Kade's Game (11 page)

I knew he was military, but I sadly have no insight into that field, so I wasn't aware of the holiday situation.

"Then what will you do for Christmas?" Mom asks, not meeting my gaze.  At least she's being nice.

"I'll... I might go see a friend or something," she says unsurely.

Friend?  What friend?  From what I've seen, she doesn't have friends.  She never calls anyone or goes anywhere.  That's one thing we have in common.

"Nonsense," Dad says, swatting the air as if he's knocking away her comment.  "You can come with us.  We have more than plenty of room.  Tag has a beautiful home up there, and Margaret and I own one as well.  It's always a good time."

She's sure as hell not staying with Tag.  She'll stay in my room if we don't have anywhere else for her.

She squirms, refusing to look up at me.  She doesn't like this much attention, and I don't like her being uncomfortable.  Still, I'm not letting this go until she agrees to come with me.  I refuse to let her be alone on Christmas.

"Come on, Raya.  It'll be fun," I say, pulling her back to me, and enjoying the way she relaxes against me.  "Lots of skiing and eggnog," I add.

Did she need approval from me?  Hell, I would have invited her if she had told me she had nowhere to be.

"Talk her into it, Kade," Dad says with a smile.  "In the meantime, what about your family?  They live in Utah, right?"

She nods cautiously, seeming to weigh his words, trying to read his intentions.  I'm glad she wasn't this shrewd earlier.  She would have caught the insults if she had been.

"How are you getting there?" he continues.

She relaxes again, thinking this is casual conversation.  She doesn't realize he has his
Dad
face on right now.

"Oh.  I always take the bus.  I'll leave Friday after my last class, and I'll get home Sunday night."

Dad's frown matches mine.  A bus?  A fucking bus?  I'm not letting her take a bus all the way to Utah.  Has she lost her mind?

"Take one of my cars.  There's no sense in you riding the bus," Dad says, beating me to what I want to say.

"Thank you, that's sweet, but I can't.  I'll be fine on the bus."

She's crazy if she thinks
I'll
let her take a bus.

"Don't be ridiculous, Raya," I say, finally growing irritated.  "I'll drive you.  I don't have anything going on next weekend."

A weekend away from Sterling Shore sounds good on its own.  A weekend in Raya's world sounds perfect.  I'd love some insight.

"Kade, I'm fine going on the bus.  Shift the subject, please," she pleads softly.

Everyone laughs, but I find no humor in this.  I stare down at her, and I can’t help but feel a little pissed.  We're supposed to have already crossed this hurdle.  After the damn tuna thing, I thought she knew how much I wanted her to have the same comforts I do.  Not to mention, it really pisses me off that I'm essentially having to beg her to let me go.

A weekend stuck at home without Raya doesn't sound fun at all.

"I've got somewhere to be," Tag says as he stands up, but I barely acknowledge him as I think of how to handle this thing with Raya.  He glances over to Billy, who is still typing fervently on his phone.  "Forget it, Bity.  Rene isn't going to Aspen with you."

"Bity?" Raya asks, but that's not what I want to talk about.  I want to climb inside her head and find out what just happened.

"Don't get him started," Wren says.  I hear him stand, but I'm still not in the mood to pay attention to anything else.  "I need to get back to Erica.  See you guys later."

I assume they walk out, but I don't offer farewells.

"For the record, I was texting my friend Ash.  Not Rene.  Some guy is giving her problems," Billy says to Kade, prompting a small snicker from me.

That distracts me just enough.  Texting who?  All I know is he said it wasn't Rene.  He's so full of shit.

"Sure you were," I say sardonically.

Bity rolls his eyes as he storms out, acting like a drama queen.  When you ruin your brother's wedding, people tend to dislike you and distrust you.  No way in hell would I let Bity around Raya without me being firmly placed at her side.

"You guys always so nice to him?" she asks, seeming confused.

She doesn't know what a prick he is, so she assumes we're all being jerks.  That's not my story to explain, and quite frankly, I'd rather know why she doesn't want me to go with her.   She hasn't even mentioned it to me before tonight.

"Long story," I say flatly, motioning for her to come with me when I stand.  "We've been drinking for most of the night, so I can get us a driver or we can crash here."

I suddenly wish this house was a fraction of the size so I could tell her there was only one room and we'd have to share.

"Stay, stay," Mom cheers, sounding too damn drunk.  At least she's in her happy drunk mood.

