Cassidy James

by Ashley Wilcox

  It was Lizzy. A smile tugged on my lips as I saw Cassidy’s sister’s face peak around my door. She was only a year older than us; we always joked that she and Cass were twins just with twelve months in between them. She went to Caz College right in town, but lived on campus. She must’ve come home today to see Cassidy before the dance. I’m sure there were a crapload of people over there taking pictures. I made a specific effort not to look out the window.

  “To what do I owe this pleasure?” I asked, getting up off the bed to give her a casual side hug. I hadn’t seen her in almost a month.

  She smiled. “Figured I’d say hi to my favorite neighbor before heading back to campus.”

  “Is that right?” I raised a brow. Something told me that wasn’t the only reason.

  “And because I heard that my sister ditched you tonight.”

  “She saved me from a night of torture,” I corrected her.

  My plan was to be perceived as unaffected by all this as possible. I didn’t want a pity party, and the last thing I wanted was for Cassidy to know the truth. Honestly, I just wanted things to go back to normal, the way it was before I got my shit mixed up with our friendship.

  This time she looked at me with a raised brow. Lord, she and Cassidy looked so much alike sometimes. And this glare that she was giving me…yup, it had Cassidy’s name all over it.

  “What?” I asked, laughing slightly in an effort to appear oblivious.

  “Sorry, Wagner, don’t believe you for a second.”

  “Not even a little bit?”

  Lizzy shook her head. “Not at all, my friend.”

  Awesome. I couldn’t even convince someone that was never even around that I didn’t care. Brushing this little blip up under the table was looking highly unlikely, so I went to Plan B.

  “Got any plans tonight?” I asked.

  “It depends what kind of plans you speak of,” she said inquisitively. I had a feeling she knew where I was going with my question. Something told me that may have been her reasoning for coming over here in the first place. These James girls were something else! But at least she was already on my level.

  “Wanna go to a dance?”

  She laughed out loud.

  “What? Don’t laugh. I’ve got this pretty sweet suit to wear with nowhere to wear it,” I added, nodding towards my closet.

  “It is a pretty sweet suit,” she agreed.

  “So, does that mean you’ll go with me?” I asked, laughably wiggling my eyebrows.

  Lizzy shook her head, entertained. “I’ve gotta say. Never thought I’d be going to a high school dance again. Especially with Graham Wagner!”

  I threw my hands up in defense, like her statement was an insult. “Hey!”

  She laughed again. “But yes, Graham Wagner. I would love to go to Homecoming with you,” Lizzy responded sweetly but sarcastically, tilting her head to the side like she was flattered.

  Oye!

  “But!” She held her finger up, ready to include a serious point. “Only because I love you and because my sister ditched you. And I feel bad because she broke your pretty little heart.”

  What’s with everyone calling my heart pretty and beautiful? And why did everyone think that Cassidy broke it? I was good; annoyed, but fine.

  Jesus Christ!

  “For the record, no one broke my heart, and it is far from pretty. You got that?” I said, acting all serious, even though all I got was another chuckle in response from her.

  “Okay, buddy. You keep telling yourself that.” She winked then started for my door. “Go put on your sweet suit there then come get me in a few minutes.”

  “Only a few minutes?” I’d never known Lizzy to take less than an hour to prepare for even the lamest outing.

  “I don’t have anyone to impress tonight. You on the other hand…”

  “Just go!” I waved her off, making her laugh. “I’ll be over in a minute.”

  “Sounds good, lover boy!” Lizzy called before disappearing.

  I rolled my eyes before shutting the door behind her.

  Lord help me. What was I getting myself into?

  Connor was at my house promptly at six, accompanied by half the football team and their dates.

  “Hey, I got you this.” Connor smiled as he took a beautiful corsage out of its container.

  My left hand covered my mouth when I saw the flowers on it. It was so beautiful, and matched my dress perfectly. How he knew what my dress even looked like and that gerbera daisies were my favorite, I don’t know, but it was super sweet.

