by Mary Smith
“I didn’t expect anything less from him,” Caryn mumbled.
“You two are very close.” Greer hinted.
Caryn knew the looks she received when they were out to dinner together. She had no problem with her eyesight, nor he. “Yes, we are. Did you speak to the chef?” Caryn changed the topic quickly.
“I did. I’m using Paityn Rice again. She’s brilliant. I’m emailing you the menu options now.”
Caryn thought she heard Paityn’s name before but passed the thought as she picked up her mini iPad and opened her email. Glancing over the options she seemed pleased with the variety for the guests. “No alcohol, right?”
“Correct,” Greer said still looking at her screen. “Instead of a wine pairing, Paityn created a flavored sparkling water list for each course. For dessert as well.”
Scrolling down the menu, there were several different options for each course. “Outstanding.”
“Now,” Greer looked up as the waitress put down their coffees, “about Oliver’s suggestion…”
“He’s still on it?”
“Yes.”
“I’m okay with inviting the entire east coast of millionaires and such. I’m okay getting up in front of them and talking about The New Outlook, which, hopefully, turns into donations. The silent auctions seem like I’m begging.”
Greer gave her a sympathetic nod. “I understand your point. However, I hosted numerous events with auctions, and they’re always successful and fun. I promise.”
Even though apprehension about the idea filled her, she trusted Greer, and Oliver’s opinion. They had done this a lot longer and had much more experience—and success—with these types of events. “Okay. I trust you.”
“Great.” Greer’s bright smile returned. “Here are the table colors and schemes.” Tapping on the screen, Caryn waited for the email.
Looking at all the details, she didn’t really understand why this mattered, but it seemed important to Greer. “Honestly, I’m not good at all of this. I’ll leave it up to your best judgment.”
“Okay. I promise to do right by you and the event.”
“I’m certain you will.” Caryn sipped her coffee. “How are the kids?”
“Crazy. Amazing. Causing me more gray hair.”
They both laughed.
“No, truthfully, they’re great. Rowan is a senior this year, which means she only cares about formal dresses, boys, college, and getting out of Manchester. Rory is fourteen. He only cares about girls, football, and baseball.”
Caryn tilted her head in confusion. “Rowan is a senior?” Greer didn’t appear to be old enough to have an almost adult child.
“Yes, she skipped ahead. The child only has to read something once, and it’s stuck in her head forever.”
“Wow, I wished I had that ability.”
“Me too. She gets it from Edgar.”
They talked for a few more moments before Caryn finally said she had to get back to the office. As she made her way back to the office, she felt a light skip in her step. This event would help The New Outlook more, and she couldn’t help being elated about it and wanting to tell the one person she wanted to—hell more than any other.
Caryn: Had a meeting with Greer. This is going to be fantastic.
Not thinking Cabel would answer her right away, she slipped her phone back into her purse and walked into the office building.
Chapter Three
Practice went better than expected. In fact, for Cabel, it had been the best morning for him. He didn’t feel as if an eighteen wheeler bowled over him at the end of running drills. His knees did hurt but not as bad as the day before.
“Hey, Pops, want to grab some food?” Alden yelled out from across the locker room.
“Sure.” Cabel headed toward the showers.
When he finished, changed, and strolled out to his Hummer, Bas, Vance, Alden, and Edgar were all standing around it waiting for him.
“You care to drive?” Edgar asked.
“No prob.” Cabel opened the doors with his key fob, and everyone climbed in. He didn’t mind driving the team around.
When they reached the deli, Hamilton, Dag, and Shade were getting out of their vehicles. Walking up to the counter, Cabel felt his phone vibrate. Figuring it would be Leia, he pulled it out.
Caryn.
He smiled. Not because she texted him, but the happiness in her text. She expressed to him—more than once—how nervous she was regarding her upcoming event. His elation quickly faded as he thought about who she was with last night and what happened.
After ordering his food, he sat down in the middle of the large round booth in the corner and then sent a quick text to Caryn while he waited for the rest of the guys.