Dad kisses the side of her neck, pulling her tighter to him, and I fight a gag reflex.  Seriously?

"Gross," I groan, dragging Raya out of the room with me as I escape the disgusting exhibition.

"I think it's sweet," she giggles, but now I have her alone, and my mind is wrapped around one thing.

"Why do you insist on taking a bus all the way to Utah?  If it's because you don't want me to go, that's cool.  I was just going to keep you from making that trip alone.  But you can drive one of my cars.  Don't take the bus."

I'm doing my best not to sound offended that she doesn't want me there.  I may not like it, but I can accept it.  But I refuse to let her ride a bus when I have four vehicles.

Her whole stance changes as she lets out what seems to be a painful breath.  Hesitance weights her eyes, but she finally speaks.

"Kade, it doesn't have anything to do with that.  My house..." Her voice trails off as she looks around, seeming to examine the house for some reason.  "It's not like this.  As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure that den was bigger than my mother's trailer.  Right.  Trailer.  It's... It's not something I want to drag you out to see."

My chest tightens to the point of painful.  She's embarrassed?  What have I done to make her think I'd judge her over a damn home?  Maybe this is the barrier that's holding us back.  If I can jump this hurdle, then maybe those walls will fall away and she'll start letting me closer.

If that's the only reason she doesn't want me going, then there's absolutely no reason for me to go without her for a whole weekend.  I'd prefer not to deal with withdrawals if I don't have to, and I'm pretty sure I'd end up in
Utah after not having her for a day.

She stares at me, seeming so exposed and vulnerable as she waits for me to react.

"Raya, I don't care if you lived under the bridge.  Friends don't judge friends based on where they come from.  I'd like to go.  I've gotten used to having you around.  Plus, you've heard a thousand embarrassing stories about me tonight.  It's only fair we level the playing field."

She lets a small laugh escape, and then she nods.  Thank God.  Now I don't have to stow away in the trunk.

A Bit of
Normal

She can't have any fingernails left.  I keep hearing her gnawing away nervously, and it's making me tense.  In fact, it's making me worry about what she thinks might happen.  Is there something she's not telling me?

When her class got cancelled, I decided to skip the only one I had, because I couldn't wait to get here and see her in her element, hoping this would be the weekend things between us change.

She has to come to me.  That's the only way this will work.  She's a runner, so I have to wait until she's ready.

But if she doesn't stop acting like a tightly wound string that's ready to snap, I'm going to need a massage to work the tension out of me.  And her sexy little ass will be the one I make give me a massage.  Hmm... That's actually not a bad idea.

"Raya, you're making me nervous.  What's going on?" I grumble, not meaning to sound so annoyed.  But now that I've thought about her massaging me, I have my fourth most painful erection of this trip.

She turns onto another road, and I lean back to watch her, studying her, and waiting for her to calm the hell down and explain what has her so rattled.  She looks at me with nervousness in her eyes, and then she speaks so fast, that I struggle to keep up with the words.

"It doesn't matter how many times we tell her we're friends, my mother is still going to try shoving me down your throat.  My stepdad is going to have his beer glued to his hand, and he'll say 'yes, dear' at random times, even if no one has said anything, because he's a zombie most of the time.  My stepbrother is going to be cruel, scary, and completely obnoxious, simply because you're a guy who is acquainted with me.  His wife is sweet
—too sweet.  She'll ask you a thousand times if you're okay or if you need anything.  That's what has me nervous.  This whole weekend is a recipe to humiliate me and drive you crazy."

Fucking adorable.  I can't help but burst out laughing, but when she cuts her eyes toward me, I pull my hand up to smother the roar.

"Raya, you seriously have to learn to relax," I say through my more restrained laughter.

She sighs as she glances ahead at something, and I lean back again, resting my hands behind my head.  So much better.  Now that I know I'm not going to be shot at or something, I can relax.  She's just worried about getting embarrassed.  I'm looking forward to having new material to tease her with.

I pray her mother has the most humiliating pictures of her there ever was.

I'm not sure if this is a road or a trail we just turned down, but it's definitely not very well kept.  Not that it matters.

Gravel crunches under the tires as she parks beside a tired trailer, one that seems to have had much better days.  In my life, I've had all the nicest things, and I expected even more than I got.  I've never felt more like a spoiled brat than I do right now.  It almost makes me want to call and apologize for my embarrassing tantrums in the past.

