Broken Love

by Jillian Dodd

  "That's good. Dad and Mr. Crawford were good friends and important men in my life growing up."

  "I still miss Dad, and I hate that Mom moved to Palm Springs."

  "The house in Laguna was too big for her, and with you and I always gone, I can see why she wanted to move. She loves it there."

  "Make sure you call her on Sunday. She doesn't like when you forget."

  "I know," I say. "And I will. Good to talk to you, sis."

  "Can I wish you good luck in the playoffs? Or should I say break a leg like we do in my profession?"

  "What did you tell me last time?"

  "I wished you good luck."

  "Then let's go with the other."

  "Break a leg, Pike," she says.

  October 24th

  Cade

  My whole family is in Cabo San Lucas staying at my parents' villa in Palmilla. Usually we are here earlier in the year, but with Cash and Ashlyn's wedding and honeymoon, we moved the date out.

  We're camped out in the sand, soaking up the sun.

  The newlyweds are snuggled up together on a chaise, and can't seem to keep their hands off each other. It makes me feel both jealous and slightly nauseous.

  "Ashlyn, the wedding turned out spectacular," Mom says. "One Crawford child down, three more to go. Then we can get on to the important part--grandchildren. I'm desperate for them. All my friends already have grandbabies. This family has got some catching up to do."

  "I'm pregnant, Mom," Chloe says nonchalantly as she sprays sunblock on her arms.

  "You're what?!" Mom exclaims. "Tell me it's not by the pizza delivery boy!"

  Chloe gives Mom a tight-lipped smile. "Guess you aren't quite that desperate yet."

  "That is not funny, Chloe."

  "I thought it was pretty funny," Cash says, laughing.

  Chloe high-fives him. She has no desire to settle down anytime in the near future, choosing rather to work on growing her jewelry business and travel the world. She went to Paris this year for inspiration and is currently planning a trip to Tuscany.

  Mom turns to Ashlyn. "So, Ashlyn, have you and Cash talked about when you're going to have children?"

  "Yes, actually. We were thinking in a few years. I have two movies to do--thanks to your sons--a gorgeously newly decorated home--thanks to you and Cash--and feel like my life is finally in order. Cash and I want to travel a little and spend some time as a couple, then we'll work on a family."

  "So you weren't upset we decorated one of the bedrooms as a nursery?"

  "No, just the opposite. We're excited it's already done. And just think, when we do have a baby we can tell him it was decorated with love from Grandma."

  "That's so sweet," Mom says, clearly delighted at the prospect of it.

  Ashlyn's phone vibrates on the table next to her. She looks at it and then glances at me and frowns. Then she shows Cash.

  "Work?" I ask. Ashlyn is one of my clients.

  "Uh, um," she hesitates. "A friend saw a picture I posted. She's in town and wants to get together."

  "Is that bad?"

  "It's not," Cash answers.

  "Oh. The way you looked, I just thought--"

  "Nothing bad for us anymore," Cash says, taking Ashlyn's hand in his and kissing it.

  And he's right, in the short time since Ashlyn met Cash, she's gone from the star I was afraid was going to burn out and fade away, to model client.

  "We should all go," Mom suggests.

  "I don't think we were invited, Mom."

  "Not to change the subject," Carter says, changing the subject, "Vale will be here tomorrow night."

  "Is she in town, too?" I ask.

  "She's been doing a shoot in Costa Rica and thought she'd drop by."

  "I thought she only called you at night, Carter, for the boot-tay," Cash teases.

  Mom perks up. "She booty calls him?"

  "I'm sure she just enjoys his company," Dad says, trying to cover for Carter, but Mom's not having it.

  "That seems a little forward."

  "I'm calling bullshit!" Dad laughs. "I seem to recall a certain young sorority girl who would call a strapping football player at night when she got tired of drunk frat boys hitting on her."

  "Mom!" Carter laughs. "You booty-called Dad?"

  "I most certainly did not," she says, but Dad raises an eyebrow in her direction. "Fine. I may have called him once after a frat party, but it wasn't for that. We were friends."

  Cash, Ashlyn, and Chloe burst out laughing. "That's what Carter says about Vale!"

