Page 53 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“Some friends who stayed behind from Black Jack’s and a few other students from Riverside,” she states.

“Have an amazing time. I’m kinda jealous now.” I laugh.

“Oh, you should be, the beach has crystal-clear water and the sand is so soft and clean,” she goes on.

“Enjoy your trip. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Oh, come on, Annie. We’re having fun all day long and all night long. You really think I’m going to abstain or use a vibrator? There’re some hot guys here with us.” Suddenly she screeches. “Annie, I have to go. Happy New Year. Love you!” she shouts. It sounds like she’s been thrown into a pool or something and the line cuts. I hope her phone didn’t end up in there with her.

I scroll through Instagram some more, but it doesn’t hold my attention. I head to the bathroom to check my hair and apply some lip gloss. I go downstairs and slip on a jacket and boots and head out to the barn to see Sally. If Cade is working on making our fake relationship look real, I should do the same.

I get to the barn and greet the cows. Since it’s late in the afternoon, most of them are lounging. I find Sally, who is grazing on some hay. I walk up to her and pat her head and rub the area between her eyes. I turn the camera on us and take a selfie of the two of us. Then I post it to Instagram and tag Cade. My caption says, “Sally and I both miss you. See you soon.”

It doesn’t take long for him to comment. His comment throws me off when he posts. “Missing you, baby.”

It makes me think of what it would be like to be in a relationship with Cade. He’s so thoughtful. He even snuck out of the house to get me a Christmas present. He was so open. When I think of him cooking Christmas breakfast, a smile comes to my face that he was grossed out by Dad’s special add-in to the French toast, but he still made it because he didn’t want to disappoint. And when he said he’s never really done Christmas, my heart broke. The fact he wanted to do all things Christmas with me, including my and Daddy’s dance on the pond, it makes my heart fill with warmth. The feeling is unsettling. I don’t like it. I prefer to be in control of my destiny. If my heart is on the line, my head isn’t thinking logically, which means I need to shutthese feelings down fast. I just wish there wasn’t a long list of memories Cade and I made in such a short time reminding me of what a good guy he truly is.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Cade

“Whoa, Aaron, you got a major suntan,” I say as we hang out in the family room our first night back from break.

“And you don’t,” he counters. “Was the weather in Mexico not good? Because Punta Cana had gorgeous weather.”

“I didn’t end up going to Mexico,” I explain since we didn’t touch base at all during break. “I went to Annie’s farm instead. It’s a few hours’ drive from here.”

He’s drinking a can of cola and pauses mid-sip. “Why the hell would you do that? It’s fake.”

I duck my head and whisper, “Would you keep it down? She needed my help with her ex. I’m not sure how fake things are. I have feelings for her and she froze me out.”

“Ouch.” He winces. “You have no luck with girls.”

“It isn’t that,” I begin, but I don’t continue what I was going to say. He wouldn’t understand that I bonded with Annie on a different level. Besides being pretty and having a body I want to devour; I like her mind too. Hanging out with her was fun and chill. Annie is drop-dead gorgeous and smart. It’s no surprise I’d be feeling this way. Annie is the whole package.

“So what is it?” Aaron asks as Luc, Hayden, Macklin, and Ruby walk in the door.

The distraction gives me an out from answering the question.

It’s snowing again, which is no surprise, and they come in with their heavy winter coats, hats, red cheeks, and suitcases.

“How was break?” Aaron asks.

“It depends who you ask,” Luc answers first.

Hayden rolls his eyes and mutters something about going to his room. He pauses at the staircase. “Are you staying with him now?” he asks, looking between Macklin and Ruby.

They both look like they’ve been stunned, and they don’t have an answer.

“Looks like big brother found out about you two,” Aaron observes.

Hayden’s eyes widen. “He knows and I didn’t?” He sounds pissed and Aaron winces.

“They just found out before break,” Macklin explains.

“Because I thought Ruby was having a threesome with Finn and Charlie,” Luc explains.

Hayden’s eyes get a crazy glint. I think they may pop out of his head.

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