Cassandra
"What did they say?"Jenna’s eyes widen in disbelief the moment she answers the phone.
I sent her a quick text rundown when I got to my car and told her I would video call her when I got home to explain in full detail.
"They caught me as I was leaving," I say in a whisper as I rush up the stairs, closing my bedroom door behind me as quietly as possible. "I had such a nice time catching up with Bea and Harley, too. Knowing they saw me standing there awkwardly with my ex-in-laws while Angela tried to talk to me, somehow makes it all seem worse," I say, my voice still hushed as I shimmy out of my jeans and sweater, slipping on something warm and comfortable for me to sleep in.
"Why would it make it worse? The way that family behaves is in no way a reflection of you. You were just caught in the crossfire of their shitty antics," she tells me.
She’s right, but I don’t want my friends to think that I’m still entertaining the idea of being friendly with people from my past, especially knowing they betrayed me. I don’t want them thinking it was anything more than a one-sided conversation.
Adjusting my pillows on my bed, I wrap myself in my duvet as I prepare to give Jenna the complete rundown of the conversation the Andersons decided to have with me.
I pranced toward the door of Katie’s Diner with a smile spread wide across my face. I’d scored a new job earlier today and ended it by catching up with two old friends. It had probably been the best day I’d had in two months, and I’d thought nothing could’ve wiped the smile off my face.
Yet, hearing Angela Anderson call my name wiped the smile clean off and sent a chill straight down my spine, just as I was about to walk out the door.
I’d been so close to leaving the diner.
So close.
I could’ve pretended like I hadn’t heard her and ran straight out the exit, but my mom raised me to be respectful, and right now, I’d cursed her for it.
Damn you, Roxanne Herring.
It took every ounce of my willpower to turn around and face her.
"Angela. Max," I’d said as I turned to see their faces. Max’s looked slightly guilty, but Angela’s looked…smug. Like she wanted to rub it in that I would no longer be a part of their family.
I didn’t smile at them, though. I couldn’t even pretend to be happy to see them. I just didn’t have it in me.
"What can I help you with?" I’d asked them, trying to remain as calm as I could.
"We just wanted to see how you’re doing," she’d probed me, reaching out to grab my hand, but I ripped it away, crossing my arms over my chest.
She turned to look at the direction in which I’d just walked away from, clearly able to see that I’d just been at a table with their son’s number one enemy.
"I’m great," I’d said, refusing to return the question. Nodding, she sighed before speaking again.
"Look. We just wanted to apologize. Although we knew about the Alison situation, we said nothing because it wasn't our place," Angela said, while her husband remained quiet, his silent refusal to make eye contact with me blatantly obvious.
"No worries. Have a good night," I’d replied.
I’d given the fakest smile I could muster, not wanting to hear anything else they had to say. I wanted to tell them to shove their apologies where the sun doesn’t shine, but I didn’t have the energy. I didn’t want to cause a scene.
I refused to dwell on the past anymore.
The moment I’d decided I was done with Austin Anderson, I’d decided I was done with every single person from the Anderson family, and I meant it.
"Be careful with the company you keep, Cassandra," she said as I opened the diner door and let it close behind me.
"I’m so fucking proud of you," Jenna said, listening intently to every word I just told her.
"Thanks. I used to hold them at the same level I held my parents, you know? But now…now, I don’t hold a place for them at all," I admit. The truth feels sofreeing.
"Rich of her to tell you to be careful of the company you keep. What a bitch," she said, pouring herself a glass of water.
"I hope you never see that family again."
