The Hard Way

by Katie Ashley

  When Cade tossed the condom in the trashcan, I made a mental note to take the can to the dumpster before I left. He glanced back at me over his shoulder. “I’m not going to the bathroom.”

  “Then what are you doing?”

  “Getting us a blanket so my balls don’t freeze.”

  I laughed. “Sorry about that, but the heater cuts off at midnight.”

  Cade picked up the TV remote along with one of the antique quilts we’d been laying on earlier before returning to the settee. “It’s all good.” He winked at me. “We were doing a good job keeping each other warm.”

  “Yeah, we were.” After he curled back up on the settee, he covered us up and turned on the TV. I nibbled my lip before I finally asked the question that was gnawing at me. “You’re planning on staying the night?”

  Cade flicked his gaze from the TV over to me. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  I shook my head wildly back and forth. “No, that’s not what I meant.”

  “Then what is it?”

  I momentarily stalled by running my fingers over the flowers etched on the quilt.

  “Avery?” Cade prompted.

  “This is all new territory for me. I just assumed you would want to leave because we were done…” I swallowed hard. “Well, you know.”

  “Having sex?”

  “Yes.”

  Cade snorted. “You’re not a booty call, Aves.”

  “I know.”

  “I’ll only leave if you want me to.”

  “I don’t want you to. I promise.”

  “I don’t want to go either.”

  I smiled. “Good.”

  “Okay then, I’m staying.”

  “You’re staying.”

  “And I’m watching ESPN.”

  I groaned. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Oh, I am.”

  “What if I told you there was another John Hughes movie we could watch?”

  Cade’s brows rose in curiosity. “Then I might turn on Netflix.”

  “Thank God.”

  “We’re really going to have to work on how you hate on sports.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  As he worked the remote, Cade asked, “Is it the one with the cool Ferris guy?”

  “No. It’s called Pretty in Pink.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. I’m so not watching something with the word pink in the title.”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “Yeah, well, it sounds awfully fruity.”

  “I think you’ll like it.”

  “Does it have gratuitous sex scenes?”

  Wrinkling my nose, I replied, “No.”

  “Lots of action with badass CGI sequences?”

  “Um, no.”

  “Then what could I possibly like?”

  “It’s a story kind of like us.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, it’s the cliché of the poor girl from the other side of the tracks who falls for the rich guy.”

  “Hmm, it sounds sorta interesting.”

  “We could give it a try. If you hate it, we can turn on ESPN.”

  Cade grinned. “Look at us already working the compromise.”

  I laughed. “We’re pretty good together.”

  “Yeah. We are.”

  As the jazzy strains of Pretty In Pink’s opening music played, I snuggled closer to Cade. Although my eyes started getting heavy, I didn’t want to close them. If I went to sleep, then the night would end, and everything had been so perfect.

  Despite my efforts, it wasn’t long before I drifted away feeling happier than I ever had.

  CADE

  By the time Friday rolled around, I had made it a week at The Ark, but I was so dead-ass tired it felt more like a month. Between practice and Avery making my life hell, I could have passed for a Walker from The Walking Dead with my glassy eyes and lifeless shuffle. Because of spending a week as a zombie, I was forcing myself to connect with the living by going to a party with Jonathan and Brandon when I left The Ark. I needed to be around people who could legally consume large quantities of alcohol.

  As for Avery and me, we were barely speaking. After she gave me my daily task list, we went our separate ways. To anyone who didn’t know better, it was like we were complete and total strangers. I was sure none of the kids would have ever imagined we’d liked each other once upon a time.

  Okay, so it had been more than just us liking each other.

  Whenever Avery was dishing out my work schedule for the day, I wanted to say, "Before I scrape the shit stains out of the toilet, I wanted to let you know how epically sorry I am for treating you like a douche." I guess douche didn’t quite cover it. Heartless bastard with a blackened soul was probably more accurate.

