Forever Yours, Casey

by Cassidy K. O'Connor

  “Of course I will. These girls need someone to be their voice.”

  “Okay then, let’s get Kacee to start spreading the message around and if we’re lucky, we’ll get one or two girls to show up.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Casey

  Last night went better than expected. We gave Kacee the go ahead to spread the word about the meeting and had Carter get the room for us. With a better sense of how the movies affected me, I was able to keep my emotions under control and enjoy watching the kids grow. It was everything I thought a normal family evening at home would be like. Lord knows I never had one with my parents. The closest I ever came were the nights I hung at Brittany’s apartment with her and her mom.

  Now sixteen years later, I’m in a restaurant watching from afar as my daughter and her mom prepare to talk to assault victims. This is every parent's nightmare, the lawyer part of me is hoping for a good turnout. The newly acquired father side of me is praying there aren’t many girls forever changed.

  “I know it’s tough being out here when you want to be in there helping but trust me, they will get more cooperation if there are no men in the room.”

  I glance at Carter and nod my understanding, it doesn’t make it any easier though.

  A few minutes later, we watch as two girls come in and head straight for the room. After twenty minutes, we’ve seen twelve more go in. I can’t see most of the room but I have perfect sight of Kacee, Brittany, and the counselor Carter found. Brittany squeezes Kacee’s hand before Kacee starts addressing the group. My attention is diverted by a girl that comes in and passes by the room only to turn around and walk by it two more times. I only notice because she keeps breaking my line of sight.

  Her stringy hair covers most of her face and she chews her nails as she paces back and forth and glances into the room over and over. I have no doubt she is supposed to be in that room. Not wanting to approach her directly, I text Brittany and fill her in. She leans over whispering in Kacee’s ear before getting up and coming out. The girl darts into the bathroom and Brittany follows right behind her. It feels like forever before they come out and reenter the room.

  For the next hour, Carter and I sit in mind numbing silence waiting for the meeting to be over. During that time, I watch as Brittany and the counselor do a lot of talking. Sometimes all three are nodding so I assume some of the girls have opted to talk. I hope that is a good sign some are willing to press charges.

  When the first girl leaves the room, we pay our tab and wait anxiously for the girls to join us. After a lot of hugging and a few tears, the last girl leaves and we rush in for an update.

  “Well, that was as terrible as I expected it to be.” All color is drained from Britt’s face, she looks bone-weary and ready to cry.

  “I was disheartened to see how many showed up, it reinforces the need we have to stop this guy. Did any of them agree to talk to us?”

  “There were fifteen girls here but only thirteen were victims, the other two were friends here supporting each other. Only one said she won’t do it, she can’t let her family find out. Jeanine gave all the girls her card and offered to talk again if they need it. Hopefully the girls will reach out and get help.”

  I smile at the counselor who looks a little worse for wear herself.

  “Did you find out how many were minors and tell them we need their parents with them for the interviews?”

  “All but two are minors, most of them haven’t told their families but seeing how many of them were in this room helped them see they needed to stop him. It was really smart to get them together and let them see they weren’t alone.”

  Kacee’s phone buzzes on the table, she smiles before turning back to us. “We asked the girls to spread the word quietly what we are doing. That was one of them saying she messaged her friends. If there are any more of us, they are going to tell them to call you to set up their interviews.”

  “What about the last girl you brought in, was she the one who refused?”

  “I know her from school. Her name is Sarah, she used to be really involved in school. Now that I know she is one of us, I can look back and remember when it happened. She changed overnight, we weren’t friends so I didn’t really notice or do anything to help her. I feel terrible I didn’t see she needed help, how were we all that blind?”

  “You can’t blame yourself, you are still a kid. You aren’t supposed to need to know how to recognize the signs, let alone be expected to do something about it. I hope, though, that you will reach out to her at school. I’m not asking you to be her friend, maybe a smile and a hello will help her.”

  Brittany’s advice is exactly what I would have said. After saying goodbye to Jeanine and Carter, we pick up Austin from his grandmother’s and head back to the hotel. The ride is quiet, everyone inside their own heads digesting everything that happened. I can only imagine the things the girls heard in that room, their minds are probably much heavier than mine is.

  I wait for Brittany and Austin to walk ahead of us toward the elevators before getting Kacee’s attention.

  “I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. We are asking you to do something incredibly difficult, watching you stand up and get this organized is amazing. Dirk’s going to have no idea what hit him.”

  “I wish I could see his face when he gets served the papers. I haven’t decided if he will stomp his foot like he’s having a tantrum and run to his parents or if he’ll freak out and cry. I’ve pictured both scenario’s in my mind and they both make me happy.”

  “You definitely can’t be there when it happens, but I’ll see what I can do to get the scoop on how he handles it.”

  The elevator arrives and Austin yells for us to hurry up if we want to ride with them. “Actually, Kacee, can you take Austin upstairs? I want to talk to your mom for a bit.”

  Her knowing smile catches me off guard, “Not a problem at all.” She winks and walks on the elevator as she pushes Brittany out. “Go, have some adult time.”

