Page 15 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

I look over at Mr. Price, who is blatantly checking her out. She looks to be in her twenties. She’s blond and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was a student at Riverside. She’s attractive and her outfit is revealing. Her black mini skirt is tight and hits mid-thigh, and her top is a tight scoop neck. She smiles at him and bats her lashes.

Cade’s mom shifts uncomfortably.

Cade frowns.

“I heard you’re all leaving for Mexico. That sounds so beautiful. I’ve never left mainland USA,” I note because I need to change the vibe at the table. It’s giving me an ick feeling.

I hear Mr. Price sigh.

“Yes, we like to take a trip every year over the holidays. We’ve been to Mexico before, but we figured it’s good weather and nice beaches. Something for everyone,” Lily explains.

The waitress returns with our coffees. They each have a heart shape in the frothed milk made from coffee.

“This looks delicious,” I say.

She asks us if we are ready to order. All the Prices order eggs Benedict.

“I’ll have the Belgium waffle with berries and cream,” I say, passing her the menu.

“On second thought, I’ll have the same thing,” Cade says, and he passes her his menu.

“Cade, that is a carbfest,” his father cuts in. “If you want to be a champion you need to eat like one.”

“I’m a grown man. I’ll eat what I want,” he replies with abrupt finality.

His father passes the waitress his menu and grins to her in a sleazy way that makes my skin crawl.

“If you’re a grown man, why aren’t you paying your way?” Mr. Price asks.

“John,” his mom chides. “This isn’t the time.”

Mr. Price blows out a breath. He looks at his phone. “I have a call to make.”

He gets up and walks away from the table.

“He’s just a little grouchy this morning from the early flight. Don’t pay him any attention,” Lily waves off, smiling with such ease.

Her husband is a royal prick, not a grouch.

My cell rings and Mom’s name lights the screen. My phone is sitting on the table and Cade looks at it.

“You can take the call, Annie,” he says.

“I can just let her go to voicemail,” I assure.

But when Mom calls a second time, I begin to worry.

“Excuse me,” I say. I head in the opposite direction of where Mr. Price just left.

“Hi, Mom,” I answer the call. “Is everything okay?”

“As okay as it can be,” she replies dryly, never pleased. “We’re being sued. Your father screwed up again. We need to find a way out of this mess,” she sighs. “But that isn’t why I’m calling. I have great news.”

“You have my attention,” I say, trying to find a quiet area in the restaurant since it’s freezing outside. There are littlefireplaces situated throughout the restaurant, and I find a space where the tables aren’t filled at the back.

“Where are you? There’s a lot of background noise,” she notes.

“I’m out for breakfast with a friend.”

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