“Yeah, right, they’re going to pick me up first.”
“LIAR!” Cassidy turned and walked out of the room.
“Ok, I’m all packed up and ready to go.”
“Good, then we can go to dinner, come back and have sex until we fall asleep.”
“Damn!”
“It will be weeks before we can have another sexfest.” Jess laughed.
“Sexfest, hmm, I like that word.” Weston kissed Jess.
“Did you decide if you want me to take you to the airport?”
“Grady and I usually take the team’s car service.”
“Ok.”
“In fact, I will make arrangements for them to pick you and Cassidy up next week.”
“Thank you.”
“I know you’re not happy that we have to stay in different hotels, but I’ll make time to see you.”
“It’s ok. I know you have to follow the rules.”
“We do have a whole lot of rules we need to abide by.”
Jess kissed Weston. “Promise me you won’t break any with your female teammates.”
“Never. You’re the only one I want.” Weston kissed Jess.
“Cass, you’re right I lied and I’m sorry.”
Cassidy sat with her back to Grady. Grady waited but when Cassidy didn’t speak, he decided he had better just lay it all out there.
“I didn’t want you to know because I thought it would upset you…”
“Oh, I’m upset, Grady, because you lied to me!” Cassidy turned around. “How can I trust you now?”
“Because I only lied to protect you…literally. Cassidy, I went behind your back and I hired you a security guard…”
“WHAT! You know how I feel about that.”
“Exactly, but I can’t be here to protect you. You made me promise that I would leave which left me with no other choice than to hire a replacement.”
“Your idea of a replacement is a security guard?”
“Please, Baby, I need to know that you’re safe while I’m gone.” Grady took Cassidy’s hand. “Please.”
Cassidy may have been too stubborn to admit it, but she was scared to death and Grady leaving was making it worse. “Fine, but once you’re back he’s gone.”
“Done.”
“HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME!”
Cassidy was woken by Grady’s screams. “Grady, Honey, wake up!”
Grady’s eyes popped open and he glanced at Cassidy. “I’m sorry, I woke you.”
Cassidy could see the fear on Grady’s face. She knew all too well how he felt, and it hurt her. She raised her hand and ran it through his hair. “It’s ok. You’re ok, now.”
“No, I’m not. Sometimes, I don’t ever think I’ll be ok again.”
Cassidy cuddled up against Grady and held him tight. “Tell me about your dream.”
“Same dream, different night.”
“The more you talk about it the less scary it will be.”
“I’m hanging upside down from my seat and I’m drowning.”
“But you didn’t.”
“I know but everyone else did.” Grady pulled away and sat up. “I don’t know why I didn’t die because I should have, and as long as I live, I will ask myself that question.”
Cassidy knelt up and wrapped her arms around Grady. “I’m so grateful that you survived.”
Grady woke up and carefully got out of the bed to avoid waking Cassidy. He managed to get as far as his closet. “What time is it?”
“Five-thirty. Sorry, I woke you.”
Cassidy rubbed her eyes and sat up. “Don’t be sorry it gives me a few extra minutes to spend with you before you leave.”
“Why don’t I go make us some breakfast?”
“How about I go whip up some eggs while you finish packing?”
“Eggs, huh?”
“Grady!”
“I’m joking. I’ve grown quite fond of your eggs.” Grady winked.
Cassidy rolled her eyes. “White or wheat toast?”
“Surprise me.” Grady kissed Cassidy before she headed to the kitchen.
Grady carried his suitcases to the door and handed them off to the driver. “I’ll be right out.” He closed the door and headed back up the stairs to say goodbye to Cassidy. “Cass, where are you?”
Cassidy walked out of the bedroom and extended her hand. “I want you to have this.”
“I can’t take that.”
“You’re not taking it…I’m giving it to you.” Cassidy placed her Saint Dymphna medallion into Grady’s hand and folded his fingers over it. “She’ll help you while you fly.”
Grady hugged Cassidy. “Are you sure?”
Cassidy nodded. “You need her more than I do right now.”
“I hate this.”
“You’ll be ok.”
“I can’t go.”
Cassidy pulled away. “You have to go. Just take the medication your doctor prescribed, and you’ll be fine.”
“No, I can’t leave you.”
“Grady O’Malley, you promised.”
“I know but I thought that the police would have taken Rick in by now.”
“You need to go, Grady.”
“I don’t feel right about leaving you.”
“You’re just nervous about your flight and if you don’t get going you will miss it.”
Grady looked at Cassidy. He knew he was nervous but the feeling in the pit of his stomach seemed like a whole lot more than flying panic. “Come with me.”
“Now?”
“Now. I’ll take a later flight.”
“You need to be on that flight and we already discussed the fact that you couldn’t even spare a minute this week, so, no.”
“Please, Cassidy, I don’t want to leave you.”
The driver honked the horn and then Grady’s phone started buzzing. “They’re waiting for you.”
“Don’t make me go without you.”
