Deep End

by Michelle Iannarelli

  “Jess said that about you.”

  “I knew I liked her.” Grady laughed. “Can we have dinner tonight?”

  “Oh Grady, I don’t know…”

  “I’ll be at Malone’s at eight.”

  “Grady…”

  “I hope I see you there.”

  “Safe trip home.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We’re going to Malone’s tonight?”

  Grady looked over at Weston. “Eavesdropping?”

  “I wanted to make sure you were awake. Team brunch is in twenty minutes.”

  “Shit!” Grady stood up.

  “So, who were you talking to?”

  “Doc.”

  “You finally caved and called her?”

  “No, she called me last night to congratulate me on my win.”

  “And you waited until this morning to call her back?”

  “I didn’t find her message until this morning.”

  “I think that’s great that Doc Scott agreed to meet you.”

  “She didn’t exactly agree to meet me but I’m hoping she does.”

  “Why don’t I come and hang with you and when she shows up, I’ll get lost.”

  “What if she doesn’t show up?”

  “Her loss then. I’ll find us two hot babes and we will have our own party.”

  “Thanks, West.”

  “Cass, you need to calm down.”

  Cassidy paced back and forth between her bed and the closet. “What am I going to do?”

  Jess picked up a black dress and handed it to Cassidy. “Put this on and then go meet Grady.”

  Cassidy looked down at the dress. “It’s too revealing.”

  “Too revealing! Are you telling me that you kept your clothes on during sex?”

  “No, but he couldn’t see me.” Cassidy dropped down onto the bed. “I can’t go.”

  “Cass, you have to go! You can’t just leave him sitting there all night.”

  “Jess, I thought I might be ready but I’m not.”

  Jess grabbed Cassidy’s hand. “You are ready. Now go change and I don’t care if you wear that dress or a potato sack but you’re going.”

  “But…”

  Jess gave Cassidy an evil stare. “GO!”

  “I’m going.” Cassidy picked up a more conservative dress and headed to the bathroom.

  Grady stood in the parking lot wondering if Cassidy was already inside or if she was even going to come.

  “What are you doing?” Weston patted Grady on the shoulder.

  “I think I just realized that I’m a nervous wreck.”

  “A little secret here…you’ve already done the deed with her so what’s to be nervous about? You know she likes you.”

  “I think she does.”

  “Grady, trust me she does.”

  “Do I look ok?”

  “Yes, Sir, and you smell good too.” Weston winked and jumped back before Grady punched him.

  “You’re a dick!”

  “Last one inside buys first round.” Weston took off.

  “Cass, we’ve been standing here for five minutes. Are you waiting for him to come out and drag you inside?”

  “I know that what you said about him having feelings for me is true but what if he can’t see past my…”

  Jess grabbed Cassidy by her shoulders. “He will. I promise. Now let’s go.”

  Cassidy took a deep breath, pulled open the door and stepped inside. She immediately spotted Grady at the bar even though his back was toward her. “There he is.”

  “Oh, and he brought his hot friend with him.”

  “You have the hots for Weston?”

  “Who wouldn’t, just look at those arms. His shirt looks like it is going to explode.”

  Cassidy giggled. “I guess I’ve been too busy staring at Grady to even notice.”

  “I called first dibs so don’t get any ideas.” Jess laughed.

  “I guess it’s time to do this.” Cassidy walked toward the bar.

  Grady drank his vodka while Weston chugged down a beer. “She’s not coming.”

  “It’s only eight ten.”

  “I’ve never felt like this before, West.”

  “But it’s a good feeling isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, but kind of scary.”

  “Oh, God, speaking of scary.”

  “GRADY!”

  Grady didn’t even have to turn around to know it was Rylan.

  “Rylan, why don’t you get lost.”

  “Shut up, Westyboy.”

  Grady looked over at Rylan. “Hey.”

  “How about a drink for old time’s sake?”

  “I see you haven’t changed any.”

  “Thank you.”

  “It wasn’t a compliment.”

  “I miss you.” Rylan placed her hand onto Grady’s cheek.

  “Funny but I haven’t missed you.”

  “Not even this?” Rylan attacked Grady with her mouth.

  Cassidy was standing behind Grady about to say hello when Rylan showed up. “I need to get out of here.”

  Jess grabbed her arm. “Give them a minute and see what happens.”

  Cassidy watched as Rylan touched Grady’s face and then kissed him. “Oh God.” Her world turned upside down and tears ran down her face. She turned toward the door and there was a crowd of people coming in, so she ran to the bathroom instead.

  Grady pried Rylan away from him and stood up. “Are you kidding me!”

  Rylan smiled. “It was worth a try.”

  “You’re a…” Grady stopped mid-sentence and turned around. “Doc.”

  Weston looked but didn’t see Cassidy. Jess smiled at him. “Rylan, come with me.” Weston grabbed her by the elbow.

  Rylan tried to pull away. “Let go of me you jerk!”

  “If you come quietly, I’ll buy you a drink.”

  “Fine.” Rylan sauntered off with Weston.

  Grady inhaled. He knew he smelled Cassidy’s perfume. He looked again and this time he saw Jess. “Where is she?”

