Page 47 of Pretend for Me

“Train,” she said simply, “Do you want to do the honors?” Cassie nodded toward the door.

I took a deep breath as I rang the doorbell. It was a few moments later when Nia answered the door. She’d traded her signature scrubs for casual jeans and a t-shirt.

“Hello, Matthew.” She looked me up and down then to Cassie and gasped, giving her a curt smile. “Cassandra, long time, no see,” Nia greeted.

“Call me Cassie,” she offered through gritted teeth.

I held back a snort. Cassie hated being called Cassandra. Too many memories of our fucked-up childhood were associated with the name.

“Nia,” I announced evenly, peeking around the door to try to spot Charlotte. I found it odd how she didn’t invite us inside. “Is Charlie home?”

“I’m sorry, kids, but now is not a good time. I appreciate you being concerned for Charlotte, but she needs time. Time away from everything and everybody,” Nia apologized, looking uncomfortable with this conversation.

“Nia, I just need five minutes to talk to her. I’m worried about her,” I pleaded, peeling my sunglasses off to get a better look at her.

Just as Nia was about to say something else, Charlie walked by. Gone was the pin straight hair, the smudged black eyeliner, and fringed cropped top and tiny shorts. Charlotte’s natural waves were back. She was barefaced and wore a long sleeve sweatshirt that covered all her skin. I was stunned speechless at this transformation.

“Hi Matthew. Hi Cassie,” Charlotte acknowledged meekly. She stood a safe distance away from the door and us.

“Charlie, are you okay? What the hell is going on? Why did you text us that SOS, and why are you dressed like that?” I shouted, not giving a fuck about pretenses any longer.

Nia gave Charlie a stern look then turned her attention back to me. “Charlotte needs to rest. I think it would be best if you go.”

“Can we just talk to her for a minute?” Cassie reasoned, looking between Charlie and me.

“I haven’t been feeling well, Matthew. And as for not calling you back, I’ve been grounded.” Charlie gave a dirty look to Nia as she said a quick goodbye and closed the door.

Cassie and I exchanged a concerned glance, at a loss for what to do. Something was off. I wanted to bang on the door and get answers. I wanted to do something, anything.

“Don’t,” Cassie warned, shaking her head. “You don’t want to get her in any more trouble, or yourself for that matter.”

I pulled a Charlotte and rolled my eyes. Cassie could always read my mind. So I did what I was always forced to do—walk away. Empty-handed.

“Can I give you a ride back to the city?” I offered, twirling my key around my index finger.

Cassie hesitated but shook her head. “No thanks.” She started off down the road, wrapping her arms around her middle.

“That’s it, huh?” I asked, taunting her.

Cassie turned around, as I leaned against the car door. I wasn’t going to chase her anymore.

“So what if it is, Matty?” Cassie spat.

“When things get hard you just run away?” I bellowed, not giving a shit who heard. “I mean that’s what you did all those years ago. That’s what you did after we fucked in the alleyway. I guess that’s who you are.” I shrugged. “You’re a coward.”

Cassie made her way to me, pointing her finger in my face. “You don’t get to speak to me like that.”

“Well I apparently don’t get to speak to you at all. It’s all about what you decide right,” I replied, narrowing my eyes.

“Just like you decided things for me ten years ago. Well your father did,” she accused.

“Like what?” I asked. “Going to events with me?”

“Fuck the events, Matthew.” Cassie seethed, her eyes conveying the fury within her. “Your father didn’t want you tomove away with me so we were going to stay in Jersey. Your father wanted you to join his company so you did. Your father wanted you to get rid of me so you did. Maybe not intentionally but boy did he know what he was doing.”

“I never wanted to get rid of you,” I rebuked. “I made mistakes trusting him. Fuck, you have no idea the half of it …” I trailed off.

“I never once wanted to get rid of you,” I repeated, wanting to drive the point home. “When I got adopted, I got everything I ever wanted. But only because I had you in my life still. After you ran away, I lost everything I ever gave a shit about. I wanted nothing more than to go back in time to the shitty foster homes and be with you.”

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