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It seemed like a lifetime had passed since she’d lost the damn thing. Since Cassie had brought Lola over and they’d kissed in the hallway.
Maybe he should have stopped it then. Should have known he was too much of a damn weight for her.
He ran his hands through his hair and stepped out of Delilah’s bedroom, softly closing the door.
When he got down to the living room he picked up his phone. Because he needed to stop thinking about this. Needed to talk to her. Needed to show her he wasn’t a burden.
Needed her to think about herself because he wasn’t her burden to carry.
Hey, are you around? – Pres x
He sent the message. His head was hurting. Like somebody was hammering at it from the inside.
Hi. Yeah. Want me to call? – Cassie x
I need to talk to you. To see you. I’m gonna ask Marley if he can come watch Delilah. – Pres x
You’ve got me worried now. Are you sure you’re okay? – Cassie x
I’m sure. Don’t worry. I just need to see your beautiful face. Pres x
It was half an hour before the Beast’s headlights swept across her driveway. She walked to the front door, opening it, a half-smile pulling at her lips.
Pres climbed out of the cab, his long legs striding across the driveway. He hadn’t seen her at the front door yet – he was looking at the ground, as though lost in his thoughts.
Then he looked up and her heart missed a beat. Because he looked exhausted. More than exhausted.
“Are you sure you should be driving like that?” she asked him.
He looked up, almost surprised to see her, even though he was at her house. “Hey.” He gave her the softest of smiles.
“Come in. Let me make you a coffee.” She slid her hand into his. He tightened his fingers around her, like he was afraid she was going to pull away.
They walked together down the hallway, still holding hands. She could feel the bulk of his body behind hers. Could hear the soft cadence of his breath.
“You have to go.”
She stopped dead in the doorway to the kitchen and turned around to look at him. “What?”
“To New York. You have to go.”
Oh. So this was what it was about. He was worried about her leaving, just like she’d thought he might be. She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or annoyed.
“I’m not going. I told you that. I want to be here.” With you.
He shook his head, his gaze not quite meeting hers. “I don’t want you to make a decision you’re going to regret.”
Cassie frowned. “I’m not going to regret it. I love living here. I love my job. I love the band. I love spending time with you and Delilah.” She took a deep breath. “I love you.”
It was like her words had knives attached to them. He looked like he was in pain. “Cassie…”
“You don’t have to say it,” she told him. “I know it’s soon. And you’ve been through so much.”
“Of course I can say it.” He reached for her, cupping her face. “I love you. I love you with everything I’ve got. And that’s why you have to do this.”
She blinked. “I don’t understand.”
“I can’t live life wondering if I’m the one who held you back. Wondering if you’re thinking about what could have been. I can’t have you resent me.”
