Page 11 of Love Wasted

“Who knows? It’s the life of retirees, they get to do what they want. I don’t think anyone is supposed to come over to my parents’ house until six,” she offers as she pulls her bag from the back. “You know how they are, Cass. Most likely, they’re out buying last-minute groceries and presents for you, and probably for Pax too because they think they need to make up for the last ten years he’s been gone.”

Grabbing my bag from the back seat, I slam the door shut.

Now I’m the one rolling my eyes. “You’re right, they’re ridiculous when it comes to things like that. I’m exhausted, but I know we promised we’d help your mom with appetizers. Also, I promised Richard I would call this morning…I didn’t call him, and he left a message some time when we were in the cell service vortex of Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero.”

“Oh, Richard,” she says in an accusing tone. “Let’s get started on appetizers and then we might have time for a nap before the party.”

“Sounds amazing, but what’s with the tone?” I question as we walk around the hedges and through her parents’ front yard.

Without looking at me, Laney responds, “What tone?” There’s humor her voice now.

“The ‘Oh, Richard’ tone,” I insist.

“Ah, that? Well, I may have been a bit tipsy last night, but I still recall our conversation,” she reminds me.

“Let it go, Laney.” I groan, thinking of the annoying conversation she pulled me into just as she pushes the front door open.

“Let what go?” says a familiar male voice just beyond Laney. Great. What are the odds? I guess pretty good since this is his parents’ home. It’s going to be really inconvenient having him back in California.

“Hey big brother! Cass wants me to let go of the fact that she’s suddenly questioning her messed-up, so-called relationship with Richard for the millionth time,” Laney reveals to Paxton.

“Richard? Is that the guy from last night?” he asks casually. I keep walking toward the stairs behind Laney, trying to remove myself from Paxton’s company. “What, no hello, Cassandra?” There’s sarcasm in his voice as he says my full name instead of the nickname everyone has called me my entire life.

“Hello, Paxton, and yes, Richard was the guy I was with at the party last night. He’s the guy I’ve been dating for pretty much the last five years, and he isn’t news,” I say as my foot hits the first step. I don’t know why I make it a point to say how long Richard and I have been doing whatever it is we’re doing, but I do. I guess old habits die hard; I can’t seem to help myself when it comes to trying to get some sort of reaction out of Paxton.

“Huh, well poor Dick,” he says as if he feels sorry for him.

I stop on the step and partially turn toward Paxton. “It’s Richard, and what does that mean?” I ask him in my usual talking-to-Paxton tone. It’s a you’re so irritating and why I do care what you think tone I save especially for speaking to him and used practically our entire teen lives. I hate how he can make me revert to my immature ways so easily. I wait for him to answer.

“Just thinking about all the hearts you’ve broken over the years, and it sounds like he’ll be joining the others in the broken hearts club,” he jabs, looking like he’s holding back laughter.

“Excuse me?” I growl, nearly jumping over the railing and strangling him to death. I feel Laney’s hand suddenly take hold of my arm. Why is he such an ass?

“Pax, don’t be a asshole. Forget I said anything, I was only teasing Cass. She and Richard are great. I mean, they have five years of…of whatever they call it between them, and it’s their business. I just like harassing her,” Laney says in my defense, pulling me up the stairs with her before I can say anything more.

“Chill out, I was only joking. Five years huh? I guess Cass stopped falling in and out of love like she changed clothes when we were growing up,” Paxton says in a light tone, though his voice sounds a little strained.

“You can kiss my ass, Paxton Luke. It is good to see nothing has changed with you,” I announce just as we disappear up the stairway.

Saying those words sends an aching feeling through me, and my heart feels like it might race out of my chest. My god, I wish one thing had changed—his effect on me.

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