by Liz Thomas
Cody admired his loyalty. He didn’t know Michelle that well, but she’d always struck him as cold. Cody knew this was their second relationship, and although Matt wouldn’t talk about it, he was pretty sure Michelle had cheated on him the first time.
Cody looked at his friend wistfully. Matt appeared to be sleeping soundly. In the recliner, he had curled into a ball and lay on his side, smiling, moaning happily. Cody looked away, not wanting to know what he was dreaming about.
He looked across the night sky and let his mind wander. This whole thing stunk. Blessedly, Alyssa hadn’t been in touch. It had given him peace but confirmed his suspicions, that she had been the one to do this to him. Only when accused with the truth, had she at last retreated. Normally, he’d never gone more than a few moments without hearing from her. Of course, her father’s intimidating legal team had been in touch to inform Cody that they’d be picking up his medical expenses.
Cody didn’t need the help; he had money. Millions of dollars, in fact. His father had made shrewd decisions and ensured that his mother’s money would be distributed properly. Cody lived humbly on purpose. From what he could tell, luxuriousness spoiled people and made them soft. Cody owned a small house on the far side of Black Eagle and either walked or took the bus everywhere. He didn’t wear designer clothes. He played football because he loved it and it was his way out, not because he needed the money.
No, the payment of his hospital fees hadn’t been a token of goodwill. It had been a warning, and a message. We own you.
Since he didn’t need the money, he could take chances. And all of this felt worth fighting for. Why was it so important for Victoria to lose this game to Allan? Why had they come under so much fire when Cody had led them to a victory two years prior?
Why was this so important that they appeared willing to injure people, or worse, to accommodate a rival institution?
Thinking back to his leg giving out brought his mind to Cassilia, and their first meeting.
It had taken all of his willpower to keep his penis from exploding out of his underpants when she took his pants down. The girl was downright sensuous, in a mousy, repressed sort of way. Something about big, round glasses or the eyes those glasses covered, the long hair and the way it danced about her shoulders, and that curvy figure that no sweater could hide.
It was more than that, though. It was something he didn’t see in many, if any, girls around here, and certainly not Alyssa. Cassilia was genuinely kind.
She didn’t have to help him in the cemetery, she didn’t have to ride in the ambulance with him, and she certainly didn’t have to stay in his hospital room. She clearly had a good heart, but he wondered what she had endured to be so withdrawn.
He hadn’t noticed until that moment that he had been twirling his phone between his fingers. He stopped twirling and studied the front screen for a moment.
If he did this, if he sent this message and Alyssa found out, it would mean all kinds of hell for him. It may have even meant his life, depending on how her father took it.
He smirked to himself. If he could make it work, all of it, then who knows what it would mean for his future.
He quickly scrolled through his list of contacts until his found Cassilia’s name, and began texting.
By the end of the night, the only thing that was keeping Cassilia going was curiosity. Blessedly, Roger, Trina, and Ramona had been nowhere to be found after Trina’s outburst. Cassilia had caught Annalise floating around the house, watching her. The one time Cassilia had looked to Annalise, she’d nearly called out. But Annalise had blanched and motioned for silence, and then disappeared.
Cassilia had cleaned, folded, and put away laundry for the house and then cooked a roast for dinner. Roger and the others had never saved her anything, and Cassilia had grown content to make herself a small salad and vanish into her bedroom, but with the events of the day still fresh in her mind, she was just too tired. After cleaning the kitchen and mopping the floor, she had drug herself up to her bedroom and collapsed on her bed.
Moments later, there was a soft tapping on her door. “Yes?” Cassilia asked dutifully, promptly sitting up. “Hello?” Annalise whispered, “Cassilia, are you still awake?”
Upon hearing the voice, Cassilia bolted from the bed and dashed over to the door, opening it slightly. The door creaked and Annalise leapt, looking back down the winding stairs. She turned back to Cassilia with wide, desperate eyes. Cassilia was surprised to notice that Annalise was holding a plate of the dinner she had made earlier. “I think everyone else is sleeping.” She spoke quickly and silently. “I thought you might be hungry.”
