by C. J. Hart
If I were closer, I’d elbow him in the ribs. Lucky for him, he’s just out of reach.
“Sure,” Dad says. “First thing, it’s nice to see you, Cass.” His lips curl into a small smile.
I nod in response, not trusting my voice just yet. Will I scream at him? Burst out crying for what he’s done—lying to me my entire life about the Hunters, ostracizing the Adlers, pushing me away, and then trying to drag me back?
“Second thing. I’m sure Seb has told you that I visited him in the music store.”
This is not a question. How can he be so cocky, thinking he knows all?
“I tell her everything, sir,” Seb says.
“Right. Well, I’m not going to ask you to move back in. That is your choice. You’re old enough to do what you want.” He meets Seb’s eyes for a beat.
I surprise myself. “I do want to move back.”
Dad’s smile widens.
“On two conditions,” I say, and my gaze flickers to my boyfriend.
Dad gestures for me to continue.
“Seb can visit after school when neither of us are working and on weekends. And—”
“And he can stay over one night a week.” Dad cuts his eyes to him. “In the spare bedroom.”
I glare. “Sarah had no problem letting us sleep in the same room, same bed. And nothing happened.” I feel my features soften—sadden. “Don’t you trust me?”
He grunts and grumbles to himself for a moment. Seb smirks. Can he hear what my father’s saying?
Dad throws his hands up in defeat. “Fine. I do trust you; you’re right.”
I give Seb’s hand a quick pulse, which he returns.
“So, does this mean you’ll come back?” A spark of hope kindles in his features.
“Yes.”
He lurches out of his chair, grinning, and stumbles towards us, pulling me into a messy hug. “I’m sorry for everything I have and haven’t done.”
“Apology accepted.”
Dad calms and resumes his seat.
“But if you don’t mind, I’d like to stay at the Adler’s one more night.” They’re awesome people, taking Seb and myself in at our most vulnerable states.
“It doesn’t have to be the last night, Cass,” Seb says. “I’m sure you’re welcome over any time.”
“He’s right.” Dad stands. “They’re a humble family.”
We get up, too.
“Do you have any conditions for me?” I let Seb tuck me under his arm.
He thinks for a moment. “That we make the time to do things together, like we used to. I know I’ve been very busy lately—”
“Okay.” I smile.
Dad sighs. “I feel as if I blinked and suddenly, you’re all grown up. Not my little Cass.”
“I’ll always be your little Cass, just bigger.”
“Smarter,” Seb says, and then adds, “feistier. More competitive.”
“We get the picture.” I elbow him, making up for earlier while I’m at it.
“Like her mother.” Dad smiles.
“What did she look like?”
I sigh. “Let’s not drag out the family photo album.” There are some pictures in there I don’t want him to see of my childhood.
Dad flicks a hand at me. “Mirror image.”
“Freaky.” Seb backs away from me, mocking. “Are you sure she wasn’t bitten by one of us as a child and chose your wife to shift into?”
“Hmm.” Dad rubs his chin, playing along.
Now that they’re not trying to rip each other’s throats out, they’re both ganging up on me. “My eyes don’t do that freaky glow thing at night, and I don’t have any super-human abilities or the slightest urge to hunt.”
Dad shrugs. “Too bad. That would make for a lovely dinner conversation.”
Seb guffaws and tugs me to his side again.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” I say, sincere.
“Good, good.” He hugs me again, and then slaps Seb on the back—something that must’ve been tough for him to do; his Hunter senses must be screaming.
“See, wasn’t that bad,” Seb says as we cross the yard to his car.
“Hm. I guess not.”
“Hey, let’s go for ice cream!” He grins and opens my door.
An image crackles through my mind of Eve serving me at Rocky Roads. A hand squeezes my shoulder.
Eerily reading my mind again, he says, “I know a place on rez.”
I draw in a deep, cleansing breath and let it wash away the memory.
“You okay?”