  She winks at me as the elevator doors slide closed. I think she is trying to play matchmaker.

  “What on earth was that all about?”

  “I asked her to take Austin up, I thought we could have a drink in the bar?”

  Without thinking, my hand slides down her back to the curve at the base of her spine and lead her to the bar.

  “I’ll have a Jack and Coke and the lady will have…?”

  “I’ll have a Dragon Berry Martini, please.”

  “That sounds exotic.”

  “It’s really not, Dragon Berry is really a fancy name for Strawberry Rum.”

  “Well, drink up because you earned it.”

  I’m mesmerized watching her take a delicate sip. Her eyes close briefly and the softest moan causes desire to flood my body. I’m jealous of that glass getting to touch her soft, luscious lips.

  “God, I haven’t had one of these in a while. I forgot how good they are. Thank you for this, I really did need it. Being in that room and seeing those girls will haunt me for the rest of my life. You should have seen Kacee though, I had no idea how strong she was until tonight. We really did make an amazing child.” Her hand slides up my chest and stops around the back of my neck. She leans in so we’re inches apart and I know she wants me to kiss her but I can’t do that to Monica, no matter how much I want to.

  “I give full credit to you, it’s all in how she was raised. You’ve done a great job, with both kids.” My hand finds my drink and I turn away, pretending to need a drink so I could break away from the temptation. “I was thinking after this is over maybe I could take the kids home with me so they could meet my parents, maybe a long weekend so they don’t miss much school. Would you be okay with that?”

  The dejected look on her face means she understood I was pulling away; I hope she understands why I did.

  “Have you told your parents about us yet? I’m sure they will be shocked to find out I’ve turned up after all these years and in the exact kind of
trouble they always thought I would be in.”

  “I thought it would be a fun surprise actually. I know they want Monica and I to start a family as soon as we marry. I’m sure they will be thrilled to have two grandkids to spoil immediately. Who knows, maybe they will be more affectionate with them then they were with me.”

  The mention of marrying Monica changes the mood instantly. Britt turns back to the bar, finishes her drink quickly and motions for another. For me, saying the words out loud was a wakeup call. I am never going to marry her. It’s not fair to either of us and I’ve dragged it on long enough. As soon as I’m back in town, I’ll have to break it off with her. She deserves to marry someone who can love her the way I have always loved Brittany.

  She finishes her second drink as we sit quietly and listen to the piano player in the corner. Neither of us is able to think of what to say next after me bringing up my fiancé.

  Once her third martini is gone, I realize she should have stopped after two. Her eyes have gone softer and the smile on her face as she sways to the music makes it clear she is relaxed and feeling good. While she’s absorbed in the music, I sign the tab to the room and finish the last sip of my drink.

  “Ready to go upstairs? I’m sure we’ll have a busy day tomorrow so we probably need to get to bed.”

  “Are you inviting me into your bed?” She gives me a naughty smile then ruins it by almost falling off the bar stool. She’s definitely going to need help getting back to the suite.

  “Come on, lightweight, let’s get you back to your own bed.” I grab her upper arm and help her on to the elevator. As soon as the doors close, she pushes me against the wall and kisses me. God, I’ve waited so long to feel her against me again. I’ve wanted to kiss her perfect lips from the moment she walked into that room at the jail. Every fiber of my being wants me to give in and take some of the pleasure I’ve tortured myself over for the last sixteen years. Monica’s face flashes in my mind, dousing any momentum I was building. Even if I am calling it off with Monica soon, I am still with her now and I’m not going to cheat on her. I grab Britt’s shoulders and push her back from me.

  “Why are you stopping? I know you want me and lord knows I need you.”

  “It’s not going to happen like this, now is not the time.”

  Beautiful, caramel eyes harden instantly and turn away as she stomps off the elevator. Well, as much stomping as she can do as she sways back and forth. My reputation in the courtroom is that I am magic with my words. I can smooth talk a jury and work a witness like no one else can, yet I keep screwing up with Brittany, the one person in the world who I want to talk to most.

  She never looks back as she heads straight for her bedroom and closes the door behind her. Maybe I should have invited her to my room. We’d definitely both be a lot more satisfied if I had.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Brittany

  The alarm on my phone bores into my consciousness, forcing me out of a hot dream starring Casey. Oh my god, did I really try to get in his bed last night? I knew better than to keep drinking glass after glass but I was wound so tight I was desperate to relax for a few minutes. How am I going to look him in the eye? Might as well get up and face it like a woman.

  With a groan I sit up on the side of the bed and my mood lightens immediately when I see Austin sleeping on his knees with his butt in the air. I swear that kid is too cute for his own good.

  “Wakey, wakey, bud, time to get up. Last day of school for the week then we can sleep in tomorrow.”

  “Ugh...can’t I stay home and play with Casey today?”

  “Sorry, he has to work, too. I’m sure you guys will have plenty of time to play this weekend. Now off to the shower, we need to get ready.”

