Page 42 of Cass

I shrug. “Maybe. I don’t know. Trevor is aggressively pursuing me. He wants a real relationship. He’s very persistent. I’ve genuinely tried to resist him.”

“You resisted him so much that you had sex with him in the woods this week?”

“If it makes you feel any better, it was the first time since he left for New York.”

“No, that does not make me feel better.” Darian paces again. She’s freaking out. “Oh my god. What am I going to do? I can’t keep this from Jackson. I can’t lose my husband over this.”

Reagan grabs her by the shoulders. “Mom, relax. You’re overreacting. You’re not going to lose Jackson. He’s the most pussy-whipped man on the planet.” I have to cover my smile. That’s very true.

“Frankly, Mom, you’re being kind of selfish. I get that Trevor is your stepson, and the situation puts you in a precarious position, but are you even listening to Aunt Cass? She obviously has strong feelings for him. Maybe she’s even in love with him. I’ve never seen her remotely serious about anyone like she seems to be right now. I don’t remember Roman, and I don’t count her seventy-two-hour third marriage to what’s his name, but she’s really into Trevor. We all saw how heartbroken he was in May, so we know he’s into her too. And, of course, we know she gave him the hottest sex of his life.”

She turns to me and smiles. “Can we take a moment to appreciate that Aunt Cass may have finally found someone who makes her happy. We need to be happy for her and support her just as she hasalwaysdone for us.”

I don’t know what to say to that. I love Reagan for saying it though.

Darian looks at me in silence for a moment. “If that’s true, then I’m sorry. Do you have strong feelings for him? Do you actually want to have a relationship with him?”

I pause for a moment. “I don’t know how I feel, Dare. I don’t know that we’re in a relationship. I’ve never allowed it to go there. I can tell you I’m not interested in other men right now. I’m certainly not seeing anyone else. He wants us to go public, and I have to admit, for the first time, I’m genuinely considering it.”

Reagan looks at Darian. “I think we have our answer.”

Darian takes a deep breath. “Girls, give us a minute. I need a few minutes alone with Aunt Cass.” They all walk out.

Darian takes my hands in hers. “Is this really what you want?”

“What I want is to not lose you over this.” Tears well in my eyes. “I couldn’t handle it. Nothing is worth that.”

She rubs my arm. “Cassandra, you could never lose me. If you called and told me you murdered someone, I’d grab a shovel and ask you where to meet.” I smile. I’d do the same.

She sighs. “Okay, I think you guys need to figure what you are to one another, and then you need to tell Jackson. Please. You know I’m not good with secrets, and it’s not fair to Jackson for you guys to keep this from him.”

I nod. “Okay.”

* * *

TREVOR

The girls all ran out of here in a hurry. Something is going on. I look for them. At some point, I hear their loud voices in a room. I do what any respectable person would do. I listen at the door.

I hear Reagan yelling at Darian about being selfish, and that perhaps Cassandra is in love with me. I can’t help but smile at that thought. I also hear Cassandra say something about not seeing any other men. I knew it.

I’m so caught up in my happiness that I don’t realize that they’re opening the door. I’m totally busted listening.

Reagan walks out first. She sees me and holds up her hand for a high five. “Trevor, you’re such a stud. Or should I call you Uncle Trevor?” I smile at her and we both laugh.

Harley and Skylar come out together next. Harley smirks at me. “She’s a lot to handle. Brace yourself.”

“Don’t I know it.” They laugh and walk away.

Darian and Cassandra come out last. I grab for Cassandra’s hand and kiss it. Darian watches us. She closes her eyes and lets out a big breath. When she reopens them, she points at me. “You need to tell your father. I can’t keep this from him. I won’t keep secrets from him.”

“I have zero problem with that. I’ve wanted to tell you guys for a year and a half.” I point my thumb at Cassandra. “This crazy woman over here was the one in denial.”

Cassandra stands between us. “Okay. We’ll tell him. I don’t want to ruin tonight for him. He was so excited to throw this party for you, Dare. We’ll come over tomorrow, and we’ll tell him everything.”

I have a huge smile on my face as Darian walks away. “Everything?” She rolls her eyes. I kiss her hand again. “Does this mean that we’re finally together? We’re really doing this? Like should I officially pass you a note in study hall and ask you to go steady with me?”

“Is this really what you want, Trevor? I’m so much older than you. I can’t give you what you need in life.”

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