I nod. “Yeah.” I buckle my seat belt. Has my pain weakened, or have I simply grown strong enough to bear it?
Seb
“Is apple okay?” Cass says, fussing over a pie base. “They like apple, right?”
“Yes,” I say, watching her, fascinated by her careful, nimble fingers as they press the pastry into a dish.
“And Jess is a vegan.” She dusts off her floury hands and tugs open the fridge. “I’ll make her one with this olive spread.” She examines the container before kicking the door closed. “That should be okay.” Her brow has been wrinkled in concentration and worry most of the afternoon.
“You don’t have to make dessert. They already know you’re grateful.”
“I know.” Her face softens. “But I like baking. And it gives me something to do.”
“You’re amazing, you know?”
“Yep.” She smiles, fiddles with the dials on the oven, and then slides the pie base in.
When she straightens, I wrap my arms around her waist. I’m lucky. I’m really lucky, aren’t I? She means everything to me, and I’ll miss not being around her thirteen hours a day. But I am happy that she’s worked things out with her father. I know I’ll probably never settle things with mine. We are not mirror images, like Brett said about her and her mother. We are polar opposites.
She giggles. “What’s this for?”
“Just because.”
“Stealing hugs now?”
I feel her melt in my arms. “Yup. That okay with you?”
“Always.” She giggles again and starts swaying.
“Dance?”
“No music.”
I reach over and switch on the radio. Blue October’s You Make Me Smile filters into the room.
“How is it possible,” she says, “that the exact right song comes on at the exact right moment?” She touches her cheek to my shoulder.
I lift her up, spinning her around. “I’ve always wondered that myself.”
“Another mystery of the universe.”
“It’s magic.”
“Magic?” She snorts. “Maybe.”
The song ends, and I place her back on her feet. She doesn’t let go. Neither do I.
After a minute, she says, “I’d better make the filling.” She turns, but she isn’t quick enough.
I catch her swiping her eyes. “Hey, what’s wrong?” I seize her hand.
She sniffles. “So much has changed.” She twists out of my hold. “I feel as if I’m waiting. Waiting for the next thing to shake my world, tear it apart.” She locates the tin of pie apples in the shopping bag and pulls on the tab. “When will my life settle back to normalcy?”
“Oh, come on, Cass.” I smirk. “Was it ever normal to begin with?”
She cracks a strained smile. “How do you know me so well?”
I shrug. She’s an open book to me—every gesture, every twitch of her lips, every word she does and doesn’t say translates into something maybe only I can read. “I’m a quick learner.”
“Sure.” She smiles, unconstrained this time. “You wanna learn something else, Einstein?”
“Shoot.”
On the floured countertop, her finger draws a shape. At first, I have no idea what it is. After a second, I realize, it’s a perfectly symmetrical heart filled with our initials: C.S + H.N
“I already knew that,” I say.
“Just making sure you did.” She scoops out the mushy apple pieces
. “Wouldn’t want you to forget since we won’t be spending every waking moment together after tomorrow.”
“Not likely.”
“Good to know.”
I hear the front door click shut.
“Anyone home?” Mrs. Adler says.
Cass calls out to her. “We’re in the kitchen, Sarah.”
She wanders in, an amused smile in place. “What are you two doing in my office?”
“Um, making a mess.” Cass measures out the sugar. “A delicious mess.”
“She wanted to bake something as a thank-you.”
Sarah’s gaze settles on Cass.
“I fixed things with Dad. Moving back in tomorrow.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do anything to thank us,” she says. “You needed a place to stay and we didn’t think twice about it.”
I turn down the volume on the radio so it’s just a whisper in the background. “That’s what I said.”
“Yeah, well, I still wanted to make something.”
To keep her hands busy until then, I finish the thought she wouldn’t say. She is nervous about going back. Scared her father will punish her? No. Terrified of losing someone else, someone more dear to her?
Bingo.
