The moment he is gone, my eyes are back on my girl. Fuck. I mean… shit, I have no idea what the hell she is to me, calling her my girl even though we haven’t been together for so long still feels natural to me. She dances with the girls and from the red flush in her cheeks I know what she is going to do before she does it.
I let out a groan moments before she makes her move, knowing these girls have the eyes of every man in this building. Her hands start to rise and I start my countdown.
In three.
Two.
One.
Her hands find the hem of Bobby’s hockey jersey and she raises it high over her head and ties it around her slim waist. The look is fucking hot, with her little crop from her pole dancing class and the sheen of sweat that lightly covers her body. Add that to the messed-up hair and flush in her cheeks and it reminds me of the Cass that was riding me on Saturday night, but I have to say, it’s not exactly a look I want every dickhead in this place to think about. The need to get up there and cover her up shoots through me but I know that isn’t going to go down well. This is just one of those times I have to let it go.
Two moments later, Brianna loses her jumper, leaving her in a matching crop to Bobby’s dismay, followed by Sophie and Dani who end up in their bras.
“Fuck,” Miller says with a shake of his head as he takes in his woman dancing in her bra. He gets up and takes a seat beside me. “What’s going on, man?” He says with a questioning tone in his voice.
I give him a sideways glance. “What are you talking about?” I grunt.
“You’re all torn up over this girl,” he says, “And from the way that game went, you two have history.”
“A shit load of history,” I admit.
“Dude, fucking spill already. I’ve known you a while now and have never seen you look at a woman like that. She’s your girl, right?” he says as a group of guys starts approaching the girls.
“I don’t know man,” I tell him. “She used to be, she was during high school. I would have fucking married her but then she just left, no explanation. Nothing. Just left.”
“And now she is back,” Miller says.
“Now she’s back,” I repeat as one of the guys come up behind her and puts his hands around her waist, pulling her into him. He tries to grind into her but she pushes him away.
“Looks like she isn’t going to be single for long, so you’re going to need to figure your shit out and soon,” Miller says as the guy goes back for round two, this time he pulls her in a little tighter. She turns around and tells him to go away but he doesn’t accept it just keep trying to grind his dick into her ass.
My eyes narrow as I watch as he drops his head to her neck and lowers his hold on her waist, moving further and further south. I see red. “Dude, you better intervene,” Miller says but it’s too late, I’m already out of my seat.
I’m storming across Micky’s with Bobby on my heel and probably the rest of the team but I’m too furious to even look back. The rest of the girls are way too drunk to even realise Cass is in trouble which infuriates me more. I see the panic in Cassie’s eyes as she tries to pull the guy off her, prying at his fingers and trying to pull them back but he just sneers and tightens his hold as if he likes it. I know Cassie isn’t weak so he must be holding onto her pretty damn tight. What I do know is that if he leaves a mark on her, there is going to be hell to pay. He starts trying to weasel his fingers under the band of her track pants and I pick up my pace, shouldering past anyone who stands in my way.
Cass desperately looks around for help and it’s not long before she sees me coming and relief instantly fills her tear-filled eyes. As I grow nearer, I realise there is something off about this guy, something I can’t lay my finger on but I do know that it is something I don’t like. I step up in front of Cass and I raise my fist, she sees my intention and ducks down as best she can to keep out of the way.
The guy notices me at the very last second but it’s too late, my fist is already flying through the air towards his jaw. His eyes widen in shock as I connect with his face and moments later he is flying back with the force of my punch, letting go of Cassie’s waist in the process.
She falls forward and I catch her in my arms. Her body instantly wraps around me and I hold her close. She gasps as she tries to control her breathing, completely and utterly freaked out. “It’s ok, you’re safe,” I whisper. A tear slides down her face and drops onto my shoulder. I pull her back and wipe her face then gently press a kiss to her forehead. “Come on, I think it’s time to go.”
She nods as the boys come and collect their girls, clearly having the same thought as me.