  But the words never came. I didn't know what the block was about. Yeah, I wasn’t real big on having to say I was wrong about something, but normally I wasn’t too paralyzed to say two simple words. Part of me wanted to make an appointment with my mom's shrink to ask what my deal was. What was it about Avery that made me want to be a better person yet behave like a total bastard at the same time?

  The one bright spot in the shit-storm of a job was Darion. The kid had become my shadow on Wednesday. When his buddies were shooting hoops or watching movies, he was tagging along on trash detail with me. I’d never really been idolized in person. I knew it wasn’t about me personally, but more about the fact that I played for Tech.

  Although I could have told him to get lost, I kinda liked having him around. It was nice having someone to talk to while cleaning up. We rehashed old Super Bowl games and the latest NFL player stats.

  On Friday, Darion’s mom cleared it with the center that I could sign him in and out to come to morning practice with me. When I came to pick him up, Avery was at the desk chatting with Vicki, the sweet, white-haired secretary.

  Avery’s brows rose in confusion at the sight of me coming in so early. “Did practice get canceled?”

  I shook my head at her as I reached for a pen. “No. I’m here to sign Darion out.”

  Avery’s mouth opened and closed a few times like a fish out of water. “Why are you doing that?”

  “He’s coming to morning practice with me.”

  “He is?”

  “Yep.”

  Vicki smiled at Avery. “Denise came in this morning with the paperwork. Isn’t it sweet of Cade to give Darion this opportunity?”

  Avery still stared at me in surprise. “Yes. It is.”

  Darion came bounding out of the gym area. “Yo. I’m ready!”

  “Cool. Let’s get going.”

  “Darion, will you wait here just a moment? I need to have a word with Cade.”

  I groaned. “Seriously, Prescott? It’s going to have to be a fast word since I still gotta get back over to Tech, and I can’t be late.”

  “I promise it’ll be quick.” Avery then pulled me into a corner out of earshot of the others. “What are you doing?”

  “Um, I’m taking a kid to practice with me.”

  “Yes, I realize that. I’m more concerned with your motives.”

  I snorted. “Motives? You sound like you’re interrogating me on the witness stand or something.”

  “I’m serious, Cade.”

  “Look, there are no motives behind what I’m doing. Darion has college scouts already eyeing him. I thought it might be cool for him to come watch a collegiate practice. If it’s okay with his mom and with Tech, what’s your problem?”

  “I just don’t want Darion getting hurt.”

  “Uh, I wasn’t gonna let him suit up and play today, but thanks for telling me what to do anyway, Mom.”

  Avery narrowed her eyes at me. “That’s not what I meant. He’s a very trusting and sweet young man.”

  “I know he is. That’s why I want to hang out with him.” Suddenly, it hit me what she was talking about. “Jesus, Prescott. You think I’m going to be a dick to Darion, don’t you?”

  Jerking her
chin up at me, she countered, “You do seem to have that pattern.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Do us both a favor and get over yourself. It’s been four years. Let it go. What happened between us has nothing to do with Darion and me.”

  When Avery sucked in a breath like my words had sucker-punched her in the gut, I instantly regretted saying them. Even though I was angry at her for questioning my motives, I shouldn’t have gone for the jugular by mentioning our past.

  After a quick recovery, Avery snapped, “Just so you know, I’m not putting any of this time toward your hours.”

  “That’s fine. I hadn’t expected you to anyway.”

  “I find that very hard to believe.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure you do.” With that, I stormed away from her and over to Darion. “Come on. Let’s go.”

  Darion glanced over his shoulder. “Dude, what did you say to Miss P?”

  “Nothing,” I grumbled.

  “Yeah, I call bullshit since she looks like she’s about to cry.”

  I ignored his comment as we breezed through The Ark’s doors and out into the already scorching heat of the early morning. I had parked on the curb in one of the metered spots and when I started for my car, Darion forgot all about Avery, letting out a low whistle and saying, “Damn, bro, a Mercedes convertible? You’re sportin’ one hell of a ride!”

