The Hard Way

  Tamar joined us. “I just realized Cade’s performance is just like when Joseph Gordon Levitt did that lip-sync battle on Jimmy Fallon’s show."

  I laughed. "It is. He’s certainly giving Joseph a run for his money."

  When he saw me on the fringes of the crowd, Cade’s face lit up in a beaming grin as he crooked his finger at me. I furiously shook my head. "Come on, Prescott. Live a little!" he shouted over the music.

  "Oh no. I didn’t lose a bet!" I called back.

  A wicked look flashed on Cade's face, which caused anxiety to prick over my body. I knew that look. It was the kind of look he’d had when suggesting we go skinny dipping. I was in serious trouble.

  "I'll bet you a hundred dollars toward new sports equipment that you won't get up here with me."

  Damn him. He was hitting me where he knew it would hurt me. “No.”

  “Fine then. Two fifty.”

  “Forget it, Cade.”

  “Five hundred.”

  Double damn him! When I glanced around at the kids’ excited faces, I knew I was screwed. Five hundred dollars would buy a hell of a lot of equipment, but we could also use new art supplies as well.

  “One thousand,” I countered.

  Cade threw his head back with a laugh. “Done.”

  Part of me had hoped he wouldn’t go that high, but I should have known Cade better than that. I started making my way through the crowd and cheering rang all around me. “Go Miss P!” the kids cried.

  When I got to the edge of the table, Cade held out his hand for me. I placed both my hands on his and let him drag me up. It had come to the bridge in the song, so I drew in a deep breath and fake belted the line, “See I need you in my life for me to stay.”

  Knowing I would shock the hell out of them, I did my own version of twerking when it came to the boom, boom, boom part. My reward came not in the screams and whistles from the kids, but the wide-eyed look of extreme shock on Cade’s face. He managed to quickly recover, and we finished out the song together.

  When the music ended, Cade drew me into his arms for a bear hug. “That was fucking awesome, Prescott.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it so much.”

  He pulled away and winked at me. “I enjoy any time I get to see you outside your comfort level.”

  “Yeah, well, I think I should be a little concerned about just how comfortable you seemed being Nicky Minaj.”

  Cade and Darion did the guy hand clasp and then a quick chest bump. “That was epic, man,” Darion said.

  With a dramatic bow, Cade mimicked Elvis by saying, “Thank you, thank you very much.”

  Darion turned his attention from Cade to me. “And Miss P, I didn’t think you had it in you.”

  Cade and I both laughed. “For your information, I’m a woman of many hidden talents.”

  At their disbelieving looks, Cade said, “Hey guys, she’s serious. She can drive a tractor like nobody’s business.”

  Darion and the others stared at me in surprise. “You’s a farmer, Miss P?” Antoine asked.

  “Are you,” I quickly corrected, which earned me an eye roll. “And yes, my family are farmers. While I have driven a tractor, I’m more familiar with the corn harvester.”

  “So, do you like booty dance out in the cornfields and scare away the crows?” Darion asked with a grin.

  I smacked his arm playfully. “Whatever. You’re just jealous of my mad dancing skills.”

  Antoine smiled. “Don’t let him fool ya, Miss P. You looked hot up there.”

  “While I appreciate the compliment, I seriously doubt that.”

  He nodded his head emphatically. “She did look hot, didn’t she Cade?”

  My gaze bounced from Antoine over to Cade as the corners of his lips quirked up. “Yeah, she did.”

  “See, I told ya.”

  As hard as I fought it, I could feel my cheeks flushing from their attention. “Um, thanks, guys.”

  Marcus smacked Darion’s chest. “Come on. Let’s see if you can beat me like you did Cade.”

  “Even if I don’t, I ain’t gettin’ up and makin’ a fool outta myself like Cade did,” Darion replied.

  Cade laughed. “Don’t be hatin’ on my dancing.”

  Darion grinned. “You comin’ with us?”

  “Nah, I think I better rest my arm for a while.”

  “Okay. See ya later.”