Cass grabs a hold of Brianna and I turn to let Bobby know I’m taking them home. He nods and offers to walk with us, after all, our driver is now extremely off his face.
We say our goodbyes and I lead Cass out the door. The girls walk up ahead of us as Bobby and I watch them from behind. We walk in silence as I re-run the night in my head. It was a risky move punching that guy and could get me in serious trouble, not only with the university but with hockey. On the other hand, there was no way I was going to sit back and allow that douche bag to touch Cass, well any woman in a way that is unwanted. Besides, I have nearly a whole team of guys who can act as witness if needed.
I’m lost in my head when I finally notice that Bobby has been slurring on about the game and Micky’s. I feel bad for tuning him out but it’s not like he actually realises I’m not paying attention, or if he does, he won’t remember come morning. Instead, I focus on the girl’s conversation in front of me.
Brianna has her arm around Cassie’s waist while Cassie’s has her arm thrown casually over Brianna’s shoulder as they struggle to hold each other up.
Brianna tugs at Cassie’s waist and I watch in horror as she flinches in pain. My jaw tightens as I struggle to hold myself back from turning around to find that prick and beat the living shit out of him. Bobby must have noticed Cassie’s flinch as he places a hand on my shoulder, keeping me on track.
“I’m sorry,” Brianna slurs to Cass as they both stumble up the pathway. “I should have been paying attention and now you’re hurt. It’s all my fault,” she wails.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Cass soothes. “It’s my fault. I allowed myself to get this drunk. I was the one dancing half naked and I’m the one who put myself in that position. At least, that’s what moody back there is going to say the second you go inside.” She adds as she tries to whisper but fails miserably.
“God, tell me about it. He really is moody,” Bri agrees. “Kind of like a guard dog, you know, kind of rabid when you need but still loyal to its owner.”
Cass bursts out into uncontrollable laughter that has me scowling at her back and wanting to break up this conversation but I know it’s all because of the tequila and honestly, I want to see where the rest of this conversation goes.
The girls finally get the laughter under control, only to start again when Cass brings up the ‘Never have I ever’ game. “I can’t believe Bobby screwed his cousin,” Cass laughs, making Bri snort back a giggle that has her choking on her own saliva. She stumbles a bit as she tries to right herself but in doing that she pulls on Cassie’s waist again and makes her hiss in pain.
Once again, Bri is oblivious to it all but I have my hands balled up in fists and am counting slowly to ten trying to control myself. “Speaking of that game,” Brianna starts, “There would have been a million other questions you could have asked besides the foursome thing, I mean, there are a lot of other things I’d be interested to know when it comes to these boys.”
“Believe me, I know,” Cass replies, “But I wanted to know just how much of a manwhore Jax had become, I mean, I assumed he had been involved in a threesome but I’d just hoped against it and then he had to go and confirm it so, I guess it had me curious.”
“And, now that you know?” Bri asks, “Does it make you feel any different?”
Far out, this conversation is like hitting the jackpot, I
kind of feel guilty about listening in on what is clearly a private conversation and not meant for my ears but when it comes to information about me and Cass, well I’m going to take it any way I can, so I listen in closely not wanting to miss a word.
“Ha,” Cass scoffs, “ask me in the morning when I don’t have so much liquor going through my body.”
Damn it!
“Ok,” Brianna laughs as we turn onto the girls’ street. They walk in silence for a few steps more when Bri turns her smirk on Cass. “You know, when you told me you hadn’t been with anyone for a while, I didn’t quite think you meant that the last guy was Jax, three years ago.”
Like I said. The freaking Jackpot.
Cass sighs and grins at Brianna. “You caught onto that did you?” she asks.
“Like I could miss that freaking bomb,” she laughs, “Now explain yourself.”
Even though I don’t see her face I can just imagine how she would roll her eyes before answering. “I mean…” she sighs. “Sex means something to me. It’s about that connection between two people whether it’s hot and heavy or slow and sensual. So for me, if there is no connection then sex if off the table.”
