Clara, coming up for air from her wine, chimed in, "Something is wrong, and she won't talk."
Mom was still studying my face, so I asked, "Is Dad out back by the barbecue?"
"Stop avoiding, Cassidy.What is going on with you?"
Mom brushed my hair back from my face, so similar to how Victoria had, that an involuntary shiver ran through me.
"Your father is out back with Chase getting ready for the Palmers.Brody is back for good, so we are taking advantage of this beautiful weather before the snow hits.Are you here till Thanksgiving?"
Fuck, how had I not realized that Thanksgiving was this week?
"I have to work, Mom, I am only off for the weekend.I will come back for Thanksgiving, though the bookstore is closed."
Mom sighed and turned back to Clara, "Grab enough wine to share if you are planning on drinking that bottle to yourself.Let's go see the boys, shall we?"
Mom led the way while Clara grabbed a few bottles of wine and followed closely behind, "I am not dropping this, Cass."
I tried to ignore her and picked up my pace, hoping for a break from Clara when I reached my dad.
He was in the outdoor kitchen that my family had built a few years ago, a beautiful brick, stone, and wood setup that they used for the better part of three seasons of the year.
"There is my baby."And just like mom, he wrapped me up in his arms and gave me a good squeeze.
Clara didn't stop, though she placed the bottles of wine down on the wooden table, "Something is going on with Cassidy, and she won't talk."
Dad pulled back and asked, "Have you been crying, Cassidy?"
"Why is Cass crying?"Chase asked as he joined the group.
"I am not crying," I muttered.
"No, not now, but she was, she looked like she saw a ghost at the arena and bolted for the bathroom, came back looking like she had been crying."
What was wrong with my sister today?"Back off, Clara..."
"What happened at the arena?"Chase asked.
Clara jumped back in like I wasn't even here."I was talking with Victoria Brooks, and her husband came up beside her.Cass freaked out and ran off."
"How do you know the Brooks?"My mom asked.
I needed to sit down or steal some of Clara's wine.
Clara was in front of me now, one hand holding her glass and the other propped up on her hip.My Family had me circled, and it felt like I couldn't breathe.
"Ya, Cass, how do you know Victoria and Andrew?"
"Did Victoria say something to you?"
Clara answered for me, "No, she didn't say a thing to her, she freaked when Andrew came up, but it was when Max ran up to ask about ice cream that she lost it."
"Did Mr Brooks say something, Cassidy?"My dad asked.
My chest felt like it was tightening, I could feel the tears start to fall, and I couldn't stop them.
"She looked upset when she got in my car before the game, said it was about the guy she has been seeing and won't let any of us meet."Clara continued.
Chase pulled me to him, "Cassidy, what is going on?Why are you crying?"
