by Ivy Jordan
“So, tell us about Cade. How did you meet?” Gus asks.
“He’s just a friend,” I reply dismissively.
“Who is Cade?” Tommy asks.
“Cade Thomas, the football player,” Gus answers.
“You know I don’t pay any attention when you watch football. That’s when I do my best landscape planning.”
Gus pulls out his phone and after several minutes, flips his phone around, showing him pictures of Cade from google. “That is Cade Thomas, and Serena knows him.”
“You know him?” Tommy whispers, taking the phone from Gus and zooming in on one of the shirtless pictures.
“He’s a friend,” I repeat.
“She’s evasive, which means they are so more than just friends,” Gus adds giving me a knowing glance. “He used to date Josephine Lowell.”
Tommy rolls his eyes. “She is so fake. That wide-eyed innocent act isn’t fooling anybody. That girl is a straight up diva. And not the Celine Dion kind, either. Is it serious?”
Both men peer at me, waiting for my answer, and I sigh, giving into their looks. “Yes, it’s serious,” I tell them. Gus gasps as both he and Tommy lean forward expectantly. “We met a few years ago, but it was extremely short lived. I had no idea at the time who he even was. And then, last semester, he showed up in one of my lectures after he saw me on TV doing an interview and decided to seek me out. I had figured out who he was about two months after we met, so when he showed up last year, I didn’t really trust him, and I certainly didn’t think he was looking for anything other than a notch in his bedpost. But he swore he had only good intentions and I agreed to dinner and it’s gone from there.”
“Has he met Alan?” Gus inquires.
“Who is Alan?” Tommy asks.
“My three-year-old son,” I tell him. “And yes, Cade has met him. He’s great with kids. Sometimes just he and I go out, but other times it’s the three of us.”
“That is so sweet!” Gus gushes with a smile.
“And, he’s this spectacular looking in real life?” Tommy asks, gesturing towards the phone.
“Better,” I smirk.
Gus laughs and lifts his glass. “To Cade Thomas and his spectacular everything,” he offers.
“Cheers,” Tommy and I laugh along with him as we dissolve into giggles.
***
When I get home from my afternoon with Tommy and Gus, I change into an old t-shirt and sweatpants and pull my hair into a messy pony tail to tackle a few projects around the house. Ashley is picking Alan up from daycare for their monthly “date” night, so I have a few more hours to myself. Ash teaches a kid’s art class at her studio and after, she and Alan grab dinner before she brings him home.
I decide to tackle the kitchen first, which is in desperate of a good scrubbing. I’ve been home for maybe a half hour when there is a pounding at my front door, so I set down my sponge and take off my gloves as I head to answer the door.
When I pull the door open, I am stunned at the sight of Josephine Lowell on my doorstep. She is perfectly made up with her long blonde hair falling in waves around her shoulders. What are obviously expensive designer jeans leave little to the imagination and an equally expensive-looking top matches the sky-high heels on her perfectly manicured feet.
Josephine looks me up and down with disdain, and I become incredibly self-conscious about my ratty clothes. She walks past me without an invitation, and I turn to gawk at her as she looks around my house. I look outside where a town car and a driver sit in my driveway before shutting the front door.
“Um, can I get you anything, water, tea, coffee?” I ask politely.
“No, I won’t be staying long,” she replied icily.
“Okay then, how can I help you?”
“Do you know who I am?” she demands.
I remember what Tommy said earlier about her being a diva so the next words out of my mouth are a lie. “No, I’m sorry, I don’t.”
I am not surprised when her face contorts angrily and her face reddens. “I am Josephine Lowell, the love of Cade’s life.”
I try to contain the laughter that bubbles up inside me, but a snort escapes, and Josephine glares at me. “I’m so sorry,” I apologize. “You were saying?”
She steps towards me. “You need to stay the hell away from Cade.”
I tilt my head and make a face like I’m thinking about her suggestion, then I simply look her in the eyes and say, “No.”
