Page 51 of Go Deep (A Bad Boy Sports Romance)
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Slade
Iwas looking forwardto seeing Cassidy Thanksgiving night. I happened to be walking through the hallway when she came in, and we hugged briefly. It was the quick hug of old family friends, not the way I was hoping to hold her after bringing her home last night with Miranda in the back seat of my car. If I could, I’d take her right here at the front door, but we’d agreed to keep things low key with my folks and Shawn.
Miranda walked in behind her a minute later. “Hey.” I gave her a quick side hug and escorted both of the girls into the living room.
“Look who’s here,” I called out to my parents, who were busy in the dining room.
Shawn came down the stairs and gave Cassidy a long embrace, the kind of hug I wanted to give her. He hadn’t seen her for a while, and I was used to those two being a heck of a lot closer over the years, so I let it slide. He and I hadn’t said much since last night when we got in for the weekend. I figured he was still pretty upset over the whole Slade-had-sex-with-Cassidy situation. He didn’t need to know that we were practically dating now. His head would have exploded.
“Mom, Dad, Shawn, this is Miranda. She’s Cassidy’s roommate, and believe it or not, she’s on the cheerleading squad,” I said, introducing her to everyone.
“Nice to meet you all. Thanks for having me.” Miranda shot me a look.
“What? They wouldn’t believe it if we didn’t tell them. You don’t look like a cheerleader,” I teased.
“Well, at heart, maybe I’m not.”
“Whatever, girl. I’ve seen you go into full-on cheerleader mode. You’re a cheerleader.”
“So, I hope you ladies are hungry,” my mother said to them, pointing to the chairs at the left of the head of the table.
I was pretty sure everyone expected Miranda to sit across from me, and that Cassidy would sit facing Shawn, but that wasn’t what went down at the table. Miranda took the open chair opposite Shawn’s place setting, leaving Cassidy right where she belonged—with me. Shawn was not a happy camper, but whatever. The kid needed to deal.
Pops said his usual eleven-word prayer. “Lord, thank you for life, family, friends, sports and food. Amen.”
Shawn tried to engage Cassidy in conversation at the table, but she was too busy eating, and my mom kept interrupting to ask us all how things were at school. His frustration mounted. If only we could have made a drinking game out of it like back at the frat house. I could say something to make him angrier, then we could all take a drink. We’d be so shitfaced by the time he actually blew, it would be pretty damn funny to watch.
“What are you studying at college, Miranda,” Mom asked, calling our guest out to be interviewed.
“I’m going after a double major in history and anthropology.”
“This is the certainly the city for that. What do you plan to do with it after?” I felt sorry for the girl, because she was fresh meat in my mom’s eyes. A new victim to grill.
“After I graduate, I’ll continue studying folklore and mythology.”
“You’re not a local, are you?”
“No, ma’am.”
“I thought you sounded different. Where are you from?”
“Worchester, Massachusetts.”
“Well, then. I’m glad you like it down here in Louisiana.”
“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, ma’am,” Miranda said.
“Good.” Then, she turned her focus over to Cassidy. “So, Cassidy I hear you’re graduating early.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“So you must see Slade around, as you still cheerleading.”
“Yes. Actually, Slade and I are working together on a project right now for a course we’re both in.”
“Really?”
