Page 104 of Even Odds
Cade makes no effort to enter the room. “Can we talk?”
The desk is a disaster, covered in paperwork I was working on before receiving the BBQ invitation, but I gesture at the empty plastic chair.
“Is everything okay? How’s your head?”
Dark purple blooms across his temple and down to his cheek. After being cleared during re-evaluation, he played in last night’s game. Still, every time he stepped onto the field, I chewed my fingers until they were raw. Three days have passed since my heart shattered at the possibility of losing Cade again.
I still hear the sound of the ball hitting his helmet.
His fingers fly to the spot I’m staring at. “Better today. Been icing it off and on.” Dropping his eyes, he studies the mess. “Looks like you could use a distraction. How about a penny for your thoughts?”
I’d play, but I don’t know where to start. Between work and Cade, I’m a mess.
If I knew my feelings for him would return, I wouldn’t have agreed to be his agent. But if I hadn’t said yes, who knows if we would be here right now. Him telling me things in confidence, feeling safe enough to show me real emotion, and not being afraid I’ll see him exactly as he is.
Being friends with Cade was special. Moving to friends with benefits was exciting. Trying for more was scary.
But this time around, falling for him seems safe.
I dig my elbows into the desk. “How about a penny foryourthoughts?”
Cade’s persistent look sharpens. “It’ll take more than a single penny to explain the things in my head right now.”
Same here.
“How about we play our game instead?” he asks. “What do you say, rule breaker?”
Rolling my eyes, I agree. “Fine. What are the odds you’ll leave so I can finish my work in peace?”
“That’s not nice, but if we say it at the same time, I’ll leave you alone to drown in paperwork.” His smile tilts as he lifts his fist. “On three.”One, two, three.
“Seven!” I shout at the same time he says “One!”
Rolling my eyes, I lean back in my seat. “You know I never call the number one, so that’s practically cheating.”
“Is it cheating? Or do I know you better than you wish I did?”
“Both,” I say, not even trying to hide my smile. “Your turn.”
Cade scans the dreary office as if looking for inspiration. My little spot at Slim Jim Batting isn’t as fancy as Permian’s building. The desk creaks every time I lean against it, and the chairs are plastic, but it’s infinitely more comfortable than Permian has ever been.
His eyes stop roaming. “What are the odds you tell me your first impression of me?”
“That seems like a waste of a turn, but whatever,” I say, holding up my fist. “On three.”
One, two, three.
The number five coming out of his mouth at the same time it leaves mine is not ideal.
Cade raises his arms. “Yes! I’ve been waiting five years to hear this.”
Taking a deep breath, I think back to the day I met Cade. I remember it like it was yesterday. “You were sitting on the floor in the study room with your back to me. It sucked because I wanted to not like you, but without even seeing your face, you changed my mind. I listened to the way you talked to Mallory and Kenneth. Your patient, brotherly tonetold me you had a little sibling. Likely a sister, based on the Hello Kitty Band-Aid on your elbow. Your laugh was light in a way that didn’t seem forced or trained. And your shoulders didn’t slump. Confident, but not in a prideful way like a lot of the guys on campus.” The sparkly wrist chain attached to my phone glitters in the dim light. “My first impression of you, Cade Owens, was awe.”
His jaw goes slack. I know I went overboard with my answer, but he has been so honest with me, I thought it was time I returned the favor.
Checking the clock, I start gathering my stuff. “It’s getting late. We should call it—”
“What are the odds you want to be with me?”
