The Square Up (F*** On The Court)

Chapter Seven

Kade

“Holy crap! Kade Nash?” A tall man with short dark hair jogs across the lawn. “You’re the badass NBA center of the year for 2023 and 2024! I can’t believe you’re standing on our front lawn. How in the world did my little sister convince you to come to our family reunion?”

“Paul,” Abby hooks her arm through mine, grinning from ear to ear. “Meet my fiancé, Kade. Kade, meet my brother Paul.”

“You’re the plastic surgeon.” I offer my hand.

“I am. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Here comes my other brother, Carl.” Abby nudges me in the side.

“Did I hear right? Are you really engaged to my sister?” Carl asks.

“I am.” I pull Abby close. “I’m the luckiest man alive.”

“Luckiest man alive for marrying my sister?” Carl laughs. “I’m pretty sure it’s the other way around. Right, sis?”

I struggle to keep from wrapping my hands around the arrogant prick’s neck. “Your sister is an amazing woman. The day I met her was the absolute best day of my life.”

“Better than winning the Center of the Year?” Paul asks.

“A million times better.” I kiss the top of her head.

“Come on, let’s go out back. I can’t wait to tell Mom and Dad they aren’t going to believe this.” Carl shakes his head. “Our sister is finally in a relationshipandengaged to an NBA star. Who knew she had it in her to land a solid man? We all thought for sure she was going to die a spinster.”

I exhale hard and try to keep my tone as civilized as possible. “Carl, I get that you’re surprised, but let’s be clear: your sister isn’t a ‘spinster’—she’s an incredibly solid woman. If you can’t see that, maybe you should take the time to get to know her.”

Carl flinches as if I’ve slapped him, and I can tell he’s not used to being challenged, especially not by someone like me. “Follow me,” he grumbles.

I glance down at Abby, her bright blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

“Thank you, babe,” She leans in to kiss me. “You’re the best.”

“It’s going to be a great day, sweetheart.”

“I know, babe. It’s going to be a spectacular day because you’re here.”

I press a soft kiss to her mouth. “For as long as you’ll have me bright eyes, I will always be here.”

Her cheeks flush a soft pink. “Forever.”

“Forever.”

She thinks this is all part of the ruse, that I’ll be leaving her after the big family reunion, but I’m not.

I won’t ever leave her.

Not ever.

I love her.

And that ring I picked out for her is staying right where it is.

Abigail Roberts is going to marry me.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

“So, Kade, why are you with my daughter?”

I hold Abby’s father’s gaze. “Because I love her.”

“Is that so?” He grunts with skepticism etched across his face.

“Absolutely,” I take a sip from my beer.

Callum Roberts has been sizing me up all afternoon, and honestly, I don’t blame him. It shows he cares about his daughter, which I respect. As for her mother, Pauline? She makes Maleficent look like a sweetheart. And those sisters of hers? A couple of jealous hyenas.

But Paul? He’s got a good head on his shoulders. The rest of the family? I can’t fathom how Abby emerged from that gene pool. She’s everything they’re not.

“I’ve read about you in the papers. I’ve seen pictures of you with dozens of floozies. Why my daughter?” Callum lights a cigar, smoke curling in the air. “How do I know you won’t toss her aside for your next conquest?”

“Fair question, sir.” I nod. “The truth is, you don’t know me yet. But I will prove to you that I will always put her first. She deserves that—and more.”

Callum stares at the ocean for a few seconds, then turns to extend his palm. “If you don’t,” he squeezes my hand hard. “You will answer to me.”

“Gladly,” I smile.

“Hey, there you are.” Abby wraps her arm around my waist. “What are you and Dad talking about?”

“Basketball,” Callum answers. “Are you having a good time, Abigail?”

“The best.” She beams.

“It’s nice to see you smile,” her father kisses her on the cheek. “You’ll have to excuse me. I have patients to check on. Nice talking to you, Kade.”

“Same here, sir.”

He starts to walk away, then pivots back, putting his arm around Abby. “Whatever you want for your wedding, Abigail, it’s yours.”

“Dad…” tears fill her eyes.

“No arguments. I am your father, and it is my privilege and honor to give you the wedding of your dreams.” He kisses her on the forehead. “We’ll talk soon.”

As her father walks away, Abby clings to me. “He’s never been that sweet with me before.”

“Maybe he just didn’t know how, bright eyes.”

“Maybe,” she sniffles. “But…”

I know exactly where she’s about to go, and I’m not going to let her. I take her face in my hands, “Let’s go home, baby.”

“Home?”

“Home.” I nod. “We’ve got leftover cheesecake to finish.”

“Okay,” she mumbles. “Kade?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Thank you for the best day ever.”

“You’re welcome.” I slip my hand in hers and head for the car.

“Kade?”

“Yes?”

We stop walking and she looks me dead in the eyes. “I don’t want to sleep alone tonight.”

“Then you won’t.” I scoop her in my arms, grinning from ear to ear. “Best day ever,” I whisper in her ear.

“Best day.” She kisses my neck. “But I think the best night of my life is on the way.”

Blood pumps hot and fast through my veins. “Me too, baby, me too.”