If my ex-pack is watching, what are they seeing? Us hanging out with this nice little family, our haven? Yes, their safety is a priority now, also. I’ve put them in danger, Cass too. Surely, I must’ve known this when Liam offered me a bed. But I didn’t know them, then, like I do now. They’re my family. They’ve shown more kindness towards me than mine ever have—my mother the only exception.
Sarah smiles and hugs Cass. “You do what you must. I’m just going to grab a snack and get out of your way.” She releases her, opening the cupboard above the stove and pulling out a slab of chocolate. “I look forward to a slice tonight!” She flicks us a wave, and then traipses out of the room.
The timer dings.
Cass slides oven mitts onto her hands and hauls the piecrust out. “She’s in a particularly good mood. Her pottery class must’ve gone well.” She sets the dish on a wire rack to cool.
“Hope they don’t plant a bomb in the kiln,” I tease.
She stares at me, eyes glistening. “Why would you say something like that?”
“Sorry. It was a joke, a very bad joke.” I hug her and clamp my eyes shut. Good job, Seb.
She pulls away from me. “It’s okay. I’m okay.”
“You sure? I could go outside and beat myself over the head with a stick.”
“There’ll be no beating of heads,” Sarah says as she returns. “Wouldn’t want to kill those brain cells.” She pinches my cheek, and then grabs a mug from the stand and fills it with coffee.
Cass chuckles as she spoons the mixture onto the crust.
“More coffee, Cassie?” She lifts up the carafe.
“Um, sure. Thanks.”
I pick up her favorite kitty mug and hold it out.
Sarah tops up the brown liquid. “Who would think that something this bad could be so addictive?” She takes a sip before vanishing again.
***
The six of us decide on a special dinner—since it’s Cassie’s last night—and Kat joins us.
“Five pizzas,” Jack says into the phone. “One supreme, two pepperoni, one Italian sausage, and one veggie without the cheese. Plus three garlic breads, two bottles of cola, and one of every dessert you have.” He listens for a moment, and then laughs. “No, not a party. I just have four starving guys and three ladies to feed!” He snickers. “Half an hour? Great!” He replaces the phone in its cradle.
Pizza was Cass’ decision, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with her choice.
“How about we try some of Cassie’s pie?” Sarah retrieves a knife. There’s uncertainty on her face. Probably because she doesn’t know whether her goddaughter is a good baker or a terrible one. She makes a cut, notices the knife glides through it effortlessly, and smiles, proud.
Cass hops up. “I’ll slice the other one.” She drags the dish towards her. “Jess, I really hope it tastes okay. I tried my best.”
Her lips tug upwards. “I’m sure it will.”
Sarah slides pieces onto plates. “It’s the thought that counts.”
That’s something like Mom would say. Growing up with the bare necessities sure makes you grateful for the little things in life.
Cass cuts two pieces—one for Jess and one for herself. She often has such surges of courage—standing up to Ash, her father. Standing up for Liam at times when his opinions ruffle some feathers, and even myself. She really is amazing. One of a kind. A diamond in the rough.
“Anyone want a scoop of ice cream? Custard?” Mrs. Adler covers the dish with plastic wrap.
Liam and Kat ask for ice cream, the others—including myself—want custard.
The night creeps on in a perfect symphony—the pies are outstanding, Cassie sparkles with fervor as Sarah boasts about them, music fills the home, and pizza is devoured. Too soon, it seems to end. Too soon, the morning comes and she’s packing.
Got everything?” Seb says, zipping up my suitcase.
My eyes scour the room. “I think so.”
“If not, I can drop it off later.” His smile is tense.
I tangle my fingers in his.
He pulls me close. “Don’t be a stranger.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll only be a street away. It’s not as if I’m time traveling to another century.”
His lips twitch into a grin. “Too bad. Sounds fun.”
I shove him, amused, and drag my suitcase off the mattress. “See you ’round, handsome.”
“You sure you don’t want me to drive you?”
“I can walk. I’ll be fine. Sarah gave me her pepper spray, and I have my spike-heeled boots on.” I lift my left leg to show him.
