Page 67 of Securing Samantha
“You’re human, and I wish I knew the right words to make you feel better. I know exactly what you feel. Not because I want to get pregnant. When I return, Bryan wants a commitment. I come home and I see Whiskey thriving and I…I wonder. But I can’t go back to suffocating him or making him feel guilty. Clearly, he’s excelling with you and Claire. I want him to find happiness,” she admitted.
“What if you’re the reason he’s changed? Maybe you gave him what he needed? If he asked you for another chance, would you take it?” Kassie sniffed.
“I refuse to play the what if game. He served me divorce papers without telling me. It killed something inside me. I frantically searched for him, Kassie. I found him at a bar with his hand on a blonde’s leg. He kissed her. Then I watched as he helped her into his truck. I wanted to participate in helping him. Some small way to make him feel better, safe and secure. He refused to open up to me. I didn’t know if he wanted a relationship with his own son. It hurt. I didn’t have you and Catherine. I didn’t want Bryanna to choose between us. Then sweet Lizzy, I don’t know her at all. I felt isolated and didn’t have anyone to talk to. The team needed to support Whiskey. They helped me with LJ and came to my aid anytime I called. Now, he needs them more than me. I miss it here. I miss my shop and I even miss my old house.”
“I know it hurt, but you were both still dealing with trauma. How is staying in New York helping you? If Bryan were the right man, you’d know it and not hesitate. Maybe you’re too far from home.” Kassie responded.
“I don’t know if I trust myself in determining if he’s the right man. I never thought of Whiskey and I as divorced. Bryan’s a good man.” Samantha softly defended him.
“I never thought of him as a bad man. He can be a good guy but not meant as the man for you. We better head back in, or they’ll be out here. I got a special surprise for later,” Kassie grinned. “We’ll both feel better after what I have planned.”
Samantha reached over and wiped the smeared mascara off her friend’s face. “We totally need to get you a different mascara,” she complained as they walked arm and arm back to the house.
Kassie drove to the team building. They all resembled bundled up snowmen.
“Tell me why we’re doing this again?” Catherine moved her scarf off her face.
“Because we need to let off some steam and I propose we do this every year.” Kassie addressed Catherine. “You’re going out on the field and hiding in the cabin. I already have a space heater set up and Maddie left you chamomile tea and cookies.” Kassie then turned her attention to the other women, “Ivan and Victoria are meeting us while the elders watch the kids. Guys against girls.”
Bryanna glanced in Samantha’s direction. “Is she serious? These men train as Navy SEALS, how are we getting past them?”
Samantha smiled, “By using our feminine wiles. Trust me, these guys can’t resist protecting a woman. We’re exploiting their weakness.”
Bryanna smiled sneakily. “I didn’t realize how ruthless you women get. What’s the prize?”
“If the men win, they get a weekend fishing trip. They didn’t pick a destination, but I think they debated between the Caribbean or Alaska. Taco’s heavily pushing for sun. If we win, we get a weekend in New York with an all-expense paid spa day, the works.”
“You gals don’t go cheap, do you?” Bryanna asked mystified.
“Oh, we play for other prizes. I paid four weeks of Taco’s tacos when I lost my game,” Kassie admitted.
“Shadow won a facial from me,” Samantha chimed in. “He secretly purchases my face mask. He says it works on his feet. Who knew he’d be a guy not afraid of moisturizer. Taco buys it by the case, but damn he’s got it going on.” An appreciative hum filled the car.
“Leo got out of kitchen duty for an entire week. I hate to say it, and if the guys ever heard us, we’d never hear the end of it, but we got a bunch of sexy men in our midst.” Catherine announced.
They women all agreed.
They parked the car and Kassie led Catherine onto the lit field. Leo stood by the ladder to help his wife climb up to the small perch used for training. He followed behind her to ensure she didn’t fall. When he felt satisfied with her safety he climbed down, and Kassie scampered up. “You aren’t to move from this perch. I gave you a bigger basket of snowballs,” she winked. “We’ll refill as we get to you. Are you warm enough?” Kassie frowned.
“Go. I’ll probably take off a few layers. I need my good throwing arm to pelt Leo in the butt for not putting water in the skillet this morning after he burned the meat.” She smiled.
Kassie ran down the stairs and the women met the men in the center of the field. Victoria represented the women while Leo acted as head of the men.
Leo grinned as Kassie appeared and glanced up toward the building where Catherine waited. His eyes gleamed with love. Samantha watched as Chase pulled Kassie over the line and placed a kiss on her lips and whispered something in her ear, making her friend blush. Saint’s eyes never left Bryanna and he practically salivated. She seemed immune to his charms. Taco hopped up and down in impatience. Shadow scanned the setup, checking out every nook and cranny. Her eyes landed on Whiskey and her heart jumped. Where was LJ? As if reading her mind, Whiskey walked over the line and whispered in her ear as Leo gave the ground rules regarding Catherine.
“LJ’s with the girls. I tried texting you, but you didn’t respond.” He sounded disappointed.
“I accidentally forgot my phone,” she worried he thought she ignored him.
“Okay ladies, we’ll enter the field from the other side. The men get this side. Let’s kick their butts!” Victoria ordered.
They gathered in a circle and put their hands together and shouted, “Girl’s rule and boys drool!” The men shook their heads.
The women ran to their corner while Victoria laid out the plan. They had five minutes before the timer sounded.
“Kassie, Chase presents the easiest to target. He can’t handle you hurt. Run out and fall to the ground. When he comes running, you pelt him. Bryanna, stay in the shadows by Catherine. The men can only hit the target rigged on the building. If it goes off, Catherine’s out. Defend it with your life. Lizzy, you take out Michael, and head straight for Leo. He won’t expect you and he’ll play it easy cause you’re sick, nail him.”
Samantha leaned in, “Don’t forget Shadow, he’s already assessed the set up.”