Page 16 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“Say hi to Briar,” Mom says.

“It isn’t Briar. I’m out with a guy,” I reply, knowing my mother is not going to like to hear it. I know she is banking on Ford and I getting back together and by banking, I mean, she likes the idea he comes from old money.

“Oh, you didn’t mention you were seeing someone when you were home for Thanksgiving,” she says.

“Because I wasn’t seeing Cade then.”

“I see. Well, the reason I was calling is because the Bancrofts are coming to us Christmas Eve,” she declares cheerfully. “It’s going to be so great to see Louise after all this time. And you and Ford can spend some quality time together.” She rambles on, not realizing I’ve gone silent because she is too absorbed in hosting her rich friends.

“I’m not interested in Ford,” I say, my tone cool while I try to stay calm, even though I’m inwardly freaking out.

Cade walks by and points that he’s headed to the restroom.

I nod.

“Why would they be coming to us? Aren’t they doing Christmas in the city?” I ask. When I was dating Ford in high school, my parents were over the moon happy. When he kept screwing up, Mom told me he was young and making stupid mistakes. There was always an excuse I always bought. Now, that pressure is making me feel like the walls are closing in and my breathing turns shallow.

“Nope,” she says with the pop of the p. “They want a nice quiet Christmas in the country.”

I start to feel lightheaded and grab on to the back of a chair, as sweat prickles my forehead. My heart also starts beating fast.

“Why aren’t you speaking, Annie? Isn’t this great news?” Mom continues, not reading my anxiety.

I don’t notice Cade has returned from the restroom until he is beside me. His hand rests on my shoulder and his amber eyes fill with concern.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Mom, can you hold on a second?”

“Yes.”

I mute her.

“My parents invited my ex and his parents to our house for Christmas Eve. Ford wants me back for some crazy reason, and my parents are going to encourage it,” I speak fast, my panic hitting an all-time high. “I need to sit down,” I say as my breaths quicken.

“Hello. Hello. Annie,” Mom is borderline shouting through the phone. I am too panicked to answer.

“Shit,” Cade curses and he squats in front of me. He takes my hand in his. “I need you to focus on me, Annie. Just watch me breathe,” he says softly. I do as he says. I focus on his handsome face. I watch how his shoulders rise and fall. My gaze drops to his full lips as I remember the kiss we shared at Fair Shot axe throwing. “Good, now I need you to breathe slowly with me.” Again, I do as he says. I feel myself relaxing as I slowly inhale and exhale. I hear Mom complaining about where I disappeared, but she seems like background noise as I stare into his mesmerizing eyes. “You don’t have to be with anyone you don’t want to be with.”

A sardonic laugh escapes me. “Maybe send that memo to my parents.”

“Annie, if you don’t come back to the phone now, I’m hanging up,” Mom warns.

I unmute her. “Sorry, Mom. Cade was just updating me on something.”

“Right, I was telling Annie I think it’s time I meet you guys. I’m coming home with her for the holidays,” he says, leaning into the phone.

My jaw falls slack as I look at Cade, completely dumbfounded.

“You are?” I mouth.

“I can’t wait to meet you guys. Annie has told me so much about you,” he continues. What the hell is he doing?

“Um, oh, well, I didn’t realize you and Cade were that serious,” Mom stutters.

“I’m out for breakfast with his parents now. I wasn’t going to say anything until I got home,” I explain.

Now it’s Mom who falls silent.

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