“Ooh. Sure to do some damage.”
“You make it sound as if Ash or some crim will attack me on the two-minute walk.”
He shrugs. “It’s highly probable.”
“You have to get ready for work.” I touch my lips to his, and then as if trying to reassure myself as well, I say, “I’ll be fine.” What could happen in two minutes?
“Walk safe. And call me when you get home, okay?”
“Absolutely.”
He nods but doesn’t look convinced.
“What?”
“Cass, I can’t let you go alone; I’d worry too much. It’s only gonna take thirty seconds to drop you off.”
Well, when he says it like that…
I heave a massive sigh. “Okay, fine.”
***
I arrive home safely. I even manage to walk up the driveway without Seb being a helicopter boyfriend. No one attacked me or even looked at me funny. See, I would’ve been fine, I want to say to him, but knew how he would react. He waits until I’m inside before leaving.
I take a moment to suck in the atmosphere. Home. Doesn’t feel the same.
Dad’s not here. Work? A note sits on the coffee table, written in his familiar doctor scrawl: Got called in. I’ll be home for dinner.
Super. I went from a full house to an empty one. It was a nice change to not be alone all the time.
Lizzy purrs and tangles herself around my feet. Okay, so maybe I’m not totally alone.
I pick her up and cradle her in my arms. “Miss me? No? Figures.” I set her on her feet, and she prances towards the kitchen. Following, I pick up the landline. I punch in his number and wait.
After three rings, he picks up.
“Hello?” Seb says.
“Just letting you know I’m still alive, no dangers or monsters under my bed.”
“It was a terrifying twenty seconds,” he jests.
“I bet it was.”
“What did your dad say?”
“He’s not here. Got called into work apparently.” I eye the shiny, gold, rectangular box on the counter. Intrigued, I flip open the lid. He’s bought my favorite chocolates. I feel my heart swell wit
h gratitude. How thoughtful. He’s trying hard to win me back, that’s for sure. I select one and sit at the table.
Seb’s voice pierces my thoughts, “Cass, you still there?”
“Yeah, sorry. Got distracted.”
“What’s on your mind, honeybee?”
I heave a sigh. “It’s so quiet here.”
“Don’t tell me you miss us already?”
“I might. I definitely miss you.” I reach for another chocolate.
“You’ll be fine.”
“I’m a little disappointed that you won’t have to sneak into my bedroom anymore.”
“Me, too. But at least we won’t have to be so secretive now.”
“True.”
“I’ll let you go get settled in.”
“Okay.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Bye.” I hang up and sit for a moment in the quiet.
Try as I might, can my two lives ever be joined seamlessly?
When I don’t come up with an answer, I push back my chair and return to my abandoned suitcase.
Oh, screw it. Unpacking can wait. I need a nap.
***
I awake with a start at the sound of the front door clunking shut. I await signs of movement—Dad’s clomping or Seb’s scuffing. Has something finally arrived to torture me? No, Ash is stealthy.
Tap tap tap. Heels?
“Cassie?”
Miles.
I ninja-roll out of bed. “I’m here.” I meet her in the living room.
Her lips quirk up when she sees me. “Hope you don’t mind me dropping in unannounced. Again. Seb told me you were here.”
“No problem at all. What’s up?” I perch on the arm of the couch.
“I don’t know if anyone has told you.” She sinks into an armchair. “Eve’s…” She dithers. “F—funeral is Saturday morning. Xay and I are going with Whitney, and we were wondering if you would like a ride.”
Eve’s funeral. How could I forget such a thing? I’ve been so selfish this week, only thinking of Seb and myself, and how to make me feel better. Me me me. I’m such an idiot. “Can I get back to you?” Seb’ll want to be there for me.
“There’s room for Seb as well. We’re taking Xay’s Merc.”
“Okay.”
“We were also wondering if you would write her a eulogy …?” Clearing her throat, she shifts in her seat. “You’re—you were—her best friend, after all.”
