Page 50 of Off The Ice

Cassie, sensing my discomfort, stepped in.

“I’m going to take her home,” Cassie said, pulling out her phone and opening an app. “Because apparently, the answer to that question isa lot.”

“Wait, what are you doing?” I asked, watching Cassie’s fingers type away.

“Ordering an Uber,” she answered without looking up from her phone.

“Uh.” I laughed, snatching the phone. “Are you forgetting that I drove us here?”

“No.” Cassie rolled her eyes. “But I’m not going to make you leave all your friends to drive us.”

“I don’t mind,” I said when I really wanted to yell that I was more than ready to get the hell out of there.

“No,” Cassie argued. “It’s okay, really. We’ll just Uber to Maggie’s, and I’ll spend the night with her. You’re probably itching to have your place to yourself for a night.”

What? No. Why would I?

“Ahhhh.” Maggie grabbed Cassie’s hand. “Sleepover!”

I felt the oddest sensation of disappointment.

“But all your stuff is at my place, and—”

“It’s just one night.” Cassie shrugged. “I’ll manage.”

“You sure you want to be stuck with her all night?” I gestured my head toward Maggie, who was repeating the word ‘sleepover’ on an endless loop.

Maggie stuck her tongue out at me while Cassie just gave a half-smile. Was I imagining it, or did she look sad?

“She’s going to need someone to take care of her when the hangover hits.”

“Uhh,” Maggie drawled. “I’m the queen of not having hangovers. Like, I’m immune to them.”

“See.” I extended a hand toward my sister. “She’s fine.”

“Still,” Cassie protested, for reasons I wasn’t entirely sure of.

Everything in me wanted to fight her on it. To make her come home with me to my apartment. But then, what if she didn’twantto? She’d told me no. I had to assume she meant it. Otherwise, I was as bad as the girl I’d just escaped.

“Well, at least let me drive you,” I argued, not wanting Cassie to pay insane city prices to get an Uber when I had the car waiting outside.

“Nope.” Cassie smiled brightly, holding her phone up toward me. “Our driver is almost here.”

Well, shit. Shereallydidn’t want to spend any more time with me tonight. Something about her demeanor had shifted, making her feel distant in a way that she hadn’t when she’d been sitting beside me earlier.

Not knowing what else to say, I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, feeling the oddest pang of loneliness at the thought of going home to an empty apartment.

Ridiculous,I thought, thinking how stupid it was to be resenting the solitude that I’d cherished for so long.

“Okay, well, let me know if you need anything,” I offered, suddenly feeling unsure of what to do with myself.

“Thanks,” Cassie murmured, not fully meeting my gaze.

I slung her bag off my shoulder, handing it back to her.

“Oh, thanks.” She took it gingerly, pulling her hand away quickly as our fingers touched. “I hope you have a fun rest of your night,” she said, eyes scanning the crowd behind me. “I’ll text you before I come back tomorrow so you’re not ambushed.”

Why would she think that?

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