  I drew in a breath when I realized Cade and I were alone together—well, as alone as you could be with fifteen children milling around. “I’ve never been in here before,” Cade remarked as he looked around. He then gave me a pointed look. “Except to scrape the gum off the bottoms of the tables.”

  I grimaced. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s all good. I deserved it. I’m sure Dr. Higgins and Dr. MacKensie would have totally agreed with your punishment”

  “That’s all in the past. You don’t have to worry about doing all that menial labor any more.”

  “You mean, no more scraping cum in the boys’ bathroom?”

  I widened my eyes. “Excuse me?”

  Cade laughed. “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

  Since I could only imagine what he was talking about, I decided I didn’t want any more clarification. “Anyway, I think your time would be better used hanging out with the kids.”

  “I’d like that a lot.”

  We spent our time weaving our way through the tables, surveying the art projects. He even sat down with some of the younger teens and me to color. Although I was enjoying our time together, the more I eyed the clock, the more anxious I became. I couldn’t concentrate on the kids’ conversations and kept having to ask them to repeat themselves.

  When I abandoned my coloring and resorted to nervously wringing my hands, Cade asked, “What’s the matter with you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You’re acting all weird.”

  “I’m socially awkward. I always act weird.”

  “Bullshit.”

  With a sigh, I leaned back against one of the tables. “If you must know, I’m acting weird because this afternoon I have to perform in front of a lot of people, and I’m scared to death—like pee-my-pants kind of scared.”

  “What kind of performance?”

  “Playing the piano. Well, actually it’s an organ, which I have very little experience with.” As a wave of nausea overcame me, I swept my hand to my mouth. “I’m going to screw up and ruin Jamal’s solo.”

  Cade’s brows popped up in surprise. “Jamal sings?”

  I knew he was a little surprised since Jamal seemed to be sports obsessed. At twelve, he hung around Darion and his group whenever he could. Usually they made him their errand boy, but he was happy to do it.

  “He has an amazing voice and sings in the Atlanta Innercity Boy’s Choir. There’s a performance tonight at Ebenezer Church, where Martin Luther King used to preach.”

  He scowled at me. “I’m familiar with Ebenezer.”

  “Sorry. My roommate thought I was talking about Ebenezer Scrooge.”

  Cade snorted. “I’m hoping she’s not from around here.”

  “Is that an excuse?”

  “Not really. I was just thinking anyone who knows the city well knows Ebenezer.”

  “Anyway, Jamal asked me to accompany him on the organ. I didn’t want to do it. The biggest performance I’ve ever done was a recital with maybe thirty people. This is huge.”

  “Take a deep breath, Prescott. I’m sure you’ll rock the socks off those people.”

  “This is a night celebrating African American Gospel, not a Guns N’ Roses concert.”

  Cade dipped his head closer to mine. “Maybe you should sneak out of here a little early for some liquid courage.”

  I blinked my eyes at him. “You can’t be serious.”

  With a shrug, Cade replied, “One or two tequila shots and I guarantee your nervousness will be gone.”

  “I can’t go into a church after I’ve been drinking.”
br />   “Why not? Churches have wine.”

  “For communion, not for getting tipsy.”

  “Prescott, you have got to chill the fuck out. If not, you’re going to combust before the performance.

  “I don’t know what else I could do to relax.” I peered curiously at him. “What do you do to relax or calm down before a big game?”

  “If I’m really nervous, like if it’s a championship game or something, I find a quick screw really helps me.”

  And now I feel even sicker. A quick screw—gross. Although I shouldn’t have been surprised by Cade’s antics, it did bother me a little that he so willingly slept with anything with a vagina. “You are actually advocating for me to have sex?”

  “Yeah, or you could rub one out. It’s all about the release for me.”

  Warmth filled my face. “I can’t…” I couldn’t bring myself to say the word.

  “I’m sorry. Would you prefer the word masturbate?”

  “No. I would not,” I hissed.

  He held his hands up. “Excuse me. I was just trying to help.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m sorry I asked. Extremely sorry.”

