Page 28 of Free to Dream
“He’s not even listening.” I tune back in to hear Matt berating me. Ava’s shaking her head at his antics.
“I’m not standing around while you talk about our girl,” Ava announces. Giving me a once-over, she mutters, “You’ll do, Mr. Lockwood.”
I’m surprised because we were never introduced. I stand out of ingrained manners and respect. “Madam, a pleasure as well. I hope our paths cross again.”
“If you take care of our girl, I’m sure they will,” Ava tosses over her shoulder as a customer walks in.
Matt’s eyes narrow on Ava before he slides into Cassidy’s seat. He’s not done saying what he feels he needs to say, so I slide back into mine to listen. Neither of us speak for a moment.
“Lockwood. Do you have a first name, son” he grumbles.
I hold out my hand. “It’s Caleb.”
“Matt.” He sighs and gives me a firm shake. “We’re both right, Ava and I…about Cassidy.”
I decide to stop him. She doesn’t need everyone betraying her. “Matt, can I ask a question before you continue?”
He nods.
“Would Cassidy want you to tell me what you’re about to tell me?” I ask cautiously.
Matt’s face tightens before letting out another sigh. “No.”
“Then would it help you for me to tell you about me?” I offer unexpectedly.
He blinks. “Well, damn. I wasn’t expecting that. Go ahead, Caleb. Hit me with telling me about you. Why should I give a damn?”
I pick up the remainder of my coffee. Swirling it around, I lift the cup to my lips and drink it. I make a snap decision to reveal what I’m about to as I put it down. “Because I’m a private investigator. The company I own used to be Laskey Investigations.”
Matt’s face freezes with complete shock.
He’s not just the short order cook at The Coffee Shop, but he co-owns it with his wife, Ava. He’s also a former psychologist. I know from the file I read, he helped Cassidy as much as he could to get her through her nightmares, to pull out the details of what happened in her past.
I know he and his wife, Ava, consider themselves surrogate parents to the Freeman family.
Matt is regarding me with a mixture of shock and anger. “Does she know?” he hisses.
I know he means Cassidy and not his wife. “I shouldn’t know, Matt.” Still disturbed by what I read in that file, I slowly shake my head. “And yet, if I didn’t, I would keep making more mistakes when it comes to her. Does that make sense?” I seek guidance.
Absolution.
“How long have you known?” His voice still holds a note of fury, but it’s tempered.
“Since Sunday,” I answer immediately. “My brother asked me to run a background check on the company. He’s using them for his wedding.”
“Lockwood, Lockwood…” Matt mutters to himself. “Ryan’s your brother?”
I nod.
“So, you also found out…” My expression gives him his answer. “I’m sorry, son. Jason used to bring Ryan in to talk to me. I hope it helped some.”
I swallow hard. Here’s another person I have to thank for saving my brother while I was off saving the world. “No, Matt. I have you to thank. I had no idea…I never would have left…” My voice trails off.
Matt reaches over and claps my shoulder, bringing my eyes back to his. “You have nothing to feel guilt over when it comes to Ryan, Caleb.”
I shrug. I’m still working through that.
“When it comes to my girl though, you’d best be sharing that shit soon. She won’t tolerate a betrayal like that,” Matt concludes.