  Once Austin is showered and dressed, I pour him some cereal and jump into the shower. The water works its magic on me and I feel better almost immediately. Not wasting any time, I wash up and get out, and immediately I hear Casey’s booming laugh. He certainly doesn’t sound any worse for wear. I didn’t watch but something tells me he didn’t meet me drink for drink last night. I grab the cheeriest outfit I have and head out, trying to avoid eye contact with Casey. Of course it doesn’t last long as he hands me a large hot tea.

  “Milk and two sugars, the way you like it.” Would he be bringing me a drink if he was mad? I raise hopeful eyes to his and see no trace of anger, maybe I dreamt I asked him to bed?

  “Thanks, I definitely need this.”

  He smiles warmly before turning back to Austin. “Okay, if you guys are ready, the chariot leaves in two minutes.”

  Austin puts on his backpack and holds Casey’s hand out the door. “Mom says we can play this weekend, what do you want to do?”

  “Let’s see how it goes. I think I’m going to have a bunch of meetings but I’m sure we can carve out some time.”

  The elevator takes us down quickly; Austin runs ahead to give the valet our ticket. “Do you think you can get your mom to watch him this weekend? I’m going to get the room at the restaurant again. I’m hoping we’ll hear from the families and we can set up interviews. Carter is getting a couple of cops that he trusts to be there to fill out the official police reports.”

  “This is really happening, isn’t it? Was it really a week ago that we were both in our own little worlds, oblivious to all of this.”

  “I know it sucks but I will always be grateful this happened. It led me back to you and I can never wish for anything different.”

  He holds my car door open on that last little bomb and smiles as I climb in with a shocked smile on my face.

  He slides in behind the wheel and pulls out on the road like he didn’t just turn my world upside down. I am seriously jealous of Monica, she gets to lay in bed with him every night and be the last person to kiss him before he falls asleep.

  “I can probably meet you for lunch if you want. Carter and I are just prepping for the interviews.”

  “Actually, my mom and grandmother asked if they could meet me.”

  “That sounds fun, then I’ll pick you up this afternoon.”

  I smile and go back to sipping my tea. I could definitely get used to this.

  We pull into the car line, Austin jumps out yelling he loves us and runs inside. A few minutes later we’re in front of my building.

  “Thanks for the ride, see you this afternoon.” Desperate to get away, I climb out quickly. I can’t keep fantasizing about another woman’s man, even if he was mine first.

  Like yesterday, Sharon is anxiously waiting for me to arrive and give her details about Casey. I blow her off again, how can I talk about him when I don’t even know what is going on between us? I really need to see where things go before sharing my deepest secrets with her.

  Eager for a mental break, I dive into work and don’t even realize lunch time has come. My mother’s laughter breaks my concentration. I’m not surprised to find her and my grandmother sitting at Sharon’s desk. I have no doubt she is trying to find out what they know without coming right out and asking. The woman is tenacious, I’ll give her that.

  “Hey, guys, sorry I wasn’t downstairs already. I got caught up in work and lost track of time.”

  “Not a problem, dear.” I kiss both on the cheek and stick my tongue out at Sharon as I lead them to the elevator.

  It’s a short walk to the same diner I ate at with Casey earlier in the week. As soon as we order, the subject I was hoping to avoid is brought up.

  “I’ve waited seventeen years to meet that boy, when are you going to introduce us? I used to love getting those pictures of you guys. Your junior prom picture was breathtaking. He was such a cutie pie and your mama tells me he is one fine piece of meat now.”

  “Et tu, Mom?”

  “What can I say, he has really grown up nicely. I may be old but I’m not dead. I can appreciate a fine ass when I see one.”

  “And that is exactly why I love you.”

  My grandmother's frail, wrinkled hand covers mine. “I’m sor
ry we kept those letters from you. Every year it broke my heart a little more when one would arrive. A part of me wished they would stop arriving so I would know he had moved on. I can’t tell you how many times I started a letter back to him to give him some peace but I knew that would make it worse.”

  “I was pretty pissed at first but I get it now. You both did what you thought was best and if you hadn't, I wouldn’t have Austin. We’re all exactly where we are supposed to be right now.”

  “Well, maybe not exactly where we’re supposed to be. I’m pretty sure you aren’t supposed to be on trial and I’m supposed to be on a beach somewhere getting lotion rubbed on my back by a twenty-year-old cabana boy.”

  “I can see you haven’t lost your spunk, Grandma.”

  She cackles hysterically till tears are running down her face. The food comes and we drop the deep conversation and talk about anything and everything but ourselves for an entire forty-five minutes.

  As soon as the bill is paid, I see Grandma reach down and pull a box out of her purse. It makes a thud as she puts it on the table then slides it in front of me. I know instantly what’s going to be inside and my hands shake at the idea of opening the lid. I desperately want to read every word he has written to me all these years but if I do that now, it will make it that much harder to let him go. I decide right then I won’t open them till he is back home in South Carolina and I can grieve for him in peace.

  “Thank you for keeping these safe for me.”