17. Cassie

CHAPTER 17

CASSIE

I wokeup this morning in Baker’s bed.

I didn’t want to go to school, but I knew I should be there for Colby if he was there, so I got myself ready, smiled at the graded papers that were put back in my tote, and then kissed a sleeping Baker goodbye.

The day was uneventful if you don’t count my sister and Chloe both texting me insisting on girls’ night tonight. I don’t really feel up to it, and I’d rather go spend time with Baker, but I also know that I might need to talk to my sister and my friend about everything that’s going on.

So here I am at the Whiskey Whistler again, hoping not to get another repeat of the last time I was here.

With Chloe watching Elias in the corner, I turn to my sister. “How did the interview go?”

She takes a drink of her Margarita. “Surprisingly good.”

I roll my hand at her, needing more information. “And? What happened? Did you get the job?”

She nods. “I got a job… but not the job I was applying for.”

“What do you mean?”

She takes another big sip of her drink. Brook is happy, and I’m happy for her. She wants to get her own place, and this job could help her do it even sooner.

She leans forward. “Get this. Are you ready? I don’t know if you’re ready.”

“What?” I ask her.

She leans in. “I’m going to be Walker’s assistant. His personal assistant.”

I rear back in shock. “Uh… what… how did that happen?”

She lowers her voice and leans in. “I seriously have no fuckin’ clue. I went in and applied for one job, and they gave me another.”

She throws her hands up. “Cassie, I get health insurance, a big sign-on bonus, matching 401k, and a company car.”

I laugh in shock. “Are you kidding me? Brook, that’s amazing! I’m so proud of you.”

She nods. “I know, right? I’m pretty damn proud of myself.”

Chloe leans in. “I personally don’t know how you’ll do it. Walker is hot. Capital H O T.”

Brook fans herself, and I don’t even think she realizes she’s doing it. “Okay, enough about me. What about you? Why are you glowing?”

I instantly go on the defense. “Glowing? I’m not glowing. What are you talking about?”

Chloe leans in. “You’re definitely glowing.”

I guess the best defense is to go on offense. “So what happened the other night with you and Elias?”

She blushes. “Nothing. He’s leaving soon to go on tour to the Middle East.”

I grab on to Chloe’s hand. “Oh, Chloe. I’m so sorry. I see the way you two look at each other. That sucks. Maybe when he gets back…”

I let my voice trail off because she’s already shaking her head. “No, he said he’d probably be gone for two years. Maybe more.”

“Damn, that sucks. I’m sorry.”

She shrugs, trying to act as if it doesn’t bother her, but I can see that her heart is breaking. I look across the room at Elias, and he has the same forlorn look as Chloe. I have to believe that something will happen there.

Chloe brings me from my thoughts. “Uh-oh, the cops are here again. Are they going to need to break up another fight, Cassie?”

I can feel my whole body heat. I don’t even have to turn around to know that Baker has walked into the building. It’s like my body is on high alert when it comes to anything to do with him. Brook turns to the entrance. “Oh, it’s Baker.”

My mouth drops. “You know Baker?”

She looks at me as if I have three heads. “Uh, he is our stepbrother.”

Chloe gives me a knowing look. “Yeah, Cassie, he is your stepbrother.”

As he gets closer, Brook opens her arms. “Hey, big brother.”

I watch them hug, and it kills me. I know it’s innocent, but I still don’t like it.

When they pull apart, Baker’s eyes meet mine. “Hey, Chloe.” His voice softens. “Hey, Cassie.”

I force a smile to my face. “Hey, Baker.”

Brook is unaware of anything happening and smacks Baker on the arm. “Guess what? I got the job!”

He holds his fist out for her to bump. “Awesome. I knew you would! Congratulations! So what does this job entail exactly?”

She pauses for effect. “I’m going to be Walker’s assistant.”

“Wow! That’s pretty impressive. Good job, sis.”

I cringe when he calls her sis.

A man comes up, and Brook knows him. They talk for a second, and then she gets up. “I’m going to dance. I’ll be back.”

She disappears in the crowd, and I look at Chloe. She holds her hands up. “I uh, need to go to the bathroom.”

I shake my head. “You just came back from the bathroom.”

She gets up anyway. “Yeah, well, I need to make a phone call.”

She looks between Baker and me and gives us a thumbs-up before disappearing in the crowd.

Baker comes to stand next to me. “I hate this.”

I smile and wave at one of the moms from school as she passes by. “Hate what?”

“I want to touch you, Cass. I want to kiss you and let everyone here know you’re taken.”

I bite my lip at the images he provokes. I don’t have to answer him because he changes the subject. “I hear Colby was at school today. Did he seem okay with everything?”

I turn, surprised that he asked about him. “Yeah, he actually seemed really good. His hair was combed, his clothes were clean. He brought a lunch to school, and he participated in class. I’d say today was really good for him.”

He lets out a breath, and I realize he’d been worrying about him. For the first time since he walked in, I make eye contact with him. “I’m sorry, Baker. If I’d known you were worried, I would have called you and told you he was doing good.”

He shrugs. “I went by the school and talked to Mrs. Daniels. She told me he was there and seemed fine.”

I don’t try to hide my surprise. “You came to the school today?”

He nods.

I tilt my head. “You didn’t come see me.”

He rubs at the scruff of his chin. “I wanted to, but I didn’t think you’d want me to. I wasn’t sure what to tell them to get down to your classroom. That day I brought you lunch, I got the tenth degree of questions.” He sighs and almost sounds angry. “I know how important it is for you to keep this hidden.”

“Baker, that’s not fair.”

He leans in, and I can feel this breath on my cheek. “No, what’s not fair is I had my tongue in your pussy the other night and now I can’t even touch you. That’s not fair.”