Cabel: I’m very happy for you. I can’t wait to hear the details.
Truly, he wanted to hear what she and Greer came up with but not about her date with Oliver.
Rubbing his forehead, he thought back to when Maxima broached him with the idea of asking Caryn on a date. Everyone knew how much Caryn helped the Bears’ players, but he’d never met her until that day with Maxima. The second their eyes met he had an instant connection to her. It was something he never felt before, something he couldn’t explain, but it was something he definitely wanted to explore. When Maxima texted him that very night about Caryn, he jumped at the chance to get her number and contact her.
He couldn’t—and didn’t—wait to text her. As soon as he saved the information, he texted her. Normally, he would call, but he didn’t want to put her on the spot. Dating had evolved since the last time he had done it. Hell, he couldn’t even remember asking Chloe out on a date. They just stayed side-by-side since the day they met in the fifth grade. He loved Chloe the moment he met her. Cabel never denied it. He even loved her today. She married him, reared him two beautiful daughters, and stood by him through his career. All while hiding her true self.
When everyone finally settled into the booth, the conversation only contained them focusing on their food. All of them were hungry after practice. Once the majority of the food disappeared and some came up for air, the talking picked up, and it turned to Bas.
“So, are we allowed to talk about the elephant in the room?” Alden spoke up first.
Hamilton and Cabel glared at him. Alden had no filter, which made some players want to punch him.
“You can ask.” Bas’ thick English accent sounded sad.
“Hey, English.” Alden lowered his tone. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
Bas nodded. “Actually, I wanted to thank you all. You guys were there for me, visited me. You didn’t have to be, but you were there for me.”
Cabel dropped his gaze. He felt helpless the night Bas ran away from the hospital and almost killed himself.
“Anyway,” Bas continued. “I needed help and I was a real wanker to you all. I’m sorry.”
“You were going through a lot.” Cabel put his hand on Bas’ shoulder.
“I’m still dealing every day,” he told them. “Erin is a massive help. She’s my angel.”
Hearing his words made Cabel smile. He knew the difficulties they had getting to the point they were at right now. Cabel had checked on Erin numerous times while Bas was in rehab. She had been Bas’ rock, even though they had rough patches.
“You know we’re here for you.” Vance’s Irish accent broke through Cabel’s thoughts.
“I know,” he said.
“How are your brothers?” Dag questioned.
He grinned. “Good. We’re working on our relationship with Caryn.”
Cabel perked up at her name. She never talked about her clients. Not just because of confidentiality, but because she was a professional. Her clients meant the world to her, and he would never ask for any personal information about them.
“How’s your home life, Shade?” Edgar inquired.
“I don’t know anymore.” A sadness crossed his face. “But it’s okay today…I guess.”
The ta
ble grew silent from Shade’s words. Jenessa and Nova were pregnant at the same time. Tragedy struck Shade and Janessa’s son when he died in the birth canal due to the cord being wrapped around his neck. Janessa quit coming to all Bears’ family events because Nova would be there with her baby girl, and everyone knew it hurt her. Actually, Shade told them being around any baby hurt them both.
“She going to come to the dinners?” Vance asked.
Shade shrugged. “I don’t know. She works a lot.”
“When are you going to start dating, Dag?” Cabel changed topics because he saw tears beginning to fill Shade’s eyes.
“Fuck, don’t start on me.” He held up his hands in defense. “I have twins who keep me busy enough. I don’t have time to date.”
The guys chuckled. Shortly after giving birth, Dag’s girlfriend left him and the twins. He had fought hard the last couple years to have her rights terminated. Dag wanted to move on with his life and take care of his boys, but the team knew he wasn’t moving on.
“The big question at the table is who is Pops’ girlfriend?” Alden’s evil grin made Cabel roll his eyes.
“Enough,” Cabel said.
Cabel was never really private about his life. Everyone knew about his divorce from Chloe because she announced she was a lesbian. He divorced her so she could be happy with her newfound freedom. Hell, a lot of the team members were at Chloe and Lex’s wedding.
