10. Ten

Ten

Kendrick

I let out a slow, controlled breath, crossing my arms tighter. “Pixie Cane, the pop star? That’s who you’re spending time with these days?” I don’t try to hide the mockery in my voice.

Cass rubs the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. “It’s… it’s not like that. Pixie and I, we’re nothing serious.”

“Didn’t look like nothing to me,” I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper. I wince as even I can’t miss the jealous disbelief that lingers beneath my words. Pixie’s presence feels like a stain I can’t scrub away—too loud, too flashy, too much of everything I’m not.

Not realizing the tension in the room, Cassidy looks up at Cass with wide eyes. “Dad, can I show Mom my new guitar?”

He turns to her, seeming grateful for the distraction. “Of course. Show her everything.”

Cassidy beams, her hands flying over the guitar’s polished surface as she explains every curve and feature, her voice high with excitement. Explaining in her own way why they chose it.

I try to listen, but my guarded gaze keeps repeatedly flickering to Cass.

When Cassidy finishes the grand tour of the guitar, her face glowing, she looks to me for approval. I manage a tight smile, giving her an encouraging nod.

“It’s… beautiful, Cassidy. But remember, it’s not about the quality or cost of the instrument; it’s about the music you can make with it.”

Cassidy nods, her expression serious. “I know, Mom. But now, my music will sound even richer when I play.”

Cassidy’s pure excitement should be enough to smooth things over, but I can’t seem to hide the shadow on my face as I watch Cassidy run her fingers over the guitar’s polished surface. I’m not quite as thrilled about Cass’s extravagant gift as our daughter is.

I avoid Cass’s searching gaze as he tries to catch my eye. I keep my eyes trained on Cassidy, masking my expression. But I know he can see there’s something wrong with my stance. I’m filled with a quiet tension that’s hard to ignore or hide—having to spend the last hour surrounded by Derrick’s suffocating hostility and Pixie Cane’s indifference.

And then there’s the new expensive Martin guitar. I try to shrug off the feeling of resentment as I remember how I scrimped and saved just to purchase Cassidy her special Christmas gift.

Meeting Cass’s eyes suddenly, his flash with a tinge of guilt. Maybe he’s realizing he might have overstepped buying her such a grand present.

“Mom,” Cassidy’s voice breaks through, “I can’t wait to start creating new songs now that I have this.”

My lips press into a faint smile. “That’s wonderful, honey. Why don’t you give me and your dad a few moments to talk.” I give Cassidy a gentle nudge, keeping my tone as soft as the look in my eyes, not wanting my daughter to sense the layer of steel beneath it.

Once Cassidy’s out of earshot, I glance at Cass, and the momentary warmth I displayed earlier disappears. I suddenly feel the weight of my unvoiced frustration as it hangs between us.

“Kendrick,” Cass begins, trying to bridge the distance, “if it was too much—“

I cut him off with, “Of course, it was too much!” At the look in his eyes, I shake my head. “Sorry Cass, it’s… look, I know you didn’t mean anything by it, but you don’t realize what that guitar meant. I saved up a long time to buy Cassidy her first guitar, and now…” I trail off, swallowing my words as I don’t want Cass to see just how deeply this is affecting me.

He takes off his cap and runs a hand through his long hair, grappling for the right thing to say. “I didn’t mean to step on your toes, Kendrick. I just think she’s really talented. She deserves an equally great guitar.”

Sighing, I press my fingers to my temples. How can I explain to him that it isn’t just about the guitar? It’s about everything—about the years he wasn’t there, the battles I fought alone. And now, here he is, sweeping in like a hero without understanding the cost.

I force a faint smile, though it doesn’t reach my eyes. “I know you’re trying to give her the best. And I appreciate that, Cass. I really do. But I’m not used to someone stepping in and making things better, I guess.” There’s a vulnerability in my words that makes me wince. I hope he can see how much I’ve done for Cassidy and how much of myself I’ve poured into raising her alone.

