Lucian
“Monique is taking Cassie to Colorado,” Aidan says as we stand on the rooftop of Quinn Software. I’ve no desire to smoke today, but he’s burning through enough for both of us. This is it, I think. What I always knew it would come to. Monique has been far too accommodating since assuming responsibility for Cassie. Aidan has continued to visit as usual with no arguments from the other woman. She’s been like some fucking Girl Scout—which I knew couldn’t possibly last.
“For how long?” I ask as I mull his words.
“She says just for a week to see how she does. You know I told you that she’s been spending the weekends with Monique at her apartment and doing fine. I guess her doctor thinks this would be good for her. You know, be out for a bit longer since she’s adjusted so well. Monique says her father’s health isn’t good and he can’t travel here yet so he wants her to bring Cassie there for a few days. Some kind of big family reunion.”
“If you’re uneasy about it, then why don’t you accompany them?” I ask, thinking it sounds like hell, but Aidan’s opinion differs from mine.
“Monique doesn’t want me to this time. She thinks Cassie will do better if I’m not there. When we both visit her at the same time, Cassie tends to interact only with me. Apparently, when I’m not there, she talks to Monique. I guess she’s afraid of that same thing if I go and she really wants for her father to spend some time with Cassie.”
“Makes sense,” I say. About as much as any of this fucked-up situation, but I keep that to myself. “Is Cassie doing as well as she was? Making progress?”
Looking pleased, Aidan says, “Yeah, she is. She’s still not like she used to be, but during every visit, she tells me some of the experiences she’s remembered. She seems almost serene now for the first time since I’ve known her. You know, she always had a sort of wired energy that you knew was just beneath the surface. If you said something that she took the wrong way, she was quick to explode. After the first few times, I learned to mind my words unless I was in the mood to argue. I don’t feel that anymore, though. I would have never imagined she could be as relaxed as she is now.”
“Could be a result of the medication,” I add. “Her father never got her the help she needed back then. I know she took some anti-depressants, but they weren’t that effective.”
“My parents want me to cut ties and walk away from her. They feel I’m never going to find a good girl like Lia as long as I’m helping Cassie.” Dropping his cigarette, he stomps it out before rolling his eyes at me. “Thanks to your upcoming marriage, they’re suddenly dissatisfied with my single status. I believe their last words were, ‘Please find someone who you can actually bring home to meet us.’”
Wincing, I say, “Ouch, that’s pretty rough for them.” I love Aidan’s parents. I spent a lot of time there during my childhood. His mother was always involved in every school function and his father was the Cub Scout leader for years. They dote on their only son and I can only imagine what their opinion would be of Monique. I can also understand why they would feel the way they do about Cassie.
Grinning, he adds, “I guess they’re getting tired of my casual relationships. I’ve never brought anyone home before and they obviously know why. Do you think they’d be satisfied if I adopted a dog?”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “Not unless it can bark grandma. Seriously though, don’t you think Monique was kind of a waste of time?”
He shrugs. “It was just uncomplicated sex, bro. She knew I wasn’t going to propose and she never tried to change my mind. I have too much shit going on without worrying about that shit. Sometimes you just want your dick sucked without having to work for it.” The smirk on his face says that he’s joking—at least partly. For his sake, I hope a lot.
“I have no idea why you’re not married.” I try to keep a straight face. Fuck, I have no room to talk. I liked an uncomplicated dick-sucking myself at one time. We talk for another few moments before we go our separate ways. I’m whistling as I walk to the elevator while Aidan is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Cassie—always fucking Cassie.
Chapter Eighteen
Lucian