Page 56 of Heart Break Her

“Then give them a chance,” I say. “From everything you and Myth have said about them, I’m willing to bet you’re not giving them enough credit.”

“Didn’t take you for much of a family guy.” Cassie reaches out and nudges my arm with her hand, sending a bolt of electricity through me.

“I’m not.” I drop my gaze. “But Eloise and I are close, so that’s good enough.”

Cassie’s hand freezes on my arm. “You’re not close with your parents?”

“Close?” I laugh, and she lets her arm fall on the bed between us. “Not exactly. Never even knew my dad. He disappeared when my mom was pregnant with El and me. He was a junkie, wouldn’t be surprised if he’s dead.”

Cassie flinches, and I realize that should be my reaction too. But I gave up feeling sorry for losing a man who didn’t give two shits about us years ago.

“And Mom…” I scrub my hand through my hair. “I think she always blamed us a little for Dad leaving and how her life went. She spent most of our childhood on and off the wagon herself. In and out of either jail or rehab. She’s clean now, so that’s good.”

“Yeah.” Cassie sighs.

“She and El are closer now, but I don’t know, I never could bridge the gap. I think I remind her too much of him. It’s like she’s still just sitting around, waiting for me to fuck it all up.”

She wouldn’t be wrong. Lately all I do is drown my problems with drugs and booze. Just because I’m a rock star and it’s acceptable to live this lifestyle, doesn’t make me much different from either one of them. Except for the fact that my dad left before destroying the people he was supposed to care about, and I’m too selfish to not take mine down with me.

I can’t read the look in Cassie’s eyes; something on the edge of pity, maybe. But she doesn’t say anything, just listens.

After a long beat of silence, she lifts up, and I think she’s going to climb out of the bed. Instead, she leans in, pressing her mouth over mine. It’s so soft I worry it’s a figment of my imagination.

A dream, like the fantasy she is.

The warmth of her lips sends my heartbeat thundering through me as she pours into me all the things we’re not allowed to say as friends.There’s more we’re ignoring. There’s tension at the surface.One kiss and she’s cutting me open and bleeding me dry at the same time.

But as suddenly as she’s here, she’s gone, moving back to her side of the bed and tucking herself into the covers.

“You’re a good guy, Sebastian. I really believe that,” she whispers. “Thank you for tonight.”

I reach over and brush a hair off her cheek, smiling at how it takes her breath away.

“If that’s how friends say thank you, I might need to expand my circle.” I grin.

She lets out a sigh, but at the same time, a smile stretches her cheeks. Cassie rolls onto her back and closes her eyes.

“Will you be here when I wake up?” I ask her, noticing her breathing evening out like she’s on the brink of sleep. “You’ve got a habit of bailing on me in the middle of the night.”

The smallest smile ticks at the corner of her lips, and it’s gone before I can fully absorb the beauty of it.

“Maybe,” she says. “I don’t know.”

I do.

Because even when Cassie is here, I’m well aware there’s always a piece of her still tucked away. She’s around, then she’s gone. She’s an angel. She’s my torment. She’s my dream. She’s my downfall.

16

Sebastian

Sebastian:Woke up alone again

Cassie:Name of a new song?

Sebastian:State of being

Sebastian:Although could be a new song

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