Sawyer grabbed it out of her hand, handing the paddle back to her. Going to the register, she paid for it with the cash Kaden had given her. She wasn’t going to give him his change back, either. He deserved to lose it for embarrassing her.
She thanked the clerk and then went back out the door with two minutes to spare, proud of her accomplishment.
Kaden held his hand out for the bag, and Sawyer handed it to him. Deciding to take the clerk’s advice to heart, she managed to fake a look of fear as he opened the bag. When he reached inside the bag to open the box, Sawyer still didn’t worry until he looked back at her, closing the bag.
Handing it back to her, he said, “Wait here.”
With that, he went inside the store. Sawyer watched through the glass door as he spoke to the clerk then saw her rushing down the first aisle, returning with the original paddle she had given her. Kaden shook his head no, saying something that had the woman dropping her eyes and rushing back down the aisle, quickly returning with a larger, red paddle. The rat bastard had known it was a fake prop and wasn’t letting her get away with it. Sawyer watched as he went down another aisle, picking up several items, which she couldn’t see, before paying the clerk. Her stomach clenched when the clerk gave her a look of sympathy as Kaden left the shop.
“Let’s get some lunch,” Kaden said, seeming in a much better mood.
Sawyer followed him back to the motorcycle, watching as he put his purchases into a saddlebag before placing hers in also. Getting on the bike, he turned the motor on as he waited for her to get on.
“Don’t pout. I gave you fair warning, Sawyer. As soon as you learn that I’m the one with the balls, you might actually have some fun.”
“I doubt it,” she said grumpily, putting on a helmet. This time, her arms circled him less enthusiastically.
Kaden pulled out of the parking lot, driving several blocks before he pulled over at another strip mall. This mall seemed more respectable, and she didn’t hesitate to follow him inside the well known department store. She watched as he picked out several items, sometimes even asking her opinion. He chose commonsense items the guys were constantly fighting over on the bus, such as a new pair of shoes for Ax because he had forgotten his favorite pair in a hotel room. Several t-shirts for Sin since he ripped his off constantly when he was on stage. Then underwear for D-mon because Kaden said he was tired of seeing his junk on display.
“Maybe he just likes to show off.”
Kaden laughed at her joke. “It’s hard living on the road. If we don’t replace the essentials, then they start stealing them off each other. If Ax swipes another pair of my socks, I’m going to hurt him.”
He bought R.J.’s wife a set of cookware as a hostess gift. Obviously, he had noticed Jordan was systemically destroying their current set.
“Do you need anything?” he offered.
“Yes, Please.” Sawyer went to the aisle she needed, picking up a package.
“I see my socks aren’t the only ones that Ax has been pilfering,” Kaden said when she laid the large pack of socks on the counter.
“Anything else?” He questioned.
She looked up at Kaden. “Thanks for getting me out of the house. I’m enjoying myself.” Sawyer spoke the truth. She was enjoying herself, except for having to buy the paddle.
“You can give me a present tonight to reward me,” Kaden’s wicked voice whispered into her ear as he put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her to his side as they checked out.
Going outside, the sunny sky lifted her spirits even further. She began to feel like she was leading a normal life for the first time in months. Kaden took her hand, leading her to a restaurant at the end of the mall. The steakhouse was full, but they managed to find a seat without waiting.
The food was good. She finished all of it. Relaxing, Sawyer leaned back in her seat, drinking the last of her wine. She enjoyed spending time with Kaden when he was like this, engaging without being bossy. He had a quick sense of humor, but it could disappear in a second when something irritated him.
The booth next to them had two small children, and the mother was trying to unsuccessfully to soothe the infant. Kaden paid the bill, casting annoyed looks at the couple.
“Sorry,” the mother said apologetically.
“There’s no need to be sorry. No one can control a fussy baby. Try rubbing one of the ice cubes on her gums; she’s the age they can become pretty fussy when they’re teething.”
The mother did as Sawyer had advised and the baby was soon playing with her rattle. As Kaden rose to leave, she thanked Sawyer. Sawyer smiled, following Kaden’s fast stride.
“What’s the hurry?” Sawyer asked once they were outside.
“I can’t stand to be around babies,” Kaden said, walking to his motorcycle.
“I figured that out myself when you said you had a vasectomy,” Sawyer retorted, climbing onto the bike behind him. He didn’t reply to her comment as he drove the bike out into traffic.
Their last stop was a liquor store, where Kaden bought several bottles of expensive wines. Alec came inside and carried them out to the vehicle he was driving.
Sawyer stood to the side while Kaden paid the bill, spotting a donation box for the needy. She counted out the money in her pocket that she had left from the money Kaden had given her earlier, slipping all of the money into the box. Turning away, she saw that Kaden had been watching her.
“Why did you give up your only cash?” Kaden asked.
“I wanted to,” Sawyer said softly. Kaden’s eyes searched hers before he pulled her close.
“Sometimes I can be a dick.” She knew he was referring to his behavior at the restaurant.
“I know.”
“Let’s head back.” He smiled ruefully at her acceptance of his flaw.
“Okay.”
They rode back to R.J.’s home in silence. The roads on their return were busy. It was getting late in the day and workers were going home to their families. Sawyer’s heart ached; she missed Vida so badly and hoped her friend was safe in King’s care.
Chapter Fourteen
Sawyer went into the kitchen where she found Jordan completely overwhelmed. She felt guilty for leaving her when she knew R.J. had planned to have a dinner party.
“I’m sorry. I should have asked Kaden to bring me back sooner,” she apologized.
“Don’t you dare apologize. It’s not your fault that I’m a terrible cook.”
Sawyer looked around, seeing the haphazard way she was preparing the meal. Thankfully, she hadn’t put the roast in yet.
“You can do the salad and get it ready, but go out and tell Kaden to serve everyone wine to keep them busy for twenty minutes.”
“Me?” Jordan wasn’t anxious to speak with Kaden.
“It’s okay; he won’t bite,” Sawyer assured her, getting busy seasoning the roast and placing it in the oven. Hastily, she went to the refrigerator. Thankfully, she’d had the good sense to throw together a Brussels’ sprouts gratin, and so she slid that in the oven also.
Jordan came back with a relieved smile and began cutting up the salad. Moving to the side, Sawyer made a quick dessert that wasn’t fancy, but would taste good. She would wait until the roast was done before she placed it in the oven.
She helped Jordan plate the salads and told her how to plate the food. Seeing the young woman had regained control and that a young man had entered to serve the food, Sawyer went outside to take a seat at the table, which was perfect timing because everyone was just taking their seats as well.
Sawyer went to take an empty seat on the other side of Alana, who was sitting down next to Kaden. Her butt wasn’t allowed to hit the chair, however, before Kaden’s voice sounded over the conversations going on in the room.