Chapter 23
S
loan pulled up to the address Ellie had sent.
She hated that she was nervous. They had never gone this long without speaking, and the knot in her stomach made her feel like she would throw up.
She hated the discord. Christmas had been spent on the most glorious beach, but the sun did nothing to melt away the feeling of disconnection that she felt.
She had gone away hoping to heal, but she had only isolated herself and intensified her pain.
Relief had filled her when Ellie had waved the white flag.
To think of bringing in the New Year without fixing things with her friend was heavy.
Ellie was her constant. Ellie was her sister.
She felt obligated to make amends. Soul mates came in many forms, and hers was Elliot Whitlock-Campbell.
The traditional home was picture-perfect.
It looked like something out of a Home Alone movie.
The snow-covered lawn framed the bricked colonial with the three-car garage.
She bent her neck to look out her passenger window as she parked curbside. Ellie’s mother’s car was parked in the driveway. Sloan climbed out of the car and walked to the door. She rang the bell, and Ellie pulled open the door.
“Come on in,” Ellie welcomed before leading Sloan to the living room.
“Whose house is this?” Sloan asked as she turned in a circle while giving the place a once-over. It was beautifully renovated inside. Everything was new, updated with the highest finishes.
“It’s mine,” Ellie answered.
Sloan turned to Ellie in surprise.
“A Christmas gift from Loyal. I guess I’m moving back home,” Ellie said, shrugging.
Sloan gave Ellie a small smile. It was all her soul could offer right now. She nodded.
“Wow, this is a big gift. You’re living here with him?” Sloan asked.
Ellie shook her head. “No, alone. I told Loyal I need time. I need to settle my divorce, give the girls time to adjust, and give myself time to process the end of a marriage and a relocation back home before I let Loyal whisk me off my feet. I tried to give the house back, but he said it was an insult. So, I guess this is our new home.”
“Is it in your name?” Sloan asked.
“Bitch, you know I ain’t Boo Boo the fucking fool. Absolutely,” Ellie replied.
“That’s a good move, Ellie,” Sloan said. “We all wanted you closer. I know your dad is happy, and I’m really happy you decided to pull the trigger on your divorce. You deserve so much better. I know it’ll hurt. It’s grieving a person that’s still alive, but I think it’s for the best.”
“Yeah, me too. He pulled up to Papa’s house on Christmas, after he got wind that I was filing, and tried to talk about a reconciliation,” Ellie informed.
Sloan jerked her neck back in shock.
“Exactly my reaction,” Ellie stated, not even needing words from Sloan.
“I considered it too. I wanted to do what’s best for the girls, and I felt like I should stick it out so that their father could come home, but nah.
Fuck that and fuck him. What’s best for my kids is showing them how to walk away from something that doesn’t serve them. ”
“You’re absolutely teaching them what they should and should not accept in a relationship, Ellie.
Just because it’s their dad doesn’t make the lesson go away.
You showed them how to stand up for themselves.
You’re doing what’s best for you, which means it’s what’s best for them.
A healthy and happy mother matters.” It was such a generic response from her best friend, and Ellie felt the tension in the room.
Sloan was hurt, and so was Ellie. They couldn’t just move on like their disagreement had never happened.
Ellie looked at her, frowning, and Sloan felt an insecurity fill her. “What?”
“Bitch, I can’t stand here and play pretend with you. This is awkward, and we’re being all cute and nice when we know it’s an elephant in the room. Let’s just put it on the floor. I’m fucking mad as hell at you, but I love you too much to stay mad. I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
Sloan sighed, pushing out a breath of relief.
“No, girl, I’m sorry. I should have never entertained your brother, Ellie.
I knew how you felt, and I did it anyway, and now everything is all awkward and fucked up.
It was selfish, and I’m so sorry. You’re my best friend.
I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to change our dynamic, and I don’t want you to think I was using our friendship to get to Cassidy. I wasn’t. It wasn’t like that.”
“The dynamic has changed, though,” Ellie replied. “You’re my friend, Sloan, but I’ve always wanted a sister. My brother is crazy about you, Sloan. I don’t want to stand in the way of the two people I love most in the world loving each other.”
“You’re not the only thing standing in the way,” Sloan admitted.
“I know,” Ellie replied. “But Cassidy isn’t who you think he is.
He did his crime, and he paid for it, but it wasn’t a random act of violence.
