Page 35 of It Just Feels Right

He sighs and goes to get in Cassie’s car. He follows me to my house. After parking, he comes and gets in my car, handing me her keys. “How come I feel like I’m on some secret mission or something?”

I swallow. “Dad, I’m not asking you to lie to your wife…”

I let my voice trail off. Cassie doesn’t want our family to know, but there’s no doubt my dad knew how I felt that first night. I don’t care who knows, but I also don’t want Brandi causing problems with her daughter.

“I packed clothes and stuff. It’s all in her bag.” He sighs. “I won’t have to lie. Brandi was caught up in something on TV. She probably won’t even know I’m gone.”

“I’m sorry, Dad.”

I don’t know if he realizes I’m not only apologizing that I’m sort of asking him to lie but also that he has a wife that pays him no attention.

“It will all work out, son. It’s okay.”

We get back to his house, and he climbs out. “Take care of Cassie and let me know if I need to do anything for her.”

“Will do, Dad. Thank you.” Because I’m still feeling the effects of earlier and everything with Colby, I continue, “And thank you for being the best dad. You have always been here for me, and I just want you to know I love you. I want you to be happy, Dad.”

He seems surprised, which reminds me that I don’t tell him I love him enough. He finally nods. “I love you too, son.”

He stands back from the car and walks toward the house as I pull out. When I get back home, I carry in Cassie’s purse, school tote bag, and the bag that my dad packed.

I check on Cassie, take a quick shower, and then sit down to grade some middle school papers.

Almost three hours later, I’m about to lose my mind. Who would have thought middle school math would have changed as much as it has since I was in school? I aced 8th grade math, and tonight I had to search online how to solve some of the problems just so I could do a grading sheet. After I have the grade key, I work through the papers quickly. I’m so engrossed in them I don’t hear Cassie until she’s standing over me.

“What are you doing?”

She’s looking between me and the stacks of papers. I stand up and move some of them off the couch so she can sit down. She sits next to me, and the T-shirt she’s wearing rides up her thighs. The need to touch her is overwhelming, but I satisfy it by holding her hand. “Here. Sit. Can I get you anything?”

She shakes her head, still in awe. “Are you grading my papers?”

I nod. “Yeah, I knew you were worried about it, so I thought I could help. I had no idea that math was this hard, though, I’ll tell you that. Are you feeling better?”

A thoughtful smile curves her lips. “A lot better. I can’t believe you’re doing this…”

I caress my fingers along hers. “You can’t believe that I want to take care of you and help you?”

She must remember our discussion from earlier because her smile slowly disappears. “You asked me something earlier, and I didn’t answer you.”

I nod, waiting for her to tell me now. She squeezes my hand. “Don’t be mad at me.”

I fit her hand between both of mine. “In case you haven’t figured it out, you’re impossible to stay mad at.”

She takes in an unsteady breath. “I didn’t call you about Colby earlier because I was afraid you wouldn’t come.”

Floored, I don’t completely understand. “What do you mean you didn’t think I’d come?”

She blinks up at me. “I’ll be honest with you. When I found out about Colby running away, you were the first person I wanted to call…”

I wait for her to continue and she finally takes a deep breath and goes on. “People don’t show up, Baker. Trust me, I know this better than anyone. I didn’t want to call you and be let down.”

I try not to be angry, but it’s hard that after everything she still doesn’t trust me. “Cassie, you don’t get it. I want to be the person you lean on. I want you to call me. I want you to know I’ll be there for you. You need me, no matter what I have going on, I’ll be here for you.”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Baker. I really am.”

I pull her against me in frustration. “Stop. Don’t apologize. I know when you’ve been let down so many times it’s hard to believe, but I won’t let you down. You just have to let me in.”

She nods and buries her head in my chest. “Did I hear you say you got my car earlier?”

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