Cassilia scowled, her eyes darting from the plate to Annalise. “I’m not hungry.” Cassilia replied, stepping back into the room.
Annalise took a step towards her, and Cassilia instinctively flinched until she saw the look in her eyes. They were flickering like candles, and as her mouth opened, Cassilia wondered if she might sob. “Yes you are.” Annalise said pleadingly, “Yes you are. You don’t eat. We know this.”
“I…” Cassilia began, “I…I’m really not that hungry, Annalise, but thank you for thinking of me.”
Cassilia prepared to shut the door when Annalise whimpered, “I know I’ve been horrible to you.” She spoke quickly, the words forcing themselves out of her mouth, “And I’m sorry. I don’t wanna do it anymore. I don’t wanna be mean to you. Your mom wouldn’t like it.”
Every emotional guard Cassilia had was raised as she took in the words. The last time any of the three had talked to her like this, it had been a trap in which she’d wound up naked, in the mud, and all over the internet. The guards came with a wave of anger at Annalise’s invocation of her mother. “My mom…” She shook her head, determined to keep her temper in check, “Annalise, this is cruel. Please don’t do this. I haven’t done anything to you.”
Annalise nodded quickly and a tear fell from her left eye. “No, you haven’t. I know. You never have. And I’m sorry.” Her body shook, and she teetered on the stairs as she finally lost control. “I’m sorry, Cassie. I’m so sorry for what we’ve done to you.”
Cassilia was stunned. None of them had ever broken down like this before.
She thought about it for just a moment longer. Yes, Annalise had been the least cruel to her over the years, but the sister’s loyalty to one another was unquestionable. They’d played some horrible pranks on others over the years, and they covered each other’s backs.
Annalise read Cassilia’s apprehension and shook her head quickly. “I’m alone, I promise. It’s just me. I don’t blame you for not trusting me but I swear I’m not playing any jokes on you.” She held up the plate, “I swear, I just wanted to bring you something to eat.
Cassilia eventually nodded and stepped aside, opening the door. Annalise entered, and Cassilia closed the door behind her.
Annalise shook her head as she surveyed the old attic. “It’s disgusting that they make you stay up here.”
Cassilia said nothing, and after a moment, she merely nodded. “Trina’s trashed your old room. It’s sick.”
Before Cassilia could reply, her phone vibrated, indicating a text message.
Cassilia initially believed that she was about to be at the wrong end of yet another mean joke. Annalise’s words dispelled the notion. “I promise, I’m not up to anything. Go check your phone.”
Cassilia gasped, clasping a hand to her mouth when she saw the name above the simple text message. It was from Cody.
“Hey”
Cassilia’s heart raced with happy anticipation, and she grew so excited she actually broke out in a sweat. “Well?” Annalise nudged her, looking over her shoulder, “Respond to him!”
“I..” Cassilia shook her head and held the phone as though she’d never seen it before. “I’ve never done this before! I don’t know what to say!”
Annalise scooted beside her and beamed as she spoke, “Okay, here’s the thing. No matter what anyone tells you, men don’t really
like girls that’re easy. So don’t be sexual. Just talk to him.”
“But I wanna be sexual…” Cassilia blushed as she blurted the words, surprised at her own capriciousness. “You little slut.” Annalise teased her pushing her shoulder. Truthfully, Cassilia didn’t know if she was joking or not, but chose to go with it. This was all so overwhelming. “Just say hi before he thinks you’re not interested. Or sleeping.”
If he thought I was sleeping that may give me time to consider how to handle this properly—
“Just tell the boy hi, Cassie!” Annalise urged.
To hear her mother’s nickname come so warmly from the mouth of someone she’d once regarded as an adversary was strangely calming. Cassilia smiled. She trusted Annalise now. She didn’t know why, but she did. “Okay.” She nodded eagerly and turned to the phone to its side, her thumbs racing along the virtual keyboard. “Hey.” Was her simple response.