  “Grady, it took a lot for her to come here and then she walks in on you kissing your ex. What’s that all about?”

  “I didn’t know that Rylan was going to be here, and I certainly didn’t expect her to kiss me.”

  “Do you have any feelings for Rylan and don’t lie to me?”

  “NO! None. I swear.”

  “I believe you.” Jess smiled.

  “I smelled peaches and immediately knew she was here.” Grady smiled. “I’m guessing she took off when Rylan kissed me?”

  “She did but you’re in luck because I know where she went.” Jess pointed to the bathroom.

  Grady grabbed her and hugged her. “Wish me luck.” Grady ran toward the bathroom.

  Jess mumbled. “You’re going to need it.” Then she sat down at the bar in hopes that Weston would soon return.

  Cassidy finally calmed herself down enough to come out of the bathroom stall. She made her way to the sink, splashed some water onto her face and looked in the mirror to assess the damage to her make up.

  Grady’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Cassidy. “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

  Cassidy’s eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw Grady staring at her in the mirror. She looked down. “Leave me alone. Go back to kissing your ex.”

  “Doc…”

  “Was this some cruel joke inviting me here?”

  Grady stepped closer. He felt sick that Cassidy had been hurt. “No, I swear I had no idea that she was going to be here. She kissed me and I did not reciprocate. I don’t love her…hell, I don’t even like her.” Grady placed his hands onto Cassidy’s arms. “I like you, Doc. It’s you that I want in my life.”

  Cassidy wiped her eyes. “Grady…”

  “Please, Doc, give me a chance.”

  Cassidy pulled away. She never looked up at Grady. “I care about you too but…”

  Once Grady heard Cassidy say that she cared about h
im he placed his hands onto her cheeks, leaned down, and kissed her. When the kiss ended Grady looked down into Cassidy’s eyes. “It feels like forever since I’ve kissed those lips.”

  Cassidy blinked a few times. Part of her was still in shock that she was back in Grady’s arms. “I’ve missed you.” She raised her hand up and placed it onto Grady’s to move his hand away from her cheek. “I need you to look at me and…”

  “Doc, I have looked at you.”

  “But I don’t look like…”

  Grady placed his finger over Cassidy’s lips. “You are a beautiful woman whom I find very attractive. Now don’t ever think otherwise!”

  “All your ex-girlfriends look like models.”

  “To me you are the most beautiful. Doc, I’ve never had feelings for them like I do for you.”

  Cassidy moved her hand away from her cheek. For the first time since it had been slashed, she didn’t feel like she needed to hide her scar. She smiled.

  “OH MY GOD! IT’S GRADY O’MALLEY!”

  Grady grabbed Cassidy’s hand and with the other gave a quick wave to his fan. “Hello!’

  “I love you, Grady, I’m a huge fan.” The woman smiled and then looked over at Cassidy. “You’re a lucky woman.”

  Cassidy smiled back.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you. We need to get back to our friends at the bar.” Grady nodded as he walked out holding Cassidy’s hand.

  Cassidy giggled. “Oh, my goodness.”

  “That was a bit awkward.”

  “We should go to the bar before she comes out.”

  “Smart thinking.”

  “So, do you think he’ll win her over?”

  Jess looked over at Weston. “If he says all the right things.”

  Weston extended his hand. “Weston Mills. Can I buy you a drink?”

  “Jesslyn Williams.” Jess shook his hand. “My friends call me Jess and I’d love another beer.”

  Weston raised his hand up to get the bartender’s attention and then motioned to himself and Jess. “Can I get a couple of beers for my friend and I, thanks.”

  “Cassidy was really upset when she saw Grady kissing his ex.”

  “He didn’t know that she was going to be here and I’m certain he had no plans to kiss that nasty bitch.”

  “Nasty bitch? But…”

  “I only bribed her with a drink to get her away. I can’t stand her.”

  Jess laughed. “What a good friend.”

  “Grady and I have been through a lot. He deserves the best.” Weston smiled and patted himself on the back.

  Jess laughed. “A comedian, you are.”

  “Sometimes, but seriously, he deserves someone like Doc Scott.”

  “She could use a good man in her life.”

  The bartender placed down the beers. Weston handed one to Jess and then grabbed the other. “To Grady and Doc Scott.”

  Jess knocked her bottle neck against Weston’s. “To our besties.”

  Grady walked Cassidy past the bar and out the door. “We’re leaving?”

  “I thought that maybe we could go someplace quiet and talk.”

  Cassidy smiled. “Just talk?”

  “What are you saying?” Grady grinned.

  “I’ve been alone with you before and you were never a big talker.”

  Grady leaned down and kissed Cassidy. “I prefer to put my mouth to better use most of the time.” Grady winked.

  Cassidy was feeling flushed. “Uh, ok.”

  “I’ll text West and let him know I’m leaving.”

  “I’ll see if Jess can give him a ride home.”

  Grady took Cassidy’s hand, walked her over to his truck and opened the door. “Do you need help climbing in?”

  “I’m ok.” Cassidy climbed in and Grady closed her door.