But Caryn…she was different in his life. A part he didn’t want to open up yet. She had been special to him and their relationship could be classified as complicated.
“Going to keep her a secret, eh?” Hamilton, who never really added his opinion, teased.
“For now,” Cabel answered.
“Hey.” Dag’s face showed as if a light bulb went off. “Did you hear about Oliver’s girl?”
Cabel’s stomach dropped. A part of him hoped he could keep his expression calm and cool. He’d known Oliver and Caryn had been seeing each other. She never kept it a secret from him. Nor Oliver. He never thought he’d be involved in a love triangle, especially at thirty-eight years old. Right now, he was smack dab in the middle of one.
“Oliver? Oliver Matthews? Our Oliver?” Alden’s mouth dropped.
“He doesn’t date.” Hamilton waved it off. “He’s married to sports, work, and charities. Are you sure?”
Dag nodded. “Kyson and Kian saw him and some chick with red hair.”
“Wow.” Vance seemed shocked. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
Cabel sipped his water and remained quiet. Caryn never told him about her dates with Oliver. Actually, he didn’t want to know where they went or what they did. He just wanted her to himself, but his plan hadn’t been working. Although, his juvenile plan simply meant to spend time with her and get her to fall in love with him. He thought it was working, but he’d been wrong. He wanted to give up altogether. However, he couldn’t stop seeing her, talking to her, or being around her.
She’s an addiction to me.
“Guys, I need to get going,” Cabel announced. He really needed to get out of the booth and away from this particular conversation.
“Me too,” Hamilton and Edgar said in unison.
After saying their goodbyes, he dropped off the players who drove with him at the players’ parking lot. Checking the time, he had to get the girls from school. He decided to get Bria first.
Watching his youngest daughter chatting with friends, he wished Leia was as free and happy as Bria. He never wanted to compare his daughters to each other, but this one time he did. He hoped tonight would be the night Chloe and he figured out a plan for Leia. He couldn’t handle seeing her in any more pain.
“Dad!” Bria waved and came racing to the Hummer.
“Hi, baby.” He smiled. “How was school?”
“Amazing. I’m going to try out for the school play.” She squealed with excitement, making Cabel’s ears ring.
“I’m very proud of you.” He leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
“Will you come? If I get a part, I mean. Will you come?” Her hazel eyes silently begged him to be there.
“I will be in the front row. I promise. Now, we have to go get Leia.”
“Oh, she’s at home,” Bria told him sadly. Her happiness gone with one sentence.
“What do you mean? Is she sick?” Suddenly he felt a wave of panic wash over him.
“No. She and Mom fought this morning. Then Mom just left, Leia stormed to her room, and Lex brought me to school.”
Anger pulsed through him, making him forget the panic he felt a moment ago. Chloe didn’t contact him, and she should have, just as Leia should have gone to school. He would have made her go. Missing classes doesn’t solve anything for anyone.
Pulling up at Chloe and Lex’s house, Cabel knew he had to remain calm. Being a hot-head right now would solve nothing, and tonight something had to be done.
Bria went racing into the house just like a small ball of energy. Cabel strolled in behind her, and she had already begun telling everyone about the school play. Chloe beamed down at her, telling her how proud she was of her. Cabel eyed Leia, who sat quietly at the table. Quickly, she dropped her head to avert looking at him.
“Bria, why don’t you go upstairs and start your homework. We need to talk to Leia privately.” Cabel always respected Chloe being in charge when they were in her home, but this situation called for a different approach.
Bria didn’t bat an eye at the suggestion and left the room. Silence filled the kitchen for several seconds. The tension almost choking the three of them.
Finally, Cabel spoke. “Why didn’t you call me and tell me she didn’t go to school?” He directed his first question to Chloe.
“Because I knew you were busy today. Plus, there was no need to get you riled up.” Chloe’s firm tone told him she had it handled.
