CASSIDY #3
Home is quiet in the wrong way.
At least here, silence has a purpose. Here, silence means productivity and deadlines and things getting done. At home, silence means I’ll be alone with every thought I’ve spent the entire day outrunning.
I turn off the office light, step into the corridor, and lock the door behind me.
The walk to the lift feels longer than usual. Maybe because the building is emptier now.
Maybe because my scent is out in the open, when, normally, I hide it in these corridors.
Or maybe it’s because I’m tired enough that every shadow feels like someone waiting to ask me a question I don’t know how to answer.
I press the lift button and stare at the glowing number above the doors.
Down.
Down.
Down.
The doors slide open, and I jump in surprise when I spot my cousin standing here.
“CeCe,” he says, beaming at me. “What are you doing here this late?”
I shiver, stepping into the lift, and the doors close behind us as Sterling waits for my answer.
“I just had a few things to finish off.”
He nods, tucking his phone away, before pulling me into his side, close enough that green tea and mint settles around me.
“You’re upset.”
I shake my head, looking up at him in what I hope is a convincing lie.
“I’m just tired. Mum, Dad, and Papa are away, so I’m heading home to an empty house.”
He frowns. “Do you want to come and stay with me?”
I shake my head quickly. “No, of course not. I don’t want to intrude. Emme is—”
“My mate would be more than happy to see you and have you stay with us so you’re not alone,” he says firmly. “And you know that Dellan would love to see you.”
I grin, relaxing against him as his familiar scent takes the worst edge off my panic.
“I doubt your son will be up at—” I check my watch and groan. “Nearly 1 am.”
“Then you’ve clearly not had a six month old before,” he says with a fond head shake.
The doors open on the ground floor, and I move to untangle from Sterling, but he tightens his hold.
“I’ll take you home,” he says firmly. “Don’t protest, CeCe, or I’ll message Uncle myself.”
I groan and elbow his stomach. He doesn’t even flinch.
“You could’ve pretended,” I tease, and he laughs.
“How are things?” Sterling asks softly.
“They’re going well,” I lie again, unable to do anything else.
“I see. I’ve noticed that Evander hasn’t—”
“Oh, my days,” I whimper, and Sterling laughs. “Please, don’t talk to me about boys.”
“I’d argue Evander’s a man, but then I’d probably be laughed at by anyone who knows him,” Sterling teases as we reach the basement.
He leads me into the dark parking lot, and I’m grateful when it lights up for us.
“He was over harassing my mate tonight, which means he wasn’t harassing you,” Sterling points out, leading me to his car.
It’s blue. Big. And probably very expensive. It’s not one I’ve seen him drive before, though.
“Don’t judge it,” Sterling practically pleads. “It’s Oscar’s. I had to borrow it since I went to a baby class with Em and Dellan this morning, and apparently, my car is not suited for our tiny human.”
I giggle, opening the passenger door. The seat is a little taller than I expected, and I grumble as I practically have to launch myself into it.
“I’m assuming you’re not going to tell me anything about your mates,” he says, and I freeze, turning to look at my cousin in horror.
“Mates, plural?” I murmur, and his green tea and mint scent pulses with brief panic.
“Fuck,” he mutters. “Cass, I’m sorry. I—”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say with a sigh, resting back on the chair. “I knew Evander knew. Isaac and I are… currently taking time to process the revelation.”
Sterling’s scent thickens with his intrigue, but I refuse to turn and look at him.
“I see,” he says, but I don’t think he does. “And… anyo—anything else?”
“No.” I sigh, looking out the window. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Always.”
“When you were courting Emme, did you ever… lie to her?”
Sterling hums, indicating left as we pull up to a red light. It’s strange that it’s on red since we’re at a pedestrian crossing, and there’s no other traffic on the road or anyone around.
But you know, it would be my luck to prolong this drive.
“I wasn’t very nice to Emme when we first met,” he says carefully. “I had… incorrect assumptions about her. It took me longer than I’d have liked to come around to her.”
“Oh.”
I bite my lip and blink back the tears that threaten to fall.
“Which one was it, love?” he asks gently.
“I don’t think it’s them,” I say softly. “It’s me. I’m just not… good enough.”
“When I get my hands on them—”
“Please, don’t worry, Sterling,” I say, faking some bravado. “Tell me about the baby class. Did Dellan enjoy himself?”
I know my cousin’s anger is simmering away as he continues driving, but he doesn’t push. Thank goodness.
He shares about the baby class—some kind of sensory group—and I ooh and aah in all of the right places.
Tomorrow—well, technically today, I suppose—will be better. There will be goats, and Frankie, and no real expectations once I’m done with work.
At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.