“No?!” she shrieks.
“No,” I repeat. “Cade is an adult who is capable of his own decisions, and while you may think he is the love of your life, he certainly does not think you are the love of his life.”
“Oh, and you think you are?” Her disdain for me is palpable, and I know Tommy is right. Despite the good girl, innocent act she puts on, Josephine is a diva and definitely not the Celine Dion kind.
“I’m not saying that at all. What I am saying is that he’s a big boy and he makes his own decisions. If he doesn’t want to see me anymore, then he can tell me that himself.”
“Cade doesn’t know what he wants; that’s why he’s been slumming it with you. I know what he needs and he needs me, so you need to back off.”
“No,” I tell her again. “If anyone needs to back off, it’s you, Josephine.”
“Do you see where you live? Now compare that to Cade’s house. Look at how you’re dressed and then look at me. You’re not even in the same league, honey. I’m an A-list celebrity. Everyone knows my name. You’re just, ugh, you.”
“Just me seems like more than enough for Cade.”
“He’ll get bored and come back to me, he always does.”
“Not this time.”
She laughs in my face. “You’re not even that pretty. Cade needs a beautiful woman on his arm. That’s me.”
“I don’t need your validation. Personally, I don’t see what Hollywood sees in you. You’re ugly on the inside, and it shows on the outside.”
She screams and rushes toward me, but I move to the left and she stumbles. She catches herself and straightens, turning to face me again with venom in her eyes. “You are not good enough for him. You will never be good enough for him. This is a fantasy and the sooner you realize that and dump him, the better off you’ll be.”
“I will say this again since you clearly can’t seem to comprehend simple words. Cade is an adult, Josephine, and he’s adult enough to make his own choices. He chose me. It’s not my fault that he didn’t choose you. That’s on you.”
She takes two steps toward me and attempts to level me with her stare. “I will ruin your life if you don’t leave him. I will not warn you again. If you don’t dump him tonight, I will make sure you regret it. Do you understand me?”
I smile. “I hear your words, but you need to understand this: I will not break up with Cade because you’re butt hurt he dumped you. So, you can take your delusions and get the hell out of my house. Now.” I push past her and swing open the front door. She stomps her foot and lets out a growl of frustration before charging out the door. The driver hurries out of the car to open her door, and she looks back at me.
“Last chance,” she says to me. “Forget about him or regret it.”
I paste a big, fake smile on my face and wave. “Nice talking to you! Hope I never see you again!” I call out before slamming the door shut.
I lean back against the closed door and notice my heart racing, adrenaline coursing through me. Who does she think she is, the Queen of freakin’ England? I can’t believe her nerve. When my breathing and pulse return to normal, I head back to the kitchen, grab my phone, and try to call Cade. No answer, so I send a quick text to Cade asking if he’s free to stop by tonight. After I send, I dial a different number.
“You are not going to believe what just happened,” I start when Gus answers the phone. “Put me on speaker and grab Tommy.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cade
After a lunch meeting with my agent, I swing by the
office of my accountant to go over a few things before heading for the gym to get in a workout. I’m heading out to my car when I pull out my phone to check for missed calls or messages, only to see Serena’s name on the display. I missed her call during my workout, and I can’t help the smile that crosses my face as I return her call.
“Hey, sorry I missed you; I was at the gym,” I say when she answers.
“No worries. Are you busy?”
“Not now. What’s up, how was your day?”
“Mostly uneventful. I went out with Gus and his boyfriend, Tommy, for a couple hours after I finished at the office this afternoon. It was nice to get out and talk about something other than Legos.”
I chuckle. “That does sound nice.”
“I don’t normally socialize with my TAs outside of school, but Gus is different. I have no doubt he’ll be working alongside me some day.”
“That’s cool. What else did you do with your free time?”
“Why don’t I tell you about that when you get here? Ashley has Alan until after dinner, so I was about to make dinner for myself. I have enough for you to join me.”
