Her Guardians Lost(9)

“That girl I predicted you would meet. Have you met her yet?” I tried to look as though I was joking, even though I was genuinely intrigued.

Callum frowned for a moment, then a spark of recognition crossed his face. “Ah, yes, I have. I met someone about two weeks ago. She’s pretty amazing. That was quite some coincidence, Cassie.” He winked at me, and Paul frowned. “I’ll tell you later, man,” he said, slapping Paul’s shoulder. “Anyway, take care of yourself, little lady.” Callum smiled and winked again.

“I will, Callum, and thank you.”

Once they both left, I turned back to two very important men in my life. Michael, for obvious reasons, but Simon and I now had a very strong bond, as well. I could feel it. We shared something that not a lot of people have ever shared. Seeing him staring into my eyes, I knew he felt it, too. It was never an attraction. It was almost like a family bond, like he was the brother I never had. Honestly, it seemed strange. He is my boss, after all. But, for some reason, that seemed to come second in our relationship. I cared for him deeply. I worried for him and his precious family. They meant more to him than anything. I just wished there was something I could do to make it easier. Ease his pain somewhat so that losing his sister all over again wasn’t so agonising.

“Michael, would you mind giving me and Simon a moment?”

Michael nodded and eased himself off the bed. “I’ll wait outside for your uncle and Chris.”

“Thank you.”

I watched as Michael disappeared, then turned my attention back to Simon. “How are things with you?”

Simon chuckled a little. It wasn’t in amusement, but frustration. “You’re stuck in the hospital after getting shot and losing who you thought was a close friend, and you’re asking me how things are?”

It made me smile, despite my pain. “I care about you, Simon. I worry you’re in pain.”

Shaking his head, Simon sucked at his teeth. “Cassie, will you think of yourself above others for once?”

I regarded him with a smile. He was looking out for me as much as I was him. “I’m just not wired that way, Simon. I guess it may have something to do with whatever this is I have.”

“A gift.”

“Okay…,” I said, chuckling. “A gift. I just like being there for people. Helping them if I can.”

“So I’m just ‘people’?” he said, raising an eyebrow.

“You know you’re more than that, Simon.”

I saw his bright smile, but then he frowned. “Can I ask you something?”

I had to shake my head. I was trying to find out about him, and he very cleverly deflected it back onto me. I wasn’t going to forget, but I thought I would play along. “Go ahead.”

“Did you make a decision in the end?”

Wincing, I had this sudden pain in my shoulder, but it was the pain in my heart that hurt the most. “No,” I said. I really didn’t want to talk about this now. Talking about it would only bring up memories of that night.

“Listen, Simon. We haven’t got that long before my uncle shows up. I really would like to hear how you are. Have you managed to speak with your sister yet?”

Sighing, Simon let go of my arm and flopped back in his chair. “No. She hates me. I took away her ‘one true love’, as she calls him. All I see him as is this monster who I want to wrap my hands around and squeeze the life out of. I can’t believe he did this to her. I can’t believe she loves him like she does. It’s just messed up. Caroline is apparently having nightmares and screaming for her father. I just feel so torn up. The only good thing that’s happened is Sharice finding out we’re having a baby. That, and I’m off to Jamaica in a few weeks.”

Remembering my vision, I smiled. “Shit. It was your birthday yesterday, wasn’t it?”

Slapping the bed, Simon laughed. “See, I knew you knew. As soon as they surprised me, I thought ‘I bet Cassie knows the full picture’. You little sneak.”

“What can I say? I couldn’t give it away, could I? You thought she was having an affair. Shame on you.” Seeing his anguish, I immediately felt guilty. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

“No, don’t be. You’re right. She is my wife and I should have trusted her.”

I suppose he was right. He didn’t trust her, even though he should have. It didn’t help she was sneaking around and acting suspicious. Anyone would have been a little apprehensive that something was going on. It’s amazing how people’s nature is to automatically think the worst. I think we’re all hard-wired into believing something bad will happen, so that when it does, it doesn’t hurt as much.