I make a conscious effort not to react, because Raya will take it wrong.  No wonder she's unsure around money.  She's had less than I realized.  It makes me want to work that much harder to give her nicer things, and I'll make sure her stubborn ass starts taking the shit I want her to have.

My Range Rover looks obnoxious, and I suddenly wish I had rented a different vehicle.  I really don't want them hating me the way Raya did in the beginning.  I pray they like wine.

"This is it," she murmurs timidly, seeming to dread my reaction.  Has she no faith in me?  It's obvious I'll have to prove myself.

I'd like to reassure her that there's nothing wrong with it, but it'd sound condescending.  Instead, I elect to act as though it's no different than rolling up at our house.  She's so terrified I'll look down on her.  She doesn't know how wrapped around her finger I am.

"I'll grab the bags.  You can head on in," I say, climbing out of the passenger side.

A kid rides by on a bike, his mouth agape when he stares at my Range Rover, and I wave, trying to seem friendly and not at all like the rich prick they'll all most likely think I am.

Raya gets out of the car, still watching me like I'm about to shatter her at any second.  All I want to do is pin her down and kiss the
hell out of her, prove to her that I don't give a damn where she came from.

I don't look around much, worried she'll misconstrue any expression for something it isn't.  She shivers a little.  As much as I love her legs, she needs them covered up here.  It's too cold.

"You okay?" she asks, her eyes still warily on me.

"Yeah, why?" I ask, sounding genuinely perplexed by the question, even though I know exactly what she means.

I grab our bags, letting her watch me as much as she needs to.

"Primp much?" she says at last, pointing to the luggage.

I knew she was going to say something about me bringing two bags, and I knew she'd object if I told her beforehand what's in the second bag.

I just laugh, feeling better now that she's back to teasing me.

"One of my bags has a nice wine selection.  There's a chiller built in to keep it the perfect drinking temperature.  I started to bring a decanter, but I thought that might come off as a little pretentious."

I hope that didn't sound as smug as I think it did.  Shit.

"Pretentious?  No.  We always decant our boxes of wine," she deadpans, making me think that over.

Decanting a
box
of wine?

I look over at her in time to see her smile edging up.  Ah.  She was joking and making fun of me.  Got it.  We're in her environment now, and I'm sure I'll catch a little hell.  I'm loving it already.

I laugh while shaking my head, feeling like a bit of a gullible idiot.

"You really shouldn't have brought wine," she says more seriously.

I knew that was coming.

"I'm a guest.  It's customary for the guest to bring the hosts a gift.  I always bring wine.  It's easy, and it's always a big hit," I reply while shrugging.  I won't tell her I knew I'd need to suck up.

"Yeah, but my family isn't going to know the difference between the service station wine and the ungodly priced stuff you're probably carrying around.  My stepbrother drinks the stuff right out of the bottle.  Just... I don't know... We'll grab a pie tomorrow for you to give them."

She's so damn cute.  She has no idea.  Well, I'll surprise her with my secret soon.  I've never wanted to take a girl to the vineyard, but Raya is the exception to that.  I can't wait to take her.

"They can guzzle my wine.  I promise, it's fine."

She starts to say something, but an ear-piercing squeal interrupts whatever objection Raya had.  The source of the squealing is an attractive woman who's running down a porch that I'm worried might collapse.  She grabs Raya, jolting her forward in an embrace that has to be painful, and I watch, fascinated.

I never pictured Raya's family to be so affectionate.  I've never been big on getting touched.  I make an exception for Granddad usually.

Then Raya came around, and I can't stop touching her.  I feel like something's missing when we're not touching.

"Finally!  I've missed you so much!" her mother says with an excited pitch.

"I've missed you, too," Raya chuckles, making my whole body warm.

I love that smile, that sound, that look of belonging.  She's relaxed here.  I want to make her that relaxed all the time.

I want to see her face, so I step to be in front of her.  I regret that instantly.  Damn she looks too perfect with that smile.  Now I want to see that smile all the time.  This girl could break an army and she doesn't even know it.  She also doesn't know that she's already mine.

"And who the hell is this prime piece of perfection?" her mother asks, surprising me with her bluntness as she rakes her eyes over me, slowly taking in every inch.

Maybe the wine won't be necessary after all.

Raya's eyes mimic the motion, and I stand there to let them both appraise me.  I'll let Raya look all day if she wants to.  This is the first time she's ever openly acted this interested.  I knew this weekend was a good idea.

