Lei'd With Cupcakes (Cupcakes 3)

“Very cool,” I said, my stomach dipping as we pulled into the parking lot and Cade turned off the car.

My excitement fled and anxiety took over.

This was just like when I met Cade’s brothers, except these were lifelong friends. Guys who knew him when he was a boy, and in high school. Guys who he’d gotten in trouble with, shared dreams with, talked about girls with.

I hoped I measured up to whatever expectation they had of the woman who finally landed their friend. After all, I was the first “girlfriend” he’d ever had, and, he’d brought me and my kids home to meet his family.

I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, causing Cade to chuckle next to me.

“Darlin’, it’s going to be fine,” Cade said knowingly. “The guys are gonna take one look at your fine ass and wish they’d found you first.”

Anxiety gone, I turned my head to give Cade the stank eye.

“You have issues,” I retorted, even though I was happy he thought my ass was fine.

“Ain’t that the truth,” Cade replied with a grin, then squeezed my hand once more and said, “Let’s go.”

I nodded and scooted across the seat to let myself out. Once I was on my feet, I looked around to get a feel for the place.

Motorcycles out front, bright signs advertising various brands of beer, and a gorgeous view of the ocean.

“Wow, this place is great,” I said as Cade rounded the 4Runner.

“Wait ‘til you see the view from the back patio,” Cade replied, then placed his hand on the small of my back and led me inside to meet his buddies.

“I’ll never forget the look on his face when we won that game. We’d worked so hard, and Cade just knew he was going to get the scholarship after that win.”

We sat on the back patio, the men drinking beer, and I was sipping a dirty martini while they entertained me with stories about Cade growing up.

Ripper was a good-looking man with kind eyes and a ready smile. Jun fell more into the intimidating category. With tattoos everywhere, at least everywhere that I could see, and his head shaved bald, he was the kind of man that you’d be afraid of if you walked up on him in a dark alley. But, once you got to know him, he was one of the sweetest guys ever. While Chris was very easy-going, funny, and almost as hot as Cade.

Listening to them talk, I could see why they’d been friends forever. There was an easiness to their relationship, and a loyalty that had only deepened over the years.

“Did you really take a picture of your husband eating out another chick and post that shit around town?” This was asked by Jun, who was looking at me with respect.

“Yup, I sure did,” I replied, my smile a little goofy due to the two martinis I’d already consumed.

The guys all started laughing, and I jumped when Ripper slapped his hand on the table.

“When Cade told us that shit, I thought he had to be exaggerating.”

I shook my head, surprised to find that talking about finding Eric cheating in the parking lot of Starbucks no longer filled me with anger, or even sorrow. Now, it was just a funny story to share over drinks.

Huh, I guess I’m officially over it.

“That shit was nasty,” Cade said, his lip curling up at the thought. That’s when I remembered that he’d told me he’d seen those pictures posted around.

“Cade said it looked like an angry hedgehog,” I added, then busted out laughing.

“What, her bush?” Ripper asked.

“Sure as fuck did,” Cade confirmed.

Once our laughter died down, Cade leaned forward on his forearms, and I felt the mood of the table shift. I lifted my eyes to search Cade’s face, and knew by his expression that he was ready to broach the subject that had brought us here.

“What you got on this Yusuf guy?” Cade asked quietly.

I put my drink down and pushed it to the side. I wanted to have my wits about me for this convo and downing another martini would not help me with that.