Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  “Probably not.”

  “Well at least you’re honest.” Grady attempted to turn around, but Jess grabbed his arm.

  “She cares about you, Grady.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “She does but Cass has had a rough life and…”

  “Don’t you think I know that. Just because I was blind doesn’t mean that I’m stupid.”

  “I’m sorry, Grady.”

  “So am I.”

  Jess stood there watching as Grady walked down the hall and entered the elevator.

  Sheila came walking out of Cassidy’s office as Jess walked back in. “Good luck. I’m going to cancel her appointments for the rest of the day.”

  Cassidy turned to Jess. “Is he ok?”

  “NO! He is not ok.”

  “Once he gets back to his team, he will forget all about me and he’ll be fine.”

  “Do you really believe that?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  Jess grabbed Cassidy’s hand. “Hey, it does matter…you matter.”

  “I know that you’re trying to help me but, Jess, I need you to be my friend right now and not my therapist or mother.”

  Jess grabbed Cassidy and hugged her. “You go home. I’ll pick up the wine and ice cream.”

  “Thank you.” Cassidy picked up her purse, grabbed her briefcase and followed Jess out the door.

  19

  Three weeks later…

  “Nervous?” Weston punched Grady in the arm.

  “Honestly, yes, a little.”

  “You’ll do fine. Just follow me.” Weston let out a laugh.

  “You wish.”

  “I’m not going to show you any mercy.”

  “You won’t have to.” Grady grabbed his cap and goggles. “Ready?”

  “Loser buys first round.”

  “O’Malley, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Sure, Coach.”

  Weston tapped Grady on his shoulder. “I’ll see you on deck.”

  “What’s up, Coach?”

  “I want to make certain that you’re feeling good about this?”

  “I’m a bit nervous but once I hit the water, I’ll be ok.”

  “Glad to hear. I know that you weren’t expecting to compete today. We’re lucky we had you here as an alternate since Gabriel broke his toe.”

  “Sucks for him but it’s what I need right now in my life.”

  “You know, Kid, I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Ok, you better get out there.”

  Cassidy sat on the couch holding the remote. She had clicked on and off the sports channel for the last half hour. As much as she wanted to watch in hopes of seeing Grady in the background somewhere, she was also torn about seeing him at all.

  “Cass, you home?”

  “In the living room.”

  Jess came in carrying a bottle of wine, a pizza, and a bag of cookies. “I figured we’d need these.”

  “What’s up?”

  Jess looked at the TV and then back at Cassidy. “That’s a cooking show.”

  “Yeah, why did you assume I’d be watching sports?”

  “Since your Golden Boy is competing I…”

  “Competing?” Cassidy grabbed the remote and changed the channel.

  “His teammate broke his toe and Grady was the alternate.”

  “I guess I may need that wine after all.”

  “I’ll go get us some glasses and a corkscrew.”

  Grady knelt beside the pool and splashed himself with water.

  “Good luck, Buddy!” Weston pulled on his swim cap.

  Grady adjusted his goggles before pulling on his swim cap. “You too.”

  Weston took his place to left of Grady.

  Grady stepped behind the block and did what his dad always referred to as his smackdown. He smacked himself up and down his chest and legs. The whistle sounded and the swimmers climbed up onto their blocks.

  Cassidy sipped her third glass of wine while she anxiously waited for Grady to race.

  “Cass, you may want to slow down on the wine, or you’re going to pass out before his race.” Jess laughed.

  “The Freestyle is up next.”

  “And there he is.”

  “He looks good.”

  Jess wanted to grab Cassidy and shake some sense into her. “Cass…”

  “Shhh!” Cassidy knew what Jess was going to say but she didn’t want to hear it.

  “Fine.” Jess picked up her wine, sat back and sipped it.

  The buzzer rang and the swimmers dove into the water. Grady started out slower than usual but once he focused, he managed to not only catch up but to take the lead. Competing felt different now. As much as Grady wanted to win, he knew that there was more to life than swimming.

  Grady could hear the stadium erupt with screams, whistles and cheers as his hand touched the wall. He pulled off his goggles and looked around at all the people who were celebrating his win but the one he wanted most to share it with wasn’t there.

  “GREEDY GRADY IS BACK!” Weston yelled as he held his hand up for Grady to high five him.

  Grady turned toward Weston and smacked his hand. “Let’s hope it wasn’t beginner’s luck.” Grady winked.

  Cassidy couldn’t sit any longer she put down her glass and stood in front of the screen with her fists balled up cheering Grady on. When he emerged as the winner she turned, grabbed Jess, and hugged her. “He did it! He won!” Then she burst into tears.

  Jess lifted her hand up and pushed Cassidy’s hair away from her face. “Oh, Honey, you need to let go of the past and stop punishing yourself.” Jess grabbed Cassidy’s arms. “Look at me! You did nothing wrong. Go after Grady and find your happy ending.”

  “I’m so afraid that he…”

  “Don’t say it. Cass, you’re a beautiful person inside and that’s what counts.”

