Page 20 of Cade

“They might not, but I sure as fuck do. You have two choices in this scenario. Go to the other open seats about twelve sections to the right, or you get out of here and go home. Those are your only options at this point.”

I look over and see a tall man with what I can only describe as a swimmer’s build in a suit. Broad shoulders—but not super broad like most of the guys on the team. His steely eyes currently look incredibly angry as they focus on the four jersey chasers. Tina looks down her nose at him. “And just who are you to think you can throw us out? Katie’s dating Zack after all. She’s got his jersey on and everything.”

He gives a smile that tells me she will not like his answer. “I’m the new owner, sweetie. I own the team, the stadium, the concrete you’re standing on. That gives me all the power in the world.”

Cindy, speaking up for the first time, looks at him wide-eyed and shows that she’s the only one who might have more than a few brain cells. “We’ll go sit in the other seats. We’ll go right now.”

We all watch them scurry off as Asher and all the guys come back just in time to see the four floozies run off. He looks at us with a raised eyebrow and sees the man who I only know as the new owner standing next to us. “Do I want to know what happened, or are we about to be escorted out of here?” Dad, Pops, and Mike stop moving when they hear Asher’s question and look over at us. They all look like they’ve got a million questions running through their minds. Luckily, Mr. Young New Owner speaks up and saves us momentarily, at least from having to explain.

“Your ladies are just fine. I was coming to introduce myself to the players' families and important guests, but I had to relocate some misplaced pieces of work before I could. I’m Ethan Walsh. I’m the new owner of the Axemen.” He shakes all our hands and speaks to Mike and Cara a bit since they’re Cade's parents. He makes the rounds with the other wives and girlfriends for several minutes. By the time he walks back up to us, he’s lost the suit jacket and tie, and rolled-up shirt sleeves expose a number of tattoos. I think there’s a lot more to this guy than money.

He sits down next to me and gives me a nod in greeting. “Cade informed me that he gets you a connection to the game feed.” I nod, but now I’m worried he’s in trouble for it.

“He does, I hope that’s okay. My distance vision is almost gone, and what little remains is blurry.” Ethan shakes his head.

“That’s more than okay. Actually, when I heard about it, I realized we don’t really have any adaptive options like that available in this stadium. I mean, yes, we have the ADA requirements fulfilled, but I would love to make access to the game better and get the word out once we do. I’m wondering if you would be available to bounce ideas off of?”

He wants my help? Little old me?Answer him, girl!I quickly nod. “I would love to help.” He nods and leans back in the seat.

“You and the other ladies in your family are sharp, quick-witted, and fucking hilarious. My bestie, Mabel, would get along with you. She’s come out of her shell since she got married, but she’d fit right in with you.”

Mom leans over from her seat and looks at Ethan with a questioning look. “That’s not a common name. She wouldn’t be married to someone in a motorcycle club called the Norse Rebels, would she?” Ethan’s eyes widen.

“That’s her! Wait, how do you know her?”

Mom smiles at Ethan. “My men here are Knights Wrath. One of your players is a prospect of ours. Batya organized a girls’ weekend a few months ago, and we met Mabel and a few other ladies from the club. Great bunch of ladies.” Just like that, Ethan was welcomed into the fold and decided to watch the match with us instead of up in his suite.

My phone dings with an incoming text just as the teams start to come out of the locker room.

Cade: Your feed should be good to go. Meet you outside the locker room afterward. Love you.

I know he won’t get my response till after the match, but I send it off anyway.

Me: Got it ready to go. Kick ass and stay safe. Love you too.

At halftime, we’re down by a try-which I learned is like the rugby version of a touchdown-but equal to five points, but there’s still plenty of time. From what I’ve learned, the Axemen finish really well, and the Vancouver team seems to lose momentum toward the end, so hopefully that combination will lead to a win.

Ethan’s just come back from chatting with some of the other wives and my parents. He looks at me, and I feel like he’s studying me, but I don’t feel nervous around him even though he’s the owner of the team. Maybe it’s because I feel that way that I smile. “Do I have something on my face or something?”

Ethan bursts out laughing. It takes him a moment to compose himself. “No, nothing like that. I was just thinking that you andthe women of your family here are a force to be reckoned with. The fact that some of you have met my girl Mae along with Astrid and Batya is a truly frightening thought. You all could conquer world domination with a margarita in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.”

Asher, who somehow ended up sitting next to me at the start of halftime, chimes in. “They totally could, but I wouldn’t want to be part of the clean-up crew. I don’t think there are enough mine shafts or pigs to dispose of the bodies.” I swiftly pull a couple of Asher’s arm hairs. He yanks his arm back and glares at me. Ethan nods at Asher emphatically.

“I believe it. I think they were doing fine on their own when I walked up and overheard some of the interaction earlier.” He turns serious and looks at me, as if he’s trying to make sure I listen to what he’s about to say.

“I want you to know I’m going to take care of that situation. I know you all were handling it, but the issue is you shouldn’t have to. That kind of behavior should not be in this section. If one of those…females is actually dating a player, then that will be handled accordingly, but the other three have no reason to be in this area. In fact, two of them might no longer have jobs here, as I’m still trying to figure out what they’re supposed to be doing. As it stands, it doesn’t look like they do much.” I just nod because I can’t find the right words.

What I do notice is when the guys come back on the field, Ethan seems to keep his eyes on one of the opposing team’s players. I lean in. “That Hooker on the Vancouver team is definitely easy on the eyes, isn’t he?” I’m pretty sure I see blush color Ethan’s cheeks as he slightly nods in agreement.

“You don’t have to hide with us if you’re gay or bi or anything else. This big loaf next to me? He’s married to the best brother-in-law a girl can have. Cade’s sister down this row? She’s sitting next to her wife, Amy. I couldn’t care less about that, unless you have eyes for my man, then we’ll have a problem.” Ethan shakes his head.

“Darlin’, I have specific tastes and your man is too much for me. Besides, I think the universe wants us to be friends, and if that’s the case, then I subscribe to the rule that I never even look at a man who’s spoken for by a girlfriend. Think of it as the gay version of bros before hoes.” Yeah, he’s pretty alright.

Her

That bitch doesn’t know what she started. She’s gonna be sorry she was such a bitch to me and the other three. I wasn’t gonna go along with Zack’s idea, but now…now it’s on, bitch. Losing Cade is going to be the least of your problems.

Cade