Page 49 of Since Always

"Samantha."

"You have to tell her, Lexi. You've got to take your own advice and just do it."

"I know. I've been thinking about it and I think I actually might when I get back. If I don't lose my nerve."

"Call me if you feel like you can't do it. I'll be your hype girl. And text me as soon as you tell her, to let me know how it goes."

"I will. If it doesn't go well, I may end up on your doorstep in LA."

"Don't threaten me with a good time. You should do that either way. I have a spare room. But I’m leaving there after graduation, so you only have a few months.”

“Noted. So, have you heard from Drew? He was pissy after you disappeared the other night. I told him I didn't think you felt good, but I didn't want to say too much-I didn't know if you were gone for the night or if you were planning on coming back."

"I'm sorry. I should have talked to him before. It all just happened, you know? And yeah, he texted me today and asked if we were going to hang out again. I told him I didn't think so and then he never responded, so I guess that's that."

"Man, I hope his fragile ego survives."

I snort a laugh. "Maybe it will do him some good. Knock him down a couple of pegs."

"I doubt it."

Upstairs, we have a few more guests. Owen and Chris's friend, Dustin comes and wraps me in a familiar bear hug when he sees me. Greg Archer, one of my brother's executives, is chatting with Stephanie, who is all smiles. My mom is sitting on the sofa with Elliot and Sandra Dickinson, who I give hugs to as well. So far, my mom has been perfectly pleasant with Stephanie.

"I keep saying that you guys don't give her enough credit," Owen says to Chris and I.

The evening is casual and friendly. I catch Owen's eyes a few times, though we give nothing away, and I see so much within them now. I can't remember the last time I felt this content. We may be walking straight into a shit storm but, for now, things are good. We crowd around the large formal dining room table and eat the takeout Chinese food my mom has ordered. There is enough food for twenty people, but with Chris, Owen, Dustin, and Greg, it is gone by the time we finish.

After dinner, as we all sit on the patio chatting, Owen excuses himself to take a call and heads downstairs. I know I should let him be, but I've been watching him all day and night and been dying to touch him.

I wait a few minute so it is not conspicuous, hoping no one will question as I stand up to head downstairs. Unfortunately, my brother can always be counted on.

"Where are you going, Lil' C?"

Lexi looks up from the conversation she was having with my mother and gives me a knowing grin.

“I…Just running to my room. I'll be back."

His door is open when I get to our hallway, and he is sitting on his bed, listening to the person on the other end of the phone.

His eyes grow wide as I slip into his room, closing the door behind me and locking it. "What are you doing?" He mouths.

I ignore him and walk over, grabbing his belt to unfasten it. He looks as though he is torn between wanting to stop me and needing me to continue. His demons get the best of him, and he watches as I unzip his pants.

"Um, yeah," he says, trying to focus on the conversation he's having as I grab him. "I think that would work. We'll have to have the meeting pretty much immediately. I want to try to garner as much support as we can..." He coughs in reaction to my movements. "Sorry. I think McElroy will co-sponsor, but he's sometimes a bit of a loose cannon..."

The person on the other end of the line speaks again. When I look up, he is watching me.

"Yeah, that sounds good. Listen...Oh...Um...Listen, James, I've got to run. But I'll call you tomorrow and we can..." He trails off, no longer able to focus at all. He coughs again to cover for himself. "We'll go over the specifics."

He waits for whoever James is to respond, and clutches at my hair. "Sounds great. I'll talk to you then."

He doesn't say goodbye before hanging up and throwing his phone to the other side of the bed.

"Jesus Christ, Cass," he moans as he pulls me up and off him. I beam at him.

"What? Did I interrupt you?"

"Where do they think you are?" he asks with a grin.

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