“That sounds great,” I say. “I’ll see you in about thirty, okay?”
“Perfect. See you soon.”
“Bye.”
I hang up and set my phone aside as I get into my truck. There was something evasive in Serena’s words, and I wonder what might be going on. I have a mild panic attack thinking she’s going to break up with me, but I just as quickly push the irrational thought aside. Everything is great between us, and I saw her the night before. What could have possibly gone wrong in less than twenty-four hours to change that? But even still, I stop at a flower shop to grab a bouquet of daisies before I make it to Serena’s house. Just in case.
When Serena opens her door, my smile stretches ear to ear. “Hey, baby,” I say, stepping inside and pulling her to me, holding the flowers behind my back. “I missed you all day.”
“Mmm, I missed you too, especially when Tommy and Gus were giggling over shirtless pictures of you, and I got to think about how much better it looked in person.”
“Wanna see if your memory is correct?” I ask as I kick the door closed and nuzzle her neck.
She giggles. “Tempting, very tempting, Cade, but I was hoping we could talk over dinner.”
My heart thuds. She wants to talk. “Uh, yeah, sure. It smells good. Dinner, I mean.”
Serena looks at me and begins to laugh. “It’s nothing bad, Cade. I’d just like to have a little more to drink before I tell you about the rest of my day. Now come on.” She grabs my hand and tugs me forward to the kitchen. “Wine?”
“Yes, please.” I pull the flowers out. “Oh, and these are for you,” I say with a wink and hold them out.
“Awww. They are beautiful. That’s so sweet.” She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me again before taking the flowers, holding them to her nose and smelling them. “I’m just going to put these in some water.”
She moves around the kitchen as I take a seat at the breakfast nook and watch her put the daisies in a vase, then finish dinner. She pours me a glass of wine and brings it over, kissing my cheek before turning away. She grabs a bowl of salad and brings it back, setting it down near me. She makes two more trips, one carrying dishes and silverware, and the other a plate of garlic bread.
“Let me get that,” I say, hopping up and grabbing the bowl of spaghetti as she starts to make her third trip.
“Thank you, Cade,” she says as she sits down. I set the bowl down on the table and take my seat again as Serena begins to serve herself. I follow suit, filling my plate with food. We eat in in relative silence, which is both comfortable and welcomed. An image flashes through my mind of doing this every night with her, and I smile at the thought.
“What was that smile for?” she asks, breaking my thoughts.
“Nothing,” I reply. “Just thinking about how nice this is.”
“It is nice,” she agrees. “And quiet.”
“Maybe a little too quiet. When does little man get home?” I ask.
She glances at the watch on her wrist, “Actually, it should be any minute now.”
As if on cue, we hear the front door open and then little feet running through the house. “Serena! We’re home!” Ashley calls out.
Alan enters the kitchen before her; he has a streak of orange paint dried on his cheek and another streak of green in his hair. “Mommy!” he shouts, skidding to a stop at Serena’s side and hugging her. Serena laughs as Ashley enters the room.
“He wouldn’t let me try to clean him up after class,” she apologizes. “Said it was his war paint. Wonder who taught him that,” she adds while giving me a look.
I shrug. “He wanted to know about the eye black I used to wear when I played,” I explain.
“Mommy, look!” Alan shouts, holding up a small canvas. He points at the squiggly lines and shapes. “That’s me and Cade, and we playing football! And, that’s you and Aunt Ashley cheering for us!”
Serena stands and hugs Alan properly, stooping down to kiss the top of his head. “It’s beautiful, my sweet boy. Do you want to put it with the others?”
He shakes his head. “I want Cade to have it.”
I look up with surprise as Alan turns to me, thrusting the picture out to me. “Thank you, Alan. This will look fantastic in my house,” I grin.
“Cade, you wanna play cars with me?”
I look up at Serena who smiles and nods. “Sure, buddy,” I tell him as I stand. “Lead the way.”