  I laughed as I hit the unlock button on the key fob. Instead of getting in, Darion did a slow walk around my car. “Is this baby brand new?”

  “About a year old.” It had been a twenty-first birthday present from my parents.

  “Can we put the top down?”

  “Sure.”

  “Hell yeah,” Darion replied with a fist pump.

  I grinned as I slid across the leather seat. After cranking the car up, I hit the button to put the top down. Darion hopped in the passenger seat and tilted his head back to watch the roof disappear. “So cool,” he murmured. Turning his gaze to mine, he remarked, “I’ve never ridden in a convertible before.”

  His comment caused an unfamiliar pang of sadness to enter my chest. I didn’t want to pity Darion, but I hated that he hadn’t been able to experience something as simple as riding in a convertible. I wondered if what I was feeling was what that asshat MacKensie wanted me to experience.

  We drove along the busy streets which were crowded with morning traffic. Thankfully, The Ark was only five minutes from the stadium. My ass really would be in a bind if I were late. We only had a few weeks of May practice, and then we got off the month of June. In late July, we started up our fall practice outside the city; I wasn’t sure how I was going to work my hours around that.

  “So what’s the story with you and Miss P?”

  I grunted as I shifted lanes. “Jesus, you’re not letting that go, are you?”

  “My spidey senses say there’s something between you guys.”

  Damn, this kid was good. “We knew each other before I came to The Ark.” I threw a quick glance at Darion, whose expression told me I wasn’t getting off so easily. “We went to high school together.”

  With a snort, Darion said, “That ain’t all of it, bro.”

  “Fine. Since you seem to know everything, you tell me.”

  “You guys know each other really well, like you dated.” Darion stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I’m guessing you pulled some sort of douche move and broke her heart.”

  I almost ran into the back of the truck in front of me. “Wow. You do know everything.”

  Darion grimaced. “Aw, man, Miss P is a good lady. Why you have to go break her heart?”

  “Let’s put it this way: I was young and stupid.”

  “And you ain’t ever apologized, right?”

  “Nope. I’m a giant dick.”

  “You are.”

  I laughed as I pulled into the parking lot. “One day, I swear.”

  Darion’s eyes narrowed. “You better.”

  Taking one hand off the steering wheel, I said, “I will.”

  “Good.”

  “Until then, will you try not to hold it against me?”

  Darion didn’t answer me. He was too busy taking in the players streaming into the stadium. “Are we good?” I asked again.

  “Yeah, yeah, we’re good,” he murmured as he fumbled for the door handle. After he got out of the car, I had to hustle to catch up to him as he made a break for the stadium entrance. As soon as I got inside, all thoughts of Avery were pushed from my mind, and the only thing I focused on was football.

  When practice was over, I headed to the showers while I left Darion shooting the shit with some of the defensive line coaches. “That’s pretty cool you brought one of the strays to practice,” Jonathan remarked as he shampooed his hair.

  “Strays?” I questioned.

  “You know, he’s homeless, so it’s kinda like a stray dog or cat.”

  His comment sent rage boiling inside me. I glanced down at the bar of soap in my hand before I lobbed it at the back of Jonathan’s head.

  He whirled around. “Jesus, dude, what’s the problem?”

  I jabbed a finger at him. “You’re the problem. Darion isn’t some stray dog. He’s a human being.”

  As Jonathan’s eyes widened, I couldn’t help also feeling a little surprised by my words. Was it possible that after only a week at The Ark, I was already starting to see things differently, just like Dr. Mackensie had wanted? Or was it more about the fact that even being in the vicinity of Avery brought what little goodness I had out? Oh Jesus, what the hell was wrong with me? I desperately needed to man up and stop overanalyzing everything.

  Holding up a hand, Jonathan said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it came out. I swear.”

  “I sure as hell hope not. I didn’t take you for such a douchebag.”

  “No. That’s usually your job,” Brandon piped up from behind us.

  Jonathan chuckled. “He has a point, man. You kinda are the king of us douchebags.”