  I can't help but laugh, too. This is why I love my family and why at my age I still go on vacation with them every year.

  Later, Carter and I are drinking beers together on the pool deck. Everyone else is in the house getting dinner ready. We tried to help, but Mom shooed us out, saying there were too many cooks in the kitchen.

  "More like too many cocks," Ashlyn had quipped under her breath, making Carter and I laugh.

  "To family vacations," Carter says, clinking my bottle.

  "So, what's the deal with Vale?"

  "We hook up. It's fantastic, but it's supposed to just be fun. Nothing serious."

  "But you want more than that?"

  He runs his hand through his hair in frustration. "She travels a lot. Says she doesn't want to be in a serious relationship, but when we're together, it feels like it could be serious."

  "How did you meet her again?"

  "Super Bowl party last year. We got teamed up in a video game contest. She beat me."

  "Did you let her win?"

  "No, I just--she was beautiful, you know. It was hard to concentrate."

  "Fell hard fast?"

  "Pretty girls don't fluster me," he says. "But she sure did. She's beautiful and all, but she's cute, too."

  "The girl every boy wishes they could have grown up next door to."

  "I would have been spanking it every day. It would have been torture," he laughs.

  "Oh, give me a break," I say, slapping him on the back. "The quarterback always gets the girl."

  "I'm not the quarterback anymore. It's weird how your life changes. I thought for sure I'd be playing pro ball now. It's all I worked toward growing up."

  "You used to tell us you were going to be on TV every Sunday."

  "Until the injury that ended my career."

  "Yeah, well, when they carted you off on a backboard, none of us were worried about your career, Carter. We were worried about your life. It was a violent collision that broke your back in three places. You're lucky you weren't paralyzed."

  "I know. Life has worked out well for me, regardless. I love being a sports agent. I've done very well, so it's not that I'm complaining, really, but part of me wonders if I was if Vale would fall for me."

  "If she would fall for you just because you were a professional quarterback, you shouldn't want her."

  "I know." He sighs.

  "Have you told her how you feel?"

  "No. I don't want to mess up a good thing. Or scare her away."

  "If you love her, Carter, you should tell her."

  "I feel like I'm on the scout team with her."

  "And you want to be the starter?"

  "Yeah," he admits.

  "Is she seeing other people? Are you?"

  "In the last month, I haven't. I don't know about her. She's been traveling nonstop since New York Fashion Week. We talk most every day, but she could have a different guy in every country, for all I know."

  "When you see her tomorrow, you should ask her."

  "Maybe."

  "You aren't going to, are you?"

  "No, not yet. I don't want to screw things up."

  "Do you ever think about getting married?" I ask him. It has been on my mind since I saw Palmer at the wedding.

  "Our brother is certainly happy," he says, glancing inside at the newlyweds, who are wrapped in each other's arms, kissing.

  "Cash was always a serial dater," I counter. "Unlike you."

  H
e grins, recalling his glory days. "I did get a lot of tail in college."

  "One of the benefits of being a star collegiate quarterback."

  "Or the star catcher. Remember those shirts all the girls wore when you and Pike were playing together? My goal in life when I was in high school was to someday have stands full of girls wearing my name."

  "The I got Piked shirts?"

  "If I recall, many said Caught by Cade."

  "Well, back then there was a lot of juggling the lineup." I laugh and take a pull of my beer.

  "Seems like there's still a lot of juggling of the lineup for you. Be honest with me, do you wish you were hitting home runs with the same girl every night?"

  I glance in the house. Ashlyn is now lying on the couch with her head in Cash's lap. He's stroking her hair gently as they talk. "They do look happy," I admit. And I was happy like that once, too.

  "After Cash and his long-time girlfriend broke up, he was a lot like us, playing the field," Carter states. "Until he met Ashlyn."

  "Exactly my point," I say. "You never know when it will hit you. He was hoping to get laid, and now look at him."

  "So, you're saying there's hope for me and Vale?"

  "I'm saying you never know."

  "She's like a guy when it comes to sex. I'm not quite sure how to handle her. Speaking of not handling her, what are you going to do about Palmer?"

