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She dropped a kiss on Parker’s head.
“Love you, sweetie,” she said. She nodded in Cassie’s direction. “Cassie.”
As soon as Erin was gone, Parker huffed. “This is such bullshit. She was on call last New Year’s Day. She must volunteer for this.”
Cassie didn’t reply. Parker looked at her for confirmation.
“Don’t you think it’s shitty?”
Cassie shrugged. “She was here Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. That’s probably more important than watching football on New Year’s Day.”
Parker sighed.
“It’s just stupid,” she said. “We used to have a really great time, and it’s like she avoids it now.”
This was getting more into Erin’s past with Adam than Cassie particularly wanted to. But she wasn’t a bad friend, so she wasn’t going to leave Parker hanging.
“You used to have a really great time like you, your mom, and your dad?”
Parker played with the fringe on the edge of her afghan. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Look,” Cassie said, “I feel like your parents have had like, the best divorce of all time, to be honest. Your dad brings ham to Christmas Eve at your mom’s house. They both obviously love you and get along with each other well enough. I’m not saying your mom avoids New Year’s Day with you, because fuck if I know. I’m just saying maybe cut her some slack when it comes to family traditions.”
Parker finished braiding a part of the afghan fringe and squinted at Cassie.
“That seems reasonable.” It sounded like an accusation.
“Plus, you can’t say you invited me to be a buffer because you don’t get along, while also complaining that she isn’t hanging out with you.”
“Yeah, okay, fine,” Parker said, before adding, “Actually you have been a good buffer, you know? Like how you got her to calm down before the party instead of obsessively cleaning everything? So. Thanks.”
“Yeah,” Cassie fake scoffed. “I’m awesome. Thanks for finally noticing.”
Parker threw a pillow at her.
They watched the parade and football and Cassie really didn’t care about any of it, so she spent the day in and out of sleep on the couch. She played on her phone and pointed out all the inappropriate-sounding things the announcers said.He saw that hole and he plowed right in.
They were going for their second round of chili when Erin arrived home, still in her scrubs, looking worse for wear. Cassie served her a bowl and got her a glass of water without being asked. Erin smiled blearily at her. Parker made an effort to be nice; she did a pretty in-depth recount of the parade that made Erin laugh.
Cassie pressed her ankle against Erin’s under the table. She wasn’t trying to be flirty. She just—she still wasn’t sure what ground they stood on. Erin pushed her ankle back against Cassie’s. Maybe she was forgiven for telling Acacia.
The next morning, Cassie woke up with a sore throat. More than sore, it was scratchy and raw, and her nose was running. Now she completely understood why Parker was so whiny when she was sick. Not that she was going to be as whiny as Parker, obviously, because she was a good and decent person.
She brushed her teeth and trudged downstairs. Erin had a cup of coffee ready for her.
“Thanks,” she croaked, and wished she could kiss her good morning like usual.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Erin said immediately, setting down her mug. “Are you sick?”
“M’fine.”
Erin held her hands to Cassie’s face, one on her cheek and the other over her forehead. “You’re hot.”
“You, too.” Cassie tried for a joke, but she winced at the way her throat cracked.
“Can I make up the couch for you?” Erin asked.
Cassie wanted to say no. She could take care of herself. She just needed to sleep it off, maybe take some ibuprofen. But Erin hadn’t taken her hand off her forehead, and Cassie leaned into it without meaning to. Maybe Erin taking care of her wouldn’t be so bad.