  Cade scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe you need someone to go with you, like to talk you down from the ledge,” he suggested.

  “I already tried bribing my roomie, but she has to work.”

  “I was thinking about me.”

  My mouth gaped open in surprise. “You?”

  “Yep.”

  “You want to go to church on a Thursday night to watch a choir perform?”

  “While it sounds mildly entertaining, I was thinking more that you could count it toward my community service hours. Then I’m helping you and me at the same time.”

  I shook my head. “That is so not happening.”

  With a scowl, Cade questioned, “Why the hell not?”

  “Because your hours are mandated to The Ark.”

  Cade grunted. “Fine. Then you will just have to owe me for something.”

  “You mean you’re still willing to go?”

  “I said I wanted to help you, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, you did, and I really appreciate your offer.”

  “So it’s a deal? I go with you tonight, and then you owe me a favor down the road.”

  “I’m not sure I like it being left open-ended like that.”

  Cade laughed. “Are you afraid of what kind of favor I might ask you to do?”

  “It’s more of agreeing to the terms when they aren’t laid out before me.”

  “There you go thinking like a lawyer.”

  “Always.”

  “Okay, I think I know the favor.”

  “I’m scared to ask, but what is it?”

  “Two weeks from Saturday, my fraternity is having a back to school ’80s party.”

  “Why the ’80s?”

  Cade shrugged his shoulders. “Why the hell not? It was a fucking awesome decade in my opinion.”

  “And what about the party?”

  “I want you to go with me.”

  I swallowed hard. Oh man, he was really sticking it to me with this one. After all, it was no secret to him that I hated parties. I mean, what true introvert does? Parties and socializing were the one reason I had never pledged a sorority—even the ones that were tied to the law school.

  As I pondered the certain hell I would be in, Cade said, “You would also need to dress in an ’80s costume. Most people come as famous people from the ‘80s—musicians, actors, sports figures, etc.”

  Well, didn’t that sound peachy? I mean, could it get any worse? When I looked into Cade’s eyes, a mischievous glint burned in them. He was doing this on purpose to pay me back for not letting him get service hours. He also thought he would have an out to not go to Ebenezer because I would never agree to the party.

  Although I was terrified, I decided to call Mr. Hall’s bluff. “Fine. I would love to go.”

  The amusement drained out of Cade’s face. “You would?”

  “Sure. I mean, an ’80s fraternity party, how fun!”

  Cade snorted. “Yeah, right, Prescott. Like you actually mean that.”

  I held out my hand. “Do we have a deal?”

  “Deal,” Cade replied as he took my hand in his.

  “By the way, you need to wear dress pants and a tie tonight.”

  He jerked his hand away. “Dammit, Prescott. That was a dirty move.”

  “It’s not any dirtier than making me go to a costume party.”

  He growled. “Fine. I’ll wear a fucking tie.”

  “Thank you,” I said sweetly.

  “Do you want to meet me there?”

  I cocked my brows at him. “And run the risk of you not showing up?”

  “I’m a man of my word. I would never ditch you. Just to prove it, why don’t you come by my apartment and we’ll go together?”

  “Okay. That sounds good.”

  “What time does the thing start?”

  “Seven.”

  “Then I’ll see you at six thirty.”

  I smiled. “See you then.”

  When MapQuest led me to an average-looking apartment complex around the corner from Tech, I couldn’t help feeling a little surprised. I knew Cade didn’t live in the dorms, but at the same time, I imagined him living off his dad’s money in some swinging penthouse, which was certainly not the case. It was, however, a lot nicer than the apartment Tori and I shared.

  After I pounded up the stairs to Cade’s second-floor apartment, I made my way down the hallway, counting down the numbers to 217. I knew I’d found it when I saw a blue door with a giant G and T painted in gold. Only Cade could possibly live behind a door so boldly sporting Georgia Tech colors.

  When I started knocking, the sound of a baby wailing froze my hand in midair. I knitted my brows in confusion at the sound. Okay, maybe the door was a false lead. As my hand fell to my side, I glanced down at my phone in my other hand to make sure I had the right apartment number.

