Page 37 of Fake It True

Chapter Thirty-One

CASEY

Leo’s helpful question kept boomeranging back in my thoughts. I honestly didn’t know how he could help. I tried to ignore the niggling worry that somehow Nathaniel could harm me, my parents, Leo, or worst of all, Dora. I didn’t mean in the physical sense, but I didn’t know what he was capable of. When people were desperate, sometimes they made desperate choices.

And yet, with all of those worries simmering in the background, it was good,so, sogood to have Leo home. We stayed with the schedule we’d had before he was out of town with me spending the night on Fridays when Dora had her TV night and stayed over at her grandparents’ house.

The week he returned, that meant a wait since he got back on a Tuesday. He came to see me every day at the café while I waited patiently for Friday to arrive. When Stella stopped by to see me, I was beyond relieved that she invited me to another card night. It gave me something to do. I was still occasionally doing delivery for the local pizza place, but that was sporadic.

Stella’s blonde curls were pulled up in a messy ponytail as she smiled at me. “Tonight?” I prompted as I slid the chai tea she’d ordered across the counter to her.

“Do you have plans with Leo?” She took a swallow of her tea, letting out a happy sigh when she lowered the cup. “Delicious.”

“I wish I had plans with Leo.” I bit back an impatient sigh. “I have to wait until Friday.”

“You should move in with him,” she declared.

“I can’t just move in with him! He has a daughter. Dora’s met me, but we have to take it one step at a time.”

“I get it. Maybe you should have a quickie somewhere in the car, or something,” she teased.

“Stella!”

She giggled. “You gotta do what you gotta do.”

The door to the café swung open, and Leo came walking in with Beck, Hudson, and Griffin. My pulse took off as if it was racing to win a medal, while my hormones let out a rousing cheer at the sight of Leo.

Hudson stopped beside Stella, leaning down to kiss her on her cheek. Meanwhile, Beck glanced between us. “What’s so funny?”

My cheeks got hot when Stella’s eyes slid to mine. She gave a saucy shrug. “Nothing.”

When Leo’s gaze collided with mine, my face burned even hotter. Stella looked right at him as she said, “Your truck is great.”

Hudson gave her a puzzled look. “What’s so great about Leo’s truck?”

I burst out laughing. Beck glanced around the group and rolled his eyes. “I know what’s so great about Leo’s truck.”

Leo glanced at him. “You do?”

“Well?” Stella prompted with a brow waggle and a teasing grin as we watched Maisie win another game.

“Well, what?” I hedged.

“Leo and his truck,” she replied.

“What about Leo’s truck?” Tish asked while Susannah looked between us curiously.

I tried to will my blush away, but it was pointless. My cheeks were on fire.

“Leo just got back with the rest of his crew, and Casey is waiting for Friday because, I guess, that’s the only night she goes over there. Which I support from a practical stance, by the way,” Stella explained.

“Ohhhh,” Tish said slowly.

Susannah chuckled. “Important to be appropriate when there’s a child involved. Why is Friday special?” she asked while she waited for Lucy to finish shuffling the cards.

“Because Dora watches a TV show with her grandmother and stays over there for the night.”

“I suggested a quickie in Leo’s truck,” Stella offered with a sly grin.

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