Chapter 6
Cassie
It was finally Friday, time to face the music.
Either I would have a job, or I wouldn’t.
I walked into Fusion and then sighed when I saw Talia standing there beside Harlee, Everly, Lila, and Tatum.
“Really?” I asked.
Harlee smiled, “Talia has something she would like to say to you.”
I shook my head, “A few years ago, I might have listened. But now, no. I’ve had enough of being judged by things that were so far out of my control they might as well have been lost in the freaking Milky Way.”
And with that, I turned on my heel, opened the door, and left.
Then I got in my car and drove to Virgin Mary’s, walked inside, right to the bar, and smiled at Birdie, “Can you use another waitress?”
At her nod, she winked.
I was on my second shift when I felt the air stir.
I glanced up and saw Alec, Garrick, Dom, Bronson, Carter, Ethan, Harlee, Tatum, Lila, Everly, Frank, Misty, and Talia.
Yes, I had met everyone yesterday when they all showed up with welcome casseroles and welcome baskets. Thankfully, Talia wasn’t there.
And yes, I had dinner with Jacob last night, at Gusher’s, and it was a blast.
I had also met Harlee’s parents, Pete and Darla.
They were a hoot.
Now, I watched all of them as they scanned the bar, and when their eyes landed on me, they all made a beeline towards me.
Misty smiled, then she looked at Talia and said, “Now.”
Talia sighed, then ran her hand through her hair. “Can we talk somewhere in private?”
I shook my head and crossed my arms over my chest, “Nope.”
She winced, then she nodded, “I’m a big enough woman to admit when I’m wrong and apologize for acting like a bitch. I’m sorry. I just get protective over my friends.”
I nodded, because I got that. But still.
She nodded, “I know. That doesn’t excuse what I said or how I acted. I’d like to make it up to you. Therefore, it’s why we’re all here.”
Then the others chuckled. I narrowed my eyes at all of them.
Alec winked at me, and then moved closer and said, “Talia hates the Jonas Brothers, and I mean she loathes them. She’s going to sing you a song.”
Then Talia winced and nodded, “Nothing like a good public apology.”
Then she started to walk away and over to a small stage set up in the corner.
Then she stopped, turned her head, and asked, “Can you forgive me, so I don’t have to do this?”
I waited a beat and then shook my head.
She sighed while everyone chuckled.
Then I lowered my voice, “Who else is mad at her right now?”
Every hand went up.
Then I nodded.
And when Talia turned again before the stage, I shook my head.
She visibly sighed again.
Then she reached the stage, winced, and pulled out her phone.
Harlee winced, “She can’t sing.”
Carter nodded, “Sounds like a dying elk.”
Alec said, “A hungry hippo.”
Garrick said, “A horny rhino.”
Dom winced, “A sick tiger.
Ethan nodded, “A scared snake.”
“Hush all of you,” Misty snapped.
Frank just laughed.
Then I found out what they meant, and she was only on the second line.
I smiled up at her and called out, “Talia?”
She stopped, then looked at me with her cheeks flaming red, “Just ask next time. Yeah?”
At her nod, I winked.
Then I looked at Harlee, “My job still open?”
She nodded.
Birdie clapped. “Good. I already gotta deal with one hot head any time someone hits on me. I don’t want the whole Griggs clan in here when it happens to Cassie.”
All the women’s eyes swung to her, and all the men chuckled.
I finished my shift, and eventually they all had to head home, but not Alec.
No, he stayed on a corner barstool, keeping an eye on things.
And when one customer reached out to pat my hand, he had come off his barstool.
Birdie had shaken her head when I came back to the bar for another round of drinks, tilted her head to the side, and said, “See what I mean?”
Monday morning came around, and as I finished dressing, there was a knock on my door.
I finished putting on my last ballet flat and headed to the door.
Checking the peephole, I smiled when I saw Alec.
I opened the door, he smiled, then winked, “These are for you. Congrats on your first day.”
I took the white lilies from him.
He had remembered it.
It was one of the things we had talked about that night on his back porch.
Softly, I said, “Thank you.”
Then he winked as he started walking backward to his truck, “Who said romance is dead?”
I laughed. Then I watched him climb into his truck and leave.
I made it to Fusion in ten minutes, yes, that even included stopping and getting Harlee, Everly, and myself a coffee.
Who didn’t love caramel?
And I was right.
Both of their eyes had widened at the sight.
I was going to be working here and taking any sports-related injuries that needed PT, as well as helping rehabilitated soldiers.
Harlee had gotten the contract from the Department of Veterans Affairs a few months ago and had started taking in applications to fill the position.
She had told me why she wanted to offer that, because some of the men who worked with Carter on Solace, the oil rig that had a catastrophe happen to it, had to drive almost four hours for an appointment.
