“Crap.” Piper stops in her tracks and pinches her eyes close a moment. “I knew you were seeing her.” She yanks Buddy back and hands me the leash. “Is that why you’ve been so coy about this new girl? Because there is no new girl?”
“No, I just want you to drop the attitude around her. I’ve forgiven her, and so should you.”
“That’s funny because she never asked for my forgiveness. When she hurt you, she hurt me, too, Cade. I don’t know why you’d let anyone shit all over your heart, and then give them the chance to do it again. But this time, you’re going to be the only one getting hurt because I’m not playing her stupid game.” She stalks off into the night.
“Piper, wait. Come back. I’ll take you to dinner.”
“I already ate!” she screams so loud her voice echoes through the treetops. “Why don’t you take your nasty little girlfriend to dinner? Maybe she could feed you a little more bullshit.”
And just like that, she disappears into the murky darkness.
“Crap.” I pull Buddy over and give him a quick scratch. “Piper would really love Cassidy if given half the chance.” But Sammy broke Piper’s heart. I’m not sure if Piper will ever be open to accepting, to loving someone I bring into my life again.
Buddy barks and tangles himself around my ankles.
“All right, boy. Let’s do this.” Buddy and I get a little run in for the night.
Cassidy never makes it over.
The big trio and I miss the crap out of her.
The next day, try as I might, I can’t catch a glimpse of Cassidy on campus. Just before I left, I made two revolutions around Prescott Hall, brazen enough to make any stalker proud. By the time I get home, I think about shooting her a text, inviting her to dinner, for coffee—hell, I’d go basket weaving in a shit field if she wanted me to.
I’m sitting on the porch, tossing a tennis ball to Buddy, when a familiar pair of faces walks over—Owen and his friend, Rex.
“Dude.” Rex slaps me five. “Is this your place? I’m just a few doors down.”
“No shit? Come on in.”
I lead us inside, and Buddy happily follows as both Owen and Rex give him a greeting.
“Can I get you something cold?”
“I’m good.” Rex tosses the ball to the other end of the room, and Buddy slips and slides until he’s retrieved it.
“I’m good, too.” Owen gets up and takes a seat on the couch. “So we’re all set for this Saturday around five. Marley asked if she could invite a few people to liven it up a bit, and I told her I wouldn’t mind. It’s her place, and your brother is pitching for it. I’m just picking up the cake.”
“Make sure it’s double chocolate, or she’ll have your ass in a sling.” I can’t believe I’m giving the guy that’s sleeping with my sister advice on how to stay on her good side. I guess as much as I want Piper to accept Cassidy, she wants me to accept Owen—and I finally get it. If he ever hurt Piper by way of cheating on her, my heart would be broken, too. And if he even thought of getting back together with her, he’d be a dead man. I would most definitely try to talk some sense into her.
“I’m having Roxy bake it. It’s going to be perfect.”
“Awesome.” Roxy is Cole’s girlfriend from down at the Black Bear. Apparently, the bakery she runs from her apartment is a sugared-up force to be reckoned with. “And what’s for dinner?”
“Wyatt’s having the Black Bear cater. You don’t have to bring anything.”
“If all goes well, I’ll be bringing a few girls.” I offer up my shit-eating grin. Before I can explain, there’s a knock at the door, and my stomach bottoms out. I jump up and see that familiar blonde head of hair peeking up from the peephole. This is the perfect time to start introducing her to my friends.
“Dude.” I nod over to Rex. “Would you mind putting Buddy in the first bedroom on your left? My girlfriend doesn’t really get along too well with him.”
“Not a problem.” Rex is quick to comply.
“Girlfriend, huh?” Owen stands to greet her. “I’ve heard all about this chick from Piper.”
“Don’t believe what you hear.” I swing the door open wide, and Cassidy beams back at me.
“Hey, baby!” She kicks out her hip, looking hotter than a forest fire in a tight red dress, a pair of earrings sparkling as bright as her eyes. “You want to take a little drive tonight over to that sauna in the woods? I’ve got a teeny-weeny, tiny polka dot bikini I’m just itching to take off.”
Crap.
“Yes,” I whisper a little too enthusiastically. “But I actually wanted to introduce you to a couple of friends first.” I step outside next to her, sheepishly hoping Owen and Rex will take the hint and split as the two of them come over.
Owen starts off with a smile, then freezes as his eyes grow ten times their size. Can’t blame him. Cassidy is a stunner.
Rex steps out and cocks his head a moment.
Cassidy takes in a sharp breath. “Hello, boys that I have never met before.” She swallows hard as both Owen and Rex stare blankly at her. Cassidy tips her head to the left, and for the first time I see the shit way people treat her. But I hope to God that’s not what this is about. What the hell is wrong with these knuckleheads?