Page 22 of Blue Lines and Lullabies

“Why?” Grant shouts. When I look at him in surprise, his intensity gives me pause. “You talked about that girl for a good week after you met. Had I known it was my sister, I would have stopped some of the conversations, but still. You clearly connected with her, and then for her to be my sister and in need of a job? I agree with Levi. I think you two are meant to be.”

“Weren’t you just pissed that I slept with her again?” I ask warily.

Grant shrugs, his expression nonplussed. “I certainly don’t want to hear any details since I know it’s my sister, but it’s pretty damn clear you’re both into one another. Sure, it was a shock when I realized you’d hooked up with her, but she’s an adult. I can’t treat her like a baby, even though I want to. You treat women with respect, and there are worse assholes out there she could be with. Frankly, you’re one of the nicest guys on the team, and you rarely cause problems. Except for when you tried to hook up with Luca’s girl.”

“I heard that,” Luca shouts from a few rows back.

“I didn’t really try to hook up with Hannah --” I stop as all three guys look at me in shock. “Okay, so maybe I wasn’t opposed to something happening with her, but I stepped aside as soon as I realized she was into Santzy. I’m not into that kind of bullshit on the team.”

“Remember when you told us you just wanted to hit it and quit it, right outside her office door?” Levi asks.

I feel a slight heat cover my face. “That may have not been the most eloquent thing to do. I knew Luca was in there, though, and it seemed like a good time to fuck with him. But other than that, I really don’t want to deal with a toxic situation.”

“Exactly,” Grant agrees. “You’re genuine, except, apparently, when you get to fuck with Santzy, and I know you’d treat Cassie right. If you want to pursue her, I won’t stand in your way.”

“Go for it, man. I think you’d be great together,” Jax says seriously, and Levi nods in agreement.

“There’s a big problem here, gentlemen. You’re leaving one variable out of this equation,” I say with a bitter chuckle.

“What?” Jax asks.

“Cassie.”

“So?” Levi says. “And?”

“I don’t think she wants anything with me.” Sucks even saying that out loud. But the vibe she gave off last night was … cold. Colder than I anticipated. And I’m afraid to ask her what the deal is.

“What do you mean?” Grant asks.

I look up at him exasperatedly. “Can we not talk about this? It’s your sister.”

“Just explain a little bit. Without any specific details involving either of your bodies or sounds you make or —” Grant breaks off with an exaggerated gag. All the guys laugh, even me.

“It’s a vibe I got. She feels it would blur the lines, and she’s afraid of pushing too far.”

“And what do you want, Daws?” Jax asks.

“I’d like to see where things could go with her. I could see being happy with Cassie.”

Levi gasps dramatically. “Our boy is growing up!”

“Aw!” Jax coos and Grant smacks him on the back of the head.

“Alright Dawsy, I’m not gonna butt my nose in and screw with things. But I will say this: I know my sister. And you’re right. She’s probably in her head about things. If you’re meant to be, it’ll happen. Right now, your focus for the next ten days is hockey. Let Cassie work through things independently, and let her care for your daughter. Although I gotta admit, I’d be cool if Kenzie ended up being my niece at some point,” Grant says with a wink before he turns around and sits in his seat.

“What should I do in the meantime? When I have to interact with Cassie?” I wonder aloud.

“Do what you’ve normally done. You’ve spoken to Cassie every day since she moved in, right? No difference now. Ask how she’s doing, then move the convo to talk about Mackenzie. Be nice and cordial, but don’t ask about whatever happened between you.” Jax leans toward me and whispers, “It was good, though, right? Did you enjoy it as much as the first time?”

“More,” I blurt out.

Grant swears in front of us. “I fucking told you to leave out the details!”

“He really needs to get laid,” Jax mutters.

“I heard that,” Grant snaps.

Cassie

---