Pft, I know Cass right down to the bone and I know, without even looking at her face that the answer she has just given is absolute bullshit.
“Ok,” Bri scoffs, as we near their driveway, “That’s the lamest answer I’ve ever heard. What’s the truth?”
Shit. I underestimated Brianna. I take my metaphorical hat off to her and I must remember, come tomorrow, to thank that little she-devil.
Cass groans. “Fine,” she huffs. “I freaking tried. I really did. I had the guy right there where I needed him and when it came down to the crunch, I couldn’t do it. I chickened out like a little bitch.” She takes a breath and leans her head against Brianna’s shoulder. “How can I sleep with another man when I still have Jax in my head?”
Fuck me. My mind spins. She freaking left three years ago without a damn goodbye, I assumed it was because she was done and didn’t want to hurt me too bad but if that was the case, why the hell is she still struggling to forget about me?
“Babe,” Brianna says with a sigh. It’s a moment before her next question comes and I must commend her, she is on fire tonight. “Why did you even try? With the other guy, I mean?”
Cass scoffs as she reaches into her bra to pull out their house key and finally starts to lower her voice as Bobby and I inch closer to them. “I’d heard the stories about him, you know, becoming the Carter in training and I guess it just made me realise that he had moved on and was officially done with me. It hurt hearing about it so I guess I wanted to inflict the same kind of pain on him but it backfired, like really bad.” She says with an embarrassed smirk, “I got a reputation for being the girl who doesn’t put out.”
“Shit,” Brianna laughs, “You don’t need to worry about that here, I think the whole campus knows that isn’t true.”
A triumphant grin spreads across my face. Fuck yeah. That night last week was fucking amazing and I don’t care who knows it. I’d be proud to let them all know this woman rocked my world.
The door is pushed open and Brianna waltzes in without a backward glance. Cass stops at the door to say goodbye while Bobby struts straight past and collapses onto the couch, falling into an instant sleep.
“Um, well, thanks,” she says, twisting her hands together. “You know, for walking us home and for that guy.”
“No problem,” I say as she starts to yawn and stumble back into the brick wall of the house. Shit. “Come on.”
I lead her through the house to her bedroom. I rifle through her draws and pull out her pyjamas then order her to get dressed while I go and find some painkillers and a glass of water for the morning. I come back to her room to find her in her bra and undies, struggling to get her feet through the hole of her pants. With a sigh, I step up to her and start to help.
My eyes instantly roam her body and find her waist is red and has a small scratch scaring her perfect skin. “Wait here,” I tell her as I disappear into the bathroom and find some cream. As I come back in she is laying on the top of her bed already curled up into her pillow. I sit down beside her and start rubbing the cream into her skin. She hisses in pain and I do my best to make this as quick as possible.
“I’m sorry,” she says softly, “I shouldn’t have drunk so much.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” I agree with a grunt.
“I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t there.” She says on a yawn.
I pull her blankets over her and watch as her eyes start to flutter. “Go to sleep, Cass.”
“Can you stay?”
With a sigh, I get up and lean over, placing a kiss to her forehead. “No, that’s not a good idea,” I tell her before turning and walking to the door, though, I don’t miss the deflated look in her eyes, a look that absolutely kills me.
I stand by the door for a moment and watch as her eyes close and she drifts into what I hope is a peaceful sleep. “Good night, Cass,” I whisper into the darkened room before I turn to leave.
I’m nearly through the door when I hear her mumble. “I knew, Jax. I’m sorry. I was scared.” I stop dead in my tracks. No, there is no way. I turn back to look at her but her eyes are closed.
“What did you know?” I ask.
Her eyes open just the slightest little sliver as she studies me in the dark. “The ring, Jax. I knew about the ring.”
And just like that, it all makes perfect fucking sense.
Without another word, I turn my back and leave.
Chapter 11
Cassie
“Fuck, babe, you can really sing,” Brianna says as I come strutting out of my room with an overnight bag. Shit, I hadn’t even realised I’d been singing, it must have been in the shower. My eyes widen as I stare at her in horror. I’m not ready to tell this secret yet. “Wait, where the hell are you going?”
