Last Goodbye

by Holly C. Webb

  “You shouldn’t have left today!” Will exclaimed, as he looked at Cassie with a look of sheer panic. “I can’t believe that the doctor even agreed to this… this stupid, hairbrained idea. You have to know that this is a mistake, Cassidy. You’re not well enough to go back to the beach, so why the hell would you want to go there?”

  “What is wrong with wanting to go back to the beach?” Cassie asked, giving her father a questioning look. “What is wrong with wanting to make some more memories?”

  “You can make memories when you’re better,” Will sighed, giving her a pleading look.

  “Dad,” Cassie said, giving him a sad smile. “I might not get better.”

  “You have to believe that you will,” Will said, his shoulders slumping as he walked further into the room.

  “I’m trying to,” Cassie smiled, but something in her eyes said she didn’t really believe she would. “But just in case, I need to do this. I know that this is hard for you to think about, but I need you to try to understand.”

  “I do,” Will said, with a sad smile as he walked across the room and kissed her on the forehead before he sat down on the bed. “It doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  “I know,” Cassie said, resting her head down on her father’s shoulder. “And I promise I will be back early on Sunday. Maybe you and I can do something together before I have to go back to the hospital.”

  “I’d like that, Sweetheart,” Will said, kissing the top of her head, before he turned to look at me. “I just need you to promise me that you will take care of her?”

  “I give you my word,” I replied, giving him a reassuring smile. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to her.”

  “Then you better get on the road soon,” Will said, standing up from the bed. “Before it gets too late. Just promise me you’ll call me when you arrive to let me know that you got there safely.”

  “We will,” Cassie said, standing up, giving her father a hug once more. “I promise.”

  “Then let’s get your bags down to the car,” Will said, picking up Cassie bag from the bed, before he walked out of the room.

  Cassie turned and looked at me, giving me a nervous smile.

  “I guess we should hit the road,” she said, reaching out her hand to me.

  “Let’s go,” I said, taking her hand, leading her out of the door.

  Chapter 21

  Cassie

  By the time we reached the beach house, I was almost ready to burst with excitement. As Evan pulled the car to a stop outside the front door, I looked up at the house, and thought it looked even more beautiful than I had remembered.

  I unfastened my seatbelt and pushed open the car door before Evan had even turned off the engine.

  “Cassie!” He called with a chuckle before he jumped out of the jeep. I turned back to face him, as he tossed the keys to the house over the car to me. “Go on inside, I’ll take our bags in.”

  “Thanks,” I said as I caught the keys, then gave him a big smile before I turned and hurried up the steps to the door. Turning the key, I stepped into the hallway of this beautiful house, and for just a few moments, I was able to forget the fact that I was sick, and in a few days’ time, my life was about to turn on its head once more.

  I walked into the living room and smiled when I saw the piano. I remembered the last time I was here, and Evan heard me playing. Then I remembered what had happened after I finished playing, and my cheeks flushed as a bubble of longing ignited inside me.

  My heart raced when I thought about getting to relive that moment again. I closed my eyes as images of our last time here in the house filled my mind. I wondered if he would make love to me again like he did before, or would he treat me like some fragile bird as he had for the last few weeks.

  I sighed to myself, hoping that it wouldn’t be the latter. I wanted normal, even if it was just for a couple of days.

  I just couldn’t let Evan know how tired I was actually feeling. I refused to let this stupid illness stand in my way, not this weekend. No matter how tired I got, I would not tell Evan.

  I quickly pushed those thoughts from my mind as I pulled the phone from my pocket and brought up my dad’s number.

  It had barely rung once, when he answered.

  “Are you okay?” He asked without even saying hello first.

  “Yes, Dad,” I laughed as I walked to the floor length window and stared out at the ocean where the sun was setting on the horizon; lighting up the sea as if it were on fire. “I’m fine. We just got here and as promised, I’m checking in.”

