Page 11 of Cass

I’m about to get up to greet her, when a huge giant of a man follows her through the door. My smile quickly fades.

“Everyone, this is Dennis. Dennis, this is everyone.” She looks right at me while she grabs for his hand. I’m kind of in shock that she’d purposefully hurt me like this. It’s not like her.

She introduces Dennis to everyone. She won’t make eye contact with me when it’s my turn to meet him though.

Darian smiles up at him. “Cassandra, is thistheDennis?” Cassandra nods. “Dennis, I feel like I’ve heard your name for years. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“You too, Darian. Thank you for having me.”

“Our pleasure. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”

I stand up to shake his hand. “Funny, I’ve never heard of you.” I approach him. I’m tall, about six feet, two inches, but this Neanderthal has at least three or four inches on me. He’s built like a linebacker, and covered in tattoos. I try to shake his hand hard, but he practically breaks mine.

Cassandra links his arm through hers. “Come on, Dennis. It’s hot. Let’s get into the pool.” She takes off her cover up, revealing a tiny bikini. My chin nearly drops to the floor. She’s so hot. I can’t take my eyes off her.

I miss that body. I miss my hands on that body. I miss seeing that perfect naked body.

Dennis takes his shirt off. He’s enormous. He must be a body builder.

Reagan takes her sunglasses off to stare him up and down. “Aunt Cass. Is this thebuddyyou’ve been hiding all these years?”

Cassandra and Skylar both laugh. “Yes, we don’t make it out often, right Dennis?”

“Right,buddy.” They both smile, and get into the pool.

She spends the afternoon all over him. This is the most painful thing I’ve ever had to endure. If it wouldn’t hurt my dad, I’d leave. Why is she doing this? She can’t possibly like this guy. They can’t possibly have anything in common.

I wait until she finally has to go to the bathroom, and follow her inside. I open the bathroom door. “Trevor, what are you doing here? Get out. Someone will see you. Leave. Now.”

“No. I don’t care anymore. What are you doing with that guy? Why are you doing this? What about us?”

“There is no us, Trevor. Dennis has been in my life for many years. He was here before you. He’ll be here after you.” She pauses for a moment. “I call him whenever I need a little satisfaction.”

“I satisfy you.”

“Not anymore. Yousatisfiedme, Trevor. Past tense. I told you we had an expiration date. We’ve reached it. Our little casual fling is over. Move on. I have. Go to New York City. Live your life. Meet new people.”

While I think I see tears welling in her eyes, her face otherwise remains completely stoic. I can’t believe she’s being this cold to me. How could I have misread things so badly? I genuinely thought she had feelings for me, but just wouldn’t admit to them. I was wrong. I guess we really are done.

I turn to barge out of the bathroom. At the exact same time, Harley and Brody are laughing, walking down the hallway. They both freeze, as they look at Cassandra and me with wide eyes. I don’t bother to acknowledge them. I just keep walking out toward the backyard.

* * *

CASSANDRA

Trevor storms away in a huff. He’s hurt and upset, but I had to do this for his own good. Even if he doesn’t realize it right now, one day he’ll realize that I did this for him. It’s painful, but I know it’s the push he needs.

Brody and Harley are staring at me. Harley nods for him to leave us alone. He walks out to the pool area without making any eye contact with me.

I can’t control the tears welling in my eyes anymore, and they start to pool over. Harley looks even more shocked. In her twenty-seven years, she’s probably never seen me cry. She walks over, and wraps her arms around me. “Aunt Cass, what’s happening with you two?”

I wipe my tears and look at her. “Nothing. It’s over. Please don’t say anything to anyone, especially Jackson.”

I can see her wheels turning. “I guess I always sort of thought that there was something happening with you and Trevor, but seeing it is kind of shocking. How long has this been going on?”

I can’t answer her. I just look at her. Her eyes open wide. “The whole time?” I nod. She exhales a breath. “Wow.”

“I told him countless times that it was casual. You know I don’t do anything else. But he constantly pushes for more. He wants a commitment. He wants to tell people. He wants to change his plans to move to New York. It’s not a good idea. It’s not what’s best for him.”

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