Page 40 of Heartstrings & Horizons
I give my niece a hug before we head into the small party my sister hosts at her home every New Year’s Day. Chloe was the first baby born in Oak Ridge exactly 10 years ago.
“How does it feel to be in the double digits, Chloe girl?”
“Uh, I don’t really feel any different.”
“You sure? Your bones should start cracking when you move now. You’rethatold!” She giggles as I tickle her, then give her a quick kiss on the head. “Wait, let me check if you have any gray hairs yet,” I say, pretending to search through her long blonde tresses.
“Stop,” she says, darting away and into the living room, her giggles fading as she rounds the corner where the rest of the party guests have gathered. It looks like I’m the last to arrive.
The moment I step into the room, all eyes are on me.
“Didn’t bring your girlfriend along?” It’s my sister Kim who asks, while the rest of the room waits on bated breath for my answer, no doubt assuming we’ve already broken up. Sure, I don’t have the best history with relationships, but the assumption still gets under my skin. I never for one second indicated Paige would be here. I have no doubt this was a pre-selected question they landed on in order to discreetly ambush me. They’ve clearly already discounted my relationship before even giving it a chance, and that knowledge grates.
“She couldn’t make it down, but I’m flying to Toronto for her birthday at the end of the month.” My answer seems to pacify most of the room until my mom decides it’s her time to shine.
“You should find yourself a nice Kentucky girl. Maybe even someone your own age? She can’t be more than, what, 21? 22?”
“She’s almost 23, and her age is irrelevant. She means a lot to me and that’s the most important thing.” My voice is firm, not leaving any room for argument. I don’t think anybody will ever be good enough for me in my mom’s eyes. Paige could volunteer to rescue puppies, feed the hungry, house the homeless, and my mom would still find a reason to complain.
“Ok,” Jemma cuts in, giving me a much needed reprieve. “Let’s get this party going!” I won't all out declare her as my favorite niece, but she’s definitely earning points for running interference.
The party gets underway with bbq and all the fixings, cake, and tons of gifts for the birthday girl. I don’t miss a few of the sidelong glances from my mom when she thinks I’m not paying attention. I know in my bones she had more she wanted to say about my relationship, but if I don’t set a boundary now, it will get ugly.
As the evening winds down and everyone is saying their goodbyes, Jemma waves me over.I don’t like the look on her face. “What’s going on?” I ask.
“Listen, I wanted to talk to you about Grandma. She’s been talking to mom and Aunt Kim about your new girlfriend.”
“Oh? I take it she’s not thrilled?”
She shakes her head. “Be careful. If this girl means as much to you as I think she does,” she raises an eyebrow as if waiting for me to confirm. I nod. “Tread lightly around Grandma. Don’t give her any ammunition if you can avoid it. I don’t want you to get hurt, and I don’t want her to do something to hurt your girl, either. Intentionally or not. I may not have met her yet, but I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time and if she has anything to do with it, I wholeheartedly approve. I love grandma, but she can be… a lot.”
“Got it, thanks, Jem. Paige is…” my thoughts trail off and I can already feel the smile tugging at my lips, “she’s everything good in my world right now.”
“I can see that. Love looks good on you, Cade.”
Love. Is that what this is?
“Happy New Year, Jem.”
I say my goodbyes and head back to the truck, the cool January air sending a chill up my spine. It’s only 7pm, but the sun sets early this time of year so it feels much later than it is. I step up into my truck when a notification sounds from my pocket. I open it up, doing a double take.
My girl sent me a sinfully sexy selfie. She’s laying on her belly in her bed, her shoulders are bare and there’s a sheet wrapped around her breasts just above her nipples, cleavage on full display. The sheet cascades around her back, covering only the swell of one cheek while her knee is bent, giving me a view of her shapely ass, as one arm is stretched beneath her on the bed. I can’t see where her hand is, but I don't need to. Her eyes are heavily lidded, her lips parted and I can almost hear the moan on her lips.Fuck.
I pull up her contact, listening to 1 ring, then 2, before the phone clicks over.
“Cade.” It comes on a breathy moan and I know she’s still touching herself.
“I’m on my way home. If you come before I get there, I’ll make you regret it.”
“No promises, Cowboy.” She teases.
My cock is rock fucking hard against my jeans the whole drive home, Paige’s breathy sighs creating an erotic soundtrack for the drive. It doesn’t take long before I’m pulling into my driveway, slamming the truck door and barreling in through the front door. Two steps into the den, and I’m collapsing onto the couch, unzipping my jeans and pulling out my straining erection. I don’t know how I managed not to blow in my pants.
I quickly tap on my phone to request a FaceTime. Paige accepts and I place my phone on the coffee table in the exact spot where we would often fall asleep together. Oh, how things have changed.
“Are you wet for me, baby?”
“Yes.”
