"What the fuck, Cass?!" I screech, standing in front of her as she snuggles into the couch.
"Ugh." She covers one ear with a hand. "Shh. And stop swearing. It sounds weird coming from you."
My hands fist and my face feels hot with information overload. "I'm gonna?—"
Knock, knock, knock!
Shoot.
"You gonna get that?" Cassidy mumbles into her coffee cup.
Grumbling at her, I stomp away and swing the door open to let Nate in. "Hi," I huff and snatch my jacket off the hook.
Nate immediately looks startled by my attitude, but Cassidy saves me. Waving over the couch, she says, "Good morning! The bitchiness isn't for you. It's for me!"
Nate visibly relaxes. "Good morning, Cassidy. Violet, you sure you want to come with me?"
"Yes," I say a little too aggressively. Stomping back over to Cass with my booties on, I kiss the top of her head so she knows I'm not actually mad. "We'll talk about this later. Kay?"
"Obvi," she replies and rolls her eyes.
Jesus, is this how she felt when I wouldn't talk to her about my personal life?This sucks, and now I'm worried about her.
"And I want to know what happens with that," she adds, pointing at Nate who's still hovering by the door. Her eyebrow is raised as if she's wondering why the heck he's here.
Quietly, so he can't hear, I give Cass some truth. "I miss him. I need to figure out why..."
"Okay," she says with a warm smile. That simple gesture makes me feel so much better. As if she doesn't judge me for wanting to spend time with one of the men who broke my trust. "Have fun."
"Love you," I whisper and soak in the happiness I feel when my best friend says it back. Being more emotionally available isn't so bad. It is incredibly nerve-wracking when the person I'm trying to keep an open mind with is the same one who hurt me.
With my purse in hand, I usher Nate back out the door. "Let's go. I'm sure your mom is wondering where you are."
Nate chuckles and places his hand on my lower back. "She knows exactly where I am. She's excited to finally meet you."
Groaning, I drop my chin to my chest as I allow him to guide me out to his car. "Not you too. Jamie likes to tease me about how much his mom loves me."
"You're easy to love, baby."
That comment makes me shut up for quite a while. I'm glad Nate doesn't pry or pepper me with questions. Unfortunately, that means the twenty-minute drive to his mom’s house in Ferndale is a little uncomfortable. I do recognize that it could be a lot worse, so I force myself to relax in the passenger seat and enjoy the drive.
As the streets begin to weave through cozy neighborhoods, Nate glances at me a few times. I've had enough when he curses and misses his turn, resulting in a furious blush beneath his beard.
"Nate, are you nervous?" I wonder aloud, trying to keep myself from smiling.
"Maybe a little," he grumbles and glances at me again. "Sorry. You're just so fucking beautiful and I can't believe you're willingly in my car."
Now I let my smile free. "You're welcome."
That makes him laugh and, to my relief, his shoulders drop. "Thank you, baby."
"Hi, Mo?—"
"You must be Violet!" the tall, willowy beauty in front of me cuts her son off. "I'm Tina. None of the Mrs. bullshit."
"Mom!" Nate gasps but Tina's already yanking me through the door and leaving him in the dust.
"We need to talk, young lady," she declares, completely serious. Terrified, I look pleadingly over my shoulder at Nate. He looks apologetic, but he smiles. Hopefully Tina isn't about to murder me.