  The door swung open to reveal a towering blond-haired hottie holding a red-faced baby girl. Tears streamed down her chubby cheeks as she continued wailing at the top of her lungs. “Yeah?” he yelled over the noise.

  I took a step back. “Uh, I’m sorry. I must have the wrong apartment.”

  Just as I turned to sprint away, the guy asked, “Wait, are you Avery?”

  “Um, yeah, I am.”

  A friendly grin flashed across his handsome face. “Right apartment, wrong guy.” He shifted the baby on his hip. “I’m Jonathan Nelson, Cade’s roommate.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  With his free hand, he motioned for me to come inside. “Cade’s in the shower.”

  “Oh,” I murmured. An ache of longing shot straight between my legs at the illicit images of water trickling down the muscles of Cade’s perfect body that flashed through my mind. Of course, it was quickly replaced by a feeling of extreme irritation that I was even remotely thinking of him sexually. Even though things were good between Cade and me, I still couldn’t manage to fully let go of everything that had happened. The last thing I needed was to try to rekindle anything physical with him.

  I breezed past Jonathan to step into the apartment. I was surprised not to find beer cans overflowing the tables or piles of laundry on the floor. For being inhabited by two guys, it was spotlessly clean.

  My arrival seemed to have momentarily pacified the baby because when Jonathan shut the door, she peeked at me over his shoulder.

  “Hi there, pretty girl,” I said, wriggling my fingers at her.

  Jonathan turned the baby around. “Say hi, Evie.” He pronounced it Eh-v.

  A gummy grin lit up Evie’s face, and I couldn’t help smiling at her. “I’m Avery.”

  “She’s Evelyn after my mother, but we call her Evie.”

  When I looked from her to Jonathan, I grimaced. “Sorry about flaking out like that. I wasn’t expecting a baby.”

  Jonathan chuckled. “Yeah, I can see your p
oint. Cade living with a baby seems totally unnatural.”

  “Yes, it does, mainly because I imagined him in a swinging bachelor pad.”

  “Oh, it is when Evie isn’t here.”

  “So she doesn’t live here?”

  “No, I’m just babysitting today so her mom could take the entrance exam over at Kennesaw. She’s getting a later start going to college because of Miss Boo here.”

  “She’s beautiful,” I remarked.

  “Thanks. She knows it too, dontcha, Evie?” He bestowed a smacking kiss on her cherubic cheek, causing Evie to grin again.

  “How old is she?”

  “Almost eight months.”

  “She looks just like you.”

  The pride radiating in Jonathan’s eyes faded, and his expression became pained. “Actually, she’s not mine.”

  “She’s not?” I questioned incredulously.

  “She’s my niece, not my daughter. She belongs to my younger brother, Jake.”

  “Oops, I’m sorry.” When I once again glanced between him and Evie, I couldn’t help remarking, “Wow, you and your brother must look like twins.”

  “We did.” He eyed Evie before swallowing hard, causing his Adam’s apple to bob up and down. “He was killed fifteen months ago, before she was born.”

  Anguished grief rolled off of Jonathan in waves so palpable I had to draw a deep breath before speaking. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  He nodded and an uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Jerking his chin at the leather sofa, he said, “Why don’t you sit down? Knowing Cade and his douche primping, it’ll be a while.”

  A rude-sounding snort escaped my lips. “Well, it’s partly my fault since I told him to wear dress pants and a tie.”

  Jonathan’s brows popped up in surprise. “And he’s really going to do it?”

  “It’s not so much about giving in to me as it is that the dress code calls for it.”

  “I see,” Jonathan replied as he grabbed a bottle off the end table and started feeding Evie. “So Avery, can I tell you something?”

  “I guess,” I replied tentatively.

  “You aren’t like what I pictured.”

  I laughed. “Let me guess: based on Cade’s description, I should have warts and ride a broom, right?”

  Jonathan laughed. “Well, that sounds like something he might’ve said in the beginning.”