Page 100 of Mad Love

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CONFIRMATION

SADIE

I don’t know if I’m a glutton for punishment or what, but when Weston goes to practice a few days later, I pull out the journal again. My anger has dwindled, as it always did with Sasha, and when I read the passage following the birthday, I’m reminded why.

Sadie’s not mad at me anymore. THANK GOD. I hate it when I disappoint her. But even when I do, she loves me no matter what. We’re so different from one another, but she’s the one person I trust more than anyone. I know she’ll never let me down. I’ll let her down plenty, but she will always have my back.

I haven’t decided if I’ll tell her about the party I’m going to on Friday night. Claire said she heard that after the Nuggets games, the players go to this one bar downtown, and I think we’re gonna go see if that’s true. Sadie would try to talk me out of it, or she’d want to go to look out for me, and that would be fine except…Sadie doesn’t realize how hot she is. All those basketball players would take one look at her and those long legs and forget about me. Lol I can’t let that happen!

Anyway, Claire’s loaning me a dress and I’ll get ready over there. I’ll report back if I land a sexy player.

I’m almost scared to keep reading, but I read enough to know that she does indeed land a sexy player and she probably never told me about this one because they had sex in the men’s bathroom at the club. I put my head in my hands, the sister worry I carried with me from as early as I can remember stirred back up. Part of me was always in awe of her impulsiveness, while it also made me a nervous wreck.

I think about how she changed when Caleb was born. It surprised both of us that she didn’t mind being pregnant, and by the time he came, she’d settled some. Well, I thought she had. I’ve thought a lot about my mom saying Sasha would drop Caleb off with her all the time when I wasn’t around to help, and I wonder for the hundredth time since she’s been gone, how well I really knew my sister. Or maybe more accurately, I did know her, but I just always made excuses for her.

I close the journal and tuck it away. That’s enough for today.

On Saturday morning, Weston and I have a lazy morning in bed and a big breakfast once Caleb’s awake. We go to his parents’ house for lunch, taking separate cars, and I kiss him goodbye before I walk out of their house. He still comes outside to put Caleb in the car, and when he leans in to kiss me again, I put my hand on his chest, looking around.

“Seriously?” He laughs.

“I didn’t know photographers were around the other times. What if they’re lurking in the bushes?”

“I don’t think they are,” he says, smirking. “The security is great in this neighborhood. I think we’d be safe to kiss.”

“You would,” I snort. “We’re not kissing in public until I come back cuted up…and maybe not then.” I point at him and get in the car.

He leans down, his muscled arms distracting me when he leans them against the roof of my car. “If you get any cuter, we won’t be coming up for air.”

“We barely do now,” I whisper and he laughs. “I’ll miss you, but I might need a night to recover from last night.”

He smirks, his eyes heated. “I’m going to be replaying last night in my head for a long time to come.”

I grin. “Me too.”

“Are you sure I can’t kiss you out here?”

“I’m sure. But I’ll make it up to you when you get back.”

“I’m counting on that. Love you, Chapman.”

“I love you, Shaw.”

He looks back at Caleb in his car seat and grins, closing my door. I watch from the rearview mirror as he nuzzles Caleb’s neck until they’re both laughing.

He meets my eyes in the mirror. “Have fun. Let me know how you’re doing. I don’t want to bug you when you’re with the girls, but call me anytime.”

I nod. “Have a good trip. Stay safe.”

“I will.”

I miss him the second I drive away, but the excitement over my weekend with the girls helps. I drive back to the house and make sure Caleb and I have everything we’ll need for our overnight. Ed lets me know when Felicity pulls up to the gate, and everyone piles out of the SUV. After hugs all around, they go to the bathroom and meet back in the kitchen to refill their water bottles.

Felicity takes Caleb from me and covers his face with kisses until he’s laughing. He loves her so much.

I lift the bags of snacks from the island. “Okay, how is this? I’ve got Reese’s popcorn, M&M’S in plain, peanut, and peanut butter, Snickers, Heath, and Butterfinger…sour gummies, Cheez-Its, barbeque corn nuts, jalapeno kettle chips, sea salt kettle chips…” I look again to make sure I’m not forgetting anything. “There’s probably more in my hidden stash if you want to take a look for anything else. I keep it in the laundry room cabinet behind a few things.” When they all stare at me, I add, “I try not to keep all this junk around in plain sight when Weston’s on a more regimented diet. He spots all the things on the high shelves, but rarely notices anything down low.” I laugh nervously.

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