19. Nineteen

Nineteen

Cass

I’m pacing the cramped dressing room. My phone pressed to my ear as I glare at the clock on the wall. “Derrick, I don’t care what the network wants—I told you I need to be home today.”

Derrick’s voice buzzes through the line, all excuses and dismissive tones. “Cass, this is great exposure. Do you realize how many artists would kill for this spot? You can’t just skip it because of some... personal plans.”

My grip tightens on the phone. “It’s not ‘some personal plans.’ It’s my daughter’s birthday. And I promised her I’d be there.”

Derrick scoffs. “Promised? You’re a rockstar, Cass. Promises don’t mean much in this business.”

“Forget it. I’ll handle it myself,” I snap, ending the call before Derrick can say another word, my jaw clenched. Promises might not mean much to Derrick, but they mean everything to Cassidy. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her down.

I grab my jacket and bolt for the door, ignoring the assistant calling my name. The hours slip through my fingers as I watch the clock tick closer and closer to the birthday party’s start time, each second tightening the knot in my stomach.

When the plane finally lands, I don’t even wait for the crew to announce we can disembark. I’m out of my seat, my heart pounding in my chest as if it can force the plane to taxi faster. Without a care for being recognized, I sprint through the terminal. My legs ache from the effort, but I barely feel it as I throw myself into the waiting cab.

The driver glances at me in the rearview mirror. “Where to?”

I give him the address, my voice sharp and urgent. “Step on it.”

The ride feels like an eternity. I check my watch every thirty seconds, willing the cab to go faster. By the time we pull up to the house, I can hear faint laughter and music drifting through the open windows. Relief and anxiety mix in my chest as I throw cash at the driver and jump out.

I take the front steps two at a time, pushing open the door just as I hear a chorus of voices singing, “Happy Birthday to you!”

I scramble toward the dining room, skidding to a stop just inside the doorway as Cassidy leans over her birthday cake. Her eyes are squeezed shut, her lips moving silently. She takes a deep breath, blows out the candles in one swoop, and opens her eyes.

Cassidy’s face lights up, her joy so radiant it steals my breath, and for a moment, the world stops.

“You made it!” she shrieks, launching herself out of her chair and into my arms.

“I promised, didn’t I?” I murmur, “and I always keep my promises.” Pulling her into a fierce hug, her laughter vibrating against my chest.

“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” I tell her softly, finally letting out the breath I’ve been holding all day. At this moment, her happiness is worth every frantic second of getting here.

Cassidy’s giggles ring in my ears as she pulls back, her excitement lighting up the room like the candles she just blew out. Everyone in the room is watching us, their faces a mix of curiosity and warmth, but all I see is my daughter’s beaming smile.

“Help me cut the cake?” She asks, pointing to the knife.

“Sure, but your mom might have to help me,” I tell her, ignoring the interested faces listening to our every word. I look up to see Kendrick, and my breath catches. She looks great tonight, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

“You made it,” she says softly, and I hear the relief in her voice. She takes pity on me, seeing the lost look on my face as I stare down at the cake. Kendrick picks up the knife and expertly cuts the first slice of chocolate birthday cake. She then hands the knife to me with an encouraging smile. Following her lead, I cut the cake into similar-sized pieces.

“Cass, this is Leah. She owns the Heart Kendrick says, “I doubt he’ll ever change. But Cassidy is over the moon. Thank you for keeping your promise.”

“I’d move mountains for her,” I say honestly, my gaze drifting back to our daughter. “And for you.”

She squeezes my arm, her smile turning soft, and I can tell she’s about to respond when Cassidy’s voice rings out.

“Mom! You guys need to come see my presents!”

Kendrick laughs, shaking her head. “We better go over there before she bursts.”

We spend the rest of the party mingling, laughing, and, most importantly, celebrating Cassidy. She’s radiant, her excitement infectious as she shows off her gifts and shares the moment with her friends.

Once the party is over and the guests have all left, Cassidy comes up to me. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the best,” Cassidy says, clutching her birthday card like it’s the most precious thing in the world. “I can’t wait to find out my surprise!” Her smile grows wide. “You made my birthday party perfect.”

I kneel down, looking her in the eye. “There’s no place I’d rather be, sweetheart. I want to be there for all your birthdays.”

Her hug is fierce, and in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of my daughter and Kendrick, I know I’ve finally found what matters most.

The next morning, Kendrick and I sit Cassidy down after breakfast, exchanging a reassuring glance before starting. Cassidy looks between us, her curiosity clear, her eyes bright and expectant.

“Cassidy,” Kendrick begins, her voice steady, “we wanted to talk to you about something that’s changed between your father and me.”

She’s quiet, her head tilting a little as she waits, and I can practically see the questions spinning behind her eyes.

I clear my throat, picking up where Kendrick left off. “So, Cassidy, what your mom’s trying to say is—She and I… well, here’s the thing… we still care a lot about each other. And uh, I guess you could call us a couple. Boyfriend and girlfriend.” I reach over and take Kendrick’s hand in mine. “We’re in a relationship now.”

There’s a second of silence where Cassidy’s face is blank, processing. And then, suddenly, her entire expression lights up. “Does this mean you’re getting married?” she exclaims, her excitement bubbling over.

Kendrick and I exchange a startled look, both of us caught between amusement and a little nervousness. I can’t help but laugh. “Whoa there, Cassidy. We’re not there yet. Right now, we’re just… um… taking things slow.”

Cassidy’s eyes narrow slightly as if she’s considering this new information from every angle. “But you’ll kiss and stuff, right? You’ll sleep in the same bedroom?” she asks pointedly, her tone so matter-of-fact that it nearly undoes me. “Like my friend Jenny’s mom and her boyfriend?”

“Yes,” I say, not even hesitating. I look over at Kendrick, who nods slightly, her expression unreadable.

“So we’re moving in with you for more than the summer?” she adds, her voice just over a whisper, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Yes,” I say, my throat tightening.

With that, she leaps out of her chair, throwing her arms around both of us, squeezing tightly. “Was this my birthday surprise?” she asks with a smile.

“No. I have that planned for tomorrow,” I tell her in a voice gruff with emotion as I return her hug. My eyes catch Kendrick’s, and we exchange relieved smiles over her head.

As we pull apart, Cassidy is all smiles, already chattering excitedly. “We’ll be together for Christmas! Ooh, and you’ll have date nights, like Jenny’s mom. Can I help plan your dates?”

Kendrick laughs, glancing over at me as my hand lightly brushes over her thigh under the table. “We’ll see, sweetheart. One step at a time.”

When we all get up from the table, I pull Kendrick into my arms. “I’m glad that’s over, though it was almost a little too easy,” I whisper in her ear. “But now we don’t have to tiptoe around this anymore. We’ll be sharing a bed, and I’ll get to hold you in my arms every night just like I’ve wanted to for so long.”

Kendrick gives a soft laugh. “I’ll have to thank Jenny’s mom when I see her.”

For the next few days, Cassidy’s incessant, not-so-subtle hints about ‘our family trips’ and ‘when you guys get married’ leave us feeling a mix of relief and exasperation.