Page 51 of Offside and Off-Limits
Wait. This is not a smart idea. It would be totally unprofessional of me to say yes for the exact same reason why it would feel good for Dwayne to witness.
“I really appreciate you making the offer, Cade, but I'm sorry, it can’t happen.”
“Why not? I told you it's not against the rules.”
“It's so sweet of you to offer, let alone check the rules on this competition, but?—”
“But nothing.”
“This is a small town, Cade. People talk. Dwayne will assume you and I are…” I trail off, hoping he’ll catch my drift and not make me say it outright.
“He’ll assume what, Triple?”
It would seem heisgoing to make me say it outright.
“Involved.”
“Involved? How would that look exactly?” His teasing tone sends a tingle down my spine.
“You know exactly how that would look and it's not appropriate. We work together.”
“That's it. I'll quit.”
A laugh bursts out of me. “You'll quit?”
“Why not? Sure, I'm the best right winger the team’s got and I'm a massive playmaker, racking those points up on the scoreboard for my team every week with goals and assists. But they'll survive without me. Eventually.”
“You’re impossible, did you know that?”
“Impossible or irresistible?”
I shake my head, laughing once more. “I think you're so sweet to want to do this for Hannah, but I think I'm going to have to say no.”
“Come on. It'll be great for her. You know it will.”
I twist my mouth. He has a point. Hannah is determined to perform in this talent show, but she's also inexperienced in piano and is already super nervous about it, and it's not even until the week before Thanksgiving. What's more, the chemistry she had with Cade when they were playing “Chopsticks” together was undeniable, and it was wonderful to see her playing and smiling, enjoying herself.
After what happened with her skating recital, I know being up on the stage with someone she likes and trusts could really help her overcome this newfound stage fright, and Lord knows I couldn’t fulfill that role for her, what with being a musical talent wasteland.
“Let me think about it,” I concede.
“I'll give you five seconds from now. Five, four, three?—”
“Were you an overindulged child?”
“Two, one. What’s your decision?”
“Cade,” I warn.
“Okay. I’ll back off. But will you at least think about it?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good.”
There’s a silence between us, and I find I don’t want to hang up on this man.
“Cade?”
