“I’ve never been so happy.”
“Fine. I’ll just avoid her like the plague.”
Cassidy and Jess had a car waiting to take them to their hotel. She knew that Grady had to go on the bus with his teammates. What she didn’t know was that Grady told the driver to take her and Jess to an upscale restaurant and then to the nail salon.
“Boy you really hit the jackpot with this one.”
Cassidy looked up from her magazine. “I did. Jess, I never thought that I could love someone so much.”
“I wish he had a twin brother.”
“Aww, Jess, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. If there is anybody that I know who deserves to be happy it’s you.”
“Thanks, Jess. You know if it wasn’t for you, I’d probably be dead.”
“Cassidy!”
“It’s true. I think the only reason I never went down that road was because I knew that you’d be the one who found me.”
“Oh God, Cass.”
“Yeah. Moving on to better times…how do you feel about Rad Red?”
“It matches Grady’s jacket.” Jess giggled.
“Perfect.”
Grady climbed out of the pool and Rylan was on the deck. “What are you doing here?”
“Don’t flatter yourself I’m here to see Jasper.”
“Are you screwing him now?”
“Why are you jealous?” Rylan ran her finger down Grady’s chest.
Grady stepped back. “Hell no! I feel sorry for the poor guy.”
Rylan practically growled as she spun around and walked away.
Weston snuck up behind Grady in the hallway and jumped on his back. “Jesus, West, you scared the crap out of me!”
Weston laughed. “Damn! You bucked me off like a bull.”
“You shouldn’t have jumped on me like that.”
“You ok?”
“It’s been a long day. First, the flight and then Rylan.”
“Rylan’s here?”
“Apparently she hooked up with Jasper.”
“Are you afraid that Cassidy will be upset?”
“I know she won’t be happy especially when she finds out that Rylan had her claws on me.”
“What the hell is wrong with her!”
“I don’t know. I thank God every day for Cassidy.”
“Maybe you could put a good word in with God for me.” Weston smiled.
“Will do, Buddy.”
Jess came out of the bathroom to find Cassidy and Grady groping each other on the couch. “Again! Get a room!”
Grady pulled away and laughed. “We did. You’re standing in it!”
Cassidy laughed. “He does have a point.”
“Fine. I was about to go for a swim anyway.” Jess grabbed her towel. “I will be back in an hour.” Jess stepped out into the hallway and walked right into Weston. “Jerk! Watch where you’re…”
“Are you kidding me!”
“Nope. It’s me.”
Weston couldn’t help but stare at Jess in her bikini. “Yeah.”
Jess smiled. “See something you like?”
Weston shook his head. “No.”
“Just a window shopper.” Jess laughed as she continued down the hall.
Weston hated himself for watching Jess walk away but she was just too hot not too.
24
Cassidy spent the last three days proudly cheering for Grady. She watched him receive five gold medals so far and each time she shed tears of joy. Now he was about to receive another. She stood proudly wearing his team jacket while the flag was raised, and the anthem played.
Jess stood by Cassidy’s side, but it wasn’t Grady she was fixed on it was Weston. His smile was incredible. She now understood Cassidy’s obsession with a swimmer’s body.
Cassidy yanked at Jess’ elbow. “Jess, everyone is sitting.”
Jess looked around and quickly sat. “I was…”
“Fantasizing about Weston.” Cassidy laughed.
“He’s so hot.”
“So is his best friend.” Cassidy winked.
“Golden Boy is too tall for me.”
“Good because he’s mine.”
“Do you think Weston will ever forgive me?”
“Maybe. I caught him watching you last night.”
“You did?”
“You were dancing, and he was at the bar watching you.”
“He was probably wondering if I was going to have sex with each guy I danced with.” Jess exhaled.
Cassidy giggled. “I somehow doubt that.”
“Whatever. Unless it’s him I’m having sex with, it doesn’t really matter.”
Grady and Weston changed and were on their way out of the locker room.
“O’Malley!”
Grady stopped and turned toward his coach. “Yeah, Coach.”
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure.” Grady looked at Weston. “Can you tell Cassidy that I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
“No problem.”
Grady walked over to where his coach was standing. “I was contacted by Splash magazine today. They want to do a feature on the team with an exclusive interview with you.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning before we head out.”
“Ok, Coach.”
“Good. I will have you come first and then the team can show up later.”
“Fine. Text me the details and I will be there.”
Coach Harvey patted Grady on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Son.”
“Thank you, Coach.”
Cassidy was waiting for Grady to come when she heard a woman behind her talking about Grady. She didn’t even have to look to figure out it was Rylan.
“Cass, I think she’s coming over here.”
Cassidy exhaled and turned around.
“Hi, Doctor.”
“Hello!”
“I’m surprised to see you here. I thought that Grady was back to his old self.”
“Grady’s fine.”
Jess giggled. “Yes, he is.”
Rylan gave Jess a dirty look before turning back to Cassidy. “Then why does he need his doctor here?”