Trying to keep himself in check, he only nodded his response. Taking a breath, he turned his attention to Leia. “Tell me why you didn’t go to school.”
“Dad.” She raised her head. “I can’t go back there. I’m losing my mind. I dread every moment of my life there. I cry all the time. I don’t want to even step foot into that place.”
Cabel’s heart broke watching his daughter’s tears begin to roll down her cheeks. He knew things were bad for her. Maybe he didn’t know the real extent.
“What school do you want to go to then?” Cabel asked, unsure what else he could do for her.
Leia glanced at Chloe.
“We have a plan,” Chloe answered. Walking over to Leia, she sat down next to her. “If you want to be treated like an adult, you need to calm yourself down and ask your father.”
Cabel took the seat across from Leia and reached for her hand. “Talk to me, baby.”
It took a few seconds for her to calm down, but after she did, she reached under the table with her other hand and pulled up a folder. Sliding it across the table Cabel read the front of it.
“What is this?” With his free hand, he opened it up and read the congratulatory letter to Leia.
“It’s a virtual high school,” Leia began. “Everything is done online.”
“Like homeschooling?” Cabel released her hand and began to read the material.
“Sort of,” Chloe added.
“It’s an actual high school. I’ll have different teachers, a class schedule, books, homework, and I never have to leave home or deal with…others.” Leia’s voice trailed off.
Almost seeming too good to be true, he felt there was some sort of catch to all of this.
“There’s also something else.” Leia cleared her throat.
And here it is.
“I want to live with you.”
Cabel froze. Out of everything he thought she might ask, that wasn’t what he thought of. The girls have always lived with Chloe. He never wanted to take them away from her or their stable home life. “What?”
“Let me take over.” Chloe touched her shoulder. “Cabel
, Leia and Lex have not been getting along. I think each is to blame because they’re both extremely stubborn.” Chloe side-eyes her daughter. “However, I truly believe Leia would thrive more living with you.”
Never, in all the years of knowing her, did Cabel ever doubt her suggestions or ideas…until now. “Leia, go up to your room for a few minutes.”
“No.” Chloe shook her head. “Cabel, she wanted to be treated like an adult, so let her stay.”
Cabel glanced over to Leia. Her daughter would soon be an adult and Chloe was right. “Fine. Here are my concerns. One, my schedule—”
“Look over my shoulder, Dad.” Leia pointed. “That’s your back porch.”
When he and Chloe made the decision to divorce, he never wanted to be far from his girls. It only made sense to purchase the house adjacent to hers.
“Plus, in thirteen months, I’ll be a legal adult. I can live on my own there. What’s the difference?”
“Two…” He changed the topic. “Virtual school sounds great but you still need social interactions. And I don’t mean Twitter.” He glared at her.
Leaning over she took the folder. She searched through the papers until she found the one she wanted. Pulling it out, she showed it to him. “Here is a list of activities I’d like to join. Or at least tryout for.”
Scanning the list, he caught onto a theme. “These are all computer programming classes.”
“Yes, I’d like to learn more about technology. I believe it’ll help me in my future career,” Leia told him. “All of these are through UNH.”
He knew she liked to fiddle with the computer but never understood what she did on it. He looked over to Chloe, who nodded. Even with a sad smile on her face, Cabel knew she thought this through.
“We need ground rules,” he began and Leia’s face lit up. “Wait,” he held up his hand, “don’t get too happy because if you break any of these, at any time, your butt will be in public school faster than you can say public school, do you understand?”
“Yes.”
Cabel wasn’t the tough parent, at least he didn’t believe so, but he knew when to be firm with his girls and when not to be.
“Rule one. You will not, and I mean will not, miss any classes and do all the work required. Rule two. No parties, and no having people over without my permission. You will have a curfew and will obey it. Rule three. Your mother will check on you while I’m on the road. If she wants you to come here and stay, you’ll do it without question. If your mother wants you to come over here to have dinner, visit, or spend time with Bria, you will do it without question. Am I clear?”