This isn’t the same circumstance that your mom went through.
He would never hurt you. He’s not crazy.
He’s not going to black out on you one day, Sloan.
He’s Cass. He’s the same guy he’s always been to you. ”
“How can he be? Killing someone with your bare hands got to change a man,” Sloan whispered. “That’s terrifying, Ellie. Every time I think of it…” Sloan felt the fear creep into her soul, and she shivered.
“I have something for you. I stole them from Cass, but you need to read them,” Ellie stated. She went to the pantry door and disappeared inside. She emerged with a shoebox and placed it on the table. Sloan followed her and took a seat.
“What is this?”
“It’s my mom’s letters to him while he was in jail. I haven’t read them because I don’t need to. I know who Cass is. You should,” Ellie urged.
“Ellie!” Sloan hissed. “This is personal! These are your mom’s words. They’re meant for Cass. I can’t invade his privacy like that. I won’t. If there is something in these letters that I should know, he is going to have to be the one to tell me.”
The doorbell rang, and Sloan’s eyes shot to the door as Cassidy came waltzing in.
“Well, here is his chance,” Ellie stated as she stood from the table.
The shock that took over Cassidy’s face when he landed eyes on Sloan told her that he hadn’t been expecting her.
“Ellie, you shouldn’t have done this,” Sloan whispered. “This ain’t cool.” Sloan stood, preparing to leave.
“Sloan, please,” Ellie begged. “I know you’re afraid, and I understand why, but he’s not who you think he is.”
“E, it’s cool,” Cassidy stated.
“No, Cass! It’s not cool! She doesn’t even know-”
“It doesn’t matter, E,” Cassidy dismissed.
“What doesn’t matter?” Sloan whispered. “What aren’t you saying? Please, just tell me, Cassidy. Tell me anything because I don’t want to have to sneak and read letters from your mom to try to figure you out!”
Cassidy walked over to the table, discovering the shoebox.
There were over a hundred letters inside, all from his mother.
He turned to Ellie, knowing she was responsible for this.
“This what we doing? These don’t belong to you, E.
You’re out of fucking line,” he spat sharply. “Did you read them?” he asked Ellie.
“No, Cass, but she should!” Ellie shouted.
He turned to her, face bent in anguish.
“I don’t know what you want from me,” Cassidy drawled.
“I want you to tell me you regret it! I want you to tell me that I have nothing to be afraid of. That you’re sorry. Tell me why you did it! Tell me something, Cassidy!”
“Fuck no. I don’t feel bad about shit, and I’ll never regret it,” Cassidy stated in a low tone.
“If I had to make the same decision again, I would. I’d beat the life out that nigga.
” It was his certainty that made him menacing.
It was the peace in his eyes when he said it that told her he meant every word.
He was so unremorseful, and it made him seem heartless.
She couldn’t fathom this level of violence.
It was cruel and inhumane. Goosebumps formed on her arms because she didn’t know how not to fear a man this ruthless.
Sloan’s eyes teared, and she had to clench her fists to stop herself from shaking. “Who are you?” she whispered, shaking her head.
Sloan stormed for the door, and Ellie pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Damn, Cass! A little gentler; do you want her to walk out the door?” Ellie whispered, chastising her brother.
“She’s looking for answers I can’t give her,” Cassidy stated solemnly.
“Sloan, please, just stay. Both of you, just listen to me! Y’all are giving up on each other!
” Ellie shouted at the top of her lungs, exasperated.
They were like two freight trains headed toward one another on the same track.
“I was wrong. I don’t know how I missed the bond y’all have all these years, but I see it now.
Sloan, Cassidy loves you. He loves you so much, and I know why you’re afraid to trust him, but I also know that you trust me with your life.
I’m telling you that he will not hurt you.
Everything that you think you know, you don’t.
Cassidy, please say something! Fight for her!
” Ellie looked to Cassidy, who stood, rubbing the back of his neck in distress.
She walked over to him and placed a hand to his forearm and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“You have to tell her everything. I know you’re hurt by what she thinks of you.
I know you made a promise all those years ago, but it’s time to break that promise.
It’s time to tell the truth. Because if you don’t, you’re going to let the love of your life walk out that door, and you’ll lose her.
You deserve her, Cassidy. I’m going to go to Papa’s and give y’all some time to talk.
Say something that matters, Cass.” Ellie grabbed her purse and her keys and then walked out.