  “But he deserves…”

  “What he deserves is someone who loves him.” Jess grabbed Cassidy’s phone and handed it to her. “Call him.”

  Cassidy looked down at the phone and then back at Jess. “I don’t think I can.”

  “You can.”

  “And what would I say?”

  “Tell him that you called to congratulate him on his win and see where the conversation goes.”

  “He’s at the pool now. I’ll call him later.”

  “Call now and leave a message.”

  Cassidy took in a deep breath and dialed the phone. “I hope I don’t regret this.”

  “You won’t.”

  “Uh, Hi, Grady, it’s me, Dr. Scott…Doc. I called to congratulate you on your win. I’m very happy for you. Ok, well…”

  Jess elbowed Cassidy.

  “You can call me back if you want to, but you don’t have to. Bye!” Cassidy put the phone down, filled her glass and took a large gulp of wine.

  “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thanks, but what am I going to do if he calls back?”

  “Answer it and go from there.”

  Grady stepped up onto platform to receive his medals. He’d done it several times before but today felt like the first time all over again. He was so blessed to have been given a second chance.

  Weston looked over at Grady and could see the tears welling up in his eyes. “You ok, Buddy?”

  “Yeah, I just can’t believe I made it back.”

  “I’m happy you did even if it means the silver for me.”

  “Thanks, West.”

  The flags were raised, medals were awarded, and it was time to celebrate. Grady and Weston were headed to the locker room when they were stopped by the press.

  “Grady, how are you feeling?”

  Grady looked over at the reporters. “I’m feeling good, thank you.”

  “Congratulations on the wins, O’Malley.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Mills, how does it feel to be back in O’Malley’s shadow?”

  Weston
smiled. “I don’t mind being a shadow as long as it means that my buddy is back.”

  Grady put his arm around Weston and then messed his hair. “You see this guy right here he’s going to be a better version of me one day. Mark my words.”

  “Duly noted.”

  “Well, if that’s all, we need to get going.” Weston and Grady attempted to walk away.

  “One more question, Grady.”

  Grady looked over at the reporter. “Sure.”

  “It was rumored that your longtime girlfriend left you after your accident. Is that true?”

  “Yes.”

  “So, does that mean Grady O’Malley is back on the market?” The reporter winked at Grady.

  Grady shrugged his shoulders. “I guess you could say that.”

  “That doesn’t sound convincing. Is there someone new in your life?”

  “No comment.” Grady moved around the reporter and continued to the locker room.

  Cassidy sat in bed staring down at her phone. As much as she wanted Grady to call her, she almost wished that he wouldn’t. Her phone rang and she almost threw it across the room. She grabbed it, looked down and saw Jess’ picture.

  “Hello!”

  “Did he call?”

  “I don’t think he will.”

  “He will.”

  “What if he doesn’t?”

  “Then you call him again.”

  “Why? I don’t know why I even called him in the first place.”

  “Because you have feelings for him and Cass, I know he has feelings for you.”

  “But…”

  “No buts. You need to eliminate all negative thoughts. When he calls…and yes I said when…you need to answer the phone and tell him how you feel.”

  “You said I could see where the conversation goes. You never mentioned telling him how I feel.”

  “Ugh! Do I need to come back and sit with you while you’re on the phone?”

  “No. I have to pee. I will call you if he calls me.”

  “That would be when and I will be waiting.”

  “Goodbye, Jess.”

  Cassidy lied she didn’t have to pee she just didn’t want to hear Jess’ speech on how she needed to be happy. She laid back on the bed, closed her eyes and allowed the memories she had of Grady to flash through her mind.

  20

  Grady rolled over, stretched, and reached for his phone to check the time. It was then that he realized he had two missed calls and a bunch of text messages. He hit the voicemail button and the first message was from his parents who congratulated him on his win. When the next message played his eyes opened wide and he sat up in bed and began mumbling aloud. “Oh God. She’s going to think that I don’t care. I need to call her.”

  Cassidy cried herself to sleep while holding her phone. When it rang, she shot up like a bolt of lightning, grabbed the phone and answered it without even thinking that it could be Grady.

  “Hello!”

  “I just found your message, or I would have called you sooner.”

  Cassidy looked down at the phone, her hands were shaking, and she felt flushed.

  “Are you still there?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry the phone startled me and…”

  “I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s ok.”

  “To be honest I wasn’t expecting to hear from you.”

  Cassidy’s eyes filled with tears. He’d already settled back into his old life and wrote her off. “I’m sorry I bothered…”

  “Bothered! No, I’m happy that you called me.”

  “You are?” Cassidy smiled.

  “I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but I miss you, Doc.”

  “I miss you too, Grady.”

  “Then why did you push me away?”

  “Because…I’m scared.”

  “Of me?”

  “A little.”

  Grady felt hurt that Cassidy was afraid of him. “But I’d never hurt you.”

  “Jess said that about you.”

  “I knew I liked her.” Grady laughed. “Can we have dinner tonight?”

