Page 158 of The Single Dads Club
Peter came strolling into the coffee shop. “Alexa, come on, we’re going to be la—” He stopped in front me, looking down at my tear-streaked face. “Alexa?”
Shit.I’d completely forgotten about Peter. I took the tissues from Sara and pressed them to my cheeks. So much for putting on mascara today. Cade knelt down beside my chair, taking the tissues from me to help mop up the tears.
“Alexa? What’s wrong? And who is this guy?” Peter asked, suspiciously.
“I’m sorry, Peter,” I managed. “This is Cade.”
Peter’s eyes went to Cade’s kneeling form and a look of disbelief overtook his face. “This guy?”
Peter didn’t know much about Cade, just that he was the guy I’d been seeing before him, and that he was the reason I didn’t want anything to do with a relationship right now because of the rocky way things had ended between us. I could see Peter’s surprise that I’d dated a guy like Cade at all—scruffy, worn jeans, work boots and a fitted long-sleeve pullover that emphasized his over-muscled chest which made him the polar opposite of Peter’s neatly gelled hair, tweed blazers and Italian-leather loafers. I blew my nose, knowing I looked like a mess and long past caring. I felt like I’d been hit by a train. The barista stopped beside us and handled me a plastic baggie filled with ice for my head.
Cade looked between Peter and I before announcing, “I’m taking her home.” I squeaked out a protest, and Peter took a step closer. But Cade rose to his feet, towering over us both. He turned to Sara, placed a hand on her belly, and leaned in toward her to whisper something in her ear that only she could hear.
A pain stabbed at my chest.
Peter placed his hand on my shoulder, but turned to address Cade. “You’re not taking her anywhere. First of all, we’re on a date. Second of all, I’m pretty sure you’re the reason she’s crying right now.”
Sara kissed Cade’s cheek and headed for the door. I didn’t blame her for disappearing, I was envious that she could flee because I wanted to be anywhere but here right now. “We don’t have to go, Peter.” The last thing I wanted to do at this very moment was watch a ballet that included a sweet little love story.
“I, ah, didn’t tell you before, Alexa, but I got these tickets from my uncle. We’re going to be joining him and his wife.”
He’d tricked me into some weird family get-together? There was no way I was meeting his aunt and uncle right now—or ever for that matter.
“I just want to go home,” I murmured as my head continued to throb.
They both looked down at me.
“I’m taking her home,” Cade repeated.
Peter sighed. “Fine. I’ve got to go or I’m going to be late. Are you sure you’re okay with him taking you home?”
It wasn’t like I had much of a choice—Peter was practically stranding me, miles away from home without a car or a way to get home. “It’s fine. Just go, Peter.”
He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll call you later.”
Don’t bother,I uttered to myself.
I’d never been inside Cade’s truck before. The cab was in need of a good cleaning, and there were water bottles littering the floor and a Cinderella coloring book on the seat between us. It smelled like a mix of his subtle cologne and the spicy scent of a man after a hard day’s work.
He didn’t say anything as we drove. He just stared straight ahead and rested one hand on top of the wheel.
When he pulled into my condo complex, I realized I hadn’t provided my address, nor had he asked for directions. He parked next to my car and turned off the ignition.
We sat in silence for a few moments. Thankfully, my sobs had quieted into little hiccups. “Thanks for bringing me home.” I pushed against the truck door, and climbed down carefully, realizing the ground was farther away than I thought.
He met me at the side of the truck and took my hand, stopping me. “Wait. Let me explain.”
I don’t know what possessed me, whether it was the closure I was craving, or my own morbid curiosity about his expectant girlfriend, but I nodded. I wrapped my arms around my middle, bracing myself for his explanation.
He sighed softly. “Not here. Invite me inside, Lex, please.”
I nodded my consent and led him inside. I tossed my purse and keys onto the entryway table and made my way to the couch, not knowing how much longer my shaky legs would hold my weight. I collapsed and immediately curled myself into a ball. I expected Cade to be right behind me, but strangely, I heard him rummaging around inside my kitchen.
I lifted my head and watched him walk toward me carrying a glass of orange juice, a box of Kleenex and a bottle of pain reliever. He held out the glass of juice for me while he opened the bottle of pills. Only once I had swallowed a dose did he sit down beside me. His news had to be even worse than I imagined, since he was being so kind to me. Maybe Sara was pregnant with his baby, or they were engaged. Crap, why hadn’t I checked her left hand? Not that it mattered, I reminded myself, I had absolutely no claim to him.
I took a deep breath. “So when is she due?”
His face twisted in confusion. “Who, Sara?”
