9. Cassidy

9

Cassidy

Am I a bad daughter for sneaking around with the man who can’t seem to keep his hands off of me? I should say something to my parents. It’s the right thing to do. After all, they’re hoping Mylo is getting over the past. They might not like the idea of him doing that by catching any alone time he can with me.

Even now, we risk getting caught. All I wanted to do was knock some laundry out of the way and now I’m sitting on the washer while it hums, Mylo pushed between my thighs. The constant vibration below and his massaging touch against my hips is what makes me ruffle up the front of his shirt each time I try to pull him closer.

I don’t even know where my parents are now. They could be lingering about and I don’t think either of us would notice. Most of my attention is on not moaning and alerting the masses. It’s a little harder said than done when this guy is learning how much I love it when his thumbs dig into my inner thighs.

How we haven’t made it past make-out sessions and heavy petting is a wonder. I’m pretty sure we’re both ready to tear each other’s clothes off at this point. If it weren’t for the small creaks in the house, the little warnings we get that we’re supposed to be tip-toeing around here, then maybe we’d have done something by now.

Just thinking about it sours my mood a bit and I’m pushing him away.

“What’s wrong?” He tilts his head and as of late, he’s been wearing that smile that twists my insides up. Giving me one now, it’s hard to pick out the answer. “If you’re worried–”

“I want to tell them.” Teasing the front of his shirt, I notice the way his chest stills. “I don’t want to hide this anymore.”

He stares at me, his brows furrowing. We both know the possibilities that can happen if we shine a light on our relationship, and I’m sure he’s thinking of all the bad things that can happen. My father can be a scary guy, but he’ll understand. My mother, she’ll want me to be happy.

Reaching forward, I cup his bearded cheeks and fight the urge to kiss him again, even as a simple brush.

“How long do you think we can keep this up? Tomorrow’s Christmas. Do you think New Years will be long enough? Valentine’s Day?” I don’t think I can wait longer than another day. I want to be able to call him mine and announce it to the world. Doesn’t he want the same?

Cupping my hips, he gives them a squeeze and his forehead grazes mine. “I wanted to have a place to whisk you off to first in case they weren’t too happy with us. A nice little cabin, you know? That’s not too bad sounding.”

I picture this man doing just that. If my parents didn’t support us, would he really throw me over his shoulder and make a run for the mountains? A smile forms on my lips and my stomach tightens. I can’t say I hate the idea of it all.

He pulls back, meeting my gaze with a more serious one. “I’m already in the works with chatting up a realtor to check out some places, Cas. The holidays are slowing everything down and the snow is making things challenging, but I’m serious about you. I want this, want us.”

Not expecting his confession, my heart flutters. Oh boy, well this might’ve sealed the deal. Brushing my mouth against his, I sigh. “We can get an apartment in town until you get your hands on something. I want a place for us to not have to worry about getting caught in the middle of this. How does that sound?”

His lips curve against mine. “Like it’s too good to be true. Are you sure you want to? That’s a commitment, Cas.” He tugs me closer toward the edge of the washer and I’m forced to wrap my legs around him to keep my body from slipping off. “I’m not going to want to let you go if we find something small for us.”

I’m not going anywhere, and I tell him that too. When I spot the hesitance hiding behind his gaze, heat crawls up my throat at the thought of telling him the truth. If he’s going to confess his feelings, it’s only fair I do the same.

“Before, you were unreachable, Mylo. I wanted you in ways I shouldn’t have. Leaving was the only way I thought I’d be able to move on. This place was too painful of a reminder.” My lips purse and my brows lower. “I was a coward who couldn’t move on. Coming back, I thought I was going to have to relive through that pain.”

“You really loved me for that long?” He’s smiling, of course, he is. Is it so hard to believe that what started as a pesky crush has turned into something far more intense? This isn’t something I can run from. I love Mylo.

From the way he’s planning the future here, I think he might love me too.

Nodding my head to his question, his snort makes my cheeks burn hotter. I’m not about to start explaining how bad I had it when I was younger, but I’m more than willing to show him how much I love him now.

But first, I need to jump over this wall in our way.

“I’m going to tell them,” I warn him, “whatever happens, happens.”

My parents aren’t that crazy. I’m a grown adult who can make her own decisions. If they care about my happiness, then they shouldn’t care who the person is who brings that my way.

Even if he’s worried about the outcome, he nods his head. “If that’s what you want, then I’m in. Right beside you.”

One more brisk kiss seals our promise before he helps me off the washer. As much as I’d love to linger in here and waste time until the load is ready to swap, I have planning to do. Maybe some apartment hunting to do as well.

* * *

With the smell of food filling each inhale, the four of us sit around the table to finally enjoy the Christmas holiday. After we all helped make enough food to have leftovers for days, all of our hard work has paid off. It’ll be no time before we slice into the pumpkin pie.

After all the sweets my mother has pushed in my direction since the start of my stay, I’m surprised I have cravings for anything sweet.

Sugar isn’t the only thing I’m craving here.

Mylo has cleaned himself up rather well. That unruly beard is now shorter and more organized. Thanks to my little comment about liking beards, he hadn’t shaved it off. He’s done this on purpose, making it impossible not to stare at him throughout the meal.

