Page 27 of Cade

Me: Tucker and Cade both have special diets they’re supposed to be on, though Cade’s magically disappears when your cooking is involved.

Mom: It’s because he’s a smart one. He’s gonna become one of my two favorite sons-in-law.

Me: He’s gonna only be the second one you have!

Mom: That’s beside the point, child. I’ll work on calming your dad and pops since you really do seem okay.

Me: I really am. I just wish I knew who’s doing this.

Mom: Well, let’s do some deducing, shall we? We can’t let Logan and the guys have all the fun.

Me: What are you thinking?

Mom: Well, for starters, do you think a woman or a man wrote this most recent letter, and did it sound like the other notes Cade’s gotten? What is your gut telling you?

Me: A woman definitely wrote this last one. For one, when a guy is angry as the person was in the letter, they would use the word cunt. Secondly, they want me gone and out of the way so Cade could be with them. I didn’t get the feeling that was coming from another guy or anything like that.

Mom: Do you think it was one of the bitches that we dealt with at that match? The one who claimed to be in his bed?

Me: I don’t know. She claimed it, but I don’t know if she’s actually smart enough to pull it off. I haven’t seen any of them, but only one of the two who used to work for the team is still employed. That Zack guy hasn’t been seen with the one he was dating since right after that all happened.

Mom: Well, think on it. Maybe ask about the one who’s still working there. We’re gonna figure this shit out because we have a wedding to plan and you need to be safe in your own damn home.

Me: Yep. I’ll ask Ethan. See you tonight. Love you.

Mom: To the moon and the stars.

I look over and Ethan’s typing away on his laptop. He sighs and looks up at me. “What is going through that brain of yours? You get this look on your face, and I’ll be honest, it scares me just a little bit.”

I roll my eyes because I swear he just sounded like one of my brothers. “I was just wondering if anyone has seen hide or hair of those four jersey chasers since you banned them from the WAGS section.” Ethan leans back and crosses his arms.

“Well, I haven’t seen Carol since I let her go, and I haven’t seen the one Harrison was schtuping since the day I told him she wasn’t welcome around here. One of the guys said he broke things off with her, that she was more trouble than she was worth. That might be the first smart thing he’s done since…back on track. I haven’t seen that other one since that day. Hell, I don't even know her name. Cindy was moved to a position out of the locker room, but I was told she quit after the first week. I know she hasn’t clocked in since then.”

“That doesn’t rule any of them out, but then again, would they really take the time to send all the stuff and sneak into our place? I’m gonna have Logan look into them.”

A loud cheer from the crowd gets me out of my head and back into the second half of the match. I watch as the scrum moves and the ball comes out with Zane taking control of it. Play moves so quickly, it’s crazy when you think about how big these guys are.

Cade told me that Butte isn’t in contention for the playoff tournament this year, but that doesn’t mean they won’t play rough. In fact, they’re the team with the most penalties in the Union.

Watching men play in the mud and slamming into each other is like testosterone overload, and I’m not ashamed to admit I think it’s the most interesting sport to watch. Yes, the fact that my husband plays it is a big bonus, but so are all the thick thighs.

I watch the screen as Cade moves and lifts up Justice to catch the ball. A Butte player crashes into Cade, and he and Justice go down hard. I can’t look away. He needs to move, to show some sign of life.Move, baby. Move, please!

I don’t move from the screen as I watch Coach and the medical team run out to attend to Cade and Justice. Just as they’re getting to them, Cade rolls over to his stomach on his own. I breathe a tiny sigh of relief because at least he’s conscious. I didn’t notice Ethan move till I felt his hand come down on my shoulder. “He’s gonna be okay. I’m sure Coach will have the medics take them both out and get evaluated. That was a fuckingmassive hit.” I glare at him for a second, barely taking my eyes off the screen, though Ethan has enough sense to apologize.

“Sorry, not the thing you want to hear at this moment. I’ll send a message down to the medical team to let us know as soon as you can go down and see him, okay?” I nod and watch them put Justice on a board to take off the field. Cade is helped up. Coach and Carter help him to the golf cart that’s been wheeled out onto the field. Cade sits, with a medic sitting next to him. I watch till the golf cart goes under the stadium. All I can do is sit and wait. And worry.

Three hours and several scans later, and we’re on our way to my parents' house. We’re on our way, but Cade’s in the backseat resting, with his eyes closed and an ice pack on his shoulder. Zane’s driving us because doctors diagnosed Cade with a concussion and a bruised collarbone. He’s luckier than Justice, who’s got a concussion and a broken tibia.

When the medical staff stated they wanted both Cade and Justice to go to the hospital for further evaluation, Ethan brought me and stayed with me until they let me go back and wait with Cade as he was waiting on the test results. While we were waiting, I made calls to my parents, especially as Pops was watching the match with Asher, and they both were texting me repeatedly. Mom did her thing and said since we were planning on coming up there anyway to keep that plan. That way, whenwe got there, she could help me take care of Cade and make sure he’s following all the doctor’s orders.

I called Cara and Mike next and told them everything I knew. I also told them about our plans and that my mom insists she help me take care of Cade. That calmed Cara down, and Mike said they would keep their plane tickets as scheduled and be here in a few days.

When all Cade’s test results came back, and the doctor had seen him and explained everything he needed to do andnotdo for the next few days, the nurse wheeled him out to the waiting room. I was about to get us an Uber when I noticed Zane sitting in the waiting room. He looked at me and held up Cade’s keys. “The thing about being his friendanda prospect for his future in-laws’ motorcycle club is that it means you become a personal chauffeur.”

I start to say something, but Zane holds his hand up. “Hanna. You are both my friends. It’s not a big deal. Besides, I was heading up there anyway. I have an appointment tomorrow with Mick to finish the tattoo we started a while ago. I’m just gonna have to drive his vehicle this time around. Not like he’s gonna be in any shape to drive in the next few days.”

Zane takes over for the nurse and starts pushing Cade in the wheelchair toward the hospital exit. Tucker hasn’t left myside this whole time and has been a constant support through everything. As we’re walking, I fill Zane in.