  Grady woke up with Cassidy in his arms. He looked down at her and smiled.

  Cassidy smiled back. “Good morning.”

  “You have no idea what it’s like to not only have you here in my arms but to wake up, look down and see you smiling at me.”

  “I never lost my sight, but I can say that I feel the same way about waking up in your big, strong arms.”

  “I can’t believe we fell asleep talking.”

  “It could have been the bottle of wine we had.” Cassidy giggled.

  “There was one question I didn’t ask you last night.”

  Cassidy sat up. “My favorite color and cereal weren’t the only questions you had.” She laughed.

  “Why didn’t you want to see me after I got my sight back? Were you still angry with me?”

  “No. In fact, I don’t know if I ever really was angry. I was scared.”

  “And now?”

  “Still scared but Jess helped me to realize that I deserve to be happy.”

  “And I make you happy?” Grady pulled Cassidy close.

  “You do.”

  “Then why are you still scared?”

  “I’ve shut everyone but Jess out for so long. My past is ugly, and I guess it’s just so hard for me to let people back in.”

  “I can understand that especially after the crash. I shut down. Even though I got my sight back I will never forget what happened to me.”

  “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “You didn’t. It’s a part of my past that I’m going to try and leave there and only visit when necessary.”

  Cassidy held her cheek. “I tried to pretend that I was ok but instead I pushed everyone away, except Jess who wouldn’t give in. She saved me.”

  “Maybe I should buy her a car or something to thank her.” Grady smiled.

  “Seeing as I have not heard from her this morning, I bet that Weston already has.”

  Grady laughed. “Really?”

  “Oh, please, she was in lust once she saw him sitting at the bar last night.”

  “Bet you’re right because I haven’t heard from him either now that you’ve mentioned it.”

  “Why don’t I go and make us some breakfast?”

  “I could take you out for breakfast if you’d rather?”

  “I don’t mind.” Cassidy got up.

  Grady grabbed her hand. “Maybe after breakfast I could give you that swim lesson.” Grady winked.

  “Darn, I don’t have a swimsuit.” Cassidy pulled her hand away and darted to the kitchen.

  Jess rolled over. “I guess swimmers really do know how to dive.”

  “Not all swimmers do but lucky for you I take my diving very seriously.” Weston laughed as he crawled up the bed.

  “I feel lucky and a bit sore.” Jess giggled.

  “I wonder how our friends are doing on this fine morning.”

  “Oh my God I forgot all about Cassidy.”

  “I’m sure things worked out with Grady or they both would have been calling us.”

  “Oh no, if they haven’t called us and we assume they are together then do you think that they figured out that we’re together?”

  “I don’t know but what difference does it make?”

  “They’d know that we spent the night together.”

  “Again, why does it matter?”

  “We just officially met last night.” Jess covered her face.

  Weston pulled her hands from her face. “Hey, we are two consenting adults, I don’t have a girlfriend and…” Weston stopped talking when Jess looked down.

  “We’re not serious.”

  “YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND?”

  Jess got up. “I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know?”

  “We went on a few dates.”

  “Did they end with you in his bed?”

  “Yes.” Jess picked up her clothes and started to get dressed. “I’m sorry.”

  “You should save your apology for your boyfriend.”

  “Weston, I didn’t plan on any of this, it just happened.”

  “Were you going to mention you had a boyfriend or were you going to say you’d call and then never call?”r />
  “It’s not like that. I had a really good time with you last night and then an even better time once we came back here.”

  “I’ve been cheated on and I refuse to be the other man.”

  “I’m not asking you to.”

  “Fine, then as long as we agree. Goodbye, Jess, let yourself out once you’re dressed.” Weston walked into the bathroom and slammed the door.

  Cassidy was scrambling eggs when two big arms wrapped around her waist. “I hope your cooking skills have improved.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with my cooking, I’ve never killed anyone.” Cassidy giggled.

  Grady closed his eyes and inhaled Cassidy’s scent. “I love the way you smell.” Grady could feel her tense up. “Are you alright?”

  Cassidy couldn’t tell him that the word love gave her an instant panic until she heard the rest of the sentence. “I’m just concentrating on not setting the house ablaze.”

  Grady sensed it was more but didn’t want to push. “Ok. How about I make the toast?”

  “Perfect.” Cassidy smiled at Grady.

  Jess walked in circles waiting for her phone to ring. She knew it would only be a matter of time before Weston told Grady what happened between them. She grabbed a cup of coffee and then sat down with her phone. The waiting was getting to her, so she decided to call Cassidy and get it over with.

  “So, how did it go with Weston last night?”

  “You first. Did you work things out with Grady?”

  “We’re friends.”

  “Friends?”

  “Yeah. We came back to his house to talk and fell asleep.”

  “No sex?”

  “Jess, just because I came back to his house doesn’t mean that I was planning to have sex with him.”

  “I guess, but you want to, right?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Cass!”

  “Your turn. Did you go home with Weston?”

  “Cass, I hope you don’t hate me…”

  “What happened?”

  “We went back to his place and oh my God he does this thing…”