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Chapter 76: Cassidy
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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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##Chapter 82: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveIt's slammed home Friday morning that getting up at the ass-crack of dawn to fight an overzealous crowd of crazed shoppers for a few sweaters and a cute pair of ankle boots is not my idea of a good time.Not only do we hit a few malls, but then I'm dragged against my will to Target and Walmart for more of this tortuous thing called Black Friday shopping.If I never hit another store for the rest of my life, it'll be too soon.The only thing that makes the experience bearable is the steady supply of caffeinated beverages shoved in my hand. Brooklyn also accompanies us on this miserable excursion. Unlike me, she seems to thoroughly enjoy the thrill of the hunt and excitement over every new discovery as much as the other demented people who are out and about before the sun has risen in the sky. In other words, she fits in perfectly with my mom and sisters.I have two words to sum up this day-Never.Again.I don't think I've ever felt more ex
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##Chapter 83: CassidyBook Two: Don't LeaveLuke causally drapes an arm around my shoulders, making it clear that we're together. "Not much. How about you?"A hard glint enters Austin's eyes as he takes in how close Luke and I are standing. "Brook called, so I'm going to take her home." His narrowed gaze shifts to me. "You need a lift home, Cassidy?" He nods his head toward Brooklyn. "Since you're next door, we can drop you off."Unease blooms in the pit of my belly as I shift, wanting to defuse the thick, suffocating waves of tension that have fallen over the group.From beneath my lashes, I glance at Luke. At this point, we're just friends, but I'm sure Austin assumes differently. My heart trips, wondering if he'll mention it to Cole.Just as quickly, I wonder if it matters.My guess is that it doesn't."I'll take her home," Luke replies before tugging me a bit closer.It feels as if I'm in the middle of a pissing match between these two, which is ridiculous. Austin has no
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##Chapter 84: ColeBook Two: Don't Leave"Someone's at the door, can you please answer it?" Mom yells from the kitchen where she's baking Christmas cookies.Already.That's not a complaint.It means I'll have more food to take back to school when I leave tomorrow afternoon. I pause, unable to rip my attention away from the big screen TV as the final seconds of the first quarter play out. The bell rings for a second time as the ball is being passed and-"Cole?" she shouts again.Except this time there's exasperation lacing her voice.And that's never good."I'm on it!"But not really.Fumble.Damn.With a shake of my head, I jog to the door and throw it wide open. Almost immediately, I wish I'd ignored it."Hi, Cole." The edges of her lips lift tentatively.When I remain silent, she shifts from one foot to the other before stuffing her hands into the pockets of her jacket."Hey," I force myself to say. If she thinks enough time has passed for me to forget about what happened betwee
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