Page 61 of Stay
I’m not even sure how to answer that question. For the life of me, I can’t figure her out. All I know is that I want to crack the Cassidy code. It’s just going to take some time to do it.
After mulling it over, I say, “She’s a very private person.”
“Umm hmm. Go on.”
I almost groan.
Not thego on.
I seriously hate thego on.
It feels like I’m reliving my middle and high school years all over again with things likeopen communicationanddialogue,and, god help me,resolution.
It’s time to downplay the Cassidy situation before it spirals further out of control.
“It’s just really new.” I shrug, striving for nonchalant. “It might not even work out.”
Sometimes I wonder if that’s what Cassidy secretly wants. The girl has been dead set on pushing me away from day one. Five weeks later and she’s still trying to do it. The problem is that I’m not going anywhere.
Sooner or later, she’ll realize that.
“Nope, it might not.” She gives me a small smile. “It’s nice to see you back out there again after Jackie.”
That name has my muscles tightening as I run a quick hand through my hair. My ex is the last person I want to discuss. Especially when my mind is so full of Cassidy.
“Let’s not talk about Jackie,” I say more gruffly than I mean to.
“It’s important to talk about your feelings, Cole.”
I roll my eyes.
What is it about being back in your childhood home that makes you feel and act like a sullen fourteen-year-old?
It’s frustrating as hell, and one of the reasons I don’t live here anymore.
“Trust me,” I mutter, “I know that all too well. Besides, we’ve already hashed the whole Jackie thing to death. I’m over it.”
Jackie is part of my past.
I’m hoping Cassidy will be my future.
Her gaze locks on mine, searches it carefully. “Are you?”
“Yup, I’m totally over it.” I am totally over that lying, cheating?—
“Hmmm.”
It’s a noncommittal sound that gets under my skin.
“Mom,” I grit in warning, “I don’t want to discuss Jackie.” A topic change is exactly what’s needed. “When’s Thomas getting home again? Hopefully it’ll be soon?”
She shoots me a frown. “Don’t be a brat.”
“I’m not, and you refrain from discussing our feelings when he’s around.” I’m starting to appreciate that more and more.
Another silence falls over us.
Just when I think she’ll drop the topic of my ex, she says, “I ran into her at the grocery store last week.”