After the message was sent, she and Annalise waited and held their breath.
When the phone buzzed in her hand, the girls leapt and giggled.
“Im sorry if I woke you up”
Cassilia shook her head and began typing as Annalise eagerly looked over her shoulder.
“You didnt”
“Is this a bad time?”
“No just getting ready for bed”
“Oh okay, I can talk to you later.”
Annalise was already shaking her head. “No, Cassie, don’t turn him loose like that.”
Cassilia’s mind raced and she began typing again.
“No youre fine.”
She paused before continuing.
“Hows your leg?”
“Healing. Thanks for asking.”
Before she could reply, another message came in.
“Have you eaten yet?”
Cassilia blanched.
“Yeah I have—“
Before she could finish the text message, Annalise had bound to her feet, scrambled over to the dresser and picked up the plate of food she’d brought. “What’re you doing?” Cassilia asked, wondering if the charade was up, “I was going to eat that.”
“Like hell you are!” Annalise shot back, “I’ll put this in the fridge! You let that boy take you out for dinner!”
It was amazing how much Annalise sounded like her mom now. Cassilia slowly shook her head. “I’ve never been on a date before.”
“Don’t think of it like a date. Think of it as a free meal.”
“That’s terrible!”
“That’s how Trina puts it. But you don’t have to do anything with him that you don’t want too.”
That was the whole problem. She practically wanted to rape Cody, with his kindness and muscles and smiles. But he had a girlfriend and was so far out of her league…
“Don’t think like that.” Annalise chastised as though she was in her mind, “If he was out of your league, he wouldn’t be talking to you, would he?”
Cassilia pondered that for a moment, and then a smile crept across her face. “No…I guess not…”
Annalise leaned in. “But…?”
“But he has a girlfriend, Annalise. And she’s so much prettier than I am. Why would he want to spend time with me when he has her?”
Annalise chuckled darkly, the way that she used to before Trina did something horrendous. It gave Cassilia chills. “Why’d you do that?” She asked, her heart sinking as she expected to become the punchline of a cruel joke.
“Cassilia, I know you don’t get this, and it’s our fault that you don’t…” Annalise began with a smirk. She then locked eyes with Cassilia, completely serious, and said, “But you are beautiful and everyone knows it.”
Cassilia brought a hand to her chest and felt flush as her face reddened. She giggled uncomfortably. “What’re you talking about? No I’m not.”
Annalise nodded quickly, raising her eyebrows. “Yes, Cassie, you are. Why do you think Trina hates you so much? Dad paid millions for her to get what came to you naturally.”
Cassilia was already shaking her head. Trina didn’t look natural anymore, but she was still much better looking—
Cassilia was suddenly surprised when Annalise took her by the shoulders and shook. “Cassilia, no.” Annalise spoke with uncharacteristic firmness. “You are beautiful, better than any of us will ever be. Pick up the phone and talk to that man.”
Unsure of what else to do, in disbelief that this was happening to her, Cassilia slowly reached for the phone.
A few moments later, she had agreed to meet Cody for coffee.
Cassilia entered the establishment and immediately spotted Cody who raised his head and smiled when he saw her. Cassilia felt her face heat up and knew she was blushing. She wasn’t used to people being happy to see her.
Cody rose from his seat and approached, and Cassilia instinctively lowered her head, folding her hands at her stomach. Cody reached for her hands and took them in his own, and she thought she might burst, red-faced. “Hey.” He said excitedly and warmly, “Thank you for coming out.”
Again, something she wasn’t used too. “You’re welcome…”She replied shyly, unsure of what else to say, “Thank you for inviting me.” With her head down she noticed Cody was on his feet, and she was suddenly grateful for something to talk about. “You’re up and around? How’s your knee?”
Cody looked down at his knee and realized he’d been staring at her. “Oh, it’s a lot better. Thanks for asking. They gave me some antibiotics and turned me loose. They said I should have full mobility in a week or so.”
Cassilia smiled. “Oh. That’s good. How did you get here?”
