by J. M. Witt
Once James came out, he looked to me and Annie perplexed. “What’s going on?”
“Let’s go. We need to talk. All three of us.”
We walked to Annie’s car, got in and pulled to a secluded parking lot down the road. James had insisted I sit in front, while Annie drove.
“Someone better tell me what’s going on.”
“Would you like to start?” She looked to me, throwing me under the proverbial bus.
“What did you do?” Yup, he was pissed and he didn’t even know yet.
“I told Detective Flores that you were with me the night of Derek’s murder.”
“You what?! God dammit Cassidy.” He ripped his hands through his hair. “You know that’s not true.”
“But they don’t. You said you didn’t talk to anyone and that no one saw you.”
“Cassidy, they have cameras. All they have to do is spot me in the footage to know you’re lying.”
Now I was pissed. I was trying to help. He wasn’t the only one willing to sacrifice himself. “What did you expect me to do? Let you sacrifice yourself.”
“For Jane, YES! She’s like a sister to me and she didn’t do this.”
“It’s not your job to protect everyone.”
“Yes it is! You just don’t understand.”
“Maybe I would if you ever talked to me.” We were both screaming and Annie was checking her nails. We must have made for good entertainment.
“They have her DNA, Cassidy and if they find out you’re lying…”
“Guys. I have an easy solution.” We both looked to her like she was speaking in tongues. “Well, okay not an easy solution, but it’ll stop you two from having to testify against the other.”
Oh, shit. Did she mean what I thought she meant?
“What are you talking about?” James voice was still raised.
“Take a deep breath and calm yourself. Good grief.” She turned back around from glaring at him and said, “You need to get married. Preferably today.” I couldn’t look at either of them. “I have a judge who owes me a favor.
“You’re out of your damned mind. We’re NOT getting married.”
“James, you need to think rationally. It’s the only way to protect both of you.”
“And who’s protecting Jane?”
“Jesus Christ, James. Let my brother, the police and Annie do their jobs.” I finally turned to look at him. Annie twisted around to look at him as well.
“You’re both fucking nuts. I’m out of here.”
He climbed out of the backseat and started walking in the snow. To where, I didn’t know. I looked at Annie as she said, “Told you. Got yourself in quite the little pickle.”
“I was just trying to protect him. I didn’t mean to cause more grief.”
“I know. He’s not used to having a woman stand up and protect him. You need to talk to him. I really do believe this is the only way to protect you both.”
Sighing, I rubbed my hands over my face. “How did we end up here?” I dropped my head back on the headrest and watched him getting further and further away. “I’ll go talk to him. Call the judge. Where should we meet you?”
“I’ll text you both the address.”
“Okay.”
I climbed out of her car and started chasing after James. He was a couple blocks away and I almost lost sight of him through the snow that was falling. Calling his name, but he didn’t seem to hear me. Finally, he stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me. I slowed my pace as the cold pierced my lungs.
~ JAMES ~
Married? Annie must have thought that was pretty damn funny. God dammit! I was so mad. How could Cassidy do that? I had a plan and it was a good one. At least I thought it was, until Annie popped my balloon about it. I didn’t care. I was going to protect Jane come hell or high water.
“You’re both fucking nuts. I’m out of here.”
I was walking and immediately the cold pierced my skin. The snow was falling heavy around me as everything became blurry. How could I marry her? Not like this. We were supposed to have more time together to enjoy our freedom, explore our relationship further. Remembering a conversation with my dad, I knew it came down to two things my dad had asked me.
“Can you live without her?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to?”
“No”
“Better ‘Put a ring on it,’ as they say.” He winked at me as he grinned from ear to ear.
“Back off dad!”
I didn’t want to live life without her. But I wanted it on MY terms. This wasn’t it. She’d already pressured me to move in with her and I hadn’t even told her everything about the house. I wanted it to be our house. I was vaguely aware of her voice trailing after me. Stopping, I turned and could barely make out her figure running toward me. When her face came into view, she slowed down to a brisk walk.
“James. Please wait.” I’d wait for her for as long as she needed. But I wasn’t sure she’d wait for me. She stood a few feet away from me. “James. I’m sorry, I really am. I was just trying to help.”
“I know.” We stared at each other for a while. Her hair went from lightly dusted with snow, to white, to a wet mess. “Cassidy. You’ve left me with no choice.”
“I, but. Please don’t do this.”
“Do what?”
“Well, I don’t’ know.” She stepped closer. “I love you and I know this isn’t what either of us expected…”
“You deserve a real wedding.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I plan them for work. The novelty is a little worn on me.”
“Promise me something.” I put my hands on her shoulders and pulled her closer.
“What’s that?” She was smiling and her eyes searched my face.
“Promise that we’ll have a real celebration. When all this chaos is over.” She started to speak, stopping her I said, “Looks like a good day to get married. What do you say?”
She beamed as she replied, “I promise. Yes.” Pulling her close, I kissed her slow and deep. We lost ourselves, momentarily, when our phones chimed almost simultaneously. I groaned as she pulled away. “That’s Annie. She’s waiting for us.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
“Marry me, I presume.”