  “Are you sure you being there is a good idea?” He asked, and I could hear the worry in his voice.

  “I’m sure,” I said, smiling to myself. “Actually, I wish you were here. You should see this place, Dad. If there is a heaven, then I believe it would look exactly like this.”

  “Maybe when you’re on the mend,” he said, and I knew in his heart, he believed I was going to beat this cancer. “We could rent the house for a couple of weeks, and we could all go. We could bring Clare, Tim and the boys too. I think it would be kind of fun.”

  “I would love that, Daddy,” I said closing my eyes, as I made a silent wish that one day, we would get to do exactly that; that I would survive this disease and get to have a happy life again.

  “Me too, Sweetheart,” he whispered, and I knew he was upset. He coughed to clear his throat before he continued. “I’ll let you get on with your evening. Please call me first thing in the morning, just so I know that you’re okay.”

  “I will,” I assured him, part of me wishing now that I had stayed home with him. “I love you, Dad.”

  “Love you too, Cass,” he replied, before we said our goodbyes, and hung up the phone.

  Slipping the phone back into my pocket, I sighed as I looked out over the sea once more, wondering if I had done the right thing coming here.

  Suddenly, I could sense Evan behind me, and before I could turn to face him, he stepped closer to me, then pulled me into his arms.

  “Hey,” he whispered, as he softly kissed my ear. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” I replied, smiling once more. “Just worried about my dad. He sounded a little upset.”

  “Do you want to go back home?” He asked, sounding almost afraid of what my answer might be.

  “No,” I shook my head as I leaned back into his arms. “I want to stay right here with you.”

  “Good,” He whispered as he began to kiss my neck, he pressed his body to mine and I could feel his arousal press against my backside. “Because I have plans for you, that require a little privacy, and a lot less clothes.”

  I giggled as I turned to face him, but before I could say anything, Evan claimed my mouth with his. His kiss was deep and so full of passion.

  “God, Cassie,” he groaned against my mouth. “Do you know how crazy I am about you?”

  He kissed me again, then stopped and looked down into my eyes.

  “Do you know just how beautiful you are?” He continued as he brushed across my face with the tips of his fingers. “Or how much you amaze me every day by how brave and determined you are?”

  “I don’t feel brave,” I whispered honestly as I looked up into his eyes. “I’m scared, all the time. I have this dream of the future I want, and I’m so afraid that I’ll never be able to live that dream.”

  “You have to believe that you can,” Evan breathed against my lips.

  “I want to believe it,” I cried softly as tears trickled down my face. “But it’s hard. I’m not ready to die, when I have so much to live for. There is so much I still want to achieve.”

  “All you need to do is live one day at a time,” he breathed against my lips once more, before he kissed me tenderly. “Starting today.”

  Before I could reply, he scooped me up into his arms, then headed for the stairs, up to the bedroom.

  When we reached the bedroom, Evan set me down on the bed before he climbed over me. I held my breath for a moment, wait
ing for whatever would come next.

  Suddenly our mouths collided, as we began to strip, pulling at each other’s clothes with so much urgency, almost like our very lives depended on it.

  Pulling back from me Evan took in every inch of my body, as I held my breath.

  I longed for him to take me. I needed to feel the intimacy of his touch, but he seemed to want to take this slowly, which just made me long for him more.

  Suddenly he climbed up from the bed, and I almost cried out in frustration. He smiled to himself, and I knew he was enjoying the control he seemed to have over my body.

  He stood there for a moment, once more staring at my body as I lay there in just my panties. When Evan looked at me like this, I didn’t feel like the sick and pathetic creature I saw every time I looked in the mirror.

  Instead I felt beautiful, desirable even. This was what he did to me.

  Finally, he slid his boxer shorts down his legs and stepped out of them, before slowly walking back to the bed.

  Climbing over me once more, he reached for the rim of my lace panties and slid them down my legs. Instinctively I tilted my hips up off the bed to make it easier to remove them.

