Page 15 of Free to Dream
I’d figure out how I’m going to work with the hottest man I’ve ever met later.
I’d figure out how to survive the next two months.
I’d conquer these nightmares and regain my control.
At this moment, I’m on top of the world.
6
Cassidy
“So, what the hell did you do?” Ali demands later that night as we sit around our communal family room, drinking a bottle of wine. We might be on bottle number two. I don’t care. I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts, so I sought out my sisters.
I managed to give Em the highlights earlier today when we both had a break after the Lockwood-Dalton wedding contract was signed—between Ryan Lockwood and Jared Dalton. Not Caleb Lockwood.
Right now, it’s just me, Ali, and Em at the Farm. About ten years ago, we pooled our money to buy a 10-acre property with no inhabitable buildings. We got the land for a fraction of what it would have cost in Collyer. Five years ago, we started renovating the structures on the property, bringing in architects to preserve as much of the old charm of the property possible. What we ended up with was six homes made up from the smaller barns, carriage houses, and servant quarters. We each needed our own spaces, knowing we would likely kill one another if we continued to live under the same roof. We turned each of the out buildings into cottages, which are now our private residences.
The main barn, known to us as “The Farm,” was converted into a spectacular space. It’s a monstrosity of a building that overlooks a lake and includes a gourmet kitchen, gym, game room, and a living room that can easily hold thirty. The original stone fireplace dominates the space. In the old days, the main barn would have been the communal hall and our homes made up the village. It gave us space, and at the same time, it gave us security, something we all realized we needed.
I roll my wine glass in my hand and purse my lips in thought. Absentmindedly, I run a hand over the restored antique trunk. The symbolism of the way we continually surround ourselves with items we restored is not lost on me. Taking the beaten and the broken, and giving them life again.
Sighing, I reach back and unbraid my hair, shaking the thick, curly mass loose. My fingertips graze over my tattoo, which fills me with pride.
“After I politely escorted Caleb from my office, I finished my meeting with his brother Ryan—who, by the way, is Jason’s former fiancé—and Jared.” I raise my eyebrows in response to Ali’s incredulous look. “Then I proceeded to escort Ryan and Jared over to you to sign the contract on the largest wedding we’ll ever do in a two-month period. You were there for everything after that. With any luck, our sanity will remain intact through the crazy-ass schedule, because we’ll need to keep it so our vendors won’t want to kill us. I have a feeling the Lockwood name will help smooth some of that over though.”
Ali’s not mollified. “I don’t get it, Cass. How are you thinking about schedules, timelines, and vendors? Did you find out more about Ryan and Jason? And who the hell are you right now? Is all you care about is the damn money? None of us ever sold ourselves willingly.”
“Watch yourself.” My jaw clenches, my teeth grinding in the back of my mouth.
“Just listen to me, Cass.” Ali leans forward in her seat. “You need to put this Caleb Lockwood in his place. No one has the right to play you like that. I don’t care if you did give them unfettered access in that agreement. There are limits.”
“Ali,” Em snaps, trying to get her attention.
I snatch up my wine, finish it in a single swallow and hold my glass out blindly to Em while I tear into Ali. “What the fuck do you think I should do, Alison? Tell me. Should I throw another temper tantrum in front of Caleb Lockwood to add to the one that started this fiasco in my damn office this morning? Should I have lost his brother as a client for us or sucked it up? Or maybe I should have done exactly what I did and acted with some dignity and class by maintaining a measure of my control by not telling Caleb to fuck off. Maybe I was cautious after finding out his brother is connected to Jason? Maybe I thought that, I don’t know, we should hear the whole story first.”
Ali had the good grace to blush. “Sorry, Cass. I’m sorry. It’s just…I mean…”
“I was doing what I was supposed to do as the CEO and as your fucking sister. So, don’t ever accuse me of doing anything for money. You could burn my share of the proceeds from this wedding for all I fucking care.”
I stand with my wine and stalk over to the windows overlooking the lake, shaking in my anger at Phil for hiding information that wouldn’t have changed the outcome of today, but it certainly would have changed how I handled it. I’m furious at Ali for her stupid ass comments, at myself for not having any control over my emotions, and at Caleb for taking what was an innocent assumption and turning it into a game.
Caleb is the only frustration from today I don’t understand. Was it payback for something that happened before we’d ever met my brother-in-law Jason? Or for something Jason and Phil did? Now that the emotional high of winning the contract has faded, my embarrassment from earlier has returned full force. I rest my head against the cool glass and sigh.
Minutes pass in silence. Lifting my head, I take a sip of my wine, when I hear the front door open and close.
Not turning around, I stare into the reflection of the glass as I watch Phil and Jason walk into the room. Great. Just what I need to cap off the day. Brotherly love.
“Whirlpool,” I mock, raising my glass to Phil with my back still to him. “You certainly put my day on a spin cycle, didn’t you?” I tip the glass to my mouth as I watch Jason glare at Phil in the glass.
“Cass.” Phil walks over, his hand outreached.
“No.” The leash on my emotions is gone.
I whirl around. My stomach churns the wine I’ve drank, making me feel nauseated as my eyes meet the apologetic ones of my brother’s.
Something in my expression must stun him because he’s keeping his distance. “The time to explain to me was before this family insinuated I was only in it for the money. Rather like selling myself.” I send a scathing look at Alison, who has the intelligence to look ashamed. “Not now. So, if none of you mind, I’ve had enough drinks and family drama for today. I’m heading back to my place.”
The first tear of frustration falls down my cheek, which feels warmed from too much wine and anger. I refuse to let a second tear fall in front of them.