Squinting at me, “It’s the only thing that’ll keep us out of jail.”
“Gee, you say all the right things to make my heart go pitter-patter for you.”
“I love you, Cassidy. Please don’t doubt it.” I took her hand in mine and started walking back toward the station. “Where’d you park?” She pointed as we made our way through the snow.
We made it to her car and got in after she threw me the keys. Pulling out my cell for the address from Annie, I pulled up the GPS in my phone and we drove away. I don’t think the full realization of what we were about to do had hit either one of us. I loved her, I knew that, but I wasn’t expecting to get married, ever, at least not that way. I didn’t think it would ever happen for me.
Briefly, I thought about my family. They wouldn’t be happy to not be included, but this had to get done ASAP. I pulled into a strip mall and she asked me, “What are you doing?”
“Getting you a ring.” I looked at her like she should know.
“James, I don’t need a ring. There isn’t time.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “It’s just a formality.”
I looked out the window and then back to her. “My mother is going to wring my neck.”
“James, we don’t have to tell anyone. We’re doing this to keep you safe. It can be our little secret that we can tell everyone about when the time is right.” I didn’t want to believe her. “Really, it’s okay.”
She wanted to keep it a secret. “It won’t be easy. The press will probably find out.”
“If you don’t want to do this.”
“No, we have to.” I circled the lot and pulled back out onto the street. “Let’s get this over with.”
I
couldn’t make heads or tails of her. One second I thought she was okay with this and the next I felt like a huge burden; her dirty little secret. I had a lot I was dealing with and she knew that.
“Once the charges are dropped against Jane, and the real murderer found we can have it annulled if you want.”
“Cassidy.” She didn’t want to stay married?
“It’s okay. I know this isn’t what we planned. Let’s just take it one day at a time. Deal?”
I nodded my head. Soon we were pulling up to a house in the same vicinity as my parents’ home. I recognized the home as Judge Mathis’ place. We walked inside, hand in hand, after spotting Annie opening the door. She guided us to a study in the back of the home. The man standing behind his desk was in his sixties or seventies, I couldn’t recall, and wearing slacks and a long sleeved polo.
“James, I’m a little surprised. Didn’t think you were the marrying type?”
We shook hands as I responded, “Judge Mathis, nice to see you again. It certainly wasn’t on my bucket list.”
Cassidy was suddenly overcome with nerves. I could feel it radiating off of her. Why did I say that? Not on my bucket list. What the fuck? Was this a mistake? What were we doing?
“James, I can’t do this.” She ran off with me right on her tail.
“Cassidy, wait.”
~ CASSIDY ~
I ran out the front door and was pelted with snow. We were in for quite a storm. Turning on him I had diarrhea of the mouth. “This isn’t right. You don’t want to get married. I can’t do this to either of us. But, I don’t know what to do to protect you. I know you didn’t kill Derek, but I, just, I can’t do this.”
“Whoa, calm down.” He gripped my upper arms and squeezed lightly. “There’s no one else I’d rather be here with. Judge Mathis is an old family friend. True, I never expected to settle down with anyone. But if I’m going to do it with anyone, I want it to be you.”
“Thank you…I think.” I felt like a consolation prize to the hordes of women that flocked around him, trying to ensnare him in their web.
“Cassidy.” He knelt down in front of me. “I have no ring, just myself and I’m giving it to you.” My heart was palpitating. Seeing him on his knees like that was a sight to behold as the snow blew in our faces. “Please, marry me.” The circumstances were all wrong, but maybe that’s what made it right.
“Get up.” Once he was standing in front of me again, I circled my arms around him and whispered, “Yes.” I knew he was what I wanted and I was going to work hard to prove it to everyone. We belonged together. We and our indecisive, over analytical, stubborn selves belonged together.
Judge Mathis kept it all very informal. After he and Annie explained the legalities we began. It was probably the quickest ceremony I’d ever seen, let alone that is was mine.
“You may kiss your bride.”
His eyes were alight and full of mischief as he leaned in to kiss me. It was there, the spark, like it always was. I cupped his cheeks and held him close. He leaned over me, bracing my back as he joined our mouths. Annie was clapping. She was one of our witnesses, along with Mrs. Mathis.
“Let’s get out of here.” He said it only loud enough for me to hear and I nodded my approval. He pulled me out of there without another word to any of them. We got back in my car and we were both beaming. “First stop, dealership.”
“What? Dealership?” I was confused not knowing if he sensed something wrong with my car or if he was referring to something else.
“You don’t have a ring, but I’m getting you a wedding gift.” He winked at me as he drove on.
“What, like new tires? Maybe some fancy spinning rims?” We both laughed at that. It was silly to do any kind of upgrades on my car. It was over ten years old and I didn’t know now much longer I’d even keep her.
He pulled into a Ford dealer, which I was surprised to find open on a Sunday. Walking inside, there were only a few people on duty working. “I’ll be right back.”
He wandered off and I got distracted looking at the shiny new cars. I sure did love their trucks and Jane’s new Edge was really nice too. I walked around the smaller cars and was surprised to see how many options came with them.
“She’s over here.” I turned my head to the sound of his baritone voice. “Cassidy, I’d like you to meet Todd. Todd, this is my wife, Cassidy.”
