Chapter 7 – Cassie
I need like three shots of espresso. That was my first thought when I woke up this morning.
I stayed out way past my bedtime working on the window designs for the coffee shop last night. My mom’s unannounced visit had thrown me off schedule by a couple hours, but I decided not to go home after Jace left because the cool air against my tear-stained face felt healing somehow.
After I’d finished the last brush stroke, I stepped back to admire my work. Wanting more time to enjoy the peaceful fall night, I took a page out of Jace McKinley’s book and sat on the cool concrete in front of the coffee shop, staring up at the stars. No one around, just me and the wide open sky.
Now that it was a new day, my mind wandered to thoughts of my warm bed and comfy pillow.
A deep yawn made its way to the surface as I turned the key to the front door of the coffee shop.
I needed some caffeine and quick. My terrible sleeping habits had already caught up with me, so it was going to be a long day.
“You’re already yawning?” Ellie joked as she walked up behind me, ready to start the long day of coffee orders and small talk alongside me. “Did you stay up late watching murder documentaries again?”
I laughed because Ellie knew me well. As my best friend, she knew everything about me—the good, the bad and the ugly—which is why she wasn’t surprised when I told her what happened last night between my mom and me.
The only thing that surprised her was that I’d let Jace come in and comfort me. Sort of?
“You’re telling me Jace McKinley, as in my future brother-in-law, saw you crying, then hugged you, and you didn’t even kick him in the balls?” she asked slowly, like she was still processing what I’d said.
“Yes, I know it’s weird. And no, I don’t know why I let it happen. I just didn’t have the energy to kick him out, I guess. Besides, how could I be mean to him after I’d already broken his damn foot?”
“I told you he wasn’t such a bad guy, Cass,” she said, wearing a satisfied smile.
“The jury’s still out. One night of being semi-nice doesn’t change the fact that he’s got an ego the size of a hot air balloon. Plus, he’s reckless, and I can’t stand reckless.”
“Whatever you say.” Ellie shrugged her shoulders playfully and walked away.
I made my way over to the window and plugged in the Open sign, signaling to the customers on the street that we were ready for the day. It wouldn’t be long before everyone started rolling in.
Standing at the window, I watched as the cars drove by. Some of them pulled into parking spots, and others continued down the main road that ran between the updated storefronts of downtown Silver Creek, each car on its way to its own destination.
But one in particular caught my attention.
It was a black truck with darker-than-normal tint on the windows, and based on the way it shined, it was new.
The truck came to a slow roll, stopping at the red light in front of the coffee shop.
From the muscular, tattooed arm sticking out of the driver’s window, my version of McDreamy was probably driving it.
What could I say? I was a sucker for guys with tattoos, which was why I had to try very hard to hold it together the other day when I realized Jace had a sleeve of them now. Tattoos were an instant panty dropper for me, but Jace sure as hell didn’t need to know that about me.
As the light turned green, the truck rolled forward, turning slowly into a parking spot in the middle of town.
The driver parked, then hopped out. His strong grip wrapped around the edge of the door frame before slamming it shut.
As he made his way around the back of the truck, I bent down, trying to get a better view of his face as he crossed the road, arriving on the sidewalk in front of the coffee shop.
He walked closer, his face coming into view just in time for him to spot me staring at him through the window.
I jumped back, as if he hadn’t just caught me red-handed.
Turning my head ever so slightly, my eyes landed on McDreamy, realization hitting me instantly.
This was no McDreamy. It was a McKinley—Jace McKinley.
Fuck my life.
Not only had Jace caught me staring at him through the window, but the tingling between my legs was a sure sign that my body wasn’t getting the memo that we didn’t like him that way.
Traitor.
Just because he drove a nice truck, had tattoos, and held me while I cried last night didn’t mean he wasn’t still a raging douchebag.
The only acceptable response at this point was to be mean and set the tone. Draw the line in the sand, if you will.
Before he could turn the handle on the front door of the coffee shop, I jumped in front of it, locking it just in time.
He grinned, finding enjoyment out of whatever you called this moment between us.
“I need some coffee, and rumor has it this place has the best in town. Open the door, please,” he said, giving me his best puppy-dog eyes.
“Fuck off, McDreamy—I mean McKinley,” I replied, correcting myself as I flipped him off through the glass.
“Come on, I was out late last night. I need caffeine before I head to the store to pick up the laundry list of shit Colt sent me to come get in town,” he pleaded.
“Stay out too late at the bar, throwing back shots while some chick grinded on your lap?”
“No, actually. I stayed up late, sitting in my truck, watching some fiery redhead paint on her coffee shop window so I could make sure nobody messed with her and she got home safely.”
Oh.
For once in my life, I was speechless, the surprise clearly written all over my face.
Just then, Ellie walked up behind me, unlocking the door. “I told you he wasn’t so bad,” she whispered in my ear.
“That’s creepy.”
“That’s sweet, and you know it,” she said as Jace walked through the door.
Tomato, tomahto.
“So you’ve resorted to stalking?” I teased, trying to bait him.
