Page 61 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

When I check my phone after class, I see Cade answered me.

Cade:Snowstorm tonight but looks like everyone wants half-price chicken wings. Should I pick you up at 7?

Me:Thanks that would be great. Briar is working tonight so she can’t get me.

Cade:See you at 7

The rest of the day goes by in a blur. I can’t help but think what will happen if Daddy loses the farm. All our animals,equipment, my grandfather’s life’s work will go down the drain. My heart twists. I don’t know what I’ll do with my life if that happens. I don’t exactly want to work on someone else’s farm. The appeal isn’t there for me. I’ve always thought of veterinary school as a backup plan. Maybe I should apply just in case.

When I get home at the end of the day, my roommates are around. It’s the time of day when Sadie and Elle make dinner. We live in a small bungalow close to campus. We are all amicable but I wouldn’t say we’re friends.

I drop my bag by the door and hang my jacket in the front closet. The kitchen is perpendicular to the front door. I head there for a glass of water.

My roommate Sadie is cooking.

“You’ve been talk of the town,” she tells me.

“I have?” I ask as I take a glass out of the cabinet.

“Don’t play coy. You know you’ve been locking lips with one of the hottest hockey players on campus.”

Oh, that’s what she means.

The conversation is uncomfortable because we don’t talk about boys.

“We’re dating.” I shrug. Then I chug my water.

“Can you take Elle and me to meet his friends?” she asks.

“Sadie, we aren’t friends. Don’t you think that would be awkward?” I ask.

I don’t mean to be a bitch. I tried becoming friends with Sadie and Elle when I moved in here, but they were closed off and not open to friendship. Now that I have something they want they think they can be nice to me, but it isn’t going to work.

My phone buzzes.

Cade:Would you mind if I picked you up in twenty? I have a commitment I have to attend. Worried I won’t make it back in time to pick you up and get to Black Jack’s with the weather getting bad

I’d rather go to my room and chill for a bit before going out, but the thought of paying for an Uber or walking to Black Jack’s in a storm seem like bad options.

Me:Thanks. Text me when you’re here

I quickly change out of the clothes I was wearing all day. I fix my hair with a curling wand quickly and then stand in front of my closet in a T-shirt and bra.

What should I wear?

I choose a charcoal-gray sweater. It has a deep V in front, but I love its soft texture and warmth. It feels cozy and snuggly.

I am wearing a purple bra, so I change it to a cream lace bra since it’s the only light color I have that’s clean. I pair it with a short, pleated skirt in a red, green, and blue plaid that I bought before break and I haven’t had a chance to wear yet. I slip on a pair of thick blue tights, which I may be cold in, but I’m really liking the style of this outfit. It probably needs a knee-high sexy boot, but I opt for my well-worn Ugg boots. I give my hair a shake and the curls I made become voluminous and then I apply some pink lip gloss.

I’m trying to look good, which I don’t usually do. I think I know why that is. Cade is slowly sliding under my skin. But me wanting to impress him is a little much. What the hell am I doing? I look myself in the mirror.

Annie, keep your wits about you. He’s gorgeous and has a big dick. He’s super nice, but get yourself under control, you horny bitch.

I blow out a breath. The doorbell rings and I jump. No one ever uses the doorbell here. I told Cade to text me. I speed walk to the door, but Sadie beats me to it.

“Cade Price, in the flesh,” she says, smiling and batting her lashes.

I grab my puffer jacket.

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