Wife.
It sounded so foreign. I thought we were keeping it under wraps and the first person we see he’s telling. I reached my hand out in turn to his, “Hi, nice to meet you.”
“Todd is the Manager and helped me with my truck.”
“Okay. I still don’t understand why we’re here.” I looked between the two of them and they both just smiled.
“Why don’t we go sit down? This way.”
James put his hand on the small of my back as we followed Todd to his office. I sat down, James in the chair next to me. He pulled out some brochures and placed them in front of us. It dawned on me what he was doing.
“You are not buying me a car.” I pushed the brochures away and went to get up.
“I am your husband and I say you need, no deserve a new car.” I was speechless. “You can pick it out or I can.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll take the base model Fiesta.” Todd tried gauging if I was being serious or not.
James busted up laughing. “Cassidy, stop it. You mentioned wanting a Mustang.”
He remembered. “It was a JOKE. You’re not buying me a car. When I’m ready for a new car, I’ll buy it.”
“Stop being stubborn.” He pouted his lips and I shook my head, rolling my eyes at him. “Perfect. Todd, she wants a Mustang.”
“Hold on. It’s not the most logical choice for winter. The Edge or the Explorer might be a better choice.”
James was thinking, I could see the wheels turning. “So get one of each. An SUV or an Edge.”
“Oh, Jesus Christ. I’m leaving.” I got up and walked out of Todd’s office, bee lining for the door.
He caught up to me outside. “Cassidy. What’s the problem? I’m trying to do something nice for you.”
“I know, I just. Two cars. You’re out of your mind.”
“Let me do this for you.” I knew he wouldn’t let it go. He wanted me in a new car months ago when he first saw what I drove.
“One condition.”
“I’m listening.”
“Do you still have your SUV, brand name that shall not be mentioned?” He snickered and nodded. “Let me drive that during the snowy months and you can buy me the Mustang.”
“Or you can drive the truck and I’ll take the SUV.”
“That works too.”
“Deal.” He stuck his hand out wanting us to shake on it. When I put my hand out, he snagged it and yanked me to him. “Now let’s go pick out your dream car.”
We looked through all the options and James was pushing me to get the GT500, knowing it’s what I dreamed of.
“She’ll need to learn how to drive a stick.”
Before I realized my innuendo, I had said, “Oh, I can drive a stick.” James had a huge grin on his face and Todd was pretending to ignore my comment. I felt myself blush and went back to the brochure.
“If she needs any more lessons, I’ll gladly give them to her.” I looked to James and smacked his arm.
We left shortly after and headed back to my place. As I was unlocking the door, he swept me up saying, “Not so fast Mrs. Benedict.” He carried me over the threshold and kissed me before setting me on my feet. “Welcome home.”
Chapter 17 ~Mistaken
~ JAMES ~
“James, have you called your parents? Do they know you’re out?
“Damn. I can’t believe I forgot to do that. Give me a minute.” I walked to the foyer and dialed dad. I told him that I was released, but hadn’t given him the details. He informed me that mom was doing well, which was a huge relief. He invited us over for dinner, which I accepted. We could tell them that w
e eloped then.
She was milling around the kitchen. My wife. This was surreal. She was mine, in every sense of the word. She was making dinner so I decided to go change my clothes. I kicked my shoes off and pulled my shirt over my head. Opting for a quick shower, I cranked on the water and thought about the things I was going to do to her after dinner.
I was toweling off and pulling out some clean clothes when I spotted a note on her dresser. Picking it up, I scanned it multiple times, ultimately crushing it in my hands. Paul stayed the night with her. The scenarios that ran through my head made me sick. My heart was pounding and I wanted to kill him. And Cassidy. How could she do this to me?
“CASSIDY!” I yelled her name over and over again until I heard her running up the stairs.
She burst into the room, panting. “What’s wrong?” She looked around, trying to find the emergency.
Throwing the wadded up note to her feet, I watched as she picked it up. Opening it, she read it and made a move toward me. “James. This isn’t what you think.”
“I think that you better start talking because all I can assume is that in a fit of anger you had Paul come and keep you warm last night while I was rotting in a cell.”
“NO. That’s not what happened. Please listen to me. After everything happened and everyone went home, he showed up. Cal sent him to check on me. We got drunk.”
“Don’t you dare blame this on the fact that you were drunk?” Now all I could see was her drunk, Paul drunk and their clothes on the floor. “FUCK. Make it stop.”
“James, nothing happened. He slept on the couch. I promise. You have to believe me.” She was sobbing and I wanted to believe her, but I didn’t know if I could. Cautiously, she walked toward me, her hands traveling my arms as I tried to shake her off of me. “You have to trust me.”
“I have to get out of here.” I was only in sweats and grabbed the first shirt of mine I found and pulled it on.
“No…don’t leave. Who fucked you up so bad that you can’t trust your own wife?”
“Don’t! Nobody fucked me up.” I knew that was a lie. I lost a girl to Paul once before, though she wasn’t mine to lose. She worked quite the number over on both of us. I shook off the memory. “I need to be alone, to think.”