“What is this?”
“It’s my mom’s letters to him while he was in jail. I haven’t read them because I don’t need to. I know who Cass is. You should,”Ellie urged.
“Ellie!” Sloan hissed.“This is personal! These are your mom’s words. They’re meant for Cass. I can’t invade his privacy like that. I won’t. If there is something in these letters that I should know, he is going to have to be the one to tell me.”
The doorbell rang, and Sloan’s eyes shot to the door as Cassidy came waltzing in.
“Well, here is his chance,” Ellie stated as she stood from the table.
The shock that took over Cassidy’s face when he landed eyes on Sloan told her that he hadn’t been expecting her.
“Ellie, you shouldn’t have done this,” Sloan whispered.“Thisain’t cool.” Sloan stood, preparing to leave.
“Sloan, please,” Ellie begged.“I know you’re afraid, and I understand why, but he’s not who you think he is.”
“E, it’s cool,” Cassidy stated.
“No, Cass! It’s not cool! She doesn’t even know-”
“It doesn’tmatter, E,” Cassidy dismissed.
“What doesn’tmatter?” Sloan whispered.“Whataren’t you saying? Please, just tell me, Cassidy. Tell me anything because I don’t want to have to sneak and read letters from your mom to try to figure you out!”
Cassidy walked over to the table, discovering the shoebox. There were over a hundred letters inside, all from his mother. He turned to Ellie, knowing she was responsible for this.“This what we doing? These don’t belong to you, E. You’re out of fucking line,” he spat sharply.“Did you read them?” he asked Ellie.
“No, Cass, but she should!” Ellie shouted.
He turned to her, face bent in anguish.
“I don’t know what you want from me,” Cassidy drawled.
“I want you to tell me you regret it! I want you to tell me that I have nothing to be afraid of. That you’re sorry. Tell me why you did it! Tell me something, Cassidy!”
“Fuck no. I don’t feel bad about shit, and I’llnever regret it,” Cassidy stated in a low tone.“If I had to make the same decision again, I would. I’d beat the life out that nigga.” It was his certainty that made him menacing. It was the peace in his eyes when he said it that told her he meant every word. He was so unremorseful, and it made him seem heartless. She couldn’t fathom this level of violence. It was cruel and inhumane. Goosebumps formed on her arms because she didn’t know how not to fear a man this ruthless.
Sloan’s eyes teared, and she had to clench her fists to stop herself from shaking.“Who are you?” she whispered, shaking her head.
Sloan stormed for the door, and Ellie pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Damn, Cass! A little gentler; do you want her to walk out the door?” Ellie whispered, chastising her brother.
“She’s looking for answers I can’t give her,” Cassidy stated solemnly.
“Sloan, please, just stay. Both of you, just listen to me! Y’all are giving up on each other!” Ellie shouted at the top of her lungs, exasperated. They were like two freight trains headed toward one another on the same track.“I was wrong. I don’t know how I missed the bond y’all have all these years, but I see it now. Sloan, Cassidy loves you. He loves you so much, and I know why you’re afraid to trust him, but I also know that you trust me with your life. I’m telling you that he will not hurt you. Everything that you think you know, you don’t. Cassidy, please say something! Fight for her!” Ellie looked to Cassidy, who stood, rubbing the back of his neck in distress. She walked over to him and placed a hand to his forearm and gave it a gentle squeeze.“You have to tell her everything. I know you’re hurt by what she thinks of you. I know you made a promise all those years ago, but it’s time to break that promise. It’s time to tell the truth. Because if you don’t, you’re going to let the love of your life walk out that door, and you’lllose her. You deserve her, Cassidy. I’m going to go to Papa’s and give y’all some time to talk. Say something that matters,Cass.” Ellie grabbed her purse and her keys and then walked out.
Sloan stood with her arms folded, swaying impatiently, defensively as she willed herself not to cry.
Cassidy walked over to the table and sat, legs wide, leaning elbows to his knees as he bowed his head. He steepled his fingertips under his chin.
“I’m sorry she ambushed you like this. I didn’t know you would be here.”Cassidy’s stress was evident.“She asked me to come move some shit in. This whole shit was a setup.”
“Yeah, she Didn’t mention you’d be here either,” Sloan responded.
They were both so stubborn. Mad at the world because they were choosing to be mad at one another.
“Youain’t got to steer clear of me, Sloan,” Cassidy said.“I know you’ve spent every Christmas at Papa’s since your mom passed. He missed you this year. Ellie missed you. My nieces missed you.”
“You were there. I couldn’t be,” she answered.