  “Whatever,” I muttered. I then threw Jonathan an apologetic look. “Sorry about hitting you with the soap.”

  “You can make it up to me by paying for the Uber to get us to tonight’s party.”

  “Fine. It’s a deal.”

  Once I was done in the showers, I made quick work of drying off and getting dressed. When I exited the locker room, Darion was waiting on me. He waved a pass on a lanyard in front of my face. “I’m a motherfucking VIP!”

  I grinned at him. “Where did you get that?”

  “Coach Baines hooked me up. He said it gets me into any game. I can even sit in one of the air-conditioned boxes.” Darion shook his head. “Can you believe that shit?”

  I was impressed by Coach Baines’s kindness. Getting to come to Tech’s games was like winning the lottery to Darion. I needed to see about getting some tickets for Antoine and Marcus, or they would give me hell about being left out.

  As we started to the car, Darion talked a mile a minute, giving me a replay of practice like I hadn’t been there myself. I couldn’t help grinning at his enthusiasm. The kid was like a freakin’ ray of sunshine. For someone who had been through some rough shit, he had the best attitude. I didn’t understand why, to be honest. Maybe because I had come from a life of privilege, nothing got me as excited as Darion was.

  Throwing the car in reverse, I asked, “Wanna grab something from The Varsity on the way back to the center?” Darion’s happy expression momentarily darkened. “Hold up—don’t tell me you don’t like The Varsity?” I asked.

  “Hell yeah I like it.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I’d just feel bad if I went back to the center with kick-ass food when the other guys didn’t have any, especially after getting this VIP pass to the games.”

  Jesus, did this kid have a kind heart. When I was his age, I wouldn’t have given two shits about whether my friends got a treat or not, as long as I did. If I was honest with myself, I still felt that way now.

  “We c
ould get enough for the guys.”

  Darion’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

  “Sure.”

  “But that’ll cost a fortune.”

  “Although I haven’t seen you and the guys eat, I’m thinking it probably won’t put me back more than a hundred fifty bucks.”

  Darion shook his head. “Hey man, to me, a Franklin is a fortune.”

  “I’m good for it, so don’t worry. Okay?”

  “That’s tight, man.”

  I grinned at him. “Now things might get a little dicey if you’re wanting me to cater in for the whole Ark.”

  “Nah, just Marcus and Antoine. Maybe Shemar and Pete. We can have them sneak out to your car and eat it where the other kids won’t see.”

  I laughed as I turned into The Varsity’s parking lot. “Sounds like a pretty good plan.”

  After I eased into one of the carhop spots, an attendant jogged over to me. With his notepad poised to write on, he uttered the legendary Varsity phrase: “Whatta ya have?”

  I then proceeded to rattle off an order of a dozen chili dogs and cheeseburgers along with fries and onion rings. The attendant glanced between Darion and me before repeating the order. “That’s right.”

  “Be back in ten.”

  As we waited on the food, I checked my phone while Darion played with the radio, trying to find the best jams. When the attendant returned, I gave him the money along with a nice tip.

  Darion leaned over the boxes on his lap and inhaled heartily. “Damn, that smells good.”

  “Go ahead. Crack yours open.”

  Darion’s brows creased. “What if I drop something?”

  “Then I’ll vacuum it up.”

  “If you say so.” When he still looked hesitant, I said, “Hand me a chili dog.”

  Once he saw me start scarfing down the dog, Darion decided it was safe to start eating too. We both polished off our food by the time we got back to The Ark and with a loud, satisfying belch, I pulled into a space in the staff parking lot.

  After turning off the car, I handed my keys to Darion. “Bring these back to me after the guys eat.”

  “Okay.”

  We got out and started inside the building. After we made it down the long hallway with employee offices and the break room, I noticed Vicki wasn’t sitting at her desk in the rotunda like she usually did. Instead, she stood as she spoke animatedly with a buff dude across from her. She was all red-faced and flustered while the man looked like he was going to Hulk out on her.