Page 40 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

By the time I leave the kitchen, my parents have the Bancrofts at the door.

“We had a lovely time. Dinner was delicious,” Mrs. Bancroft praises.

Cade walks up to the door.

“It was good to meet you,” Mr. Bancroft says to him and shakes his hand. “I’ll guess we’ll wait to see which team you end up on next year.”

His comment reminds me how, in a matter of months, Cade and I will be going our separate ways. We haven’t been friends long but in the time he has been in my life, he’s slid under my skin.

Cade smiles and shakes his hand. Ford shakes his hand next and when Lola shakes his hand, she gives him the most obvious bedroom eyes and whispers, “If things don’t work with her, call me.”

Cade pulls his hand back like he’s been burned.

Lola hugs me and whispers in my ear, “It’s nothing personal.”

I pinch my lips together because this night was all kinds of crazy and my head is spinning.

With the Bancrofts gone, Mom goes to sleep without saying a word to anyone.

“She’s overwhelmed and she isn’t handling it well,” Daddy says, making the usual excuses for her. “We’re going to have our special skate tomorrow, right?”

“Of course,” I reply.

“Merry Christmas, kids,” Daddy says.

Both Cade and I answer at the same time, “Merry Christmas.”

When Daddy makes it to the top of the stairs, Cade turns to look at me. Only, having him watch me after he stood up for me makes me feel naked. He knows how Mom puts me down. He must have figured out I’ve been allowing her to do it for years. His amber eyes bore right through me.

“Thanks for standing up for me.” I swallow.

“As long as I’m around, you’ll be treated with the respect you deserve.”

My breath hitches as a whirlwind of emotions bursts through me. I want to reach up and kiss him, but I take a deep breath. He’s a good guy, but we are both broken. I give his hand a squeeze instead.

“It wasn’t a big deal,” he then says, clearly reading that I feel overwhelmed by him.

“Nope,” I pop the p. “You don’t get to belittle what you did. It was a big deal. No one in this house has ever stood up to my mom. She gets away with murder.”

“So does my dad,” he admits. “And Mom never bats a lash.”

“It’s tough, isn’t it?” I ask. I’ve never had anyone understand me like Cade does.

He nods. “It’s so messed up. Being around you has given me a lot of clarity.”

“Clarity is good.”

We keep staring into each other’s eyes a beat too long. Like the magnetic pull surrounding us is pulling us together. I’m fighting it hard.

“How about we get away from here for a few days?” he suggests, surprising me.

As enticing as it sounds, I can’t agree to go away with him. It means more alone time with Cade. More time to fall for him.

“I have my Christmas Day skate with Daddy tomorrow. You’re welcome to join,” I offer.

“I wouldn’t want to intrude if it’s a ritual or something,” he replies, looking uneasy. Why is he uneasy now? He had no problem speaking up in front of all our guests to call my mother out on her poor manners.

“We’d like for you to join us,” I assure. I try not to bat my lashes like a fool because I need to get a grip on my feelings. So what if he’s handsome as hell, is super nice, and has come to my rescue. He may be a knight in shining armor, but I’ve assured myself that I’m no longer a damsel in distress.

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