He’s the one who is making my mouth water, even more than this turkey and ham.

“Everything alright with your food?” From across the table, my mother calls me out on a little slip.

I turn my gaze to my food and nod. “It’s delicious.” Her stare doesn’t let up even as I shove a shredded piece of meat into my mouth.

She’s been acting a bit weird lately, dancing around the strangest topics whenever it’s just the two of us. There’s a knowing look to her gaze and it makes me wonder if maybe, Mylo and I aren’t as secretive as I thought.

“It’s a shame no one else was able to make it.” My father helps fill the silence. “I don’t think anyone prepared for all this snow.”

More scraping of plates and my mother finally looks away, only to stare at Mylo next. His throat bobs. He must be thinking the same thing I am.

Unable to take it anymore, I stop squirming and sit up a bit straighter. “So, I think I know what I’m going to do after the holidays. I’m going to apply for a place to stay in town.”

As Dad swipes his fork in the air, I can hear his words before he says them. “No need to rush to get out of our hair, Cas. We have plenty of room here. It’s hard being out there on your own. Let us help.”

“I won’t be alone.” Blurting the words, my foot bounces as my nerves start creeping in. “It’ll be just momentarily, too. Maybe a year, or less. Who knows?”

Mylo clears his throat next. “I’m going to help her get back on her feet. Crash with her since I don’t exactly have anywhere to go either.”

God, we’re still avoiding the truth here. Why is it so hard to say?

“Well, that’s kind of you.” My mother smiles and shakes her head. “But as Henry says, we have plenty of room. You don’t have to go out of your way. That goes for both of you. Though, I will admit, once the holidays are over, I am going to want to resume my hobbies.”

“He could move his stuff into my room,” I mutter and my father chokes on his next bite. Well, there’s no going back now. “If you’re insisting on us staying, I mean. I’ve got lots of room.”

“They have spent plenty of time together, Henry.” My mother tries to hide her smile behind her next bite. “If you haven’t noticed by now. We should give them a little space for themselves.”

“Delilah-” Mylo starts, at the confidence in her voice.

“What am I missing here?” My father looks at us all confused, his brows pinched together.

“Mylo and I are…well, I-” Fumbling with my words, I feel the warmth of his hand against my leg. One little squeeze is all it takes to make my tongue swell up.

“I’m planning a future with your daughter, Henry.” With a surprise amount of confidence behind his words, my heart flutters. “Cassidy and I have found a connection I don’t want to risk letting go of.”

My father squints at Mylo like he’s trying to figure out a difficult puzzle. Then he looks at me the very same.

“Henry, darling, they’re in love.” My mother sighs and spells it out for him. “If you weren’t so busy watching me, you’d have seen the signs. Trust me, there have been plenty of them.”

Well, now I want to die a little.

“How long have you known?” I thought we hid ourselves pretty well.

“My suspicions started straight from the beginning the moment you rushed out to comfort him. Once I discovered how truly thin these walls are, I put two and two together.” Looking a little proud of herself, she reaches out and squeezes my father’s shoulder. “Let them be happy, I think they deserve it.”

My father’s shoulders sink and he runs a hand down his face. Like he’s struggling to comprehend everything that’s been happening under his nose, I can’t blame him for not noticing. He was the last person we wanted to find out.

“This’ll be what does it?” Looking at Mylo, he grows a bit more sober. “What’ll help you?”

Mylo explained before that my father helped him get out of a dark place. His past really tore him up down to the point of getting kidnapped for the holidays.

“Yeah, this is what I need. What I want.” Mylo nods and a softer smile forms on his lips. “I love her, Henry.”

My heart swells, and for a moment, I wonder if I misheard him or imagined the words. Sure, my mother can assume, but it’s completely different to hear the words come from him.

“You love me?” Voice cracking at the worst time, I meet his gaze. He nods and my father ruins it by making a gagging sound.

My parents have made me gag my entire life with their PDA. He can suck it up for a day.

“Maybe getting your own place is a good idea…” Muttering the idea, Mylo is happy to show my father the cabins he is looking at. “You really plan on moving up there?”

“At least it’s not to cut out the world this time.” He pulls up the realtor sites and starts swiping. “I’ve always had a love for nature. We’ll still be close enough to visit.”

The two of them go on about these plans and I’m practically left alone with my mother.

“You’ve changed too, Cassidy.” Reaching out, she grazes my knuckles with her hand. “You came home looking so lost. Lately, it’s like you found what you came here for.”

“You’re not weirded out by this? I mean, Mylo’s been a staple in this family for a long time now.” I grimace as I say it.

“I believe love can be found in the strangest of places. It’ll take Henry a little time to adjust, I think. But we’ll be fine. Don’t worry about what we think. Just worry about your happiness.” She squeezes my hand once more before returning to her food. “Now that this conversation is finally out of the way, let’s finish eating before our food gets cold. I want that pie.”

Letting out a much-needed laugh, I nod.

Yeah, I’m ready to move on too. Now that we don’t have to hide anymore, I’m ready to keep this train moving.