  Tears filled my eyes when I saw Abby in the mix of people. I was completely shocked that she still came, but she did, and I was so incredibly happy about it. Hopefully these last few days were just a small bump in our friendship; earlier I worried that it was the end of it.

  It was just before seven when we finally made it to the school. My mood changed immediately when I saw how the gym was decorated. Every year the event committee put a drop box near the front of the school, asking for theme and decorating suggestions for the dance. By the gold and blue balloons that covered the floor and the draped curtains hung from the ceiling to make it look like a ballroom, I’d say my suggestion card was picked. A thrill of excitement filled my insides and an impressed smile covered my face.

  I knew it’d look amazing!

  As I started to walk further into the gym, to take it all in, I was being pulled in a different direction.

  “Conrad, you douchebag,” Connor yelled immediately to one of his buddies that was standing along the wall. “Way to punk out on pictures, idiot!”

  I glanced over my shoulder to see if Abby was behind us, but she wasn’t. She and Brayden were off already, socializing on the dance floor with everyone else. Inwardly, I gave myself props; them together was all my doing. As I watched them dance and sing along with the music, I felt a ping of regret that I was standing over here with Connor and not dancing over there with them.

  Something was changing. Like I was getting a visual of a life that wasn’t as special and amazing as I had always imagined it being inside. Was this person standing here, hand-in-hand with the most popular guy in school, really me?

  With a sigh, I turned my attention back to everyone in front of me. Of course, they were still talking about last night’s game, Connor’s pass—which had to be the longest ever—a fight that almost broke out at the bonfire after I left, next week’s game, and how it’s going to be another tough one…boring, useless conversation that was anything but interesting to me.

  Oh, this was not how I was expecting this evening to go. Was their life really all about football and nothing else?

  Sigh.

  I looked back over to the dance floor for at least the fifth time. It was getting depressing, actually. I skimmed over everyone, even saying their names in my head when I spotted each one of my friends. I saw Abby and Brayden again doing some weird dance- they were laughing hysterically. I should be through the roof excited with how well they were hitting it off, but I was more jealous than anything.

  Why wasn’t Brayden involved in all this football talk? Figures I choose the boring one!

  My eyes continued to carry, but when they got to the people standing against the opposite wall, they froze.

  What the?

  I seriously had to blink a few times to make sure my eyes weren’t failing me.

  What? How? When…

  Graham was here, and with my sister? My mind was going a mile a minute. How did this even happen? I didn’t even know they talked.

  And Graham…he looked…really, really…hot. And he was smiling, carrying on without a care in the world. This should make me happy, of course. But, at the moment, it was shocking, and incredibly… I don’t know—out of character.

  I couldn’t believe that we were actually here. For the entire drive, I was jittery, a legit hot mess. I mean, what was I even going to say to her? Lizzy told me to just ignore Cassidy and have a good time, but ignore Cassidy…that was like
handing a horny teenager a Playboy and telling him not to look!

  “Yes!” Abby cried, pretty much attacking us as soon as we walked in, Brayden in tow.

  I was all sorts of confused. Cassidy wasn’t anywhere near her. In fact, I didn’t see Cassidy anywhere at all. I tried to look around nonchalantly to find her, but Abby wasn’t allowing it. She was so fucking ecstatic to have us there that she was taking up my attention.

  “Oh my God!” she was practically yelling. “Yes! I’m so happy you still came…and with freaking Lizzy! Well done, my friend!”

  I had to laugh. Abby was definitely seeing this me with Lizzy thing as an evil plot. Take it as you will, but it wasn’t my underlying plan. I needed a date, and Lizzy was available.

  “And waste this hot number?” I joked, plucking the collar of my suit. “No way, buddy!”

  “It is pretty snazzy!” Abby agreed.

  “That’s what I said!” Lizzy chimed in. “Little Graham Wagner looks like a stud, doesn’t he?”

  “Little?” I questioned with a raised brow. “We’re only a year apart. Let’s not get carried away here.”

