Cassie (The Mitchell/Healy Family #7)(15)
Buzzed or not, I wasn’t letting them make me do something I wasn’t comfortable with. I turned my direction to Tammy. “You need to keep your grabby hands off of me. I’m not into chicks.”
“I never said you were.” Her sarcastic glare was making me uneasy. It was like she knew something I didn’t, and I hated her for it. “Although, how would you know if you’ve never tried?” She traced my cheek with her long fingernails. “I’d love to show you how much fun we could have, but it’s entirely your choice.”
“Fuck you!”
“Cassie. Don’t talk to her like that.” Brant was acting like he was pissed at me for declining. I wanted to smack him in his face.
“I will do as I please. If you don’t get me out of here right this minute I’m calling my cousin to come and get me.”
My threat worked. He took me by the arm and pulled me out of the ladies room. We kept moving through the crowd until we were outside. A line of cabs were waiting for fares, so we climbed into the first one. Brant called out the address to the driver, then leaned back, putting his hands up to his face. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
“What I’ve done?” I argued. “You wanted me to dyke out with that slut. You’re lucky I’m inebriated, otherwise I might threaten to leave you.”
He cackled. “Baby, we were having fun.”
“Just like the hot tub the other night?” His eyes widened, which made me wonder what else happened in there. Tammy obviously liked to share things. Maybe Rocky was one of those men who enjoyed watching his woman with other people. “What did you do with her? Did you screw her?”
“No! Fuck you for saying that. Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited to have you to myself? I don’t want what she has to offer. I thought tonight we could have some fun. I wasn’t going to participate, but you took it to a whole different level. It was just a kiss.”
“A kiss? Then what? Did you want me to ask to do a line of coke too? I mean, isn’t that what you want? You think it will help me fit in? You think if I spread my legs for Tammy and Rocky we’ll become best buddies?”
He kept shaking his head. “Of course not! I like you the way you are, and I sure as shit don’t want to share you.”
“I’m telling you, Brant. Cut this shit out. I don’t know who you are right now. I gave up everything for you. I came to this godforsaken place in hopes we could have a future. Now I don’t know what I was thinking. Maybe my parents were right.”
“No.” His hands were grabbing mine. “Cass, please. I was out of line. I thought we could let go, but I should have asked you first.”
“We’re supposed to be a team, Brant. What I did earlier today will stay with me for the rest of my life. I did that for you. If you think for one second I’m not trying then tell me, but from the way I see it, I’m going above and beyond to fit perfectly into your life. Don’t make me regret it.”
He pulled my hands up to his lips. “Before you I didn’t know what love was. I’ve never had a family who cares about me. You’re all I have. When I’m out of line you need to tell me. I can’t f*ck this up. I can’t lose you, Cass.”
The cab pulled up out front of the house. Brant dug into his pocket and pulled out some cash, while I removed myself from the vehicle. We met back up at the front door. He fiddled with the keys, finding the one that opened the lock. The next time he looked up at me with worried eyes. “Please don’t let me f*ck this up. I don’t want to live without you.”
The change in him was obvious. As soon as we were away from those people he was back to being the man I fell in love with. I knew it was up to me to get us out of the situation we were in, or else our relationship was going to fall apart. “You know, the party doesn’t have to end, Brant. We could take it out to the pool and have some fun of our own, if you’re interested. My only stipulation would be that no clothes are allowed.” I knew I’d get a positive reaction, and didn’t have to wait long for it to happen.
Brant pulled me inside the house, lifting me up and carrying me to our bedroom. For the moment our problems didn’t exist. I just needed to figure out how to convince him we needed to leave. Without the guidance and support of my family, Brant was all I had left. I’d burned bridges to be with him. In order to prove my parents wrong I wasn’t willing to give up so easily.
True love stands the test of time. I prayed that saying was true.
Chapter 7
Cassie
We’d been in Vegas for two weeks, and in that amount of time I’d spent my days and my nights in regret. I missed the smell of fresh air, kind people, and the love that radiated from my family. Unlike where I was from, every day in Vegas was like a weekend. People partied twenty-four-seven. That kind of life takes a toll on anyone, especially me. I drank too much, mostly to break away from reality. Two different times I’d smoked marijuana, and once I’d gotten brave enough to take my top off in the hot tub. Of course, when I woke the next morning and realized what I’d done, I felt sick to my stomach all day. The idea of Rocky seeing me exposed was disgusting.
Brant was always reassuring and protective. I appreciated feeling safe when I was with him. He’d be a good father one day, once he was done with this way of life. I prayed every night that he’d follow through with our plans. I needed him to be the man I deserved instead of the one I felt like I was settling for.