Game Saver - BJ Harvey Page 0,30

have the big sister’s approval. Good to know.

Before I can work out what to say—I mean, what does one say to that—Callie continues, “I mean, you’re real and please don’t be offended by this but totally not of this world, and that’s good—like, real good. Cade is the first to admit that this is not his scene. Hell, it’s not really my scene. But good deeds like this”—she waves her hand in the air—”where we actually use money for worthwhile causes, I’ll always support. Even if it means getting my husband to roll me out of the house.”

“It’s not Cade’s scene either,” I note, looking over at the man who just this morning dropped to his knees in the bathroom, hooked my ankle over his shoulder and ate his breakfast ‘Abi style.’ The same man that looks just as sexy naked as he does in a tailored navy blue suit.

Stop it, Abi. Stop fawning over the man who gives it to you on the regular.

“How long have you known him?” Callie asks.

“We first met eleven months ago,” I reply. The night he locked eyes with me across a crowded bar, walked right up to me, and stuck his hand up my skirt. Good times.

“That smile tells me I don’t want to know. Anyway . . .” Callie looks around then back to me, lowering her voice. “Cade and Cameron never toed the family line. They hated being rolled out like actors in a play designed to make my parents look good.” Her expression is resigned; it’s the same look I saw on Cade’s face when he first proposed our arrangement. Now having experienced the smoke and mirrors that is the Carsen Family Show, where every interaction simply brings more questions than answers, it makes me want to help Cade more than ever. He’s proven that he’s worked hard to be his own man, one that he’s proud of at the end of the day.

We’re similar in that respect. When Bryce and his addiction dragged me down all those years ago, I made a decision to do anything and everything to rise above it all. Whatever I had to do, however I had to do it, I vowed to get myself out of debt and learn from the mistakes of my past.

Cade was born into a situation where he had to make the choice to step out of the family fold and be a man he’d be proud of.

“Something makes me think you don’t like it much either,” I reply and her small nod says it all.

My eyes drift over to where Cade’s standing just as he lifts his head and looks our way. A soft smile plays on his lips. “You okay?” he mouths.

I nod in response. “You?” I mouth back.

Instead of answering, he turns back to the group of men he was talking to and moments later, heads our way.

Callie’s eyes follow my line of sight. “Oooh, my baby brother must be scared I’m telling you all his embarrassing family stories.”

“You mean you’re not?” I reply, shooting her a wink.

“You’re evil, and I love it.”

“What are you two up to?” Cade asks when he reaches us, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into him.

He’s been very tactile today, small touches here and there that tell everyone we’re together. I guess it’s part of the role he’s playing and just a tactic to affirm our relationship to watching eyes. It’s the only logical explanation. That’s not to say I haven’t liked it, but I’d never admit that. I’ve caught him watching his father more than once, almost as if he wants his father to see us together.

Probably just another part of the facade.

“Oh nothing, I’m just filling Abi in on your childhood secrets.”

Cade groans and shakes his head. “Whatever she tells you, it’s lies. All lies. And if it’s true, it would’ve been Cameron’s fault, not mine.”

“Ah, the old ‘it wasn’t me, it was my twin’ argument. My brothers pull that excuse all the time,” I reply.

Callie’s eyes meet mine in solidarity. “So you feel my pain?”

“Totally. Except I’ve also got two more brothers, all of them banding against me.”

“Oh dear God. Just having two brothers were bad enough. Four? Shit . . .”

I giggle, and Cade’s hand at my waist gives me a gentle squeeze, grabbing my attention. “I’ve just got to make the rounds to say goodbye and then we can go if you’d like.”

“Sounds good.”

He turns to his sister. “Do you need a ride