Page 14 of Hard To Leave

“Please.” She rolled her eyes then licked the powder off her fingers. “I’m as big as a cow right now. Come in while I go wash my hands.” She stood sideways to allow enough room for me to pass by. I spotted Liam in the kitchen. He had his back toward me and was stirring something in a large stockpot on the stove.

“What’s up?” He lifted his chin in greeting while Cassie washed her hands in the kitchen sink then brought me a beer.

I walked into the living room and took a seat on the edge of the couch while Cassie slid into the recliner across from me. “How are you doing? I still feel guilty for not being there for you.”

I took a sip of my beer and slumped against the soft cushions. “Stop with the guilt. You were sick. It happens.” I shifted my weight. “To answer your question, I’m hanging in there. It’s still weird when I think of him being gone.”

Her blue eyes softened in understanding. “I’m sure. How’s your mom handling everything?”

I dropped my gaze to the glass vase filled with red roses sitting on the table. The topic of my mother was one I wished to avoid.

“Exactly how you would expect. I’m not sure how to help her, and she sure as hell doesn’t know how to help herself. My dad did literally everything.”

Cassie eyed me over the top of her water glass. “Maybe it’s time she learned to take care of herself. You know, and actually grow up and start acting like a responsible adult.”

Liam walked into the room and cut his eyes to his wife with a warning. “Cassie.”

The anger in her tone was evident, but it had earned its way there. Over the years my mother has made more enemies than friends. And Cassie was like a mother bear, and you didn’t fuck with her cubs. After watching my mother make a mess out of her life and fuck mine up in the process, it was safe to say there was no love lost between the two of them.

“It’s fine, Liam,” I said, draining the rest of my beer. I understood where she was coming from.

Cassie leaned forward, ignoring the glare from her husband. “I’m sure she loved your dad in her own way, but your father enabled her dependency for years out of guilt. I sat back and watched her hurt the both you. It may be too late to make amends in her marriage, but it’s time for her to step up and be a mother. To start thinking of someone other than herself.”

“Right.” I laughed because that would never happen.

“So what’s next for you?” Liam asked, casually trying to switch the topic.

I stretched my legs out, rubbing the palms of my hands along my knees. “I’ve got to get my mom sorted out then figure out what I’m going to do with the business.”

“Right.” Liam eyed me cautiously from across the room. “You think you’re ready for that kind of responsibility?”

“Guess there is only one way to find out.” I paused and debated if I should even bring this topic up, but I was eager to get their opinion. “Speaking of responsibility...” I shifted in my seat, brushing a piece of imaginary lint off my shirt. “While I was away, I met someone. She’s different. I like her, but I’m not sure getting involved with her would be a good idea. She’s got a kid.”

I peered up at my friends and waited for their reaction.

“Okay.” Cassie paused for a moment. “I still don’t see what the problem is?”

“Babe,” Liam looked at her as if she had lost her mind. He was on my side, I could tell. He understood my conflict. “She has a kid.”

“So?” She shot her eyebrow up and folded her swollen fingers across her stomach. “What do you have against women with kids?”

My fingers pinched the bridge of my nose as Liam tried to explain. “Jack is a ladies’ man, Mr. Mom he is not.”

“Whoa!” I held my hands out, putting the brakes on that statement.

“First of all, don’t get ahead of yourself. I haven’t even gone on a date with her yet. Second, I want to be clear, I’ve got nothing against kids; this is just way out of my comfort zone.”

This conversation had me walking into the kitchen to fetch another beer out of the fridge. I slept for shit last night. I had way too much crap to do, and I was thinking about her way more than I should have been.

They both eyed me from across the room, watching my every movement. I popped the cap off the bottle and slouched back down on the couch. “What do you think I should do?” I asked them both at once.

Cassie spoke up first. “I think you should do whatever makes you happy.”

I was not expecting that. “How can starting a relationship with someone who lives in a different state possibly make me happy?”

I didn’t do relationships because I simply didn’t want them. But I did like sex. A lot. And I usually picked women who could go with the flow and not get attached. Chloe was different, and Cassie was making it sound so simple.

“What’s she like? Does she seem like the type who could handle it?”

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