AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re right, I doubt Cassandra could think any less of me.”
Teagan pulled back to look him in the eye. “Listen to me. You’re wonderful. And I know this. I want everyone else to know it as well. Plus, after this, you can join Andrea and Britt in Cassandra Madden’s Most Hated. They’re lovely and Andrea always brings wine.”
He smirked. “We got to out Shea, so she has to bring Frank.”
Teagan giggled. “One thing at a time, Jaxon. Besides, I’m saving that for when that little wretch says something else. I’m this close to dragging her under this bus with me.”
He lowered his head and found her lips. Only to stop immediately when someone cleared their throat in the doorway. Teagan closed her eyes. There was really only one person who did that. And she could have sworn she was busy with Britt.
“Hi, Mom,” she said.
“Feel like I should start knocking before entering a room. Between you two, and Brad and Brittany... Did you know Seth’s got a little girlfriend now? Met her on the internet of all places!”
As interested as Teagan was about that transition of thought, she was on a mission.
“No, I didn’t know.”
“She’s a Dwight. Morris’ daughter. The one who was in the car with her mother when it went off that bridge? Her face is permanently scarred!”
“Does this in any way have anything to do with the fact that Seth is seeing her?”
“No, I just wanted to be sure you knew who-”
“Sharon. Yes. I remember. I’ve met her. It was years ago, but-”
Cassandra never did like to let anyone finish a thought when she was on a roll. “I was rather hoping he’d wait a bit before starting all this. Like Brad did, you know? I at least didn’t have to start worrying abouthimuntil he met that Brittany.”
Jaxon started coughing, covering his mouth and turning around to fumble for a glass so he could get water.
Teagan knew the sentiment. Brad had been making his way around Batton Hills like snow flurries ever since he was old enough to figure out how to kiss. The fact that Cassandra hadn’t known only spoke to how far she’d jammed her head into the frozen earth to remain in denial.
“Jaxon! Are you alright? Is he still smoking?” Cassandra asked, whispering the last word like it was some kind of curse or something.
“I’m fine, Mrs. Madden. Something went down the wrong pipe, apparently.” He beat his fist on his chest twice, smirking a little. “I guess I could have Teagan take a look later. She’s great at inspecting my-”
“Perhaps some tea would help in the meantime?” Teagan asked. She closed her eyes and begged to the God that Cassandra didn’t pick up on the little thread he’d left out there to snag later. She shot him a look when he moved across the kitchen to grab the kettle before turning back to her mother and changing the subject. “Mom, I was hoping to speak to everyone in the dining room?”
“I was just about to serve the cake?” Cassandra gestured to the fridge. “Well, it needs frosting, so I was hoping you’d-”
Teagan pressed her lips together. “You thought I’d make the bloody cake for you?”
“Ialready made it. And made the frosting. I just haven’t put the two together…” She walked over to the fridge and pulled out two round cake pans.
“Hell, it’s a layer cake?”
“Language, Teagan,” Cassandra said. “It’s not much work, I can always do it if-”
“Deconstructed desserts are all the rage, mother. Why don’t you just put them out and let everyone frost their own?”
“That’s tacky, Teagan. If you don’t want to help-”
“It’s not me helping if I’m doing most of the work.”
“I told you, everything’s made!”
“Tossing things in a bowl and turning on a mixer isn’t as much work as frosting the bloody thing and making it look nice. I have something I need to tell everyone quickly. Afterward, I’ll frost it, alright?”
“Well, alright. I don’t know what’s so important that it can’t wait until after dessert…” Cassandra started to walk, and then paused, turning around to eye the two of them. “Is it something the both of you are telling us? Or just Teagan?”
