Chapter 9

Cassidy

These past few weeks have been… interesting, to say the least. The days I work, if he's not in court, Jared brings me lunch, while on my off days, we spend practically every minute together.

I've already enrolled in an online program so I can get my paralegal certification and true to my nature, I"ve gone through the books, so I'm prepared for the classes when they start. Thankfully, I know Jared is invested in me doing this, so I feel confident that he'll help me if I need assistance.

Darice, the manager I typically work with, is beyond ecstatic. We're not especially close, since I tend to keep to myself, but she graduated in the same class as Cade so she's well aware of what happened. According to her, which I still shake my head about, she always knew the one for me was Jared, not Cade.

Clocking in, I put my purse and phone in my locker, grab my smock and put it on before I lock my stuff away for my shift. Once I clock in, I make my way to my assigned register. As usual, since it's a Wednesday, the lines are long and steady. I'm so focused on what I'm doing, I miss the fact that Cade is standing in my line.

"Hello, Cass. It's been a long time," he says, causing me to look at him.

Not long enough, my mind whispers.

"Cade," I reply, as I continue to ring his items up.

"I, uh, I've been wanting to talk to you," he states.

"What for?" I ask.

A quick glance reveals that the bane of my existence, Estella, is next, and she's avidly listening in to our conversation. Just what I need; in addition to being a mean girl, she's a horrible gossip. So whatever she hears, will be twisted to suit her needs.

"I've been wanting to apologize to you."

"Again, what for? You don't owe me any apologies, Cade."

Then again, he actually does, but now isn't the time or the place as far as I'm concerned. I would no more go into his office and try to do something like he's doing right now. But that's Cade Knox; he does what he wants and doesn't consider the consequences for anyone else.

"Actually, I do. I'm sorry for the way things ended between us," he replies.

Deciding to take the bull by the horns, I tell him the total and watch as he uses his debit card to pay for his purchases while I bag them. As I do so, I look at him and state, "The choices you made were what ended us, Cade. Not only that, but you cheating on me with all the other girls you saw? That would've done it sooner if you hadn't left for college."

"You knew," he whispers.

"I had my suspicions, since you went ‘out with the boys' a lot and there were a few of those times you said that when I actually saw them out and about and you weren't with them because they were with their girlfriends," I advise.

The shock on his face is almost… comical. I know I should've broken up with him the first time that happened, but with no actual proof, I chose to keep my mouth shut, so maybe I'm as much to blame as he was since I didn't say anything.

No, no you weren't, my mind murmurs.

"Oh, look at this heartwarming reunion," Estella sneers. "Seems to me you weren't satisfied with seeing one of the Knox boys, now you're dating his brother."

I roll my eyes at her words; she was always jealous in high school, and it suddenly hits me why that might be. "Got anything you want to get off your chest, Estella?" I question. "Like maybe you were one of the girls Cade was running around with?"

The shock on her face tells me I hit the nail on the head. Good. If nothing else, I can keep my head high because I would never cheat on someone I was dating and while I'm now seeing Jared, if I was still single, I sure as hell wouldn't date anyone who had a girlfriend. The fact that she's always acted as though she was better than me makes this amusing in a way, and I can't wait to fill Mags in on this latest drama.

"Cade, are you going to let her say that to me?" Estella screeches.

"Why? She's not lying, Estella," Cade retorts. "In fact, if memory serves, you pursued me and because your reputation preceded you, I didn't exactly protest," he admits.

Now Mrs. Walsh is in line, avidly listening to what's going on between Cade and Estella. When she sees me, she winks, and I know she's about to wade in. At this rate, I'll never live down this particular drama, which has me internally shuddering.

"Cade," Estella hisses. "Really?"

"It's not like we saw each other for more than that, Estella," Cade replies.

"Because you were dating her, remember?" Estella sneers.

"Yeah I was, and looking back, I'm not proud of my behavior. These past ten years have shown me that I let one of the best things in my life slip through my fingers."

I know my face probably reflects the shock I'm feeling. In fact, what Cade is saying is healing the parts of me I didn't know were still broken. Not like I'd ever go back to him, but knowing that somehow, he's grown up, at least a little bit, says good things for his future with women.

"Estella, you should give it up," Mrs. Walsh advises, finally butting into the situation. "You obviously aren't understanding that you were merely a phase for Cade, one he perpetuated for years and continued when he left for college."

