Page 65 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“No worries,” I say, even though my legs are frozen.

He heads into the locker room and comes out a few minutes later in his Ugg boots and the black sweater he was wearing before and the duffel bag.

I pass him his jacket and his gaze drops to my legs. They are shaking a bit because I’m cold.

“Geez, you’re cold. Why didn’t you say anything?” he asks. “Let’s get you into the car. I’ll blast the heat.”

When we get to the exit of the community center there are large glass sliding doors. The snow is coming down much harder now and the ground has thick coverage.

“Wait here, I’ll bring the car to the door.”

I wait inside by the entrance where there is a strong heater blowing heat and it feels really nice. Cade is a good guy, but it looks like he’s been conceding what he wants all his life. To his father, to Scarlett.

He pulls up to the curb. I run into his car, and he has the heat blasting.

“Are you still up for Black Jack’s? I just called Mack. Everyone is already there.” he asks.

“Yeah.”

He pulls out of the parking lot. We head on to the road, but the driving is slow.

“That coach was way off base. I don’t understand much about hockey, but did he want you to beat up those guys?” I ask.

Cade blows out a breath. “Hockey is a rough sport. Coaches expect the guys to be tough so they can handle other players on the ice. Some guys like to play dirty. That’s what my dad always taught me to do.”

“But that isn’t who you are,” I say when we reach a red light.

Cade turns his head and looks at me. I can’t read the expression on his face, but his amber eyes are ultra-focused on me. It feels like he is really seeing me. I know I’m really seeing him. He was so good and caring with those kids. The way he dealt with the kid who had some challenges was touching. Cade Price is all heart. His father has been trying to make him into the asshole he is, and that’s just not Cade. The light turns green. Cade accelerates slowly. He hasn’t responded to my statement though.

My stomach is swimming with all kinds of emotions. I don’t know what to do.

He finally pulls into the parking lot at Black Jack’s. He luckily finds a spot close to the door. He comes around to open the door for me and holds my hand as we walk quickly toward the entrance, snow blowing in our eyes.

“It’s a crazy night to go out,” I say loudly.

Inside the music is loud. We find our friends at a booth. Ruby waves us over. We get settled sitting beside each other. I’m at the edge of the booth, Cade is next to me and Macklin is next to him.

Briar comes by our table. We order wings and I get a cosmo. I tell her to make it a double.

Briar watches me wide-eyed. “I’m cold, Briar. I need warming up.”

“Cade is a big cuddly guy. He can warm you up,” Aaron offers.

Cade laughs and shakes his head at Aaron. Our food arrives and we all dig in. Even Charlie and Finn came, which is something because those two spend a lot of time in the bedroom when they have free time.

“Macklin updated Finn on your situation.” She winks.

Oh dear. Everyone at the table knows we’re fake dating.

Cade puts an arm around me and pulls me to his side. “I can’t have you cold, baby.”

“Aw, come on,” Macklin says. Then he whispers, “You don’t have to put that act on around us.”

“What if it isn’t an act?” Ruby asks.

“You guys are all being ridiculous,” I say to the bunch.

All of the girls are downing drink after drink since it’s so cheap, and we all end up tipsy as hell. I get up and almost lose my balance. Black Jack’s is packed tonight, despite the weather, which means their little plan worked.

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