Alan and I play in his room for thirty minutes until Serena appears and takes him to get a bath. I help as best I can and after his bath, Alan gets into pajamas, brushes his teeth, and heads to bed. Serena sits beside him and reads him a story and then he begs for me to read one, too. After my story, Serena kisses him goodnight, and I follow her out of the room and downstairs. We head into the living room, and I take a seat on her couch. Serena falls into the spot beside me and I pull her under my arm.
“You’re really good with Alan,” she says after a moment of silence.
“I’ve always liked kids, but being with Alan is different; it just feels natural. Is that weird?”
A look I can’t quite describe crosses her face, but she forces it neutral again almost as quickly as the look came. I want to question it, but I know Alan’s dad is not a subject she likes to discuss and I don’t want to push her. Maybe in a few more months I will, but for now, I let it go.
“You never finished telling me about the rest of your afternoon. How was your day after going out with Gus and Tommy?”
“Yeah. Still probably need more wine,” she smiles. “But, I had a visitor after I got home.”
“Oh? An old friend or something?”
“Not even close to a friend. Josephine.”
“Josephine?! Josephine my ex-girlfriend?” I am floored.
“Yep, that would be her.”
“What the hell?! She was here, in your house?” I question.
“Showed up on my doorstep and barged inside.”
“That woman is obviously unstable. She showed up at the studio a few weeks ago thinking I was just going to fall back into the mess we used to have. And when I refused her, she threw a fit. I threatened her with security, but I should have threatened her with a restraining order. Jesus, Serena. I’m sorry. I don’t even know how she knows who you are.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for, Cade. And, I really don’t think you need a restraining order.”
“What did she say?”
“That I wasn’t pretty enough or good enough for you. That she is the love of your life, and that if I didn’t break it off with you tonight, I would regret it.”
My eyes grow wide and I’m positive I am turning red with rage. “No, we definitely need a restraining order. Do you think Ashley will come back over and stay with Alan? We can go right now. My lawyer can meet us at the police station.”
Serena reaches
out and grabs my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Seriously, Cade, we don’t need to do all that. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. She showed up at your house and harassed you. It’s one thing for her to harass me, but she can’t show up here and do that to you. How can you be so calm about this?”
“You’re a good man, Cade, and she’s just upset about losing you. She can’t hit back at me the way she’s used to. I’m just a regular girl, not some Hollywood starlet with skeletons in her closet. There’s nothing scandalous she can leak to the press because the press won’t care about me. And there’s nothing in my past that would cause me to lose my job at the university.
“So, she can threaten as much as she might like, but she’s got no way to ruin me like she’s used to. I don’t have a shady past, my dad isn’t also my uncle, and there are no videos of me doing lines of cocaine. They’re empty threats, and she knows it, but she hoped it would intimidate me. She doesn’t. She’s hurt she lost you and that it wasn't her choice. It’s all about ego. I might not know a bunch of celebrities, but I do understand the way a woman’s mind works.”
“There’s no way in hell I could be this unbothered if some ex of yours showed up at my door. I’d throttle the guy.”
“I won’t lie: I absolutely wanted to punch her in the throat. But that would’ve gotten nothing but bad press, which is exactly what she wants, something to spin in her favor. I won’t give her that satisfaction.”
“I guess that’s true. Promise you’ll tell me if she comes over again, though, or if she finds some other way to contact you,” I insist.
“I promise,” she assures me. “If I even see her anywhere and she looks at me funny, you’ll be the first person I tell.”
“I just don’t want my crazy ex to be the reason anything goes wrong between us.”
“Trust me, she won’t be. We’re good.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” she says softly, moving to straddle my lap. “You and I are definitely good, Cade Thomas. You make me happy.”
“You make me happy, too. I haven’t felt like this about anyone before. Well, I mean, I thought I did, but now I know that wasn’t real. There’s always just been space fillers in my life, but you are so different than that – so much more. I hope that makes sense,” I add.