Her meaning isn't lost on any of us, especially given the fact that his marriage happened within six months of leaving for college, and it was the talk of the town for years. I think about how Estella treated me and Mags in school and realize that initially, she acted jealous, like she wanted Cade for herself, but somewhere around our junior year, she started acting as though she had something over on us… or more specifically, on me. Right now, I'm beyond grateful that I remained a virgin, because based on the sheer number of girls that Cade cheated on me with, I would've been the one to catch something.

Great, now I wanna giggle, which is definitely inappropriate all things considered. However, my line isn't moving and that's something I need to rectify sooner rather than later.

"Cade, I appreciate what you said, but honestly, it's too little too late," I say. "Now, I need to get this line down, so since you're done, I need to ask you to go."

"Listen, bitch, I'm not done talking to him," Estella states.

Cade turns and looks at her and replies, "You're fired, Estella. I'll meet you back at the office so you can pack up your things."

"What? You can't fire me!" she exclaims.

"I can and I just did, Estella," Cade states. "Sorry to have kept you from working, Cassidy. And for what it's worth, I'm glad you and Jared found each other."

He leaves and I look at Estella and ask, "Do you still want this?"

Without glancing in my direction, she leaves my line. Shaking my head, I place the items she wanted in the basket at my feet then look at Mrs. Walsh. "Ready to see how well you did this week?"

"Absolutely, Cassidy," she replies, grinning at me. "Of course, with what just happened, I think I've already hit it big today."

I can't help the giggle that escapes me at her words, while my hands automatically begin ringing up her purchases.

Jared

I'm in the office boxing up my things when Cade storms in. "Need to see you in Dad's office for a minute," he says.

"Okay."

Shrugging, I place the tape on the box I was working on and go into my father's office.

"What's going on, Cade?" Dad asks once we're both sitting down with the door closed.

"I just fired Estella," he replies, causing Dad's head to jerk back in shock.

"What? Why?" I question.

She is a bit of a bitch, but she does a good job, so I'm a bit shocked that Cade would do something like this.

"I went over to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I, uh, I wanted to apologize to Cassidy," he says, looking at me. "She didn't deserve what I did to her, and since she's going to be part of the family, I didn't want it to be awkward, you know? So, I wanted to tell her it was all on me, and she wasn't to blame for what happened."

Before I can open my mouth, Dad steps in. "Of course, she wasn't. You're the one who couldn't keep it in his pants, Cade. That girl went through hell when you pulled your stunt, and while I understand what caused you to divorce your wife, I hope with everything in me that you've learned your lesson and moving forward, you'll treat anyone you get involved with like I treat your mother and like Jared treats Cassidy. With love and respect."

Cade's now blushing with his head hung in shame. While I feel as though he got his comeuppance, it's time to move on.

"How did she take it?" I ask.

"Well, there was a lot of back and forth between me and Estella, and she said some things that weren't necessary. But when she called Cassidy a bitch, that's when I fired her. My brother's girl is no bitch," he replies. "However, Cassidy is still Cassidy, and she told me that while she appreciated me apologizing, she knew about the girls a long time ago."

Once again, his head is down as the reality that everything that happened is a direct result of his actions. He takes a deep breath but doesn't say anything else, so I presume he's lost in his thoughts.

"How many weeks should we give her as severance?" Dad asks, opening up his laptop.

"Why are we doing that?" I query.

"Because she's been with us for nearly a decade. It's the least we can do," Dad replies, working on his laptop. "I'll also fill out the form for unemployment so she can collect that as well."

"Dad!" Cade exclaims. "Really? She's obnoxious, treats folks like they're beneath her when they come into the office, and is not a nice person."

"But we are nice people and it's the right thing to do, Cade."

"Fine. I'm going to grab a couple of boxes for her to pack her things in," Cade mutters before leaving the room.

"Dad, do you think he's growing up?" I ask.

"Maybe so, who knows? Only time will tell."

"I'm going to check on Cassidy."

"Did you lease that office?" Dad questions, his head still focused on the screen.

"Yeah. Already have a few new clients, so until it's renovated, I'll use my office if that's okay."

"That's fine, Jared. Now, let me finish up this stuff so I can focus on working up a brief."

"Later, Dad."

Once I'm back in my office, I pull out my phone and send a text to Cassidy. I know she usually leaves her phone in her locker, but she'll have a break and can answer me then.

Jared: Heard about this morning. Hope you're okay. Call or text when you can.