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“You’ve had my number for years. You could have talked to us anytime.” The hurt in Jake’s voice eviscerated her, and Cassie squeezed her arms tighter around his waist. “But yes, we’re over there.” Jake must have motioned to the table they’d been sitting at, his arm leaving her back for a moment before he cradled her again.
“I don’t deserve the chance, but I’m grateful for it. Cassidy?” Phoenix called, and she pulled back far enough that she could see him. “I’m sorry for hurting you.” His gaze bounced between them, landing on Jake’s. “I always regretted not calling.”
She couldn’t name the emotions coursing through her. She was a jumbled mess. Confusion, hope, and a wariness that she hadn’t experienced in a long time warred for attention. Could she trust him? She wanted to. All she’d ever wanted was the three of them. Hope reared its head, lifting itself above the quagmire of emotions still fighting in the shadows, and Cassie latched onto it.
Phoenix paused before crossing through the keep. He looked over his shoulder and lifted his lips in a small smile. His expression was filled with regret in the almost sad curl of his lips and hope in the sparkle of his eyes.
Oh yeah, hope was winning.
“We’re joining up, aren’t we?” Cassie asked, already knowing Jake’s answer. His eyes flashed a stormy blue, need boiling in them.
“For him.” Jake clenched his jaw and nodded once.
Cassidy smiled, relief coursing through her. They were on the same page. Her tears started again, and she nodded. Laughter bubbled up her throat. “Good, that’s what I want too.”
Jake took her hand and threaded their fingers together, bringing her knuckles to his lips. “We have a lot to talk to Phoenix about. He hurt both of us, but maybe it was a fair turn of play after what my father did to him. Either way, I can’t walk away this time without fighting for him.”
*****
Cassie looked up as Phoenix stopped at their table carrying a tray with another round of the drinks Adelaide had ordered. After two trips to the bar resulting in no drinks, she’d taken matters into her own hands. Phoenix lowered the tray, and Adelaide said, “The Sprite is mine, but I might take it to my office to drink.” She stood and smiled down at Cassie and Jake. “I’ll have Brooke text the password to you. Just sign the forms and email them back. We’ll get your membership organized from there.”
“Thank you,” Jake replied, squeezing Cassie’s hand. He hadn’t let go of her since they’d spoken to Phoenix, and Cassie clung to him. She needed the grounding, or she would get blown away like one of those tumbleweeds in the desert. Her entire world had shifted in the last couple of hours. It wasn’t the club; they would have already left if that had been the only thing they’d seen tonight. But seeing Phoenix—the man who was their unfinished business… the one who’d gotten away? It had flipped her upside down.
Phoenix placed the rest of the drinks on the table, Cassie’s gin and soda with a squeeze of lime, Jake’s whiskey, and two shot glasses of clear liquid. She motioned to the empty chair, and Phoenix slid in. He took one of the shot glasses in hand and tipped it back, swallowing it down and wincing with the burn.
“So, you’re joining?” he asked just as Jake said, “How long have you been working here?”
“Yes,” Cassidy answered, but didn’t elaborate, not wanting to get side-tracked with the whys of their membership. They’d been upfront with Adelaide, telling her exactly what they’d first decided and what brought about the change of heart. She’d smiled, seemingly pleased that they’d taken the time to talk it out.
“I’ve been here a few weeks. Haven’t even officially left Sydney yet, but I can’t bring myself to go back and pack my stuff. What about you? Are you visiting the Coast, or do you live here?”
“We live here. Moved up a week after we last saw you.” Jake’s words hung in the air, and Phoenix downed his second shot before nodding slowly.
There was a pause, the weight of the silence between them heavy. “I’m sorry I never called.”
“I wasn’t sure your friend passed on my number. I hoped he did, but the rejection seemed easier to deal with, knowing he might not have.”
Phoenix nodded, and Cassie swallowed, dread filling her. She knew some things would hurt—none of them had any closure with the way things had ended—but Cassie dreaded Phoenix’s words. He had the power to eviscerate them. But shy of telling Phoenix to walk away—which would hurt just as much—she had no power to protect Jake from him.
“He did, but then my life kind of imploded and the time didn’t seem right. To be honest, I was looking over my shoulder for months, and I needed a bit of distance. I picked up your card so many times, but the more time passed, the harder it was to call.”
“Why were you looking over your shoulder?” Jake asked, his tone guarded.
“The guy that interrupted us that morning?” Cassie saw Jake’s spine stiffen and the grip he had on her hand tightened. She braced herself, sending up a prayer to the gods that whatever he was about to say wouldn’t shatter the foundation of strength Jake had built up over the years away from the toxic influence of his father. “Turns out he was my new boss.”
“Fuck,” Jake hissed, recoiling like he’d been slapped.
Cassie shifted closer, trying to shield him from the pain, as if by wrapping herself around him, she could use her body to deflect the self-inflicted blows that Jake would launch at himself. The guilt he carried over his father’s actions was unfair, but no matter how many times she tried to reassure him that his father’s actions weren’t his own, Jake disagreed. Cassie wrapped her arm around his back, needing to comfort her man. But it was no use. He shook his head and downed the glass of whiskey in one gulp.
“I didn’t put two and two together until about a week later. He’s your dad, isn’t he?” When Jake nodded, Phoenix’s shoulders slumped.
“He ruined all our lives that day. We both lost our jobs, and without mine I couldn’t afford the lease on my apartment—”
“They can’t do that without cause, and even then, they need to give you appropriate notice and an opportunity to correct your performance. The circumstances in which the legislation permits employment to be terminated without notice would hardly apply here,” Phoenix interrupted, his jaw set and his eyes fiery. “Never mind the breach of anti-discrimination laws.”
Jake huffed out a laugh that held no humour. “You met my father. You saw the influence he and his firm wielded, and probably still does. Do you think a little thing like employment laws or anti-discrimination legislation would stop him?” Phoenix shook his head, his mouth in an O. Jake added, “I’m sorry he hurt you,” and Phoenix seemed to fold in on himself even more.
“I’m sorry too.”