“Thank you, Kendrick,” Cass says quietly, meeting my eyes. “For everything you’ve done for our daughter. It couldn’t have been easy, being a single parent.”

I study him for a long moment, then nod. “We both want what’s best for her, Cass. But that’s— that’s going to require communication and agreement. Something you and I will have to learn as we go.” I glance out the window at the city below, a flicker of something deep and unresolved crossing my face before I can hide it from him.

Cass reaches out and grabs my shoulders, pulling me toward him until my back rests stiffly against his chest. “Kendrick,” he whispers in my ear. “I’m willing to compromise. I’m agreeable to whatever needs to be done. I want my daughter in my life. But I also want you, Kendrick. I’ve never stopped wanting you.”

Feeling my stiffness leave, I rest my full weight against him, allowing him to hold me for a few blissful moments. I shut my eyes and just revel in the feeling of his strong arms around me. I’d almost forgotten how good it felt to have someone to lean on. Someone to… but then I think of all the things standing in our way.

Glancing up at Cass, I state, “Derrick will never accept me. He doesn’t want us in your life.”

Cass twists his lips into a grimace. “He’s just pissed because I called the lab for the results from the paternity test. Let’s just say he was disappointed in the results,” he says with a teasing glint in his eyes.

“Did you have any doubts about her being yours?” I ask him quietly.

I feel his chest expand with a deep breath, then a sigh. “None. I knew she was mine.” He tells me simply, and I can hear the honesty in his voice. I feel a wave of warmth flow through me.

“Mom? Dad? Are you guys done talking?” Cassidy calls hesitantly from the doorway.

Reluctantly, I straighten, pulling away from the comfort of his arms. “Yes, Cassidy. Your father and I are done talking.” But the warmth of his touch remains long into the night.

The next morning, after eating an elegantly prepared breakfast delivered via room service, Cassidy returns to her bedroom while Cass and I remain at the table. Suddenly, the harsh ring from the hotel desk phone startles us. I glance at it in surprise as Cass picks it up. I watch his face curiously as he frowns and then grins.

He states, “Yes, that’s fine. Please send her up.” He hangs up the phone and turns to me with a grimace. “My sister is on her way up.”

Before I can respond, we hear the ding of the elevator, and the doors slide open to reveal a young woman. She’s graceful and petite, with the same striking blue eyes as Cass and long dark hair. There’s an energy to her, a quiet fire I can see crackling under her exterior.

“Emily,” Cass murmurs as he approaches her and gives her a hug. Then he steps back and cocks his eyebrow at her. “This is a surprise. I thought we were all getting together next week at the beach house.”

I watch as Emily rolls her eyes and grins, ignoring her brother’s soft chiding. “You didn’t really expect me to wait that long to meet my niece and her mother, did you?” She states breezily. “Not a chance!”

Cass shakes his head at her but turns to introduce us. “Kendrick,” he says, his voice warm with affection and a hint of resigned tolerance, “this is my younger sister, Emily.”

I smile as she turns her attention to me, her dark eyes bright with interest, though I don’t miss the assessing look she gives me.

Emily smiles, enveloping me in a hug before I even get a chance to say hello.

“I couldn’t wait to meet you and your daughter,” she says with a wink. “Besides, I love New York. They have the very best spas.”

Cass chuckles, shaking his head. “Emily is—well, she’s not exactly patient.”

“She may have gotten that from you,” I say in a slightly dry voice, earning a laugh from Emily and a grin from Cass as he leans against the doorway, watching us.

Emily’s eyes light up as she sees Cassidy peek around the corner, curiosity etched on her face. She steps forward, arms open. “You must be Cassidy. I’m your Auntie Emily, and I’ve been dying to meet you!”

Cassidy’s face lights up, and she steps forward, allowing herself to be swept up in her aunt’s warm embrace. “Hi,” she says shyly, glancing up at Cass and me with a delighted smile.