  Once he discarded my panties onto the floor, he allowed the tips of his fingers to glide up my body, starting at my ankles, then working his way upwards as he slowly crawled back over my body.

  Finally, he was face to face with me, as he balanced above me.

  “You’re breath-taking,” he whispered as he looked down into my eyes, before he slammed his mouth against mine. This time his kiss wasn’t tender. It was full of hunger and passion.

  Taking my hands, he raised them above my head and pinned me firmly to the bed. His mouth left mine as he worked his way down to my breasts.

  He teased my nipples with his tongue, before nipping and biting them gently. He then trailed his fingers tip down my body until they came to a stop between my legs. He looked into my eyes, as if asking for permission.

  I just smiled, giving him what he wanted.

  Slipping his hand further between my legs, he gently teased my soft folds before he found my clit and stroked it gently with his thumb.

  Instantly, it sent a wave of pleasure through my body as I arched my back off the bed in pure ecstasy.

  “Evan!” I cried out, longing for more; needing to find my release.

  He pressed his lips against the soft skin on my belly as he released my hands.

  “Do you know,” He breathed against my body as he pressed lips to my skin. “You smell divine. Almost good enough to eat.”

  He slipped a finger inside me, making me cry out, as I grabbed the bed clothes beneath me. I could feel Evan smile against my skin, and I knew he was enjoying how responsive I was to his touch. Slowly, he glided a second finger inside, making me grip the bedding tighter.

  He continued to stroke me deeply as he ran his tongue down my body until he was now between my legs. He removed his fingers and spread my legs further apart.

  I held my breath, as I nervously watched him as he pressed his mouth against my inner thigh. Then he licked me softly and slowly, letting his tongue run back up my thigh until he reached his goal.

  He flicked his eyes back up to me and he gave me a grin before he sucked my aching clit into his mouth, almost blowing my mind with desire.

  “OH GOD, EVAN!” I cried out, as my whole body began to quiver. I could feel my orgasm build quickly, before it exploded deep inside me, making me cry out in sheer and utter pleasure.

  My mind was in a complete fog. I had never had an orgasm like that before. I was completely lost in my own little world and barely even noticed Evan climbing back up my body.

  “Are you okay?” He asked, giving me a smile that almost stopped my heart.

  “I’ve never been better,” I gasped and couldn’t help but smile.

  “Well, I am not finished with you yet,” he laughed as he claimed my mouth once more. I could feel him against me, and I instinctively titled my hips up. I wanted him as much as he clearly wanted me.

  He met my hips with his as he slid his whole length inside me with one trust.

  I cried out as I closed my eyes and gripped his shoulders tighter, pulling him closer to me. We were so close, we were almost one person, and it felt completely amazing.

  “Jesus, Cass,” he groaned against my neck. “You feel so good.”

  He slammed into me again and I cried out once more. I clung to him tightly as he thrust into me over and over again, his pace was unforgiving and intense, but it was beyond amazing.

  I couldn’t believe my body was building again so quickly. I closed my eyes and pressed my face against his shoulder as he pushed into me deeper.

  “YES, EVAN, OH MY GOD, YES!” I cried out, surprising myself at how free I felt when I was with him. I held him tighter my body shaking as the orgasm tore through me once more.

  Evan slammed into me once more as he finally came, calling out incoherently before he collapsed exhausted on top of me, gasping for breath.

  Neither of us said a word for a few minutes. Instead, we both just lay there panting, desperately trying to catch our breaths.

  “Jesus,” Evan said finally, lifting his head and looking down into my face and smiling. “That was… you are… wow!”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at his words, breathing deeply, I leaned up and kissed him on the lips and smiled.

  “Are you ready to go again,” I whispered against his mouth.

  “Oh, hell yeah,” Evan growled before his mouth claimed mine once more.

  “You know,” Evan said from where he was sitting at the top of the bed, with his legs crossed, resting back against a mountain of pillows, as he scooped another spoonful of ice-cream into his mouth. “I don’t think this qualifies as a healthy meal.”

