Page 59 of Worthy

Although we travel as the ′Ted Lasso’pack, I’m introduced to dozens of new people as Cade’s guy instead of Trent, which unfailingly results in looks of confusion and curiosity. Still, since everyone is so nice, I know that only reflects their surprise, not disapproval. In fact, I’d say most people are accepting, almost happy to see him with someone. And bywith someone, I mean the way Cade is making it evident we’re together.

Each time we get off our bikes, he immediately reaches for my hand, brushing his thumb back and forth over my knuckles. Before we get on again, he gives me a lingering kiss, one that says he wishes we were alone.

Showing this much open affection should give us pause, because it suggests a closer connection than either of us want to admit. Instead, it’s starting to feel natural. Just as it’s starting to feel natural to be here.

Chapter sixteen

Cade

I’ve spent my whole life in this town, twenty-six years, and I’ve done this bike race every single one of them, to the point the monotony of this day was wearing on me. Until this year.

Even I’m not dense enough to question why that is.

I fucking loved having Maddox next to me all day. Putting aside the fact he’s so beautiful and so genuine, he makes everything better just by being there. I don’t think he stopped grinning all day long. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling when I looked at him, nor could I stop touching him. What’s even weirder is that I wasn’t touching him to tease him or make him aroused or anything. I just liked the feel of his skin against mine, introducing him as my guy and seeing the way he tried not to blush each time I said it.

Plus, I got to experience this day through his eyes, which kind of made me love it again. He was so awed by all the costumes, so impressed with how the whole town got involved, so humbled by how nice everyone was. He didn’t tell me any of that, not verbally anyway, but I could see it in his eyes. I could see him falling in love with this town, and the selfish bastard that I am makes me wonder if he might like it enough to stay.

I realize that’s an absurd thought. He’s got big goals for himself, and I’m not sure they can be met here. I’m also not sure he’d be content with the small-town life or could deal with the winters we have. Beyond all that, the thing I’m most unsure about is whether he’d be willing to stay here forme, which I find myself thinking about as we drive back to his place.

It’s a thought that’s crossed my mind with increasing frequency.

Being with Maddox feels right in a way nothing else in my life ever has. I’m not trying to imply I’ve had it rough—by most accounts my life is the stuff other guys dream about— and I’m grateful for that. But it was my life alone. I didn’t have anyone to share it with.

A few weeks ago, that didn’t bother me in the least. I thought being alone was the ideal way to go through life, or at least life in my twenties, and any thoughts of being with someone started and ended with the notion of having a good time between the sheets. The idea I could commit to one person, in and out of the bedroom was…absurd.

Yet instead of feeling confined in this arrangement, like I kind of expected, I feel relaxed. Happy. And while the sex is off the charts, I don’t feel like that’s all I have to offer Maddox since there are times we hang out without fucking. Yes, I chased after him because I wanted to experience the raw, primal urges I thought only another man could give me, but I ended up finding someone who gets me on a deeper level. Someone who makes me think and laugh and contemplate my future. Makes me want to be a better person.

I wonder if that means I’m starting to fall for him? Or maybe I already have?

That’s why a part of me is hoping he falls in love with this town, because if he does, maybe he’ll fall for me too.

I hold on to that fantasy for the drive home, Madd’s hand linked in mine. But reality sets in as I pull onto his street and spot the familiarsilver truck parked behind the Subaru. I had hoped to put this off a bit longer seeing as how my folks have been on vacation the past few weeks, but they should’ve got home earlier today, so I’m actually lucky they waited until now to confront me.

Maddox notices the car as we pull into the drive, but he doesn’t press me for any details when I tell him I’ll meet him inside, which is a welcome relief. I give him a soft kiss and whisper that I won’t be long, pointing him toward the back door.

That nagging feeling that I might want him to be more than a fling intensifies as I watch him walk away before rounding the front of the house to meet my dad on the porch. The casual way he’s leaning on the railing doesn’t hide the look of concern on his weathered face.

″He’s got a pretty look about him,” he begins as I take a seat in one of the rocking chairs.

″Wait til you see him without the hair dye.” I push up on the balls of my feet so the chair starts to sway, an outlet for my restless energy.

″This been going on since you lent him your truck?” Dad watches me closely.

Whoever spilled the tea didn’t spare any details.

″No, I really did do that to be nice.” He doesn’t need to know I was hoping the gesture would help me get closer to Maddox.

Dad nods his head. “Were you hoping to keep this a secret?”

″No. But I was hoping I’d have a chance to tell you before you heard the rumors.” Dad’s brow lifts as he cuts me a knowing look, implying I should know better. “Yeah, yeah. I still thought people would give you at least one night home before they start jabbering about me.”

“Considering the nature of what they had to say I’m surprised we didn’t get a phone call on vacation.”

“Fair enough.” I rub the back of my neck, dreading where I think this is going. “You here to tell me this is a bad idea?”

″Maybe.” He cocks his head. “But not for the reason you think.”

I’m not expecting this, and I don’t have a response for it. The rocking chair stills as I go tense, bracing for what he has to say next.

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