Page 28 of Body Checking
“Cade. I ca–”
“I said stay there, Maren. Open that door and I’ll tan your hide.”
I laugh a little, but the serious and fierce look on his face tells me he is not joking. So I sit quietly in my seat until he opens the door and grips my waist, lifting me up and out. My hands rest on his shoulders and I inhale the musky scent of his cologne.
Like at the arena, he twines our fingers as we walk to the entrance. The bouncer makes eye contact with Cade and smiles. When Cade smiles back it’s like two mountains waving at one another.
“Hey Hammer. Tough loss tonight.” They shake hands and pat each other on the shoulder.
“Yeah. Not a great night. That’s why I’m here. To drown my woes a little bit.”
His big friend looks at me and says, “Is this your lady?”
“Sure is. Maren this is D. D, meet my girl, Maren.”
“Nice to meet you D,” I tell him.
“Nice to meet you, Maren. And if you get tired of this grumpy old man, give me a call.” He winks and I giggle.
Giggle. I don’t giggle. But these two handsome men are smiling at me like I hold the moon in my hand and they’re mesmerized. How can I not giggle?
“Hands off, D. I like you and would hate to have tochop your knees.”
D gives us a crooked grin and a wink. “Might be worth it. Y’all have a good night.”
He pulls the door open for us, and Cade guides me ahead of him. By the time we reach the bar, a drop dead gorgeous woman is headed right towards us. She’s tall with short blonde hair that falls behind her ears, and with her faded black sleeveless shirt, I can see her lean muscles and intricate tattoos.
“Cade. Hey.” Her face lights up and she opens her arms wide, welcoming Cade in.
He wraps his giant arms around her in a friendly hug, and a sharp pain stabs at my belly.
“Hi Bryn. How’s it going?” They separate and she continues to stare at him with stars in her eyes.
I start to feel more and more like an outsider looking into a cozy couple’s reunion. I shrink into myself like I do when I want to just disappear.
“Going good. Surprised to see you here. It’s been a while,” she tells him.
“Sorry about that. This season has been hell. Between cocky rooks and the constant back and forth from win to lose, I’m beat.”
“Understandable. And forgivable.” She squeezes his hand then looks at me. “Excuse me. How rude of me. I just stole him away. Hi. I’m Bryn Baca.”
“Hello. Maren Thompson. Nice to meet you.”
Cade’s arm wraps around my shoulders and he tugs me close. “This is my girlfriend.”
“Oh really?” Bryn asks as I say, “Huh?”
He must only hear Bryn’s question because he says, “Really. She’s pretty darn special.”
Bryn’s smile returns and she lets her gaze run up and down my body. If I was uncomfortable before, I’m mortified now. She’s judging me, wondering what a man like Cade –handsome, sexy, rich– is doing with someone like me –young, not rich, and not a supermodel.
“Oh she looks more than just special,” she says with a wink and I clench. “Come on you two. Let me get you a quiet spot.”
Cade brings my hand up and lays a kiss on the back of it, then pulls me along as we follow Bryn. We’re escorted to a dark booth in a dark corner, away from the dance floor and the loud boom of twangy guitars.
“What can I get ya?” She asks.
“I could really use a cold Crawford Bock. Sweetheart. What would you like?” If there was a spotlight shining down on me, they would both see my cheeks blush fire red.