Cassidy knew Grady was worried about her, but she also knew he was terrified to fly and wrote it off as such. She stopped herself from grabbing Grady and selfishly keeping him there with her, but she knew that he needed to leave. She pulled on her big girl panties, grabbed Grady, hugged him, and then kissed him. “I’ll see you in a week.”
Grady leaned down and gave Cassidy one last kiss on her forehead. “Take care of yourself. I love you.”
“I love you.”
Grady walked down the stairs, opened the door, and then looked up at Cassidy. “Goodbye.”
Cassidy waited until she heard Grady close the car door to burst into tears. The way that Grady looked at her when he said goodbye spiraled her body into shivers. It was as if he somehow knew that he was never going to see her again.
“Cassidy didn’t want to let you go?”
Grady looked over at Weston and shook his head. “She practically threw me out. I’m the one who didn’t want to leave.”
“Six days until you see her again.”
“Yeah, I hope so.”
Weston looked at his friend who looked quite upset. “Hey, did you two have a fight?”
“No.”
“Ok, Grady, what’s going on that has you so rattled?”
“When I left it was like I somehow knew that I’d never see her again.”
“Does this have to do with your fear of flying?”
“I don’t think so. It’s Rick getting anywhere near Cassidy that I’m truly fearful of.”
“Grady, you have a security guard and the police watching her. Besides Jess will beat the crap out of him if he goes anywhere near Cassidy and I know that Jess plans to stay with her.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Me, I’m always right.” Weston laughed.
29
“Where’s the corkscrew?”
“Same place it’s been the last three nights when you’ve asked!”
“Oh, I never put mine away in the same place. You’re so organized.” Jess giggled as she reached for the corkscrew.
/>
“Have you heard from Weston today?”
“He texted a bit earlier. Why?”
“Grady has been so quiet and stressed out. I’ve been so worried about him. I texted earlier, but he still hasn’t replied.”
“Do you want me to talk to Weston about him?”
“No. I just don’t want to be the reason his Olympic dreams crumble.”
“Maybe he just misses you and once he sees you on Friday, he’ll snap out of it.”
“I hope that’s all it is.”
Five hours, a bottle of wine and two bowls of popcorn later Cassidy tried texting Grady again. She hit send and her phone beeped back at her. “That’s weird.”
Jess looked up from her phone. “What’s weird?”
“My phone doesn’t have service.”
“That is weird because mine has five bars.”
“Maybe that’s why I haven’t heard from Grady.”
“Power it off and then back on. Sometimes it just needs a jumpstart.”
“It’s off. I’ll give it a few minutes while I clean up.” Cassidy picked up the glasses and popcorn bowl.
“I’ll be right back I left my charger in the car again.”
“Jess, if your head wasn’t attached, I’d be worried you’d forget that too.” Cassidy laughed.
“I should be offended but you’re right.” Jess laughed.
Jess grabbed her charger and headed back into the house. She turned to close the door and a hand reached out and covered her mouth. Rick pushed his way inside and then closed the door. “Be quiet and I won’t hurt you.”
Jess bit down on his hand and he pulled it away. “CASSIDY, RUN! RICK’S…”
Rick smacked Jess across the face and then he grabbed her hair. “You bitch!”
Jess spit at him and then she kneed him. Rick fell to the floor and Jess started to run up the stairs. “CASSIDY, RUN! RICK’S IN THE HOUSE!”
Cassidy was in the kitchen washing the dishes when she heard Jess scream. She grabbed a knife and ran toward the living room to get Jess’ phone so she could call for help.
Jess made it up the stairs and was about to enter the living room when Rick shoved her. Jess fell and banged her face against the floor. Rick laughed and then kicked her back down the stairs.
Cassidy stood there shaking as she held the knife out in front of her waiting for Rick. She was done running, it was do or die.
Rick walked into the living room. “Hello, Cassi. I’ve missed you.”
“I haven’t missed you.”
“Maybe not but I bet a day doesn’t go by that you don’t think about me.” Rick smiled as he walked closer.
“You’re sick!”
“Put the knife down, Cassi, and come give me a hug.”
“Stay back! I’m warning you!”
“Oh please, I know you could never hurt the man you love.”
Cassidy stepped back. Rick was only a few feet away from her and sheer panic was setting in. She tightened her grip on the knife. “Rick, I mean it stay away or I’ll…”
“You’ll what? Try to slice me up like I did to you all those years ago.” Rick shook his head and let out a smug laugh. “No, I don’t think so because you’re too weak.” Rick lunged at Cassidy and she swung the knife but only managed to graze his arm. He squeezed her wrist so tightly that she dropped the knife. Rick leaned over to grab the knife and Cassidy kicked him in the head then took off running.
Rick walked through the house looking for Cassidy. He stopped in front of a door that was closed. “Come out, Cassi!” He reached for the knob.
Cassidy saw the knob turn and decided that her best chance of getting away from him was to shove the door open in hopes of hitting him. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open as hard as she could.
The door swung open and pushed Rick to the side allowing Cassidy to run. She was, however, only able to get as far as Grady’s Rehab Room where she was trapped.