  “Oh Grady, I don’t know…”

  “I’ll be at Malone’s at eight.”

  “Grady…”

  “I hope I see you there.”

  “Safe trip home.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We’re going to Malone’s tonight?”

  Grady looked over at Weston. “Eavesdropping?”

  “I wanted to make sure you were awake. Team brunch is in twenty minutes.”

  “Shit!” Grady stood up.

  “So, who were you talking to?”

  “Doc.”

  “You finally caved and called her?”

  “No, she called me last night to congratulate me on my win.”

  “And you waited until this morning to call her back?”

  “I didn’t find her message until this morning.”

  “I think that’s great that Doc Scott agreed to meet you.”

  “She didn’t exactly agree to meet me but I’m hoping she does.”

  “Why don’t I come and hang with you and when she shows up, I’ll get lost.”

  “What if she doesn’t show up?”

  “Her loss then. I’ll find us two hot babes and we will have our own party.”

  “Thanks, West.”

  “Cass, you need to calm down.”

  Cassidy paced back and forth between her bed and the closet. “What am I going to do?”

  Jess picked up a black dress and handed it to Cassidy. “Put this on and then go meet Grady.”

  Cassidy looked down at the dress. “It’s too revealing.”

  “Too revealing! Are you telling me that you kept your clothes on during sex?”

  “No, but he couldn’t see me.” Cassidy dropped down onto the bed. “I can’t go.”

  “Cass, you have to go! You can’t just leave him sitting there all night.”

  “Jess, I thought I might be ready but I’m not.”

  Jess grabbed Cassidy’s hand. “You are ready. Now go change and I don’t care if you wear that dress or a potato sack but you’re going.”

  “But…”

  Jess gave Cassidy an evil stare. “GO!”

  “I’m going.” Cassidy picked up a more conservative dress and headed to the bathroom.

  Grady stood in the parking lot wondering if Cassidy was already inside or if she was even going to come.

  “What are you doing?” Weston patted Grady on the shoulder.

  “I think I just realized that I’m a nervous wreck.”

  “A little secret here…you’ve already done the deed with her so what’s to be nervous about? You know she likes you.”

  “I think she does.”

  “Grady, trust me she does.”

  “Do I look ok?”

  “Yes, Sir, and you smell good too.” Weston winked and jumped back before Grady punched him.

  “You’re a dick!”

  “Last one inside buys first round.” Weston took off.

  “Cass, we’ve been standing here for five minutes. Are you waiting for him to come out and drag you inside?”

  “I know that what you said about him having feelings for me is true but what if he can’t see past my…”

  Jess grabbed Cassidy by her shoulders. “He will. I promise. Now let’s go.”

  Cassidy took a deep breath, pulled open the door and stepped inside. She immediately spotted Grady at the bar even though his back was toward her. “There he is.”

  “Oh, and he brought his hot friend with him.”

  “You have the hots for Weston?”

  “Who wouldn’t, just look at those arms. His shirt looks like it is going to explode.”

  Cassidy giggled. “I guess I’ve been too busy staring at Grady to even notice.”

  “I called first dibs so don’t get any ideas.” Jess laughed.

  “I guess it’s time to do this.” Cassidy walked toward the bar.<
br />
  Grady drank his vodka while Weston chugged down a beer. “She’s not coming.”

  “It’s only eight ten.”

  “I’ve never felt like this before, West.”

  “But it’s a good feeling isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, but kind of scary.”

  “Oh, God, speaking of scary.”

  “GRADY!”

  Grady didn’t even have to turn around to know it was Rylan.

  “Rylan, why don’t you get lost.”

  “Shut up, Westyboy.”

  Grady looked over at Rylan. “Hey.”

  “How about a drink for old time’s sake?”

  “I see you haven’t changed any.”

  “Thank you.”

  “It wasn’t a compliment.”

  “I miss you.” Rylan placed her hand onto Grady’s cheek.

  “Funny but I haven’t missed you.”

  “Not even this?” Rylan attacked Grady with her mouth.

  Cassidy was standing behind Grady about to say hello when Rylan showed up. “I need to get out of here.”

  Jess grabbed her arm. “Give them a minute and see what happens.”

  Cassidy watched as Rylan touched Grady’s face and then kissed him. “Oh God.” Her world turned upside down and tears ran down her face. She turned toward the door and there was a crowd of people coming in, so she ran to the bathroom instead.

  Grady pried Rylan away from him and stood up. “Are you kidding me!”

  Rylan smiled. “It was worth a try.”

  “You’re a…” Grady stopped mid-sentence and turned around. “Doc.”

  Weston looked but didn’t see Cassidy. Jess smiled at him. “Rylan, come with me.” Weston grabbed her by the elbow.

  Rylan tried to pull away. “Let go of me you jerk!”

  “If you come quietly, I’ll buy you a drink.”

  “Fine.” Rylan sauntered off with Weston.

  Grady inhaled. He knew he smelled Cassidy’s perfume. He looked again and this time he saw Jess. “Where is she?”