Chapter 2 Cass
I’d forgotten how crisp and ass-biting the winters in Adenbrooke can be.
It’s very in-your-face, with the calming smell of snow and winter spruces, along with burning wood and fresh coffee.
And the carb-dripping food you get here?
It only adds a level of authenticity to the overall picturesque vibe.
A trademark of sorts, meant only for this town.
When I was offered a documentary series by Netflix three months ago, I jumped at the chance of unveiling more of myself and my personality to my audience and clients.
Netflix is a huge platform, and the fact that I’m going to get my own show on it – it’s an accomplishment that’s beyond my wildest imagination.
I scratch my thick stubble and take off my black beanie, resulting in my shoulder-length hair to flow haphazardly with the icy wind. Sliding my hands into the front pockets of my dark jeans, I look around the large open space I’m standing in the middle of.
I’d told my manager, Amanda, that I wanted to film half the documentary in Adenbrooke, because I have so many memories and places here that I want to share with my fans.
The B it makes me uncomfortable.” I glance ahead, and smile at Amanda when I see her walking over to me.
She jerks her chin at the paper bags, which results in her short, jet-black hair to sway to the right.
“Coffee?” she asks Randall.
He nods. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Will you distribute them among the crew? Ask for assistance so it doesn’t take long,” she says to him. “And don’t forget to grab your cup, too.”
He gives her a grateful smile, then pulls out two cups from the 3rd bag before placing them on the table in front of us. He then calls out to a couple of crew guys to come help him with the bags, and as they all go around distributing the coffee, I reach out a hand to grab my cup.
I’ve only just wrapped my fingers around it when my entire body stiffens, and my heart almost races out of my chest when I see the logo printed on the center of the beige Styrofoam cup.
How many times have I seen this logo?
How many times have I absentmindedly traced my fingers over it during study sessions at the café?
Fuck…
How acquainted am I with the people who own the place?
How well I know them…
Know her…
Goosebumps mar my skin, and my neck heats at the memories of her. Of Us.
God…her.
“Cass?” Amanda’s hand touches my left arm before she shakes me gently. “Cass, hey. You okay?”
I blink and look at her, then clear my throat and run a hand over my face. “I’m fine.” I give her a clinical smile. “Sorry.”
Her brows furrow in concern, but she sighs and doesn’t question me further.
I turn to my right. “Yo, Randall!”
He faces me. “Yes, sir? I mean, uh, Cass…sir.”
“Who took your coffee order?” I ask. I know Amanda is watching me, but I don’t care. Despite being my manager, she doesn’t know anything about her.
I haven’t told anyone.
And I know I shouldn’t ask Randall what I just did; that I shouldn’t do this to myself right now. But fuck if I give a damn. I need to know. I just…I need to know.
“Uh…” Randall scratches his head. “It was this short blonde chick and a muscly guy.”
My throat tightens. Her – it was her.
God… It was her.
“Thanks, man,” I tell him, then glance at the coffee cup again. With a swallow, I grab it off the table and run the pad of my thumb over the logo. Had she touched this cup, or was it Noah who’d filled it?
I’m aware that I’m being absolutely stupid, but my rationality jumped off a metaphorical window the second I saw where the coffee has come from, so I can’t exactly be expected to act sane anyway.
I clench my jaw and stare at my boots. I knew this would happen – knew that like the very air around me, she’d begin seeping into my skin the moment I stepped foot in Adenbrooke.
I knew it well and thorough, and yet, like the fiend for punishment that I am, I decided to come back, to stay – if only temporarily.
That I decided to let Nia Connell breeze into my life once again and claim residence in that helpless, pathetic heart of mine.