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10
I have to admit, Cassie’s determination to win me over is cute. But if she thinks we’ll pick up where we left off just like that, she has another thing coming.
It doesn’t matter that her dad is the cause of our separation. If she wants my trust again, she’ll have to work for it.
My phone keeps pinging with text messages from Bristol. The girl won’t just move on.
“That’s a distraction,” Cassie cautions me. “You’re driving.”
I look over briefly, telling her, “Mind your business.”
“Geez,” she mutters. “You’re just a ray of sunshine. Anyway, where are we going?”
“I’m meeting people. You can do whatever.”
She sniffs. “Are you meeting them for breakfast? Neither of us ate.”
I grab the bottle from the cupholder and give it a shake. “Sounds like someone is hungry. Did I tell you to get in my car?” I smirk and drink a little. “This will hold me over for a couple of hours.”
She grumbles under her breath and turns to the window. I swear I hear the word jerk uttered low.
Approaching the address, I steer off the main road and pull into the parking lot of the worn-down youth center. A few of the volunteers are standing at the entrance.
“Why are we here?” Cassie inquires while looking out the window at the building.
“I’m helping with the cleanup.”
She snaps her head around. “As in you’re volunteering?”
“Yes.” I switch off the car and finish my protein shake, scowling at the smile on her face and how her eyes are glistening.
“Anyway.” I push down the slight warmth in my stomach. “Feel free to do what you want.”
“I’ll help,” she offers.
I stall with my door and squint at her. “You want to help? We’re handling trash. I heard there’s human shit and dead rats inside.”
“So?” She genuinely seems unfazed and eager to lend a hand—a stark contrast to Bristol, who would scream at the thought.
“Fine. I don’t want to hear any complaining.”
“I won’t,” she says confidently. “I’ve volunteered before, Reid.”
My heart flutters at that, but I hide the truth. Without another word, I get out of the car.
Cassie follows me to the group. Others arrive shortly, and we chat until the waste truck turns into the area. Then we collect gloves and trash bags to begin cleaning inside the center.
It’s a wreck, with literal shit all over the place. I’m glad we’re wearing masks.
Good thing the town is renovating the building so kids can start coming here again.
Aside from asking where to start, Cassie doesn’t make a peep throughout the hours. She works just as hard as everyone else, and I have to admit, her efforts move me.
At this rate, it’ll be harder to keep pushing her away.
We’re throwing trash bags into the back of the truck when a growl catches my ears.
“Was that your stomach?” I confirm.