  "Nothing. She's part of my past. Honestly, I was thinking about Jules. You know we've been good friends for a while now, and she's always been a great date when I need one. I think she likes me."

  Carter laughs. "You're so full of it. Jules got engaged last month."

  "To who? How long has she known this guy?"

  "To Todd."

  "From college, Todd?"

  "Yeah, once you and Pike stopped being friends, you sort of dropped out of--"

  "Whatever. How did they end up together?"

  "She stayed friends with Pike. So did Todd. They were all at a party together, say they both knew, and got engaged after just a few months of dating. They're crazy about each other." He smirks at me. "There goes your plan."

  "You're one to talk. What if Vale is seeing someone else? What if that guy acts first?"

  He shakes his head. "I don't even want to think about it. Same could be said about Palmer. Maybe I should invite her to join us, too."

  "Don't you fucking dare," I reply, with a pointed look. "It's our family vacation. I don't want to ruin it."

  Cash leaves his bride and joins us on the deck, setting down an ice-filled bucket of beers and saying, "Can you believe Mom booty-called Dad?"

  We all laugh.

  October 25th

  Cade

  We're at a quaint little Mexican restaurant, getting ready to have a late lunch when Palmer walks in.

  "What the hell is she doing here?" I mutter.

  "She's in town doing a photo shoot for a designer," Ashlyn answers.

  "No one talk to her," I say. "Maybe she won't see us."

  "Don't be ridiculous, Cade," Mom scolds. "I raised you better than that."

  "Palmer," Dad says, standing up. "How wonderful to see you again. You look well."

  Palmer turns and looks toward our table and says, "Thank you. So do you."

  "Retirement suits me. Are you meeting someone here?"

  "I, uh--"

  Ash leans over and whispers to Cash, "She's rambling. It's cute."

  "It's not cute," I disagree. "It's awkward."

  "Then why are you looking at her like you're a dog and she's a bone? No, actually, like she's a bacon, barbecue, and meat-sauce-smothered bone," Cash asks.

  "I am not," I snarl, wondering why I'm so worked up about her being here. Probably because I'm pissed. Not one single person in my family looks surprised to see her.

  "Is Palmer who you were texting yesterday?" I ask Ashlyn.

  She ignores me, instead getting up and giving Palmer a hug.

  "I'm so glad you could join us," she says, confirming what I thought.

  What the fuck?

  I glare at Cash and Carter, who both give me smirks. If Mom and Dad weren't sitting here, I'd wipe those smug looks right off their faces.

  "I didn't realize the whole family was here," Palmer says, her eyes landing on me. She was clearly blindsided too. "This isn't your usual week."

  "With the engagement, planning, and wedding taking place over such a short period, we didn't have time for a getaway," Mom says, standing to greet Palmer. "Cash and Ashlyn are just back from their honeymoon. You must join us." She points to the seat she just vacated. "You can sit here."

  "Oh, I don't want to intrude," she says to Mom, even though her eyes are locked on mine. "I'll just sit at the bar and grab a quick bite. Ashlyn and I can catch up later."

  "Nonsense, Palmer," Mom says in a firm tone. "Sit."

  Ashlyn grabs Palmer's arm and pulls her into the seat next to her, putting her directly across from me and sitting with Carter on her left.

  Palmer's wearing a long, flowing dress that would reveal very little if it weren't for its very low cut, displaying her cleavage.

  Carter gives her a little elbow bump when she sits down, and she smiles back at him in an intimate way.

  What the hell? I stand up so quickly that I bump the table, causing my margarita to splash out of its glass.

  "Carter, will you come with me for a second?" I say, trying to hide my temper.

  "Why?" he asks, looking confused.

  "I just got a text from a client, and I need your help with something," I reply cryptically.

  "No work on vacation," Mom scolds.

  "It will just take a minute," I reply, walking around the table, grabbing my brother by the shirt, and practically dragging him out of the restaurant.

  "What the hell is your problem?" he says, pulling out of my grip.

  "What the hell was that smile?"

  "What smile?"

  "The way you elbowed Palmer. The way she looked at you. Are you Cartering her?"

