Page 29 of Roman and the Hopeless Romantic
Roman
Cassie Carrigan had always been the star in Roman’s life, showing him the way like no one else did. Not his parents. Not even Jesse.
When she’d shut down after her mom died, he’d wanted to shut down with her. It hurt to see the fearless girl he’d known shrink into herself when he so much as looked at her.
Sometime in the night, the lights came back on, breaking the bubble they’d found themselves in. Still, they didn’t go to their beds. Cassie lay curled on her side on the couch, her face relaxed in sleep.
It wasn’t so easy for Roman. Early morning light filtered in through the sliding glass doors, casting its glow across Cassie’s pale cheeks.
She’d always been better than the rest of them, wilder and freer. He rested his arms behind his head in his place in the recliner. The night before was progress. After two excruciating years, she talked to him, smiled at him.
It was a start.
The sound of the front door opening snapped Roman out of his daze. He pushed down the foot of the recliner and stood to walk into the entryway.
Jesse kicked off his shoes. “Hey, man.”
“Hey.” Roman couldn’t hide the smile spreading across his face. He knew now it was possible, that Cassie might one day join him and Jesse in their friendship again.
Jesse sighed. “I’m exhausted. There was no sleep for me and Charlie at Hadley’s.”
Roman wiggled his eyebrows.
Jesse shook his head. “Not like that, bro. Hadley made us stay up most of the night because of the storm.” He looked around. “The power go out here?”
“Yeah, it was out most of the night.”
“Then why do you have that stupid grin on your face? I expected to find you hiding out from my sister, considering how things are between you.”
Roman shrugged, not ready to let Jesse in on his secret hope yet.
Jesse walked into the living room, stopping inside the doorway and surveying the space. Cards scattered across the table. Cans of seltzer and snacks sat nearby. And through the kitchen arch, he could see the sopping porch furniture. He turned to Roman. “Ummm… did I miss something?”
Roman’s lips twitched. “Just an epic card tournament.”
He pointed to Cassie. “She played with you?”
“Don’t sound so surprised, Jess. Not even Cassie can resist me.”
Jesse gave him a skeptical look. “Whatever, man. I’m not sure I want to know. Just be ready for the game this evening.”
“I’m always ready.” Unlike most of their team, Roman showed up at the rink ready to give everything he had to hockey. It was his safe place.
Cassie stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. It took her a moment to realize where she was before she sat up. Her eyes widened when they landed on Jesse.
“Morning, sunshine.” Jesse shook his head with a laugh.
Her eyes flicked from Jesse to Roman. “I…” Her words didn’t come, and Roman deflated. Maybe they hadn’t become friends again the night before. She swallowed and made a strangled noise in the back of her throat before getting up and gathering her blanket. She didn’t even look at Roman as she scurried past him to the stairs.
Jesse’s gaze followed her. “Don’t think I’m cleaning up your mess, Rome.” He didn’t know if his friend meant with Cassie or the mess currently in front of them.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” As he bent to gather the trash littering the table, he made himself a promise.
He wasn’t giving up on Cassie.
He’d let her be for two years, but that was over.
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