Page 149 of Sinister Legacy
We walk over to it in silence while the soft hum of conversation from passing nurses and doctors surrounds us. The tension between us is strained but comfortable at the same time. I realize that while Cassie and I can fall out, we’ll always fall back together eventually.
She pays for the drinks, and we exchange glances while the machine whirrs. Cassie ordered a hot chocolate, and the rich cocoa scent mingles with that of antiseptic. She hands me my latte before walking over to the seats.
Following her, I take a small sip but wince when it scalds my tongue.
Chuckling, Cassie blows on her chocolate. “It’ll be a while before you can drink it.”
“You don’t say.” I sit down beside her.
Seconds tick by while we let our drinks warm our hands.
Cassie clears her throat and turns her body halfway to face me. With her eyes downcast, she says softly, “I’ve been a terrible friend.”
I look at the freckles on her nose that are visible even in winter, the amber hair falling into her eyes, and the way she worries her chapped lip.
“I can’t believe Ava killed all those people.”
“Me, neither.”
“You must have been so scared when you were kidnapped.”
Wetting my lips, I lie, “Yes, I was.”
Cassie looks up at me from beneath her long, wispy lashes before training her eyes back on the steaming drink clutched in her hands. “I’m glad you’re here, Keira. That she didn’t…”
Kill me.
The unspoken words hang in the air, heavy and intrusive.
Deciding to offer an olive branch, I reach out and grab her hand. We’re both broken and terrible friends, but we have each other in this messed up, ugly world.
“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”
What she doesn’t admit out loud is that she believed I killed Liam. Her instincts are more attuned than she’ll ever know.
I squeeze her hand, silently telling her it’s okay.
We sit in silence, taking hesitant sips of our still too-hot drinks. It’s comfortable to hold her hand like this, watching nurses and doctors go about their day. Knowing King is in the room across from me.
“I’m in love with King,” I admit. I’ve never said it before. Never admitted it out loud. It feels good to tell my friend.
“I know,” is Cassie’s simple response. Squeezing my hand, she takes a sip of her chocolate, then shrugs. “You’ve been in love with him for some time.”
“Emotions scare me.”
“They scare us all,” she whispers, sounding haunted. Then she shrugs again, offering me a small smile. “Are you heading home now?”
“I don’t have a home anymore.”
A crease forms between her brows. “What?”
“Mom threw me out.”
“She did what?” Her eyes bug out as she lowers the cup from her lips.
I fucked her husband.“Family drama,” I reply instead with a shrug, removing the lid and swirling my coffee. I take a sip, grateful that it’s not scalding hot anymore.
“Your life belongs in a soap opera,” she blurts, a disbelieving laugh slipping from her lips, and I join in.