  "What the fuck? No. I told you last night I haven't been with anyone but Vale."

  I ball up my fists. "Have you ever? I pray your answer is no, because otherwise I'm going to kill you."

  Carter pushes his palm into my chest, knocking me backwards. "You need to calm the fuck down. First of all, I'm your brother. You should know better than to even ask that question."

  "Cash was sleeping with Ashlyn behind my back."

  "To my knowledge, you had never slept with her. Big difference."

  "Are you saying you've never slept with anyone I've slept with?"

  "Only once, but I didn't know it until after."

  "What do you mean?"

  "She said, Two Crawford brothers down, one to go. I was pissed."

  "Did you warn Cash?"

  "Yeah, I did. Because that's what brothers do. If my elbowing Palmer upsets you that much, you need to do something about it."

  I narrow my eyes at him. "You weren't surprised to see her."

  "No, I wasn't," he says, leaving me standing in the street.

  I follow him back inside and to our table.

  "Did you get your business done?" Mom asks in a way that lets me know I better have.

  "Yeah," Carter says, taking his seat. "One of his clients desperately needed box seats for one of the playoff games. I was able to help."

  "Well, since we all have our drinks, let's toast." Cash holds up his cactus-stemmed margarita glass. "To family."

  "To family," everyone says.

  I touch my glass to Palmer's and meet her gaze.

  Palmer

  Cade gets up to use the restroom. I wait a few moments, then excuse myself to use the ladies' room.

  I lean against the wall in the hallway, thankful it's hidden from the table's view.

  "I had no idea you were going to be here," I tell him when he walks out of the mens' room.

  "I could tell by the look on your face," he says, his presence making the hallway seen smaller than i
t is. It's hard to be this close to him and not just sink into his arms.

  "I think Ashlyn is trying to play matchmaker," I confirm.

  "It's that damn garter. It literally fell into my hand. I wasn't even trying." He leans closer to me. "You, on the other hand . . ."

  "My competitive side took over," I admit, shaking my head. "Or maybe it was the tequila shots."

  He laughs. It's deep and sexy.

  And way too familiar.

  I'm lying in bed, tangled up in the sheets, the morning after my twenty-first birthday with none other than Cade Crawford. After years of lusting after him, after years of excuses--you're too young, your brother is my best friend, you're my client--it finally happened.

  We were both a little drunk when we got back to my place, frantic with need, our desire great. As the night progressed, the sex seemed to morph from a hot-mess hook-up to sweet lovemaking, the likes of which I have never experienced.

  He stirs, wraps his arm tightly around me, and pulls me closer. His lips are against my temple as he whispers, "You better remember last night, because I'll never forget it."

  "I don't know, Cade. I was pretty drunk," I tease.

  He chuckles, deep and sexy, but looks at me seriously. "Tell me the truth."

  I let out a contented sigh, still basking in the beauty of it. "It was the best night of my life."

  "Palmer?"

  "Uh, what?"

  "I said we better get back out there before anyone gets any ideas about us."

  "Oh, yeah. Right."

  After a delicious meal and quite a few pitchers of margaritas, Mrs. Crawford says, "Palmer, dear, you must come back to the house with us."

  "I, um--"

  "I'm making brownies."

  Ashlyn, who's a bit tipsy, wraps her arm around my neck. "She's teaching me how to make the Crawford family secret recipe."

  "You always loved my brownies when you were a girl, Palmer," Mrs. Crawford says. "Although, I try to keep the recipe in the family, I do occasionally make exceptions. And since you caught the bouquet at the wedding"--she goes on, while I silently curse the damn thing--"you know what they say."

  "What do they say?" I ask. I'm a little tipsy myself.

  "The way to a man's heart is through his--"

  "Dick," Chloe says under her breath, causing Ashlyn and I to giggle.

  "--stomach," she continues.

  "If it means we get three batches of brownies," Carter says, herding me down the beach and toward their house. "I'm all for it."

  The sun is hot, and by the time we walk through the sand the few blocks to their house, I'm sweating. Although, technically, it may be because Cade just took his shirt off.