Page 74 of Undoing

“H-hunter. Hey.”

Hunter discreetly took in Cass’s appearance. Just as she suspected, Cass looked like shit. Everyone had been so worried about Rebecca — and rightfully so — that no one truly stopped to think about how Cass was dealing with everything. Hunter could admit she’d been avoiding Cass after what happened at the hospital. But that’s not what this group of friends did. When the going got tough, they came together. So, Hunter put on her big girl pants, and here she was.

“Hey. Sorry, I know it’s late.”

“Nah, it’s, uh, fine. Do you, um, wanna come in?” Cass started to open the door wider for Hunter, then stopped. “You’re not going to punch me, are you? Not that I don’t deserve it, but…”

“I’m not here to punch you, Cass,” Hunter smiled sadly. “You’re going through enough as it is.”

Cass blew out a breath of relief. “C’mon in. Sorry about the mess.”

Hunter spied the makeshift bed on the couch. “I’m sure you remember how I never went home when Ellie was in the hospital. So, I get it, yeah?”

Cass nodded. “Yeah. At least I’m taking showers,” she teased, recalling how Hunter rarely left Ellie’s side. Jessie had to threaten Hunter to get her to take fifteen minutes to shower and change.

“Thank goodness,” Hunter chuckled. She took the seat Cass silently offered and wondered if she could trick Mo into coming over tomorrow to help tidy up. She vetoed that idea pretty quickly when she thought about how Mo cleaned by kicking things under anything that was remotely lifted off the floor. Maybe Ellie could help.

“Why are you here, Hunt? I can’t imagine I’m your favorite person after what I did.”

“I don’t blame you for that, Cass. I was on my way home when El called to tell me the good news about Rebecca’s results. Normally, I would have heard that from you.” Hunter sighed. Man, she hated that she and Cass were on the outs. Especially now when Cass could use all the support she could get. “I wanted to apologize to you…”

“Whoa, what? What the fuck do you have to apologize to me for? I’m the one who sucker punched you.”

“For good reason. I promised you I’d bring Rebecca back to you. This is exactly why doctors don’t make promises. But I did, and I broke that promise. I’m sorry.”

Cass bowed her head and lost the valiant fight she’d been fighting since she found out about Rebecca’s tumor. She hid her face in her hands and began to sob. If it were anyone else but Hunter here, Cass would’ve been embarrassed by her breakdown. But she felt Hunter’s arm suddenly around her shoulders and allowed herself to lean into the comfort of her best friend.

“I’m so fucking angry, Hunt. And sad. And… lost.” Cass scoffed. “I used to think those saps who talked about love like it was a fucking lifeline were idiots. Why would you trust anyone enough to attach your entire happy existence to them? Now, I’m the idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot, Cass. You’re in love. Love isn’t a weakness. Your bond with Rebecca is a strength for both of you.”

“So strong she doesn’t even fucking remember me,” Cass sniffled, grabbing a napkin from the pile that was accumulating on the coffee table and blowing her nose.

“I heard about your date. She remembers you, Cass. The Rebecca I knew back then would never have considered going out with anyone. Samantha did a fucking number on her ego, Cass. Despite your charisma, Rebecca wouldn’t have allowed herself to be charmed.”

Cass looked up. “That’s right. You were there that day. Do you… do you really see differences between then and now?”

Hunter lowered her eyes. “I’m ashamed to say I haven’t been by to see Rebecca since she left the hospital.”

That surprised Cass. Hunter and Rebecca had been close for far too long for Hunter to avoid seeing her.

“Why?”

“Guilt.”

“Look, Hunt, I should have never blamed you…”

“Not about that,” Hunter reassured. “As you said, I was there. I saw Rebecca struggle, Cass. Especially that first year. Her self-esteem was fucking… non-existent. She was scared of her own shadow. I mean, Rebecca had enough in the tank to claw her way back and re-invent herself. But she was a completely different person than who you know today. I – I couldn’t bear to watch that again. I feel guilty about what a fucking coward I am.”

“Hunt.”

“Cass, I’m not here for you to ease that guilt. That’s mine to live with. That being said, from what I’ve heard from El, Rebecca is… confident. And flirty. She may not remember much, but it doesn’t sound like she’s lost the woman she became in the last twenty years. And that? That’s all you, my friend.”

Cass shook her head. “That’s all Becca.”

“Oh, I give Rebecca all the credit for undoing the shit Samantha did to her and becoming Mistress. But you, my friend? You brought back Rebecca.”

Cass smiled through the tears still flowing down her cheeks. “Thanks, Hunt.” She patted Hunter’s leg awkwardly, now feeling uncomfortable after allowing her vulnerability to show. “I, uh, should have called after what happened at the hospital. Let me finish, please?” Cass continued when Hunter opened her mouth to argue. “I should have been woman enough to step up and apologize for my outburst. And I should have called you today to tell you the news. Not only are you Rebecca’s oldest friend, you’re my best friend. I really needed this. And I didn’t know how much until I saw you standing at the door.”

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