CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Cassie
“You’re the Genie, CeCe! Hands up!” Ginger calls out breathlessly as she and CeCe team-dance with me and Mabel to “Prince Ali” on Just Dance.
The big house living room is bright, loud and animated, full of girls, empty dinner plates, blankets and pillows.
Ginger is rocking the Princess Jasmine moves in all-white fleece pajamas and a veiled tiara on top of her head.
Mabel is out in front and knows every single move.
Thankfully I am really damn good at Just Dance, so we’re rightly kicking their asses.
Which I’d say, if it didn’t mean I’d get charged a dollar for cussing.
“You two are killing us!” CeCe calls, trying to keep up.
Mabel and I go to town on them. I’ve never done this routine before. But Aladdin was my entire childhood personality at one point. So I guess there’s that.
By the end of the song we’re all sweating. Mabel came in first and I came in second. We high-five as Ginger tells her she wants a rematch.
I fill my wine glass with some Pinot Grigio and flop comfortably down on the overstuffed leather sofa beside Olivia.
“Ranch life serving you well?” she asks as she sips her own wine.
I smile and toss my hair up in a big bun. “Yeah. I think so. It’s so peaceful here.”
Olivia laughs. “Yep, and Silver Pines in particular. It’s always a home away from home for anyone who graces it.”
“It’s been nice to spend time with them too. It’s been a long time since we’ve all been together like this and happy.” I nod to the sofa across from us, where my mama is bouncing Billi on her knee beside Ivy. They’re both making silly faces at the baby as she laughs.
“Come on, my babies, let’s get some snacks and watch a movie,” Jo says, coming over to grab Mabel’s hand. Ginger bends down to kiss the top of Mabel’s head, passing her her stuffed cow and pillow. The nanas head off to the den with their babies to watch movies and camp out there.
“Night, baby,” Ginger says to Mabel. “Don’t eat too much before bed.”
“Don’t worry, I will,” Mabel calls out in a fit of giggles. Ivy follows them to get Billi settled in her playpen until Wade comes to pick her up. She’s the only one not sleeping here.
Once they all leave, Ginger takes her veil off and musses her hair before grabbing a bag of Skittles and sitting down across from us.
“Alright, ladies, out with the gossip. What’s going on? I have zero drama in my life for the first time ever and I need some.”
“Well, I was just about to ask Cassie if she’s seen any sights since she’s been here, or if she’s been spending time with anyone in town?” Olivia asks with a sly grin. “Any more one-nighters with the hot cowboy next door?”
“Oh hell,” I mutter with a grin of my own. They all look at me expectantly. I shrug. “A couple more.”
“We knew it!” CeCe says, raising a teacup as she drops between us. “Nash called it a couple weeks ago.”
I shake my head. “It’s not that obvious.”
“Cole said Haden threw snow in some guy’s face at Penny’s ranch for talking to you,” Ginger laughs as she pops a handful of Skittles into her mouth.
I start laughing. “Yeah, I suppose that did happen.”
“Damn cowboys. Always marking their territory,” CeCe says.
I shake my head, “I’m not anyone’s territory. Especially as I should be heading back to Nashville to record. After almost a month of therapy, I’ve learned a lot. I’m feeling good. I’m feeling rested.”
Olivia snorts. “I bet.”
I look at her and smile.
“It’s true. Cowboys have a way of tiring you out,” CeCe jokes.
“Fucking cowboys,” I giggle, sipping my wine. It feels good to have other women to talk to about this. My lack of experience with real relationships has me all up in my head about Haden.
I continue. “So, you see my dilemma? There’s no real reason for me to stay. Plus my manager has been calling me three times a day for the last week. We’re running out of studio time. But I can’t bring myself to leave either. I don’t want to leave him.”
“Damn, I thought you two were just hooking up. I didn’t realize it was that deep,” Olivia says, leaning in. “I’ve never seen Haden with a girlfriend. Have any of you?”
The rest of the girls confirm they haven’t as my phone lights up beside me.
COWBOY
They just played “Your Truck” at Woody’s.
I’m a little disappointed.
Why is that?
COWBOY
The way you stared at my ass the first day we met, I would’ve bet money my jeans would’ve made it into the song.
I don’t remember staring. Maybe a quick glance.
COWBOY
Whatever gets you through the day, Princess.
Olivia clears her throat beside me.
“You know, in my experience, when you can’t go one night without talking, you are down bad for each other,” she whispers.
The other girls are chatting away and she says it low enough so that no one else hears.
I set my glass down on the end table and sigh, before turning back to her and putting my head in my hands.
“I’m really in trouble here, aren’t I?” I wonder if Haden is thinking of me as much as I’m thinking about him tonight.
Oliva laughs and shakes her head. “Yeah you are. Fucking cowboys.”