It was about three hours later when Everly poked her head into my massage room I had just finished setting up, when she said with a twinkle in her eye, “There is someone out here to see you.”
At my frown, she giggled.
Oh, hell’s bells.
I nodded, then followed her up to reception.
I smiled at who I saw standing there.
He winked at me, “Hey, neighbor, got a minute?”
Harlee was the first to ask, “Neighbor?”
I giggled, “Would you believe me if I told you that the place I found to rent was the unit right beside his?”
Everly’s mouth dropped open, as did Harlee’s. “No way.”
At my nod, she smiled, “Well then.”
I looked at Alec, who jerked his chin outside.
Once we made it out the front doors, I caught him scanning the lot.
Then, when he apparently saw it was clear, he looked down at me, “This is a first.”
I lifted a brow, “What? Meeting a woman at work?”
He chuckled, “No. Telling someone I’m leaving.”
I inhaled a breath.
The magnitude of that alone sent shivers through me.
I watched him swallow as he said, “Something’s here. I don’t know what. But I’d like to find out.”
I felt it too, and since this was my life, how I wanted to live it, I nodded, “I feel it too.”
A slow smile formed on his face, damn if I didn’t just stand there watching it.
Was it possible to swoon and get away without him noticing it?
At his answering wink, the answer was no.
Then I said, “So, did you come to me to tell me you were leaving, or ask me to wait?”
He brought his hand up and moved a piece of hair behind my ear.
Then I watched as his eyes trailed his fingers as they moved down through my hair, then he whispered so softly, I almost hadn’t heard him, “Fucking soft. Fucking perfect.”
He smiled as he said, “Bit of both.”
At my nod.
His eyes flared, “Yeah?”
I smiled, “Yeah.”
He nodded, “Good.”
I smiled, “Good.”
Then he leaned forward and pressed a kiss on my forehead.
My eyes closed automatically.
And when they opened not even the briefest of seconds later, it was to see his eyes, the color of blue water as it washed upon the shoreline, showing me something that couldn’t be defined.
Then he said, “Gotta go.”
“Okay. Stay safe. Watch your six? I didn’t just meet you to lose you.” I teased.
And I stood there as he walked away from me and to his truck.
He climbed in, started it up, then rolled down his window and stuck his head out, “Don’t forget about me.”
I laughed, “Impossible.”
I stayed there until he backed out and then pulled out of the parking lot.
Then I went back into Fusion.
Everly and Harlee had obviously been watching because Harlee said, “That was cute.”
Everly grinned, “That was swoon worthy.”
Then Harlee turned, and as she headed down the hall that led to the rooms, she said, “Didn’t know he had it in him.”
My first day went amazingly.
My first set of clients were so happy that they didn’t have to drive three hours for their appointments anymore.
And when I got home at ten after five, the very first thing I saw was the white lilies in the empty Dr. Pepper bottle I had put them in before I left.
I snapped a picture of it and sent it to Alec.
Soldier Boy – Fuck me. Just got looked at like I had lost my ever-loving mind.
Soldier Boy – Scared half the men waiting for the bird because of my laughter.
Me – It’s that frightening? Maybe I should rethink this.
Soldier Boy – Don’t you dare.
Me – I’ll try.
Soldier Boy – Trouble.
Me – Takes one to know one.
Soldier Boy – True.
Badass Chicks Text Thread
Harlee added Cassie.
Harlee – Hey, Cassie, this is our women only text thread.
Talia – Hey, girl, hey.
Everly – Hi.
Tatum – Hi, lovely.
Lila – Hi doll.
Me – Lol. Hi back.
Harlee – Get a load of this.
Harlee – *video of a trailer hauling a massive cock*
Talia – Umm. Ow.
Lila – What she said.
Tatum – Umm. Garrick’s is the only cock I want to see.
Talia – Tatum!
Harlee – Same with Carter.
Talia – Harlee!
I couldn’t help it. I had to.
Me – Same with Alec.
Talia – Cassie!
Me – ROTFLMAO. Sorry. But I had too.
Talia – Yep. Now I get it.
Harlee – Same.
Tatum – Ditto.
Everly – What they said.
Lila – Agreed.
Me – Get what?
Talia – The two of you. You're both trouble.
Lila – Not me over here thinking of how to even fit that in my vagina.
Me – Not me over here thinking how that would even fit in my bed.
Tatum – Not me over here thinking about the kind of gag reflex that would take.
Talia – Not me over here thinking about the size of a condom that would take.
I laughed. So hard. My stomach muscles were hurting.
Then a message came through.
Talia – Thank you for forgiving me. I truly am sorry.
Me – I know. And I get it. I do. You were protecting your friend.
Talia – Lila is so sweet. And when you see her with Bronson’s kids, you’ll get it too.
Me – Yeah, I’m actually about to head over there here in a little bit. Catch up.
Me – Friends only.