Page 89 of Stick Fight

For the first time, I believe him. And for the first time, I realize, this isn’t an ending. It’s a beginning. For both of us.

“How about you let me accept half the blame anyway,” I tease.

“Only if you let me try to make things right,” he adds. “Make some calls for you. Open a few doors.”

Warmth stirs in my chest but I shake my head. “While I appreciate that…” I tell him, voice soft, “…a window opened.”

He tilts his head, not quite understanding, but he doesn’t press. Instead, he leans in and says, with quiet conviction, “Love you, Gabrielle.”

A laugh bubbles up in me, easy, light, because there was a time when I loved him too.

Not like I love Roman. Not with my whole heart. This is something different now. Something softer. A friendship stitched back together from the wreckage.

“Love you too, Cass,” I say with a grin, and pick up my menu. “You want to eat?”

Suddenly, I’m starving. Since I called him a few days ago, I’ve barely eaten, nerves tying my stomach in knots. But now, now that we’ve had this talk...I feel lighter. Clearer. Like a thousand-pound weight slid off my soul. The server returns and we both place our orders. When Cass orders a cheeseburger and fries, the same as me, I raise a brow at him.

He snorts out a laugh, shrugging sheepishly. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”

But I just smile, because deep down, I hope this is the beginning of something new for him too. A fresh start. A real one. We sit back, the easy silence stretching between us, and after a beat he says, “Tell me about the hockey player.”

A grin I can't even begin to fight spreads across my face, and Cass chuckles, shaking his head.

“You know,” he says, “the second I saw you walk in today...I lost all hope of a reconciliation.

And that’s a goodthing, Gabrielle.”

“I actually go by Gabby now.”

He grins. “Okay, Gabby. Tell me about your Romeo.”

My heart does a little flip and I dive into a monologue, telling him about Roman, about our friends, about the new life I've built piece by piece, and Cass listens.Reallylistens. I leave out the secret I’m still holding close to my heart — the one about the designs I’ve been working on. Roman should be the first to know. Still, a little voice inside whispers:Will he understand? Will he think I’m giving up on myself? Will he think I’m going to resent him for it later?

I shove the fears aside. One step at a time. Our food comes and we eat and talk and laugh, and for the first time in what feels like forever, there's no bitterness between us. Only...healing. I polish off the last bite of my burger and set my fork down, going serious again. “What’s next for you, Cass?” I ask, searching his face.

He laughs, tossing a fry into his mouth. “After hearing all that? I’m thinking I should findmy ownhockey player.” I laugh too, light and easy.

“Nah,” I say. “You have Todd. And for what it’s worth, I think you two belong together.”

Cass toys with a French fry, spinning it between his fingers, the weight of the world in his slouched shoulders. “I forgot how much I love French fries,” he says with a boyish grin. Then, more somber, “I don’t know what’s next, Gabby. I just know...I have to stop living for my father. He might disown me. But I can’t hide anymore.”

Emotion thickens my throat. “I do know,” I say quietly. “And I’m here. If you ever need someone to talk to.”

Lunch winds down, and I grab my bag. As I sling it over my shoulder, Cass asks, “You’re heading somewhere?”

“To the airport,” I tell him, excitement bubbling up inside me again. “To see Roman.”

He grins. “Can I give you a lift? Might as well take advantage of the limo while I still have access.”

I laugh. “I was going to grab an Uber, but sure. I’d like that. Thank you.”

Twenty minutes later, we pull up at the airport. Cass hops out too, coming around to open my door. “Go get him, Gabby,” he says, arms wide.

I throw myself into his hug without hesitation, squeezing him tightly. “You go get him too,” I murmur, pulling back with a wink. “Tell Todd I’ll call. Not right away...but I’ll call.”

He presses a kiss to my cheek, and I turn toward the terminal, waving once as I walk away.

When I glance back, Cass is still standing there, watching me with a bittersweet smile. I disappear inside. I check in, find my gate and send a quick text to my parents to let them know I’m about to board. They’d wanted to pick me up at the airport, but it was easier to meet at the hotel. They’re driving in to see me, and Roman. That thought alone makes my heart gallop in my chest.

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