19. Cassie

CHAPTER 19

CASSIE

“I can’t believeI let you talk me into this.”

My sister is sitting on the couch, surveying the room as if a bomb is about to go off. Which I guess is plausible if Mom is anywhere around. But still, my sister is exaggerating a little bit. “It’s a family dinner with Mom and her husband. It’s not like I asked you to donate a kidney or anything.”

She barks out a laugh. “Really? I think donating a kidney would be easier and I guarantee more fun.”

“There you guys are,” my stepdad says as he walks into the living room. “You hiding out?”

I point to the kitchen. “Mom said she didn’t want us in the kitchen, so you’re stuck with us.”

He laughs. “Well, it’s my lucky day. You know I always wanted a girl. I mean nothing against Baker. He’s a great son, but I always thought I’d be a good girl dad too. Now I have two daughters.”

I stand up and hug him. “You are the best girl dad.” And I’m not lying. I would have given anything to have had a father like him when I was growing up.

My sister follows suit and hugs Ryan too. She doesn’t talk about the past much, but it’s obvious she appreciates our newest stepdad. He has sort of become our calm in the chaos.

The doorbell rings, and I try not to act too excited, but both my dad and sister look at me strangely when I announce, “I’ll get it.”

I practically skip to the door, a big smile pasted to my face. But when I open it, I’m taken aback, and it feels as if I’ve been hit in the gut. “Richard, what are you doing here?”

He smiles as if I didn’t catch him having sex with some girl at his apartment. “Didn’t your mom tell you she invited me to dinner?”

I practically choke on the words. “You’re not eating dinner here.”

“Cassie Waters!” my mom admonishes me. “I raised you with better manners. Let the man in.”

He walks in, and I move as far back as possible because I don’t want him to touch me. I follow behind him into the living room, and my sister says. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

For the first time in ever, Richard doesn’t sound as cocky as he usually does. “Brandi invited me.”

My stepdad stands up. “What’s going on? Who is this?”

Brook comes to stand between Richard and me. “That’s Richard, Cassie’s ex-boyfriend. And he’s a dick.”

Mom raises her hands up. “Now, girls, this is my house and you can’t be rude to my guests. Ryan, pour Richard a drink. I need fifteen more minutes and we can eat. Girls, behave.”

All I can do is stand here dumbfounded. How can my mom think this is okay? This isn’t her trying to set me up. This is her trying to get back at me for something.

The front door opens, and Baker walks in.

Ryan looks relieved to see him. “Good. Hey, son, glad you’re here.”

He’s smiling when he looks at me, but when he sees my face, his smile drops. “What’s wrong?”

He looks around the room. “What the—”

I grab his arm and start to tug him from the room. “Baker, I have a shelf in my room that I need help putting together. Can you help me?”

I don’t even look at the other three in the room. I just keep pulling until Baker follows me up the steps. As soon as we’re in my bedroom, I shut the door and lean my head against his chest.

His arms go around me instantly. “What the hell is going on, Cass? Why is your ex-boyfriend here?”

I’m quick to assure him, “I didn’t invite him. My mom did.”

“Fuck.” He grunts. “Fine. I’ll get rid of him.”

I shake my head. I’m so overwhelmed right now, and I just don’t get how a mom could do something like this to her daughter. “I tried. My mom did the whole my house, my rules.”

He wraps his hands around my upper arm and leans back so he can look me in the face. “Fine. We’ll leave then.”

He’s about to walk out my door when I stop him. Geez, this is a mess. “Wait. Listen. Your dad has talked about how excited he was to have the three of us under one roof. He’s been looking forward to it all week.”

“My dad would not want you to sit there with a man that hurt you. He wouldn’t. Now this is crazy, Cassie. We’re leaving.”

I don’t budge, though. “I’m not leaving. I won’t hurt your dad. I won’t do it. Let’s just get through this… for your dad.”

He doesn’t want to. I can tell he’s pissed, and I can’t blame him. There’s no way I’d want to sit down at a dinner table with his ex, Gina. No, this is a mess, but Ryan doesn’t deserve for us all just to bail on him. If I leave, Baker leaves. If I leave, Brook will leave. Family dinner will be royally screwed.

Baker’s jaw is pulled so tight, I’m waiting for it to crack. “If he touches you—”

I shake my head. “He won’t.”

“If he disrespects you—”

I assure him. “He won’t.” Geez, I hope he doesn’t because I can see Ryan and Baker fighting with him today. “He won’t,” I say again because I’m trying to convince myself.

I’m about to walk out of the room when Baker stops me. “Why are you so calm about this?”

I don’t know what to tell him. He doesn’t have any clue the shit Brandi subjected Brook and me to growing up. There were parts of my childhood that were pure hell. And it sucks, but this little stunt my mom pulled today is nothing compared to some of her actions in the past.

I guess I’m quiet for too long because he asks me with concern on his face, “Are you having second thoughts?”

“Second thoughts?” I ask in confusion. “You think I’m having second thoughts about you?”

He shakes his head with a huff. “Well, I didn’t think that, but are you? I mean, I was asking if you’re having second thoughts about Dick.”