"Cass, are you okay?"
"What is wrong?You can tell us anything?"
I couldn't answer them because I was watching in real time as my sister finally caught on, the second it clicked, and her face went from concern to shock.She gasped, and my family all looked her way.
"Are you having an affair with Andrew Brooks?"
A sob tore free, and I could feel my family's eyes on me.No one was talking, and I couldn't bear to see the looks on their faces right now.
It felt like this couldn't get any worse, but then I heard, "Should we come back later?"
And my whole family turned in unison to see Brody Palmer and his parents standing in our backyard.
Chapter 12
6 Months Ago
I had done my best to avoid my phone and the stream of alerts coming through, knowing they had to be from Andrew, all day.I debated taking time off and going to my parents for a while.They would be happy to have me home, and maybe I could clear my mind.
I was in my kitchen trying to decide what I could make for dinner.I hadn't eaten all day, and my stomach was still unsettled...but I knew I had to eat something.
I was rummaging through my fridge when the knock came, making me jump.
I stood with my hand on my chest, my heart racing.
Another knock came, and then, "I know you are in there, open the door, Cassidy."
Andrew was here...fuck.I should have known he would show up after I ignored his texts for the day.But I couldn't think clearly with him around, when my thoughts and feelings were overwhelmed by him.
He continued pounding on the door."You can't just ignore me, Cassidy.We talked about this.You aremine."
The tears started again, and I was so tired of crying over this man.It felt like that was all I had done all day.
I left the kitchen and climbed onto my couch, wrapping myself in one of my throw blankets.
He continued to pound on the door as the tears fell."I am not going anywhere, Cassidy, open the fucking door."
I debated calling Chase or Dad.But I still didn't know how to tell them.
I was so ashamed of myself.So instead, I curled into a ball on the couch, listening to Andrew bang his fists against my door and for the first time hoping that he would leave instead of stay.
It had been four days of avoiding Andrew, and I hadn't left my apartment, afraid that I would run into him.He had shown up every day, following the same routine.Banging on my door, demanding to be let in.I had the lock changed and made an excuse to the superintendent when I gave him the spare as to why it had to be changed.I had called in sick to the bookstore, telling Abby I had a stomach bug.
But I needed to get back to my life, so I cleaned my apartment, put all of Andrew's things in a box, showered and put on an outfit that made me feel good and left my apartment for the bookstore.On my break, I took a brief walk to the coffee shop and, finding my courage, I ignored all of Andrew's unread messages and sent one of my own.
Me:I have taken this time to think about everything, and I can't do this, Andrew.I can't be your dirty secret.I packed up your things.We can schedule a time for you to pick them up, and I will have them at my door for you.I am sorry to do this through text, but we can't be together.
I hit send, and not a minute later, his name was flashing across my screen, an incoming call.I sent him to voicemail and turned my phone off.
After finishing my shift at the bookstore, I did some grocery shopping, grabbing ingredients for my favourite foods, hoping it would help coax back my appetite.
It was dark when I entered my apartment, with my arms full of groceries.So I didn't notice anything until I put my bags down on the counter and moved to turn on the lights.
That's when he spoke."I am done with these childish games, Cassidy."
I screamed and jumped back.It took my heart a minute to calm down and for me to register that Andrew was in my apartment waiting for me.
"Wha...what are you doing here?How did you get in?"
