Page 37 of Daddy's Treat

He takes a quick shower, then my pampering continues. He retrieves the hairbrush from the living room, I will admit my butt tingled at just the sight of it. Apparently, the hairbrush is for more than just spankings. He sits me down on his lap and makes another part of my fantasy come true. He brushes my hair. By the time he’s done, I can’t even keep my eyes open. I’m asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Though I swear I hear someone whisper,I love youjust as sleep consumes me. It sounded a little like me…

* * *

The championship game is today,it’s being held in Florida. Kade had to leave on Friday, it’s now Sunday, and I miss him like crazy. He asked me to stay at his house under the guise of housesitting, but I know the real reason is that he hates when I’m at the Zeta Tau house. He doesn’t trust ‘those bitches’ as he calls them. I don’t trust them either, but like it or not, it’s my home for at least one more semester after this one.

Kade invited me to go to the game, but I had a big test on Friday that I couldn’t miss, and I have another on Monday that I’ve got to do some serious studying for. We’ve texted and talked several times since he left, but it’s just not the same.

I’ve got my anatomy book spread out in front of me, munching on candy corn while I study. Even though I’m completely ignorant to the game, I have it on. Mostly because I want to try to get a glimpse of Kade. The Wildcats are up by seven by the final quarter, and the sportscaster person says that as long as they keep it up, they will win for sure. They talk about how the Wildcats were the underdogs this year since their star quarterback graduated and went on to the pros, but that Carsen has held his own.

It mostly sounds like blah blah blah to me. I’m super excited for Kade when his team wins, though. After they pour a cooler of sports drink over Kade’s head, Louise and Walt run up to him. Louise throws herself in Kade’s arms and kisses him.

Kisses him.

Kisses. Him.

Okay, it’s on the cheek, but she’s got her arms around him, boobs smashed to his body and is looking up at him like she wants to strip him down right there on the sidelines and ride him like a pony. Hot jealousy courses through my body. A sick pit opens up in my stomach when Walt pushes between them, hugging them both. They look like a happy family. Kade looks like he belongs right there in that moment with Louise and Walt.

Needless to say, my celebratory candy corn topped ice cream tastes more like dumped for an older woman ice cream. Yeah, I know he didn’t break up with me, we aren’t broken up. We probably aren’t even breaking up. At least, not yet.

Seeing Kade with Louise and Walt just emphasizes our differences. Things I’ve been ignoring really well up until this moment. It’s not only the age difference, though that doesn’t help much. He’s got a career. He’s completely established. I’m still in college and will be for years. Plus, I will only be here for one more semester. If things get straightened out for next semester, that is. What happens when I move halfway across the country for medical school?

If you go to veterinary school like you really want, you would only be a couple hours away,I so helpfully remind myself. I basically gave up on that little dream. My parents would be so disappointed in me. I’ve worked so hard toward their goal for so long it feels like my goal now too. It’s confusing.

I’m pretty deep into my very own pity party when my phone rings. Kade. I look at the clock and realize I’ve been staring at a bowl of candy corn ice cream soup for almost an hour. Poor candy corn. Such a waste.

I answer the phone, trying to put as much perkiness as I can in my voice. I think it works because Kade excitedly asks if I watched the game.

“Yeah, congratulations on the big win. You were awesome!”

“Thanks, baby girl. I wish you could’ve been here.”

My ‘me too’ is lost in a sea of voices as Walt and Louise come into the room. Both of them talking at once. Kade’s rich laughter makes my heart ache.

“Sorry about that. Louise and Walt just got back to the room from getting ice cream. Walt is hopped up on sugar.”

Wait. What? Back to the room? As in, she’s staying in the same room as my boyfriend? How did I not know this? For the last two nights, she’s been sleeping in the same room as Kade?

I try really, really hard to hold my tongue. I just can’t do it. Instead of word vomit, it’s like I’m lobbing word bombs that could level entire countries—or one relationship.

“You’re sharing a room with Louise? The same Louise that’s in love with you? The one who kissed you… Kissed. You. On national TV. That Louise? Why wouldn’t you tell me that? Don’t you think your girlfriend should know when you’re sharing a fluffernutting hotel room with another woman?”

The line goes completely silent, and I have to look at the screen to make sure the call didn’t disconnect. Nope, Kade’s still there. And now that I’m done lobbing word bombs, I want to curl up in my bed and cry.

“Penny. Calm down, shortcake—”

“Don’t. Please don’t tell me to calm down as if I’m some crazy person who is overreacting.”

“You’re not crazy. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that LouiseandWalt are staying in the suite with me. A suite which hastwobedrooms. I assure you we are very much sleeping separately. She’s my sister for fuck’s sake.” I can imagine Kade pacing the room, his hand raking through his hair like he does when he’s anxious.

“Oh.” Yeah, that’s all I say, ‘oh.’ Maybe I am a crazy person. Not on everything. There is still the matter of Louise loving Kade.

“Seriously, Penny. There is nothing there but familial love. She was the love of my brother’s life… when he was killed Louise and I forged a bond. She needed help with Walt, and I needed a purpose that wasn’t football. Walter was my only family…”

“I know that, Kade. You’re amazing with Walt. He couldn’t ask for a better honorary father than you. And Louise has been lucky to have you around to help… You’re a good man. None of that changes the fact that Louise is in love with you.”

Kade laughs. “That’s just ridiculous.”

“I saw her with you on the TV… Kade, are we crazy? Are we fooling ourselves with this relationship? What are we going to do when I leave for medical school? How will that even work?”

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