s full of cotton, and it takes me longer than normal to get my eyes to focus. I haven’t told anyone, but every day over the last few weeks my vision has been getting noticeably worse. I can still see close up with my glasses on, but my distance vision is what’s disappearing. I knew this was coming, but realizing that day is coming much sooner than I’d hoped is hard to accept.

Lucky for me, the throbbing in my head is taking center stage at the moment. I give myself another ten minutes to wallow in bed before I make myself get up, take a shower, and brush my teeth so I get rid of the cotton in my mouth. I know I should probably eat something, but the only thing calling my name atthe moment is a very large cup of coffee. Maybe two or three cups.

I get myself through my morning routine and slip on some leggings and a baggy sweater. I grab my phone and my tablet and head toward the kitchen in search of caffeine and some aspirin.

Just a few minutes later, I’m sitting down at the kitchen table with a piping hot, full mug of coffee. My head is still having an uninvited concert, but I try to ignore it as I open my phone. As soon as I do, I see I’ve got a few messages, so I open my texts. There are a couple from my brothers and one from a client that I will look at when I’m more awake, and my brain is functioning at an adult level.

I look, and there’s a message from Cade, so I open it. I must’ve texted him last night.Oh no. No nononono.I look quickly and see that I also called him.Fuck me!I don’t remember calling him or even texting him. I’m scared to find out what I said. I better not have screwed this up by saying something idiotic. I start to scroll up, but a text comes in.

Cade: If you’ve reentered the land of the living, I’m pretty sure you’re freaking out about what you might or might not have said on the phone to me last night. We’re fine. In fact, we’re better than fine. You told me you liked that one thing I do when you’re on top, and, baby, I’m looking forward to doing it assoon as humanly possible once again. In fact, I think as soon as I get back to town tomorrow I’m gonna come up your way. I need to see you. You might have said one more thing… I know it’s fast, but I’m feeling the same way.

What the hell did I say? Oh gods…Did I tell him I loved him? Did I? Fucking A. That’s it. No more getting that drunk for me again. Not remembering what I said is going to drive me nuts. I respond before looking back at the texts I sent last night.

Me: You can’t just vague text me like that, especially with the amount of tequila I consumed last night. What did I say?

Cade: LOL. Why does this not surprise me? You didn’t say anything that is making me question things or doubt what I feel for you. Now, what’s gonna happen is that I’m gonna go play this match and we’re gonna beat Boise so bad they’re only gonna be able to eat mashed potatoes. You’re going to finish your coffee, have another, and read that book you mentioned was coming out today. I’ll call you as soon as the match is over. Don’t worry, really.

Me: Ugh. Why do you have to be calm and nice while I’m two seconds from a freakout?

I look at the time, and I know he’s got over an hour before the match starts, so I give up texting and hit call next to his name. I think it barely rings once before Cade picks up and his deep voice comes across. I just know he’s smiling and trying not to laugh at my hungover self.

“I told you we are fine. You didn’t say anything bad. In fact, most of what you said was in a language that sure as shit wasn't English.” This man has me feeling better about us, but at the same time being slightly annoyed with him.

“I know you said we’re fine, but you just left me hanging and didn’t tell me what I did say! Drunk Hanna and sober Hanna don’t occupy the same brain cells and definitely don’t share a memory.” The fucker bursts out laughing louder than I’ve ever heard him. I could yell, but my head can’t handle that just yet. My mouth operates before my brain, though. “Emma was right, you are annoying. Cute but annoying.”

I can hear him trying to stifle his laughter with little luck. Jerk. Sexy, but a jerk. He finally stops laughing enough to speak. “If I was at all concerned about the parts of what you said last night that were in English, I would say something. I’m not gonna cover shit up like that or gloss over something that rubs me the wrong way. We’re both adults, Hanna. I need you to believe me when I tell you that you didn’t say anything bad. I liked how open youseemed to be.” Well, shit. I didn’t think he’d be sweet about it. I don’t say anything as Cade continues speaking and gets me in a way that no one else ever has.

“Now, I’m gonna go demolish those fucking Spud Makers. Their hooker has been asking for it all season. Afterward I’m gonna shower, change, and before we head home, I’m gonna call you and make sure you understand just how much you mean to me and that I was serious about picking you up tomorrow. You on board?”

I nod, but then my brain kicks into gear since he can’t see me. “I’m on board. I’ll pack a bag in the morning. How many days are you thinking?”

I felt the pause through the phone before Cade answered. “Honestly, I don’t want you to go back at all, but we can figure things out tonight. I’ve got a couple of things in the next few weeks where I would love to have you come with me, but we should probably talk more about it later.”

I nod in agreement. “Okay. You have a good match and stay safe, you hear me?”

I can hear the smile over the phone. “Yes, ma’am. I gotta go, we’re about to warm up.” He pauses, and I’m about to say goodbye and that I’m gonna watch the match when he shocksthe hell out of me. “By the way, I love you, too.” The asshole hangs up the phone before I can respond.

Oh my gods. Ohmygodsohmygods. Ididtell him I loved him last night. I mean…it wasn’t a lie, but I wasn’t planning on sharing that just yet. I mean, it’s too soon…but…but he just said he loves me! I mean, me! I just…I still can’t believe he’s interested, let alone in love with me.

Where’s Mom when I need her? As if she knew she was being summoned, Mom walks through the doorway holding her coffee cup and looking way too put together for how inebriated she was last night. I sip my coffee, and the question comes out before I realize I’m speaking. “How are you not dying in bed this morning after how much we drank last night?”

Mom pours herself another cup of the dark elixir and chuckles. “Not my first rodeo. I’ve been drinking longer than you’ve been alive. It’s all about management. When we got home, your dad got me some aspirin and your pops made me drink a bottle of water. When I woke up a couple of hours later to use the bathroom, I repeated both and then again as soon as I woke up. Now am I tired and see a nap in my future today? You bet your ass I do, but I’m not feeling like death warmed over like you are, my girl. With age comes wisdom and experience. I learned a long time ago how to keep that hangover mess away from me as much as possible.” She sits down across from me and gives me a look-over before voicing her observations. “Something tells me you’ve got more on your mind than the drums pounding in your head.” I nod and decide to tell her all of it—the part where I called him last night but don’t remember what I said, our conversation this morning…even when he told me he loved me too.

Mom listens, not interrupting me, just taking everything in. Once I finish, she leans back in her seat and looks at me…really looks at me. She must see what she’s looking for because she nods her head once. “Well, we better plan for your young man to stay for dinner tomorrow night. Your pops and dad need to meet him properly before he moves you out.” She holds up her hand before I can even get a word out of my mouth.

“Hanna. I know you’re an adult. Hell, you’ve even lived on your own before. But what you forget is that you are your dad and pops’ little princess. You’re their girl who has had them wrapped around your finger since the moment you were born. That only got stronger when your diagnosis came. They wanted to protect you from everything in this world, but also didn’t want you to miss out on anything. I’ve heard only good things about Cade, even from Asher, and you know he almost never praises anyone, but they would be hurt if you didn’t let them meet Cade properly. If he is as important to you as I think he is, then he’s gonna be around a long time and needs to get to know all your parents. I know he ate well at the family day, but a mother needs to knowhe has manners, too.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I know the look I see in your eyes. It’s the same look I get with your pops and dad. It’s the same one Asher gives Logan when he thinks no one is looking. It’s the look that tells me your soul is settled. It’s settled because it recognizes what you’re still coming to understand. It, my dear, has found its other half.” What scares me is that what she just said doesn’t scare me at all.