AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sounds perfect.”
“Brandon, you should come too,” adds Ivy, looking between us. She strikes me as the intuitive type, and I know she can see there is something going on here, even if Cassie won’t admit to it.
I glance at Cassie to see her feelings about the invitation. She smiles and shrugs like it wouldn’t bother her either way. We really have made progress today. “I think I might. It’s been years since I saw Theo, it would be good to catch up.”
And any time I can spend with Cassie while she's not annoyed at me is a bonus. Today it's been so nice to see the relaxed side of Cassie’s personality again. I missed this side of her and just having this with another person. Sure, I have had some flings over the last few years, but they were all meaningless one-time arrangements to fill a void. I meant what I said to her yesterday. I didn’t move on with anyone. There could never be a girl who I connected with like I do her. She is the only one who gives me that feeling. And after today, I know I have made the right choice in pushing her to hang out with me. I have enough money that I could buy anything else I could ever possibly want in the world, but I haven't been happy because the only thing I ever really wanted was missing.
CASSANDRA
DINNER WITH IVY AND Theo was so nice. We took a walk down 6th Street and grabbed street food from the trucks. The conversation was comfortable, and as much as I hate to admit it, having Brandon there just felt right. He knows so much about my family, and when I blocked him out, I kind of forgot all about that.
The night has gotten chilly all of a sudden and a shiver runs up my arms, causing goosebumps to scatter.
“Here.” He places his jacket on my shoulders, and I snuggle into it. It smells like him, and I’m tempted to get lost in the moment and the kind gesture just because it feels so good. But I know I can’t. “You looked cold.”
“Thanks. I’m freezing." We’re walking back to our hotel, and this summer dress had seemed like a great idea when we left, and I wanted to wear something cute to get his attention, but now that it’s dark and the night is really cooling down, I’m having regrets. “Thanks for coming tonight. I hate being the third wheel with a couple.”
“It was good to see Theo again. Ivy’s a cool chick as well. I like her philosophy on life. Sounds like she’s had quite the journey to get to that point.”
Listening to her outlook on life was pretty amazing tonight. It makes me wonder if I could ever heal in the way she has. She’s been through so much and yet she looks for the positive in life and spends her time trying to help others. I wish I could be more like her. “Yeah, from what my mom says, she has. Do you think Palm Springs High would go for their yoga program? I really would love to help her out.”
“I think if you sell it, they will. You’re the dance teacher, and I know you, Cass. If you put your mind to something, you’ll make it work.”
He seems so confident about it and keeps saying he knows me, but he just knows the old version of me. The new me isn’t that confident about anything. Yeah, I try to be on the outside, but reality is, I’m all messed up. There is the constant feeling of unease inside of me. I failed at the only thing that was really ever important to me, so how can I ever be good at anything ever again? Maybe I’m just one of those people that never really reach their full potential in life, and maybe I have to be okay with that. Brandon doesn’t know what it’s like to feel like a complete failure. He went off and lived his dreams and became a household name in the process.
Actually, now that I think about it, I have never asked him why the hell he would give all that up to come home to Palm Springs and coach. It doesn’t make sense.
Before I get the chance to ask him why, we arrive back at my room, and I feel awkward all of a sudden. I have spent the entire day with him, and it has been different to how I thought it would. Maybe it’s just being in another city away from our past, or maybe I’m starting to forgive him, realize he is telling the truth and he didn’t have any other choice but to leave and dump me. But spending time with him has been entertaining and certainly made the day fly by.
I think it’s time I let go of my resentment toward him. Everyone deserves a second chance, and this might just be ours. I can’t believe I’m even entertaining the idea. I must be losing my mind. But I think holding onto the pain is hurting me more than anyone.
“Today has been really fun, Cass. I’m glad you agreed to hang out with me and be my fake girlfriend.”
I laugh at the fake girlfriend reference. “Yeah, I guess I am too. Hanging out with you and having fun is a lot less exhausting than hating you. Maybe it’s time to move on from all the ugliness of the past.” I put it out there to see how it feels. And I instantly feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t hate him anymore.
“You’re going to forgive me? What have you done with that fiery redhead I arrived in Austin with?”
I smirk at him. “I guess your sweet, caring side won me over. Not many guys would stay with a girl they know they’re not getting sex from just to make sure she’s okay. Be warned, though, she is still there. And if you screw up, she will—”
“Knee me in the junk and make it look like I deserved it,” he cuts me off.
I laugh at him quoting me from this morning. “That’s right. Glad you’re finally getting with the program.”
He holds out his hand for me to shake. “So we’re friends.”
I nod and take his hand, shaking it. “I can work with friends.” His hand stays in mine and his eyes drop to my lips. I know he wants more. This crazy, irrational energy between us has me wanting more as well, but I can’t. We’re just getting back to a good place. I’m not screwing that up because I’m horny and my body is hot for his. That would be stupid.
I slip my hand out of his grip, taking a step closer to my door. “Night, Brandon. See you tomorrow for another fun day of learning.”
“Night, Shortcake. Sweet dreams.” He looks a little disappointed, and I feel it too, a loss as soon as I pull away from him, but this is the best option for us both. The safest, anyway.
I close the door behind me and lean up against it. Today was the best day I’ve had in so long. My face is actually hurting from smiling and laughing so much. Friends. We can do that. Totally, it’ll be a piece of cake.
I dress in my PJs, flick on the TV, and grab my phone to call Jasmine, needing to talk to someone. The phone keeps ringing until her voicemail picks up, so I leave her a message.
“Hey, Sissy, do you miss me?” I beam, still unable to stop smiling from such a fun day. I should feel like shit after how the day started, but I’m full of energy. "Hope everything is going okay with you, call me when you get this."
I throw my phone down on my bed, hoping she’s okay. I’m tired from such a massive day, but I’m wired as well, my brain overthinking every little detail. So much has changed today. Things I thought I would never change my mind on are shifting, and I’m seeing Brandon differently. The way I used to.