"Kade Colton," I say when Raya shivers, reminding me she out here in shorts and I need to get her in.  I extend my hand in offering.

"Handshakes are for strangers.  If you're coming home with my girl, then you're family."

Her mother knocks my hand away as she pushes her bountiful chest against me and embraces me.  This is uncomfortable, because affection isn't my thing, but I'm thrilled to know I'm already liked.  It takes a hell of a lot of pressure off me.

So I return the awkward embrace with my free hand while she lingers.  Raya covers her smile, probably seeing how unrehearsed I am with strangers hugging me, and then she comes to tug her mother off me.

"Don't maul the guest.  Let's go in."

Her mother almost pouts as she lets me go, but it's mostly because she's enjoying teasing Raya.  I follow behind them as they reach the top of the small, hazardous porch, but then some beast of a man steps into the doorway.

I really hope that's not her overprotective brother.

Considering his militant stance and appearance, along with his muscles and tattoos that scream badass, I'm assuming it is.  Maybe he won't kill me this weekend, because I'm not keeping my hands off Raya if she gives me an opening.

"It's about damn time," he says with a grin as he picks her up in a very wince-worthy embrace.

She wheezes, and I fight to keep back, reminding myself how many times she's talked about the fact her brother loves her.  Then I see her tap his shoulder three times.  Wait?  Did she just tap out?

"Damn.  Lay off the steroids," she gripes while he puts her down, letting her airflow return.  I relax from the tense stance I didn't even realize I had taken.

He chuckles loudly, and then he shakes his head.  "Pure and solid, baby sister.  Pure and fucking solid."

The second his eyes find mine, his look of softness turns to a murderous glare.  Yeah, he's going to kill me if I touch Raya.  At least I'll die happy.

"Who's pretty boy?" he asks, the venom in his tone promising me a weekend of pain if I give him one excuse.

Pretty boy.  He has no idea about me.  It's probably stupid, but I grin.  I fight it, but I know it's there.

"This is Kade, my... friend?" she says, making it sound like a question while sounding unsure.  "Play nice, Josh."

Friend for now.

"I'll play," he threatens, making no attempt to veil his intentions.

I usually prefer bluntness, but he's actually a little scary.  He makes Brock look small, and Brock is
—well,
was
—the biggest guy I know.  I've kicked his ass before, so maybe I could hold my own against Josh if necessary.

The beast moves when Raya pushes him, but I know damn well she didn't have the strength to move him without his permission.  At least he has a very soft spot for her.

Her eyes move to me as I duck to come in, and I grin at the man lounging in the recliner, subconsciously holding his beer even while he snores.  The trailer is small, very small.  And the low ceilings have even lower ceiling fans.  This could pose a problem.

When I turn around and see the look Raya is giving me, I decide any concussion I might receive from a vicious fan will be well worth it.

"Yes, dear," her stepfather
says in his sleep, still clutching a beer can.

The others don't even seem to acknowledge it.  It's comical, really, though I have no idea what a woman who looks like her mother is doing with someone who sleeps the day away when he's not at work.  Then again, I've never done a lot of manual labor.  I'm sure it's exhausting.

"Are you okay?" Ginger, Josh's wife, asks me. "Do you need anything?"

Raya's eyes cut toward me apologetically.  I give her a wink, still finding humor in it, even though it should be at the point of annoying by now.

"I'm fine, thank you," I say as graciously as possible, mentally patting myself on the back for not laughing out loud.

Wrapping my arm around Raya's shoulders, I pull her to me, needing to feel her closer before we're forced to separate and go into different rooms.  I'm so exhausted, and I doubt I'll sleep much knowing her brother is just down the hall.

I've been hoping he'd hurry up and drink all the wine so he'd be too drunk to do anything more than pass out for at least twelve hours.

"I'm ready to crash," I finally say, yawning for emphasis.

"Me, too.  I'll show you the guestroom," Raya says, seeming distracted as she has a silent conversation with her grinning mother.

"Actually, Raya," her mother says with an enigmatic smile, "the guestroom is packed full with some of your brother's friend's things.  He needed a place to store some stuff while he moved into a new home.  Kade will have to share your room tonight.  Your bed is plenty big enough."

Fuck yes.

Her brother coughs and sputters wine everywhere, reminding me he's in the room.  Fuck no.  Please, God, let him get too drunk to walk.