Page 109 of Fractured Rhythm

“Okay, to be fair, he stupidly thought he was doing it for your own good.”

“Seriously?” I interjected.

“Let me finish. Yes, he thought he was doing the right thing, and your brother added to that decision. Be honest, what would’ve happened if you’d dropped out of college and followed them around before they hit it big?”

“Don’t bring up sound reasoning at a time like this,” I said, wagging my spoon at her.

“Come on, Cas. What would’ve happened?”

I sighed. “That’s just it. I don’t know, and I’ll never know. He made that decision with no input from me. I mean, sure, I probably wouldn’t have finished culinary school. Maybe I would’ve followed him on tour and come up with another job or career path or something. My issue—what has always been my issue since he told me what he did—is that he didn’t include me. He let me think for years that he’d cheated, and I missed out on so much because it hurt to be around the guys and around him.”

“That’s the bigger issue. You missed out on more time with your brother,” she said, and I choked back a sob.

“Yes. And I can’t get that time back. We didn’t know what was going to happen with Jamie. There was no way to guess that, but it still fucking hurts.”

“If you decide to work things out with Bash, you’re going to have to talk to him and get past this, or it will continue to eat at you.”

“I want to, but part of me isn’t sure if I can. And then there’s this shit with my mom,” I started. I didn’t want to think about her.

“Have you thought about calling your dad? I know he hasn’t really been a part of your life in a while…” She trailed off.

“Yeah, I’ve gone back and forth. I just think I need closure on at least something. Everything’s so up in the freaking air, I can’t concentrate.”

I grabbed my phone and swiped it back on.

“Screw it, I need this done, at least,” I said before I tapped the phone to call him while Holly put a comforting hand on my arm.

“Cassie?” my dad said when he answered.

“Umm. Hi, Dad. It’s been a while,” I said. Like almost two years awhile.

“Yeah. Is everything okay?” he asked, and I heard shock and concern. I hated that we’d come to this.

“So Mom showed up at my office the other day.”

“She what? Whatever she said, ignore her,” he said, his voice harsh.

“She said she needed money because she had cancer and I wasn’t sure if you knew anything about that.”

“That fucking woman. I’m so sorry, Cassie. I haven’t spoken to her in over a year and I highly doubt she’s actually sick. She’ll always be looking for a handout and I hate that she ambushed you at work.”

“Thanks.” I didn’t know what else to say. He’d confirmed what I’d needed to know and the awkward pause was killing me.

“Well, I guess I should—” I started, but he cut me off.

“I’m glad you called, Cassie. Even if it’s not under the best terms. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me, when your brother needed me. I’ll regret that forever, but if you ever find your way back to Forest Creek, maybe you could swing by? It’s a lot to ask, but we could catch up. I’m so damn proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and you did it all on your own.”

Tears burned the back of my eyes and I blinked them away. Holly’s arm tightened around my shoulder as I took in a deep breath. I hadn’t expected the conversation to go this way at all.

“I think I would like that, too. Umm, I, I should probably go.”

“Yeah. Of course. Whenever you’re ready,” he said. “So, have a good night and I’m sorry about your mom again.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I said before I ended the call.

“What just happened?” Holly asked. “Are you okay?”

“Umm. I’m not sure,” I said, leaning my head on her shoulder and letting the tears flow.

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