Chapter 12
12
Cassidy - Two Weeks Later
“Cassidy, please, I’m your mother….” I roll my eyes as I sign off on a patient's discharge papers, trying to ignore Trudy Halliwell beside me. “I mean seriously, you disappeared with no trace, giving your sister, your eighteen-year-old sister, the deed to my house, allowing her to sell it and leave me homeless, not giving me a cent of my own money…” she continues.
The receptionist rolls her eyes and turns away, making me smirk. Most of the ER staff have officially reached their limits with my mother, who can’t seem to take the hint.
“I haven’t had a decent haircut in months. Andrea is having Acid’s baby, and her father won’t accept it in his house. She needs me, and your sister is just being pathetic and whiny. Now I know she gave you half the money from the sale, and I need it back; it belongs to me!”
I turn to my mother sharply, her false words pissing me off, to find her standing with her hands on her hips.
Trudy Halliwell is a bitch through and through. She hasn’t had a decent haircut, yet her deep red hair is immaculate, and the woman is wearing a pantsuit, for Christ’s sake, despite not holding a job in her life, always living off Dad and her ex-lover.
And, let’s face it, it is highly unlikely that Andrea’s baby is Acid’s. The man has told me several times he doesn’t remember screwing her, that the empty condom was still on his dick.
I wouldn’t put it past that bitch, Andrea, to have drugged him.
I curl my lip at her, and I snap, “First of all, you not being able to keep those legs shut cost you the house, and any valuables after Dad died.” Mom gasps in shock as the receptionist snorts. “Secondly, Andrea is not your daughter, Perrie is, and don’t stand there like a dumb bitch pretending not to know her and Acid were always meant to be. Andrea wants everything that Perrie has, all because you screwed her father, then gave her money when he refused, our father's money at that, because obviously giving her the money her dad gave you was not good enough!”
Her face reddens, clearly not realizing I know exactly what she’s been doing over the years, and I narrow my eyes, ready for her outburst.
I had such a good morning as well. I got to see Natalie’s baby and scare both Piston and Steal with the transvaginal wand. I even got to flip Steal over my shoulder, a move he taught me, no less, after he touched my shoulder, causing him to land on his back. But now my good mood has plummeted.
“It doesn’t matter what I did; I was his wife!” she growls.
I smirk and reply, “A shit one at that.”
“Why you little…” she starts, taking a step toward me, before Steal’s tatted arm comes between us.
He growls, “Take one more step and I’ll fucking ruin you.”
A shiver runs down my spine at his threat, and yes, my libido kicks in, and I silently tell it to screw off just like I did two weeks ago when he kissed me out of the blue and I ended up using the shower head to get off.
I’m putting myself first, and if I have to use my toy or shower head, then I will!
“Y-you can’t speak to me that way,” Mom stutters, and I roll my eyes.
She looks ready to piss herself, which only makes the receptionist giggle, though she does try and hide it with a cough.
“Actually, I fucking can where my girl is concerned. For four years, you’ve been calling my phone non-stop, looking for her. Did you think I was stupid enough not to know it was about money?” Steal sneers before standing in front of me. He crosses his arms over his chest, and I lean against the desk, letting him handle it.
I mean, technically, I should be shouting at him, but this is the fifth time Mom has tried to find me in the hospital, the first time succeeding, and I really can’t be bothered to deal with her. If Steal’s going to hang around the hospital like a bad smell, then why not use him, right?
“You have five seconds to turn your plastic ass around and get out of the hospital before I fucking throw you out,” he finishes.
“C-Cassy…” Mom tries, and I flinch at her using Dad’s nickname.
“Don’t fucking call her that,” Steal threatens coldly, “now leave….”
It takes a few seconds before I hear her heels clicking on the linoleum flooring and the receptionist whisper, “God, I’m so getting that man underneath me tonight…” for me to snap out of it.
I hate the jealousy that runs through me, the anger at the thought of her touching him, when I know he’s most likely sleeping with Faith.
I push off the counter and walk away, but instead of staying with the receptionist who calls for him, he follows me into the staff room.
“You are not supposed to be in here, Steal,” I say as I grab my bag and retrieve my banana.
He hums. “I know, but you see, this woman flung me over her shoulder earlier, and I need an examination. My back’s killing me….”
I snort as I peel my banana.
“If you want an exam, you need to head to reception,” Tanner says from behind him as he enters the staff room.
I smile when he walks my way, and yes, I take great pleasure in the way Steal’s jaw ticks.
I take a bite of my banana as Tanner kisses my head and asks, “Was that your mother I saw again?”
I nod as chew, then swallow my food, and admit, “It was ,but this time I couldn’t walk away fast enough; she grabbed hold of me while the receptionist was trying to pick which patient was single.”
Tanner chuckles and grabs his water bottle while I look at Steal, who’s crossed his arms over his chest, his anger shining.
“Steal,” I sigh, not ready for an argument.
He shakes his head and snaps, “Four fucking years I’ve had to live without you, and I can understand you moving on with your life, putting yourself first, but if you think I’m giving up, then you have another think coming. You are fucking mine just like I’m yours?—”
I cut him off, “But you weren’t mine. You were Faith’s and the club’s, while I was left with your scraps. Dammit, you forgot my graduation, you forgot Dad’s death anniversaries, our anniversaries, and you held a gun to my head without letting me explain what had happened or even tried to comfort me. I had just killed someone, Colt, stabbed them in the chest, and I was in shock, and what do you do? You dragged me out by my hair!” He sighs as Tanner grabs my hand, but I’m not finished, “I needed you more than ever, and you took her side, claiming her in front of the club…and me.”
I chuck my banana, no longer hungry, before I turn back to the man to whom I gave my everything, including my heart. “Every single night for two years, I had nightmares.” Colt drops his arms. “Every single night I saw his cold dead eyes and sometimes, if I’m really tired, I feel like he’s haunting me, even four years later.” I shake my head. “Not once did you ever put me first, even when I had put you first, including before my education. I needed you, and just because you’re suddenly hanging around doesn’t mean you can snap your fingers, and everything will be okay again.”
I look at Tanner, who gives me an encouraging nod, and I turn back to the man I never could get over and admit, “I was leaving you, Colt. I was finally putting myself first for once, ensuring I was actually happy, and when I needed you the most after my decision, you proved it was the right one, and we both know nothing has changed in the past four years. Faith is still around, and you are still at her beck and call, and the brothers still want my head.” Swallowing hard, trying to control the urge to sob, I walk over to him and gently press a kiss to his cheek, inhaling his forest scent. I whisper, “Move on with your life and get a woman your club will love, a woman who can understand club life.”
I open the staff room door and walk out as the first tear falls. An arm wraps around my shoulders, and I lean into Tanner, who whispers, “You did good, sweetie….” And the first sob leaves me, causing him to hurry me into the supply closet, where I fall apart.
It’s hard knowing how much my love for him has strengthened over the years, and I know that has to do with our daughter; she’s made it even more difficult to let go of that love, but I need to; otherwise, I’ll crumble.
I can’t crumble; my daughter needs me.