Cody gestured and she sat in the booth across from him. He then re-took his seat. “I walked.” He said casually. “Figured it would make great rehab.”
Cassilia went wide-eyed. “You walked?! From Mercy General? That’s gotta be about five miles!”
Cody smirked proudly and shook his head. “It’s not so bad. I’m a football player. I’ve done worse.”
“Keep that up and you won’t be playing anything.” Cassilia snapped back, almost involuntarily. Cody’s eyes shot up to meet her own, stunned. Cassilia gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. “I’m sorry.” She whispered, “I wasn’t trying to sound mean.”
Cody said nothing.
Cassilia began to scoot out of the booth. “I’ll just go…”
Cody quickly reached for her. “No! No…” His outburst caught her off guard and she looked at him, unsure what her next move should be. “No…it’s just that…” Cody struggled, searching for the right words, “No one’s ever really shown that much concern for me before.” He sat back and smirked uncomfortably, “Well, at least, not a woman.”
Hopeful, Cassilia smiled as she slid back into her seat, “So…you want me to stay?”
Cody nodded eagerly. “Please.”
Grateful that she hadn’t blown it, Cassilia slid back into her seat and silently vowed to mentally check every word before it left her mouth. “Thanks for caring.” Cody grinned at her.
Cassilia uncertainly cocked her head. “It’s no problem.”
A moment later the waitress came by. Cody allowed Cassilia to order first. They both had coffee. A few minutes later, the waitress returned with a tall pot and two clean white cups on saucers. She served them both and was on her way. Cassilia took a long sip and smiled. It had been a long time since anyone had served her something, and this coffee was far better than the swill Roger kept in the house. As Cody downed half of his coffee, Cassilia pondered her next words. “So…can I ask you something kind of personal?”
Cody appeared astonished that she’d ask first. Holding his cup before his face, he nodded. “Sure, but only if I can return the favor.”
Cassilia released a quick laugh and nodded. “Deal. You said no woman cares about you…I thought you had a girlfriend?”
Cody blanched. He set his cup down and lowered his eyes to the table.
Sensing that she had crossed a line, Cassilia reached out
. “I’m sorry if I overstepped.”
“No, it’s fine.” Cody whispered, Cassilia wondered if that was anger he was suppressing. His voice had a growling quality to it. He looked up at her with fire in his yes. “Yes.” He exhaled as he spoke, “I have a girlfriend.”
Cassilia didn’t want to admit how much that stung, hearing it confirmed. She shrank in her chair. “Oh.”
“Listen.” Cody spoke softly but firmly, “Please don’t think I asked you here for anything inappropriate. I do have a girlfriend, yes, but…”
Cassilia looked at him sadly and Cody knew there was absolutely no right way to finish that sentence. He sat up straight and resolved to tell the truth. “Her name’s Alyssa. And if you really want to know, she’s the one who poisoned me.”
Cassilia frowned. “What? That can’t be true.”
Cody took another sip of his coffee. “Why not?”
“Well…” Cassilia rolled her eyes, searching for the answer. “She’s your girlfriend, isn’t she? She’s supposed to love you and take care of you.”
Cody nearly spewed his coffee across the table. He pounded his chest twice and swallowed his coffee. Cassilia smiled uncomfortably. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” Cody forced as he forced the last of his coffee down his throat. “I wish the world was more like the way you thought. No, Alyssa doesn’t care about me, not in the way she should. And…I can’t stand her, to be honest.”
Cody poured her some more coffee as she scowled, “Then why…”
“…don’t I break up with her?” Cody smiled, anticipating the question, “May I ask you a question now?”
Cassilia nodded. “Sure. And thank you for the coffee.”
Cody nodded. “You’re welcome. How long have you lived in Black Eagle?”
“Ten years. Since…” She trailed off and then reconsidered. If he was being honest with her, she could do him the same courtesy, “…since my mom died.”
“Hm.” Cody mused contemplatively, “Ten years. That’s a long time to be here.”