  Abby laughed while Lizzy pinched my cheek like an old lady.

  “You’re just so cute. Yes, you are,” she added.

  “I’m not a dog either.” I pulled my face away, acting annoyed.

  Maybe I should’ve thought this through more.

  Before I knew it, my soccer buddies and their girlfriends had gathered around. I fist pumped the guys in greeting while the girls immediately started reveling in how gorgeous each other looked, and where they got their dresses from. Lizzy meshed right in. She was just like Cassidy when it came to that kind of stuff. One hundred percent girly.

  “Wait. Are you here with Cassidy’s sister?” Troy asked, finally noticing my change in date.

  “If I can’t take one James sister, I might as well take the other!” I kidded. “Am I right?”

  “Ohhh…” Troy started. “He’s a hustler now!”

  Even though I was far from it, I enjoyed the good laugh that the claim brought. I really didn’t know how else to explain why I was here with Lizzy and what I had planned to do.

  Did I have a plan?

  I guess I was just here to have a good time with my friends and Lizzy while keeping an eye on Cassidy and Connor. Call it what you will, but that was honestly all that I had planned at the moment.

  My comical demeanor quickly fizzled out when I finally spotted her. To my surprise, Cassidy was already looking in our direction when my eyes found hers. I was completely speechless, staring. Everything and everyone around me faded away.

  God, she looked so damn amazing.

  There wasn’t a question that she wouldn’t, but seeing her in person…she looked more gorgeous than I could have ever imagined. Her hair was all curled and flowed over one shoulder, and her royal blue dress hugged every damn curve of her body. She was so fucking beautifully hot that I had to swallow back the dryness forming in my throat. Cassidy had me stunned, cotton-mouthed, and completely drawn to every square inch of her.

  Running my hand through my hair, I had to look away. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. She was here with him. Cassidy and I were just friends. I wouldn’t do it. Gawking at her would be a sure sign, and I wouldn’t ruin what we had. If I kept looking, my feelings would show through. Everything I wanted to keep to myself would surface. Even though for that brief moment, with ours eyes glued to one another’s, I pictured what it would be like if she were here with me.

  Lizzy nudged my side and whispered for my ears only, “Don’t let her bring you down.”

  Right. I nodded my head and exhaled. I should be pissed at her anyway. Ditching me for Blakely.

  “I’m good,” I assured her, and maybe myself. “I just…she just caught my eye is all.”

  I was good. I didn’t come here to fantasize about Cassidy. I wasn’t sure why I came, but I was ready to be done with the drama and have a good time doing whatever people do at these things. Of course when I looked at everyone around me, they were all staring and frowning.

  No, no, no, no, no….

  “It’s her loss, bro,” Troy murmured.

  Oh God! The sympathy train was in full effect. Everyone knew. Dammit. Why did she have to do this to me?

  “It is what it is,” I responded, irritation in my tone as I threw my hands up in the air, defeated. Connor won. He got the girl and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

  Whatever.

  “Don’t worry. Fuckface will probably ditch her in 2.2 anyway,” Abby chimed in, lightening the air with her choice of words.

  “Fuckface?” I questioned, chuckling. The girl was a trip.

  It was actually quite funny how quickly Abby’s opinion on Blakely changed. I only wish it took that little of time for every other girl—and I mean Cassidy—to see it.

  “Do you disagree?” she asked.

  I chuckled again. “Not at all!”

  “So, don’t get me wrong,” Lizzy interrupted us, “I love high school gossip and all, but I didn’t come to a dance to just stand here.” She grabbed my arm, pulling me into the middle of the gym floor. “Come dance with me, twinkle toes!”

  “I don’t dance!” I complained, trying to pull away.

  “Too bad, neighbor. It was part of the deal.”

  I shook my head, rolling my eyes. Funny how I couldn’t remember any such deal.

  I didn’t know what to do. Should I say something to them? I had no clue why it bothered me in the first place. Lizzy and Graham had known each other just as long as Graham and I had. But he was dancing with her. Dancing. Graham didn’t dance, and he was very clear about that. Never.