  “I won’t tell if you don’t,” I giggled and gave him a big smile. I was lying next to him on my back, with my feet against the wall. I was wearing just a pair of panties, and Evan’s t-shirt, but I felt comfortable and completely happy right at that moment. “Besides, I think I need the extra calories, because, well you’ve given me quite the workout this evening.”

  Evan laughed as he scooped another spoonful of ice-cream into his mouth.

  “That’s very true,” he said with a chuckle. “But tomorrow, you need to eat properly. So, I will go shopping in the morning, and buy something to make us the perfect dinner.”

  “We could both go,” I replied, but I already knew the answer to that suggestion.

  “That would be a no,” Evan said, picking up the lid from the nightstand next to his side of the bed. “You can wait here, where there are no kids with snotty noses, or people spreading their germs everywhere.”

  “Evan, you know I’m okay right now?” I asked with a sigh, knowing there was no point in even arguing the point with him.

  “And that’s the way I want you to stay,” he replied, leaning over and kissing me before he climbed up from the bed. “Are you finished with your ice-cream?”

  “Yep,” I replied, sucking my spoon clean before handing it to him, along with my tub of strawberry ice-cream. He gave me a smile as he took it from me, then headed for the door. “You know you don’t need to wrap me up in bubble wrap. I’m not going to break.”

  “Cassie, if I bring you back sick,” Evan said, stopping at the door to the bedroom, before turning back to look at me over his shoulder. “Your dad will have my balls on a spike. I will go do the shopping, and you will wait here, relaxing. Please don’t make this a thing.”

  “I won’t,” I said, resisting the urge I had to pout. Instead, I just gave him a smile before I lay back down on the bed.

  As I lay there waiting for Evan to come back, I tried not to overthink things like I always do, but suddenly a thought occurred to me. Evan had spent the last seven weeks with me. He was always so kind and generous; always buying me little gifts and treating me to so many things.

  But it never occurred to me, how did he pay for these things?
I knew he didn’t have a job, and I was pretty sure he hadn’t been working while he’d been away at college, so I had no clue how he could afford to pay for the things he had.

  “It’s almost midnight,” Evan said as he came back into the room, carrying with him two bottles of water. He handed one to me, then set his down on his nightstand. “We really should try to get some sleep.”

  He pulled back the bedding, and looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to move, and climb into bed too.

  “Hey,” I said as I crawled up the bed, then climbed underneath the covers. “I have a question.”

  “Shoot,” he said as he climbed into the bed too.

  “So, have you won the lottery or something,” I asked with a nervous laugh. “Because, I just realised, this place, the shopping, everything, it all costs money, and I have noticed that you don’t appear to be gainfully employed.”

  “How very observant of you,” Evan laughed, but I knew from the way he laughed, he wasn’t comfortable with where this conversation was going.

  “So,” I said turning to face him in the bed. “I’ve got to ask, how are you paying for all of this?”

  “Does it matter?” Evan asked, giving me pleading look. “All that matters is, I am here with you, where I want to be.”

  “Okay,” I replied, with a nervous laugh. “I was curious, but now I am kind of worried. Tell me you’ve not gotten yourself into debt because of me, Evan. Because if you have, that’s just stupid…”

  “I haven’t,” he assured me. “I promise. I don’t owe anybody anything.”

  “Then why won’t you tell me?” I asked, surprised by how secret he suddenly seemed.

  “Because it doesn’t matter,” Evan sighed, looking me in the eye, and I could see he was hoping I would just let it go.

  “But it does,” I sighed, having no clue why he wouldn’t just answer the question. “Why won’t you tell me?”

  “Does it really matter that much to you?” He asked, giving me a questioning look.

  “Well, I thought you could tell me anything,” I said, turning back around in the bed, before sinking down beneath the covers again. “But if you don’t want to tell me…”