Rick came in swinging the knife back and forth. “You can run for as long as you want, Cassi, but I’m not leaving until I have you one last time.”
Cassidy stopped dodging Rick and stood still. “Fine.”
Rick stopped walking and stared at Cassidy. “That’s it you’re just going to give in?”
“No reason to postpone the inevitable.”
Rick was now standing within a few inches of Cassidy. She was paralyzed with fear. Rick raised his hand and ran his thumb across her scar. “You were perfect before you made me do this to you.”
Cassidy closed her eyes. Not wanting to look into his. He was either about to rape or kill her and all she could do was pray and thank God for keeping Grady safe.
Rick grabbed Cassidy’s shirt and ripped it open. “More of my artwork.”
Cassidy started to shake. Then suddenly it was like Grady was inside her head screaming to her that she is a survivor. She reached for one of the massage stones and smacked Rick on the side of the head with it. Rick was briefly stunned which gave Cassidy enough time to run.
As Cassidy took off running, she remembered that Grady had a panic button installed at the pool in case of emergency. She managed to hit the button before Rick grabbed her. “Still afraid of the water, Cassi?” The look of horror on Cassidy’s face answered that question. “Yet, you’re screwing a swimmer.”
“The police are going to be here any minute.”
“No, you see I took care of the police and your security guard before I came inside.”
“I just hit the panic button.”
“Yeah, I cut the phone wires and had your cell disconnected earlier today. I didn’t want anyone to interrupt our long-awaited reunion.”
Rick grabbed the back of Cassidy’s head, pulled her close and kissed her. She bit his lip hard enough to cause it to bleed. He pulled back and spit his blood at her. Cassidy tried to shove him away, but he pushed her against the wall and pressed his body up against hers. “I’m going to try that again and this time you better show me some love, or this knife is going to get bloody.”
Jess came to. Pain was coursing through her body. She decided that her ankle was broken so she slowly rolled onto her knees and began crawling up the stairs to help Cassidy or at the very least get to her phone to call for help.
Rick had Cassidy’s hands above her head while he kissed her. Cassidy pulled her lips away. Maybe she could use her psychiatric skills on him. “Why are you so obsessed with me?”
“I love you. I’ve always loved you, Cassi.”
“If you loved me you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Is that your doctor side talking?”
“It could be. I can help you.”
“I don’t need help. I need you, Cassi. You’re all I need.”
“After you have me then what? You’re happy until you get jealous and then…”
“STOP! I’ve changed.”
“Really, because you’re holding me against my will and God only knows what you did to Jess.”
“She tried to keep me from you just like those men outside.”
“Do you really still care about me, Ricky?”
“You haven’t called me Ricky in such a long time.”
Cassidy smiled knowing that she could still get to him. “Ricky, you’re hurting my arms.”
Rick looked up at Cassidy’s arms which he was still holding above her head. “If I let them down do you promise to behave.”
Cassidy nodded and he released her arms. As much as it repulsed her to do so she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Ricky.” Her only hope was to buy herself some time until Jess managed to get help…if she was still alive.
A door slammed and then there was a thud. Rick grabbed Cassidy and pulled her against him while he held the knife to her throat. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“It must be Jess coming down the back steps.”
“That was a door.”
“Who would come here this late it has to be her?”
Rick tightened his grip on Cassid
y. “Don’t lie to me!”
“I’m not lying.” Cassidy hoped it was the police, but she honestly had no idea.
Rick stood with the knife resting against Cassidy’s throat. “You better not be lying, or I’ll slit your throat.”
The pool door opened but before Rick or Cassidy could see who was there, the room went dark. Rick called out. “Who’s there?”
“Jess?” Cassidy started to shake. “Answer me.”
“If you don’t answer I’ll slit her throat!”
Cassidy knew she had to get away from Rick and his knife wielding hand before whomever was there did something to cause Rick to slit her throat. Cassidy swung her fist backward striking Rick in his balls. He released his grip and Cassidy broke free.
“Get back here!” Rick grabbed for Cassidy.
Cassidy thought she’d finally gotten away when she was shoved and landed in the deep end of the pool.
Rick tried to find his way to the door to turn on the lights. He didn’t get very far before he felt the cold, hard barrel of a gun pressed up against his cheek. “Move and I’ll blow your head off!”
Rick swung and his knife hit the man. The gun went off and Rick dropped to the floor.
“HELP ME!”
“I’m coming!”
“Grady?”
“It’s me, Baby, keep your head up and breathe. I’m coming for you.” Grady dove into the pool.
Cassidy tried to move her arms and kick her legs, but she kept sinking. She was swallowing water and couldn’t breathe. Cassidy gasped. “I love you, Grady.” Thoughts of Grady consumed her as she slipped beneath the water’s surface.
Grady swam around frantically searching for Cassidy. Once he found her, he brought her to the side, rolled her onto the pool deck and climbed out. “Cassidy, can you hear me?” Grady couldn’t find a pulse and she wasn’t breathing. “Oh God, Cass, you can’t leave me.” Grady started performing CPR.
Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology Page 287