  I tugged on Connor’s hand to get his attention. “Let’s dance!” I suggested energetically when he looked down at me.

  He chuckled in response and looked at me with an indulgent grin. “You’re so cute,” Connor said before kissing my forehead.

  I smiled at the sentiment. It was super sweet, but it wasn’t enough to cure my mood. Especially when he turned back to Conrad and continued their conversation.

  I let out an exhausted breath. This was turning into the worst dance ever!

  Instead of dancing with all of my friends, I was counting how many drapes were hung on the ceiling, noticing that some were hanging lower than the others. And the alma mater painted on the gym wall was painted with two different blues, which was now totally going to bother me every time I stepped foot in this gym.

  I was going crazy, convinced I was totally losing my mind, when I felt a hand touch my free one.

  At first I tried to yank it back, startled and creeped out, but then I saw whom it belonged to.

  Graham.

  His finger was over his lips, shushing me as he pulled me gently away from Connor’s hold. As soon as my hand slipped free, we practically ran in the opposite direction. I laughed as Graham’s arm wrapped around my waist, drawing me into a dance in the middle of the gym floor.

  “Thank you!” I gushed. He literally saved me.

  His eyes were sparkling and his hair was slicked back, a devilish grin on his face. “Lizzy kept stepping on my toes,” he joked. “I needed a replacement.”

  He looked so cute. I’d never seen Graham dressed in anything but casual clothes and soccer stuff, so seeing him with his hair done and in a fancy suit…he looked and smelled incredible.

  “You look very handsome.”

  Entertainingly, he looked down, all impressed with himself. “Not too shabby, right?”

  I smiled, maybe blushing a little as I answered, “not at all.” But let’s be honest, Graham looked freaking hot!

  Graham’s big brown eyes circled the perimeter of my face before landing back on mine. Everything in me sped up as he did—my heart, my breathing…everything. I didn’t know if it was because of the night, the ambiance, or the fact that I knew the truth and how he really felt about me, but regardless, Graham was…affecting me.

  It was strange, and wei
rd, and incredibly uncomfortable. Not to mention “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift was on—a fast song—and we were just standing there, making the situation even more awkward. So I turned, putting my back against his chest. Graham’s hands went to my hips as I started to dance, shaking my booty.

  “‘My ex-man has a new girlfriend…’” Lizzy came up in front of me, singing along to the music, acting crazy.

  I laughed, getting right into it with her, singing at the top of my lungs, “‘So come on over and shake…shake…shake. Yeeeaaahhhh!’”

  It was so much fun. I was having the time of my life, sweat already beading on my face. I had no clue what Graham looked like or was doing behind me, but his hands stayed on my hips and seemed to move with the music. Clearly, he couldn’t dance, but he was trying. I had to give him at least an A for effort.

  It was fast song after fast song, keeping the party going. Whoever hired this DJ clearly knew how to run an awesome dance. I loved it. We laughed when Andrew, Graham’s goofy soccer friend, came up behind Lizzy and started dancing. Lizzy’s face was priceless as she just shrugged her shoulders and kept going. It was seriously hilarious. I loved my sister!

  At one point I looked over at Connor. He was still in the corner with his friends. I didn’t even think he noticed I was missing.

  I rolled my eyes. Whatever.

  Just as I was close to collapsing, a slow song came on. I figured this would be a good time to get a drink, but as I started to exit the floor, Graham’s arm caught me around my waist.

  “Where you goin’?” he asked, bringing me close to his chest.

  I went limp. Graham’s body felt firm yet comfortable, and so right next to mine. I couldn’t even speak. Graham was being so forward, not like himself at all. I didn’t know how to take it. It was completely foreign for us, but at the same time I wasn’t complaining.

  It was hot.

  I wasn’t one for getting all giddy over dominating guys, but this…this side of Graham suited him well.

  “I, uh…” I tried to speak, breaking the silence as we slowly swayed to the music. “I thought you didn’t like dancing?”