Thank god. I give her a pointed look, cluing in that she is being an absolute moron. “Sean’s wedding… Remember?” I say, “I’m pretty sure I’ve told you this a million times.”
“Oh, shit,” she says with a guilty look. “I forgot that was this weekend, I was hoping for another pole dancing class.”
“There’s no way we would be able to get away with that.” I laugh as I open the internal garage door and dump my bag into my car. “The boys probably have their little freshmen wanna-bee’s staking out the dance studio in case we happen to come by.”
“Yeah, I don’t doubt that,” she agrees. “But what am I going to do all weekend? Bobby is still pissed at me.”
“Seriously? It’s been two weeks.”
“Yeah, I know, I think he is just shocked to find out that I’m actually a lot more like him than he had ever hoped,” she laughs.
“I mean, you kind of blindsided him with the whole threesome revelation.”
“Shut up,” she grins. “It was awesome and I’d totally do it again.”
“Ugh,” I groan, “Let me know how that goes for you.” She gives me a salute and I head back down to my room and grab the silver floor-length gown that has been hanging in my closet for the past year. I do another look around my room to make sure I have everything I need and head back out to the lounge room. “Ok, I’ve got to get going, have a blast without me.”
“Fine,” she groans as she throws her arms around me and squeezes the living daylight out of me. “Have fun. I’ll let you know if any brooding hockey Captains come around to apologise.”
“Yeah right,” I scoff. “I’d pay to see the day that happens. It’s already been two weeks since I told him and he hasn’t said a word. I didn’t even get graced with a scowl during class.”
“Oh geez, that bad, huh?” she asks.
“Yep,” I shrug, adding the dress to the top of the ever-growing pile of crap that has taken over the passenger seat of my little VW Buggie.
“Maybe he just needs a few more days to sulk,” she says,
trying to keep me positive. “We can put the ‘Fight for my man’ plan into action after that.”
“Ok,” I laugh. “It’s not going to be easy though,” I warn her.
“Nothing worth it ever is.”
With a roll of my eyes, I drop down into my car. “See you tomorrow night,” I call out the window before I start backing out of the garage. Bri follows me out and gives a wave before heading back in, probably to go back to sleep for the rest of the day but really all she is doing is nursing last night’s hangover so she can head out tonight with her girlfriends and do it all over again. I, at least, was sensible enough to be the sober one last night.
I flick on the tunes as I drive the twenty short minutes to my family’s home with a mix of happiness and sadness going through me.
The thoughts of coming home to the place that holds all the memories of Mum and Dad and of course, Jax, frightens the living shit out of me but at the same time, it’s the one place I feel I can be close to my parents again. I’m pretty sure the triplets feel the same way, hence why Sean is having his wedding on the property, you know, besides the fact that the property is an amazing estate, perfect for holding weddings and functions.
I drive past Jax’ parent’s home and scowl in that particular direction before turning into my driveway. I stop at the gates and enter my code and wait as the massive metal gates slowly open to allow my entry.
I hit the button for the window and drive slowly down the tree lined drive way, breathing in that familiar smell of home. My eyes open in amazement as I get to the house to find parking attendants and delivery trucks scattered around the whole front yard. Men and women in all sorts of different uniforms go about in a rush to prepare my home for Sean’s wedding.
White chairs are being carried around back while beautiful golden ones are being taken inside. Caterers are storming in through the front door, presumably to the kitchen, Swans are being lead to the lake while ladders and tables are being unloaded from the back of a truck.
I get past the initial shock and drive up to the front door, bypassing a man who is struggling to untangle fairy lights only to have another man in a penguin suit stop by my door and offer to assist me with parking. I hop out of my car and grab my things before handing the keys over. I mean, my parents used to throw extravagant parties all the time which were always amazing but we never held a wedding here before and I must say, so far it’s absolutely shocking and beautiful at the same time, Mum would have loved every moment of it.
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