Page 77 of Roman and the Hopeless Romantic
“But…” She didn’t understand. Why? “I was just with Hadley all day. She didn’t mention it.”
“Maybe it wasn’t her thing to tell.”
“That’s just it, Jess. He didn’t tell me.” She’d had to find his room empty and assume the worst. “That’s so like Roman. He can be a real braindead idiot sometimes. Ugh, I hate him. The Gibsons can have him for all I care.”
“You’re in love with him.” Jesse scrunched his face as if trying and failing to hide his discomfort.
Cassie opened her mouth to refute it, but no sound came out.
“Okay, so I’m your brother and this is kinda icky. He’s my best friend, which just makes it like ten times worse.” He sucked in a breath. “Yes, Roman has some idiot tendencies. Okay, a lot of idiot tendencies. But I have never seen him with anyone the way he is around you. At first, I thought he just couldn’t stand the idea there was a girl who couldn’t be charmed by him. Then I started thinking it bothered him that you refused to say a word around him.”
He paused. “But, sis, when he’s around you, it’s like he wants to be better for you. I see the way he tries to protect you, to help you. It kills me to think in all this time, I wasn’t able to help you move forward the way he has.”
“I went into Target today,” she whispered.
“I’m so proud of you.” His eyes glassed over. “You know I love you, right? I would have done anything to help you. But I wasn’t the one you needed. It was him. It’s always been him. Even when we were kids, you two had this connection.” He shook his head. “Have you ever wondered if the reason you couldn’t talk to him for so long was tied into the fear you lived in? The family was a safe place for you, but Roman has never been safe. Even now.”
“Because I love him.” It was the first time she’d said it out loud.
Jesse nodded. “And falling in love with someone is the most dangerous thing we can do.” He scooted off the bed. “I have to get going or I’ll be late for warmups. Dad took the boys toEmma’sbefore he brings them to the game.” His lips ticked up. Cassie couldn’t remember the last time her dad attended one of Jesse’s games.
She smiled, happy for her brother.
“You going to be okay?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know.” Roman left without a word. He walked out of her life and didn’t tell her.
Jesse leaned down to give her a hug before leaving to gather his gear.
Cassie sat frozen in the empty room, wondering how she got there. When she heard footsteps on the stairs, she realized it didn’t matter.
All that mattered was where she went next.
Bolting from the room, she ran after Jesse. “Jess!”
He turned as he opened the front door. “What’s wrong?”
Her chest heaved as she reached him. “I… can I have a ride?”
“Where?”
“T-the arena. I need to go to the arena.”
He grinned. “Yeah, I think I can help with that.”
They locked up the house and slid into the car. The sun was long gone, letting the moon bathe the world in a silver glow.
Just like the moon, Roman lit the darkness inside Cassie. He let her accept the anxiety coursing through her veins, the fear clouding her mind.
Because none of that could stop her. Not anymore.