Cassidy opened her mouth and Jess’ voice came out. “Cassidy isn’t Grady’s doctor, she’s his girlfriend.”
Rylan’s eyes popped open and then she laughed. “Fine, if it’s a doctor patient thing then don’t tell me.”
Cassidy mentally pulled on her big girl panties. “Grady is my boyfriend. There isn’t any doctor patient thing going on here.”
“You must be kidding! Are you sure he isn’t still blind?” Rylan laughed.
Cassidy was trying to hold back the tears.
Jess, however, wasn’t about to let Rylan talk to her best friend like that. She punched Rylan in the face.
Rylan screamed. “YOU BITCH!”
“YOU HAVEN’T EVEN SEEN MY BITCH MODE!”
Rylan swung, Jess blocked her, and Weston grabbed Rylan’s wrist. “Get the hell out of here!”
Jasper came running over. “Get your hands off her!”
“Then you deal with her!” Weston shoved her at Jasper.
“Let’s go!” Rylan stormed off. Jasper followed.
Weston looked at Cassidy and knew she was about to snap. He grabbed her and hugged her. “Grady’s on his way.”
Cassidy pulled away and wiped her eyes. “Can you help me get out of here.”
“I’ll take you back to the locker room where Grady is.”
“No.”
Jess placed her hand on Cassidy’s back. “Honey, don’t let that bitch get to you.”
Weston looked at Jess. “Jess is right. Don’t let her get in your head.”
Cassidy shrugged Jess’ hand off and darted down the hall.
As Grady emerged from the locker room, he spotted Cassidy practically running through the hall. He took off after her. “Cassidy! Cassidy!”
Cassidy stopped but didn’t turn around.
/> Grady stepped in front of her. He placed his hand under her chin to lift her head. “Hey, what’s…” Once Grady saw the tears, he dropped his bag and hugged Cassidy. “Why are you crying?”
“I need to go home!” Cassidy tried to pull away.
Grady wasn’t letting her get away, he squeezed her tighter. “I don’t know what happened, but I love you and together we can get through anything.”
Hearing Grady say that he loved her only made the thought of leaving him worse. “Please let me go.”
Grady stepped back and released Cassidy but took hold of her hand. “Cassidy, I don’t know why you’re upset with me but…”
“I’m not upset with you.”
“Then what is it?”
“I don’t deserve you.” Cassidy wiped her tears.
“Fuck! Did Rylan say something?”
Cassidy nodded. “But, Grady, she’s right. Look at me!”
“I am looking at you and all I can see is the woman I love and the only thing that could be more beautiful would be if she didn’t have tears in her eyes.”
“But…”
“I love you. Do you love me?”
Cassidy nodded. “Yes.”
“Then please forget whatever garbage Rylan spewed out of her nasty mouth and give me one of those smiles I love so much.”
Cassidy attempted to smile. “I’m sorry I thought I could handle her and the next thing I knew I was in a complete and total meltdown.”
“Have you forgotten that the last time Rylan flipped out on me I downed a bunch of pills.”
“I’ll never forget how frightened and sad you looked.”
“You took care of me.”
“After I cleaned your puke off me.” Cassidy giggled.
“Maybe we owe Rylan a thank you. If she didn’t fuck me up so bad, I wouldn’t have taken those pills, Weston wouldn’t have texted you and we wouldn’t be together.”
“True, but she won’t ever hear it from me.”
Grady leaned down and kissed Cassidy. “Let’s go back to the room.”
“Room! Oh God, Jess! I ran off and left her.”
“Where?”
“In the front lobby with Weston.”
Grady picked up his bag and then grabbed Cassidy’s hand. “Come on.”
Weston walked Jess over to a nearby couch and sat her down. “Stay here and I will grab you some ice for that hand.”
“No, it’s ok. You don’t have to.”
“Just sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
Jess looked down at her bruised knuckles. She hadn’t punched anyone like that since college. She laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Weston sat down with a plastic bag full of ice.
“I was remembering the last time I got into a fight.”
Weston took Jess’ hand into his and placed the bag of ice onto her knuckles. “Do you fight often?”
“Nope, it’s the first time this decade.” Jess laughed.
“Well that bitch deserved it. She’s had it coming for years. In fact, if I wasn’t a man, I’d have done it years ago.”
Jess looked at Weston and smiled. “I’m happy you’re a man.”
Weston looked away.
Grady and Cassidy walked into the lobby. “Oh jeez!”
“Maybe we should let them be. Jess just laughed.”
Cassidy elbowed Grady. “It’s probably the calm before the storm.”
“You might be right. Weston just looked away.”
Cassidy walked over to Jess. “Hey, sorry I took off and left you like that.”
Jess looked up and smiled when she saw Grady towering over Cassidy. “Seeing as you came back with Golden Boy, I’ll forgive you.”
Weston stood up. “I’m going to head back to my room now.”
“We can all head back together.” Grady winked at Weston.
Weston rolled his eyes. “Sure.”
Jess stood up and hugged Cassidy. “I’m so proud of you.”