Emily pulls back, looking at Cassidy with a sparkle in her eyes. “Look at you—you look like your mom, but you remind me of your dad.” She shakes her head with a grin. “I know this is our first time meeting, but I feel like I know you already.”

Cassidy’s face flushes with excitement. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” Emily replies. “Your dad’s told us all about you, and I couldn’t wait to meet my first niece.” She winks, looking every bit the doting aunt. “So, what do you say we spend some time together? I’ll even tell you a few of your dad’s childhood secrets,” she whispers, casting Cass a teasing look.

Cass chuckles, coming over to wrap an arm around Cassidy’s shoulder. “Better not reveal too much. I’ve got a reputation to uphold,” he says with a warning look in his eyes.

The moment is warm, and something about it wraps around me, making me smile. Watching Cass and his sister, I see parts of him that he keeps hidden away, and it stirs something in me that I can’t quite shake.

Just then, we hear the elevator ping, and it echoes through the suite, breaking the moment. Cass grins and turns toward Emily. “That must be Sam. He’s swinging by to take Cassidy and me to the studio.”

Cassidy’s eyes go wide with excitement, and she spins toward me and her aunt. “Dad says I’ll get to see all the equipment. I’ve never been to a sound studio.” Then her eyes flick to Emily with a slight frown. “You could go with us.”

Sam steps inside, giving a casual nod to everyone, but when his gaze lands on Emily, something shifts in the air. It’s barely perceptible, but I can sense it—a charged current that’s instantly stifled. Sam’s usual confident swagger falters for just a second, and Emily’s gaze sharpens.

“Emily,” he says with a neutral nod, though his eyes linger a moment too long.

“Sam,” she replies coolly, crossing her arms and raising a brow as if challenging him to say something more.

“How’s everything going, Cupcake?” Sam murmurs deadpan.

Emily rolls her eyes, ignoring his comment and the nickname.

Cass chuckles softly, casting me an amused look as if to say, ‘Here we go again.’ The way Sam’s eyes linger on Emily, paired with her stiff posture, makes the tension between his sister and Sam almost palpable. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out there’s more to their history than meets the eye. The air practically pulses with things unsaid.

But neither one of them makes a move, and after a long silence, Emily waves her hand, shooing them off. “Don’t let me keep you.” Then she gives her niece a heartfelt hug and says in a cheery voice. “Cassidy, we’ll get together tonight. You go—have a blast at the studio.”

Cassidy grins, looking overjoyed as she glances from Sam to Cass and then to me. “Thanks, Auntie Emily! Bye, Mom!” And with that, she practically drags Cass and Sam out of the suite, her excitement so contagious I can’t help but smile.

As soon as the door closes, Emily turns to me, letting out a breath. “That’s Sam. Always has a way of showing up exactly when I don’t want him to.”

I raise a brow, amused. “It sounds like there’s a story there.”

“Oh, please. There’s no story.” She rolls her eyes, waving her hand dismissively. “He makes a joke of everything. Sam and I have known each other a long time—long enough to know we’re better off keeping a distance.” But the faint blush that colors her cheeks suggests otherwise.

Changing the subject, she brightens. “So, what do you say to a spa day? Courtesy of my rich brother. I’m sure we can set up an appointment. Let’s treat ourselves while they’re off doing the music thing.”

“A spa day sounds amazing,” I admit, feeling the tension drain just at the thought of a massage.

She beams. “Perfect. I’ll grab my things, and we’ll go.”

“Shouldn’t we call first?” I ask her with a slight frown. “Are you sure they’ll be able to fit us in?”

Emily gives me a sly grin. “No worries. Having a famous brother does have its advantages,” she quips with a careless shrug.

I can’t help but laugh as I willingly follow her into the elevator. On the way down, I find myself relaxing for the first time in days. Emily’s easy chatter and confidence are infectious, and for a moment, I let myself forget the weight of everything hanging over us. Maybe a spa day is exactly what I need.