“It was really nice meeting you both. Thank you so much for dinner. It was fantastic.” Cassie smiled softly before leaning in to hug Gramps and then Gran.
“Nice to meet you too, young lady. Good luck with that internship!” Gramps remembered with an enthusiastic smile.
“You’re welcome any time, even after he leaves,” Gran told Cassie, her eyes tired but kind.
“That’s very sweet of you. Thank you so much. I’ll see you both soon.”
I practically dragged Cassie out of the house by her hand before she ripped it from my grip once we were out the door. “Jesus, Jack, enough! Stop pulling me like I’m a fucking dog or something. I don’t even know what you’re so pissed off about!”
I came to a sudden stop on the walkway as guilt immediately mixed with my anger. “Did I hurt you?” I asked, my insides battling.
She cocked her head to one side, assessing me. “No. But don’t do that again. I don’t like it.”
I reached for her hand, but she tucked it behind her back. “I deserve that,” I said with a nod before walking toward my car ahead of her. I opened her door, but didn’t stay to help her up. If she wasn’t going to let me touch her hand, she sure as shit wasn’t going to let me grab her ass.
Once inside, I pulled open the old ashtray, the sound of jingling change filling the air as I dug around for the proper amount. I glanced at Cassie, knowing that she was pissed causing an aching in my chest I couldn’t stand. “Forgive me,” I said, before tossing two quarters into her lap.
She glanced down, the corners of her mouth turning up in a hesitant smile as she shook her head. “I hate you.”
“No you don’t.” Relief spread through me as soon as I realized that it would be okay. We’d be okay.
She narrowed her eyes, releasing a long breath. “Just take me home, Jack. That’s what you ripped me from your house to do, so just do it already.”
My stomach twisted as her tone chased away every ounce of relief I’d just felt. I started the car and we drove in silence the entire way to her apartment, except for the music I chose. As soon as I put the car in park, she hopped out.
“Come on, Kitten. Wait!” I shouted at her retreating back, but she continued walking. “Cassie!”
I realized she had no intention of stopping, so I followed slowly behind her, my mind racing. When I reached her front door, I noticed that it wasn’t closed all the way and my heart literally let out a thankful beat.
“Cass?” I peered around the door into the empty living room. I noticed the light on in her bedroom, so I headed that direction.
I walked in and found her looking in the bathroom mirror as she scrubbed the makeup from her face. She turned to me and sighed before looking back at her reflection. I sat on the edge of her bed, suddenly feeling like the biggest asshole on earth. The problem was, I wasn’t sure what the hell she was even so mad about, but I was certain it was my fault.
I watched as she gathered her long hair into a ponytail, revealing that gorgeous neck she usually hid underneath. I knew I was in trouble with her, but suddenly all I could think about was kissing that neck. I stood up and started to walk toward her, my other head clearly in charge of my actions.
“Don’t,” she snapped and I stopped. No fighting back, no response, no arguing. I simply turned my ass right around and sat back on her bed. If I had a tail, it would sure as shit have been tucked between my legs.
I was one hundred percent not in control of this situation. This girl fucking owned me right now. I sat on that bed waiting for her to give me the time of day. I didn’t necessarily like this feeling, but I suffered through it…for her. I convinced myself that I’d probably suffer through pretty much anything for this girl.
The water turned off and she walked toward me, avoiding my eyes before sitting down as far away from me as possible. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Her angry tone caught me off guard.
I shrugged my shoulders. “What did I do?”
“You’re kidding, right?” She let out an irritated laugh. I stared at her as she threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. “You flipped out at your grandparents’ house. I thought you were going to hit your own brother!”
“He pissed me off!” I attempted to defend my actions. “I didn’t like the things he was saying about us. I don’t want to hear that shit when it comes to me and you.”
She released a loud breath, her shoulders slouching. “Jack, you can’t get pissed every time someone says something unflattering about us.”
“Yes, I can,” I responded seriously, and she laughed.