Page 69 of Dirty Play

“Hi, Mrs. Danielson,” Kylie says, turning around to give her a hug. “How are you?”

“I’m good, sweetie, just looking for that husband of mine. Who’s this young lady? I don’t think we’ve met?” she asks with a warm smile directed at me.

“I’m Gwen,” I tell her, offering her my hand, which she graciously shakes. “Gwen Murphy, I’m actually a friend of Cade’s.”

Her face lights up and I suddenly know exactly who this woman is. This is Harris’ mama. I’d bet my life on it.

“Oh, Ms. Gwen, I know exactly who you are, Harris has told me all about you,” she says with a wink, confusing the hell out of me.

“I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Harris is a bit of a wildcard.” I chuckle, a bit nervous at what he might’ve told her.

“All good things, sweetie, all good things. Where’s Cade?” she asks, looking over my shoulder.

“That’s a good question. We’ve been looking for him and Vince for quite some time now,” Kylie says. “They got into a little bit of a disagreement at the house, and we haven’t been able to find them since.”

“Ah, well I’d check Sally’s place right around the corner. When we came into town, I thought I saw Vince’s truck there. Maybe Cade found him and they’re talking it out?”

“Hopefully talking is all they do. Thanks, Mrs. Danielson.”

“Bye, girls. I hope to get to know you properly, Gwen. Maybe I’ll tell Harris we should all go out to dinner when I’m in town later this month.”

“I would love that.” I smile, feeling the sincerity in my words, and it surprises me. I’m not used to agreeing to plans. I prefer to be home in my safe place or at the hospital.

Or with Cade.

But being outgoing? That’s not my style.

Everyone I’ve met in this town is wonderful. They make me feel like I want to go out and socialize, so I can spend more time with them. That’s all I can think about as we head down the street, turning left around the corner where we see both Cade’s and Vince’s trucks sitting outside Sally’s.

“Well, at least we found them. Let’s just hope they’re sober enough not to be fighting. Sally will kick em’ out without question,” Kylie says.

After a quick phone call to her parents to let them know we found the boys, we head inside, holding our breath that we aren’t walking into a bar fight between two grumpy brothers.

The bar itself is exactly what I’d expect in a small town, dimly lit, lots of cozy booths, and a bunch of pool tables set off to the side so people can still dance in the middle. The booths are covered in the awful red vinyl covers, the ones that make noises anytime you move, even the slightest bit, but it’s somehow still inviting.

Looking around the bar and tables for the guys, I’m surprised when we find them at the furthest pool table, each with a glass in one hand and a pool stick in the other. Trying to convince Cade to follow doctor’s orders and take it easy, stop doing physical labor, stop trying to fuck your nurse—none of it’s working. Proven by what I can only assume is whiskey that he’s currently sipping, but I’m picking and choosing my battles.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Kylie growls, her eyes widening when she sees them, all smiles and joking around like they hadn’t just screamed at each other. “We’ve been worried they’re off fighting or making a bigger mess, and here they are, just sitting in a bar, drinking and playing pool? Fucking twats.”

Walking over to them, Kylie doesn’t miss a beat when she smacks them both upside their heads.

“What the—” Vince starts but smiles when he sees it’s Kylie. Cade doesn’t say anything, though, because his eyes are on me.

I can feel the heat of his gaze, the intensity in his eyes almost enough to make me want to hightail it out of here… only it’s inviting be closer. It’s the kind of look that makes me want to jump into his arms and never let go.

I settle on walking to him, though.

The closer I get, the bigger his smile grows, my own following suit, until I’m standing right before him.

He sets his whiskey down, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Tink,” he says, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion as he grabs my hand and pulls me into him, his free hand moving to frame my face. “You’re here.” His voice is hardly a whisper, barely audible in the loud bar, but it’s the only thing I hear.

“I never left,” I reply, leaning into his hand, loving the way he feels holding me. So much going unsaid but there will be time for that another day. For now, I want to enjoy this moment with him and the way he’s holding me. He's not letting me go anywhere.

Leaning in, his mouth meets mine in a slow languid kiss that I can feel all the way in my toes. I fall into him, his arms wrapping around me, and I finally feel home.

This is exactly where I’m supposed to be, here with this man.

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