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Chapter 73: Cassidy
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##Chapter 74: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveEven though I've arrived early for my lunch with Cole, I couldn't be more aware of Luke's presence beside me. It doesn't escape me that his friendship is the reason Cole pulled away in the first place. The last thing I want to do is exacerbate the situation by being seen with him.From beneath my lashes, I glance around the open space but don't see Cole anywhere.As much as it makes me feel like a crappy friend, I want this lunch to go smoothly.I pause.When he does the same, I say, "If you don't mind, I'm going to wait for Cole alone.""Sure." His lips curve into a smile as he leans over and presses a kiss against my cheek. "Text me later and let me know how it goes."Grateful for his understanding, I beam. This is the first time since Cole walked out of my dorm room that I've allowed myself to be hopeful that we could hash out our issues."I will."After we say our goodbyes, he disappears, getting swallowed up by the thick crowd. The
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##Chapter 75: ColeBook Two: Don't LeaveWell shit.With my brows pinched together, I watch as Cassidy races from the Union like the hounds of hell are nipping at her heels.In my head, I saw this lunch working out differently.I blow out a frustrated breath and turn my attention back to Vanessa and Andrea before glaring at them. "Seriously, what did you do that for?"They both collapse into a fit of giggles. "It's so fun screwing with these girls who want to get a great big taste of Cole."I roll my eyes. "Yeah, well, I was kind of hoping to smooth things over with that particular girl. Up until about a week ago, I was seeing her."Vanessa's eyes widen. "Then maybe you should have said something, instead of letting me paw you in front of her."Andrea links an arm through her friend's and takes up Vanessa's side. "Yeah, Cole. We thought she was one of those silly groupies who are constantly throwing themselves at you. Usually, you're more than happy when we intervene."She's ri
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##Chapter 76: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveThe ice is the only place where I can lose myself. I pass the puck to one of my wingers and fall back to guard our goal. The last thing I want to think about is how my relationship with Cole has gone up in a burst of flames.How is it possible that almost a month ago, I couldn't imagine us being apart?And now-A hard hit from the left knocks me off my skates. I crash onto the ice and roll to my back. Even with all my padded protection, it hurts like hell. My eyes water as I fight to find my breath. I haven't taken a hit like that in years. It feels like the very life has been knocked from my body.I open my eyes and stare up into Sammy's narrowed blue ones.What the fuck!I can't believe she trucked into me like that!When I'm finally able to suck enough oxygen into my lungs, it still takes a few moments before I can grit out the question. "What the hell, Sammy?"She shrugs her broad shoulders, which look even more massive underneath
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##Chapter 77: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveThe week leading up to Thanksgiving break flies by at breakneck speed. There are papers to write, tests to study for, hours spent at the tutoring center, and hockey practice to work myself over in so I can fall into a dead sleep at the end of the day and not spend more time stewing over Cole.Does it work?Not really.I've arrived at the painful conclusion that I screwed up the best relationship I've ever had.After my late-night dinner with Sammy, I decided to take a giant step back from the situation and focus on the reason I'm at Western in the first place.Academics.I'm pouring all my time and energy into my courses, and trying hard not to dwell on Cole or Luke. Until I decided to pull back and get clarity, I hadn't realized how much everything was spiraling out of control.I think Dr. Thompson would be proud of me for doing what's best for myself and seizing control of my life again. I miss her insightful comments and conversations.
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##Chapter 78: CassidyBook Two: Don't Leave"You're really all right with going home for the break? Everything's good with the fam?"I fold another sweater and place it neatly in my suitcase before glancing at Brooklyn. "Yeah, I think so."Over the past few weeks, I've gotten together with my parents several times. Our relationship is slowly morphing into one that is comfortable again."If you need a breather, just pop on over to my house." She dumps a handful of clothing into her bag. "It's not like anything interesting will be happening at the Bennet household.""I think everything will be fine. Honestly," I carefully fold a pair of jeans before laying them on top of the sweaters, "I'm looking forward to getting away from campus for a couple of days."Brooklyn huffs before throwing another armload of clothing into her bag. "I know what you mean. It'll be kind of nice to get the hell out of Dodge."I can't resist asking, "Aren't you going to miss your little friends-with-benef
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##Chapter 79: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveIt's the deep timbre of Luke's voice that finally punctures the anxiety spiraling through me."Hey," he squeezes my hand again, "are you all right?" His fingers rise to stroke softly over my cheek. "Cassidy, look at me."He must see the fear and panic rising within my wide eyes, because he slowly tugs me into his arms. I squeeze my eyes tightly shut and rest my head against the solid strength of his chest.And then I just breathe.I suck in big gulps of air before slowly pushing them out again."Keep breathing," he whispers near the shell of my ear.I focus on the low cadence of his voice.It takes about three or four minutes before I find my muscles loosening.Once I've calmed myself down, he says, "We can leave right now if you want. I'll take you to my house or back to school." He pulls away enough to search my eyes. "Is that what you want?"For a silent moment, I turn the offer over in my mind, realizing that I don't really want to
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##Chapter 80: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveThanksgiving Day passes by in a blur of food and extended family that camps out at our house for the day. We wake up early, prep the turkey before shoving it into the oven, and then settle back to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on the big screen. As I sit on the couch with my sisters, my dad relaxes in his recliner and my mom putters around in the kitchen, it feels just like it used to before I flunked out of school last December. And I'm seriously loving every single moment of it.A little more than a month ago, I was barely in contact with my family, and now I'm home, celebrating the holidays with them. Stranger than that, it actually feels normal. Even though I was unsure what to expect, I feel stupid for getting so jacked up in Luke's truck. Lexie, who is fourteen, makes a comment about one of the choreographed routines, and suddenly both her and Miranda are jumping off the couch and copying the dancers on TV. As my gaze
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##Chapter 81Book Two: Don't LeaveShe pulls away just enough to meet my gaze. "I was wondering if you wanted to go shopping with us tomorrow morning?"In all the years I lived at home, Mom and my sisters would get up super early and hit all the Black Friday sales. Normally, I'd be playing in some turkey shootout tournament, but that's not the case this year, and suddenly, I'm glad for it. "I'd like that. Thanks for asking.""Great." Her eyes take on a sly look before she asks, "So, any plans with that foxy boy who gave you and Brooklyn a ride home yesterday?"My mouth drops open as I repeat with a fair amount of horror, "Foxy? Did you seriously just say that?"Her brows draw together as she says, "Isn't that the hip lingo all the kids are using these days?"I shake my head. "Um, no. And quite frankly, I don't want to hear that word come out of your mouth ever again." I shudder. "It's so wrong, it can never be right."Her lips twitch. "How about sexy? Is that better? Like
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