Cassidy smiled. She was proud of herself. Grady gave her hope, confidence, and something she hadn’t remembered feeling in a very long time…happiness.
Grady and Cassidy were all over each other in the limo on the way back to the hotel. Jess and Weston were having trouble keeping their eyes off one another. The limo pulled up in front of the hotel, Grady tipped the driver and pulled Cassidy out of the limo. He lifted her into his arms and carried her inside.
Weston got out and held the door for Jess. Jess stepped out and turned to Weston. “What, you’re not going to carry me inside?”
Weston blinked. “You are kidding me, right?
Jess placed her good hand on her hip. “Yes, of course.”
Weston stood watching her ass sway as she walked away. Then he saw Rylan walking toward the hotel entrance, and he took off. He didn’t want Jess to get into another cat fight. “Jess, wait up.”
Jess spun around. “What now, Weston?”
“Let me walk you to your room.” Weston caught up to Jess.
Jess shrugged and started walking again. “So, what is it that you really want?”
“Nothing. I just figured that since Cassidy took off that I should make sure you get to your room ok.”
Jess continued until she reached her door. She opened the door and turned to say thank you to Weston.
Weston opened his mouth to say goodbye and he could feel Jess’ breath on his lips she was so close.
Jess stood there with her mouth open silently begging Weston to kiss her but then Weston blinked and stepped back. “Take care of that hand.” Weston shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away.
25
Grady sat and fastened his seat belt. He’d been on a few dozen flights since the crash but each time he flew he was still terrified.
“Hey, Buddy!”
Grady looked up at Weston who had quite a few drinks in the lounge while they awaited their flight. “You better not puke on me!”
Weston sat down. “I have no plans on puking.”
“Good, let’s keep it that way.”
Weston looked at Grady. “Hey, maybe you should have partied before the flight.”
“I need to keep my head clear.”
“Grady, you’re a wreck.”
“I’ll be fine once we land.”
Cassidy was so excited that Grady was finally going to be home for a few weeks. He had been traveling for two months now and she had only flown out to meet him a few times. She missed him terribly.
“I like this one.” Jess held up a black lace nighty.
“I don’t know. I kind of think that Grady might like this.” Cassidy held up a red lace bra and thong.
“Yeah, I don’t know any man who wouldn’t like that.” Jess let out a laugh.
“I never thought that I’d be able to wear anything like this again.”
Jess grabbed Cassidy and hugged her. “I’m very proud of you.”
“I think I’m proud of me too.” Cassidy giggled.
They were halfway through the flight when the plane ran into turbulence. Grady held his seat belt so tight his knuckles were turning white. He started to sweat and then hyperventilate.
“Grady, you need to calm down, Buddy.”
“Can’t.”
“You need to relax or you’re going to pass out.”
Grady continued to hyperventilate. Weston grabbed a barf bag and handed it to Grady. “Breathe into this.” Weston grabbed his phone and called Cassidy.
“Hello.”
“Cassidy?”
“Hi, Weston.”
“Jess, hey, is Cassidy around.”
“Yeah, hang on.”
Jess handed Cassidy the phone. “It’s Weston.”
“Weston, Hi.”
“Hey, Cassidy.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Grady needs you.”
“Where is he? Wait! Aren’t you supposed to be flying home now?”
“We are and there’s turbulence. He’s a mess.”
&nbs
p; “Put him on the phone.”
Weston held out the phone. “Grady, it’s Cassidy.”
Grady grabbed the phone. “Cass, I need you.”
“Oh, Baby. I know it’s hard, but can you try to relax just a little for me.”
“I’ll try.”
“Grady, I love you so very much. Please try to breathe. Exhale. Breathe. Exhale.”
Grady listened to Cassidy and finally he was able to catch his breath. “I love you too.”
“Keep breathing. I know it’s scary but you’re going to be ok and you’ll be in my arms in a few hours.”
“I can’t stop thinking about the crash.”
“Close your eyes. Picture me smiling at you. Think about how free you feel when you swim. The cool water, the way you feel when you hear the crowd roaring as you near the wall before a win.” Cassidy could hear Grady’s breathing slow down. “You won your race, you beat everyone else and you know what, Grady, you can beat this too.”
“I feel a little better now.”
“You’ll feel a lot better when you see what I’m wearing for you tonight.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“We have a lot of missed sex to make up for.”
“If it were up to me, I’d keep you in bed all week.”
“Ewww, come on!”
“Weston doesn’t want to listen to phone sex.”
“He’s just jealous he isn’t getting any.” Cassidy giggled.
Grady elbowed Weston. “She said you’re jealous because you’re not getting any.” Grady laughed.
“I’ll have plenty once we get back home.”
“Tell him Jess is always available if he’s lonely.”
“Jess is available.”
Weston looked at Grady and smiled. “She’s fucking hot in bed.”
“He’s drunk.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that reply.”
“The turbulence is gone.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Better.”
“Grady, I know that you feel the need to stay alert when you fly but I think that you should consider taking medication.”
Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology Page 284