Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Holy hell, indeed.
CHAPTER 16
CASSIE
The need to belong is deeply ingrained in us. I think it’s because there’s no worse feeling in the world than being on the outside looking in. Watching a group of friends laughing together in school and wishing you were in on the joke. Seeing your coworkers gathered around at the water cooler and longing to be part of the conversation. Or, in my case, desperately wanting to belong in my own family. From the moment Dad married Nia, I felt pushed aside. And then, when the twins were born two years later, I was more than pushed aside—I was pushed out. At least that’s what it feels like. Nia never warmed up to me, and I’m constantly walking on eggshells with Dad, which in turn makes me all the more desperate for their approval.
That’s probably why, when Dad calls thirty minutes before I’m supposed to meet Aaron for dinner and asks if I can babysit, I answer yes without hesitation.
“I thought Nia’s friend’s daughter was the best babysitter on the block,” I joke, unable to stop from dropping a passive-aggressive jab under the guise of teasing. On past visits I offered to babysit numerous times so Dad and Nia could go on their monthly date nights, but they’ve always dismissed the offer, opting instead for some teenager on their street.
Dad chuckles. “Kendra’s great. But she’s no match for their big sister. Anyway, she sprained her ankle this afternoon, so she had to cancel. We hate to bug you on Saturday night, though. You didn’t already have plans?”
“Well, I did. But I’m fine rescheduling. Unless … any chance I can invite a friend over? We had plans for dinner and a movie. Maybe I can talk him into coming by and watching Disney movies instead.”
“Is this the friend from the fish store?”
“No, somebody else.”
“Ms. Popularity over here! Sure, that won’t be a problem. Go ahead and invite your friend. And thanks, Cass. I owe you one. We really didn’t want to cancel date night—there’s a CCR tribute band playing in the park tonight. I’m stoked.”
“No worries. I’ve hardly seen the girls this month, so it’ll be nice to spend some time with them.”
After we hang up, I text Aaron.
Me: I am SO sorry to do this, but there’s been a last-minute change of plans. My dad’s in a bind and needs me to babysit my sisters. Any chance you want to come by and keep me company? Their bedtime is nine, so we’ll still have alone time. AND … there’s a Disney movie in it for you …
Aaron: Make it Frozen 2 and you’ve got yourself a deal.
Me: I’m afraid you’ll have to negotiate with two six-year-old girls on that. They run the show.
Aaron: Challenge accepted.
Me: I’ll text you the address.
An hour later, Nia opens the front door to let me into my childhood home, her reluctant expression telling me how little she’s enjoying this change of plans.
“Thank you for babysitting, Cassandra.” Her smile is a bit stiff. “I’m sure you have better things to do on a Saturday night.”
“It’s fine. I’ve barely seen the girls this summer.”
It’s not meant as an accusation, but I see a flicker of guilt in her eyes.
Before she can say anything, I change the subject. “Anything I need to know for tonight? Any new allergies since the last time I was here? Or still just coconut for Roxy?”
“Just the coconut.” Nia leads me into the kitchen. “They already had their dinner, and they just finished their bath. Clayton is dressing them.” When the faint sound of girlish shrieks rings out from upstairs, she gazes at the ceiling with amusement. “Or at least he should be. Your father always turns the simplest task into a game.”
I grin. “He’s always been like that.”
She stops at the counter. “We went grocery shopping today, so there are plenty of snacks and drinks. But don’t let them drink any soda. Not even a drop.”
“I won’t,” I promise.
“Let me go upstairs and speed them up.”
As Nia ducks out of the kitchen, I take off my jean jacket and drape it over the back of a breakfast stool. Setting my purse on the counter, I reach inside it for my phone and find a message from Tate.
Tate: I’ve prayed to the kissing gods on your behalf. Good fortune be with you.
I’ve been waiting for him to text all day. I hadn’t wanted to do it first, and the longer today dragged on without a word from him, the more I worried just how badly last night had screwed things up between us. I’d passed out like a light after our mutual pleasure session, then woke up this morning wondering what the hell I’d done. A line had undeniably been crossed, but I didn’t know how to address it. I figured when he got in touch and brought it up, I could blame it on all the champagne.