As Cassie expected, the nurse only took the thermometer from her before leaving. Now they were on their own again, Cassie shook even more, knowing she had to deal with what had happened.
Kayden looked irritably at her, stopping her fear and turning it to anger.
‘Why are you here, Kayden? Shouldn’t you be with your new girlfriend?’ she snarled.
She could feel him suck in his breath and she waited for what seemed like ages before he let it out. ‘I can’t believe you would think I would do that to you, Cassie. Obviously, our relationship isn’t that strong after all. I’ve just come to let you know that I give up. You win. I am sick of you running every time something goes wrong. I’m sorry that silly little tart came and cuddled up to me but maybe you might try to understand a little of what I go through every time you kiss or hug one of the guys. It always has to be all about you or nothing. From now on, I’m your boss and that is it. The boys are happy for you to stay with them. If you wish to stay on as a member of the team, you’re welcome to but I don’t want you to come home.’
She glared at him with hatred. ‘Good! You’re just as painful. I’m sick of having to try to make you and your damned buddies happy. I’ll not be staying, so don’t flatter yourself that you’re worth waiting around for. Get out and don’t let the door hit you on your way out, you dirty rotten two timer!’ she added furiously.
After they released her from hospital the next day, she had no idea what she was going to do or what the day would bring. Woody stood waiting for her as she came out the front entrance. He took her arm and as much as she wished she could tell him where to go, she didn’t know where she was and needed him to drop her off somewhere that would lead her anywhere but back to Kayden’s.
‘Just drop me off on the highway, Woody. I’ll hike back to Perth and try to pick up where I left off. I was a fool to come back here and think that someone would …’ she ran out of bother. She was so over people not loving her the way she did them. She just wanted to give up.
‘Cassie, I have told you before, to find happiness you have to stop running. To stay is to fight for what you believe in. Stop being afraid and look your fears in the face. Stay the course. You know Kayden wouldn’t have done that to you and he’s not just angry with you at the moment. He is angry with us all but he’ll work through it. Come home with me, with us, where you belong. We are your family now and we want you with us.’
Tears streamed down her face. ‘Family! How can you say I’m family when I keep hurting everyone?’
‘Because we understand. We boys adore you!’
‘I’m just finding it hard because all I can see is her in his arms and it makes me want to just run and run and run until I’m too tired to see the damned image!’
‘Then we’ll do it together, around the property and out along the main road, everyday. You’re not alone anymore, Cass. We’ll be your rock until you become one. How about it? Tell me what you have to lose. The road to Perth is just outside our front gate and if at any time you really don’t want to be with us anymore, I’ll take you myself.’
Months to Heal
It had been four months since she’d moved in with the boys. Woody had been right. They were her world now and she loved being the centre of theirs. At last she had found the family that she always wanted. Kayden had stopped moping around and over the past few weeks had began to join them again, his personality surprising them all. He was jovial, funny and a joy to have around. Cassie didn’t love him anymore, he was just a boss and that suited her fine. Woody had become her friend and love, she adored the ground he walked on. He had seen her through so much and his friendship was beyond anything she had ever had. She could sit for hours and listen to him and most days they would just talk until dawn.
They had kissed a few times but she had not been able to go much further than that and she knew it worried him. She just needed a bit more time and he seemed to understand. Once they were in the kitchen and Kayden had walked in on him kissing her but he had just walked out again, not saying anything or showing any reaction. She knew he was over her too.
They continued to have wild parties and the house was always full of chicks and booze. It was an exciting time for Cassie. She was young and it was fun to cut loose, especially after the exhilaration of their missions. Her father was still causing trouble and Woody was always there for her if she saw him at a distance and it upset her.
Woody hardly talked about Ella anymore except when she rang him. Then he would be straight out to tell Cassie all about it. They were pretty well inseparable.