Page 54 of Heart Break Her

“Hey,” I say through it. “Brought you a shirt in case you want to change. Because of… you know, the blood.”

The door opens just enough for Cassie’s hand to reach through and grab it before she closes it behind her. I don’t know if she’s upset about that guy’s comment or mad at me for hitting him, but she still isn’t speaking.

Sinking into the couch, I lean my head back and close my eyes. I pull the joint between my lips and take a long drag, breathing out my thoughts with the exhale of it. I listen to the water in the bathroom turn on and off, Cassie’s feet padding around on the tile floor like a drumbeat. Something about having her in my space is comforting, and it’s the only time I feel relaxed anymore.

I’m almost drifting off to the sound of her when the door to the bathroom opens, and I look up to see her standing there with her hair in a bun, wearing only my band’s T-shirt. It hits her mid-thigh, and it takes every ounce of my control not to stare because she looks like my own personal fantasy.

Cassie walks over to the couch, and to my surprise, sits down right beside me, pulling the joint from my hand and taking a long drag. When she exhales, she hands it back, stretching her long, bare legs out onto the coffee table and resting her head on the back of the couch.

“Fuck that guy,” she says finally, and it makes me chuckle.

“You okay?”

She looks up and reaches for my hand, brushing her fingertips over the broken skin on my knuckles. “Are you?”

“Just a flesh wound.” I shrug. “The asshole deserved it.”

Cassie doesn’t argue. She brushes over the back of my hand once more, and instead of letting go, she holds it.

“Adrian’s making some progress with the tape. They’ve narrowed down the IP address to a library, so now they just need to see if they can figure out who went there.” As if any of this could make her feel better right now.

“It’s got to be someone who had access to your room, right?”

I nod. “Adrian thinks it’s probably a hotel employee.”

“Or someone on your crew.”

“My crew wouldn’t pull something like that.” I shake my head.

“Zane is on your crew.” Cassie’s eyes darken, and I’m about to ask her who Zane is when all the pieces click. The familiar face my fist connected with. I’ve seen him before, lugging shit around backstage.

“What the fuck?” I run my palm over my face. “Well, he sure as shit isn’t anymore.”

I pull out my phone and shoot off a text to Adrian. If he doesn’t get rid of that piece of shit, I’ll walk out on this fucking tour. How did we hire someone like that in the first place? The crew used to be people I knew and trusted.

“You probably need to get back to the bar,” Cassie says, sitting upright. “I can head to my room, I’m exhausted. Besides, Madison is probably waiting for you.”

“Madison’s a big girl, I’m sure she’s already moved on,” I tell her, not sure why it bugs me so much that Cassie thinks I’m still hung up on my ex when I’m definitely not. “And if you’re tired, let’s lay down. I can put on a movie.”

My eyes move to the door over her shoulder.

“Where?” She follows them. “In your room?”

“Technically, we’re already in my room.” I grin.

Cassie rolls her eyes. “We’re on the couch, hanging out, likefriends.”

“You’re tired, come on. I won’t even go under the covers. Promise. Two friends watching a movie. Like a regular fucking sleepover.” I hold out my hands and feign innocence.

“Mm-hmm,” she hums and narrows her eyes. “A sleepover withyou.”

Her stare moves up and down, stripping me to my soul, before she levels me once more with her gaze.

“Fine,” she agrees, then holds up a finger. “Only because I’m really tired, and a movie sounds good right now. But you stay on your side, buddy, and I’ll stay on mine.”

I’d like to contain the grin on my face, but it’s no use because this girl does stupid stuff to me.

Cassie follows me to the bedroom and doesn’t hesitate to climb in on the far side of the bed. Her eyes are hooded, and I realize she wasn’t lying about being exhausted. I head to the bathroom and strip off my clothes, trading them for a pair of sweatpants.

---