“Call it what you want to, sugar, but the way I see it, I was just being a gentleman trying to make sure someone I care about stayed safe. I’d do the same for Ellie or Molly.” He walked up to the counter, scanning the menu on the wall as if what he’d done was no big deal.
“Molly’s your sister, and in a matter of weeks, Ellie will be your sister-in-law. I’m just some girl you know.”
“And yet, I still care enough to make sure you’re safe. I know what you think of me, but contrary to what that brain in your cute little head tells you, I’m a decent guy,” he said nonchalantly, pulling out his wallet.
I couldn’t even look in Ellie’s direction because she was probably over in the corner, googly-eyed, loving every second of this. Ellie was a hopeless romantic. I wasn’t.
Love made people vulnerable, and I wasn’t willing to be vulnerable anymore.
I’d had my heart broken too many times from wearing it on my sleeve—though less by men and more by my own blood.
Like all the times my mom said she was going to get clean but quickly broke her promises.
Or all the times I sat home at night, hoping my dad would change his mind and come back to his family. Wishful thinking got me nowhere.
“I’ll take a black coffee, two creams, please,” Jace said, handing over a wrinkly ten-dollar bill.
“What? No sugar?” I asked, not really sure why I was sparking up a conversation with him.
“I like to get my sugar from other sources,” he joked, winking at me.
I rolled my eyes and started making his coffee. The faster I finished his order, the faster he would leave.
“So I’ve been thinking,” he started.
“About?” God only knew what would come out of his mouth next.
“How you can make it up to me for breaking my foot.”
“If it involves sexual favors, just know I’m not above throwing this hot cup of coffee on you, McKinley. Choose your next words very carefully,” I warned, giving him a sharp look.
“Easy, tiger. Not even close,” he said, chuckling under his breath. “Actually, I want you to come with me to the Grizzlies game this weekend. Nothing wild, just football, fun, and a friend. How does that sound?”
I paused.
I couldn’t believe Jace was going that easy on me for breaking his actual bone. A football game? I could do that. There had to be a catch.
“If I go, that’s it? I don’t owe you anything afterwards. I go to one football game with you, and we’re even?” I asked, trying not to sound happy about my “punishment.”
“Yup. Easy as that,” he said, grabbing his coffee cup off the counter, bringing it to his lips.
I eyed him for a few seconds longer, waiting on him to sneak in something else. He didn’t.
“Deal,” I said, extending my hand for a handshake to solidify our imaginary contract.
“Deal,” he replied, his tan, calloused hand enveloping mine, dark tattoos flexing against his muscles as we shook.
Gulp.
After the midday rush, Ellie and I had some downtime to clean up and bake fresh pastries for the next morning.
Ellie grabbed a sleeve of cups off the shelf before making her way over to me. “Are you really going to take Jace up on his offer?”
“I don’t think I have a choice. I owe him for breaking his foot. Plus, I better get it over with before he comes up with a different idea––one that I actually hate. A football game doesn’t sound half bad.”
“Jace is a good guy, Cass. You should go. You’ll have a great time and be in good company,” she said, clearly pleased by the whole situation.
“Besides, you guys need to learn how to be nice to each other. The wedding is only a couple of weeks away, and you two have to walk down the aisle together—happily might I remind you,” she said eyeing me with a warning.
“I know, I know,” I moaned, rolling my eyes. “I promise to play nice.”
As I rolled out the dough for the next batch of cream cheese danishes, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Jace: Don’t be mad, but Colt gave me your number. I told him I had something important to tell you. There was begging involved.
Cassie: Let me guess, this is Jace?
Jace: That’s the name my momma gave me, but recently I’ve been called McDreamy. Hopefully it sticks.
So he did hear me this morning. Glass-half-full me was hoping he’d missed it.
What could I even say back to that? As I saw it, my only option was the silent treatment.
I put my phone back in my pocket.
Buzz.
Buzz.
Jace: Don’t worry, I like a good nickname. Ellie has Colt saved in her phone as Colt .45
Jace: What are you going to save me in your phone as?
Cassie: Dipshit.
So much for the silent treatment.
Jace: I’ve been called worse.
Cassie: I can only imagine.
Jace: It almost seems like a term of endearment, don’t you think? Plus, I saw Sally Anne at the store this morning, and she called me a raging prick after I turned down her offer for a date this weekend. Had to let her down easy and tell her I already have a date with a smoking hot redhead.
Cassie: It’s not a date, remember?
Jace: Yeah, but Sally Anne doesn’t need to know that.
I rolled my eyes and almost asked about this Sally Anne he kept mentioning, but really, what did I care?
Cassie: What’s the super-important thing you needed to tell me?
Jace: I might not see you for the rest of this week. I’m hauling some cattle down to Wyoming. In case I don’t, I wanted to tell you that I’ll pick you up Friday night at your place.
Cassie: I can drive myself to the game.
Jace: The hell you will. I’m picking you up from your house on Friday at five o’clock. Don’t argue.
Cassie: Whatever. Goodbye.
Jace: Goodbye, sugar.