Melissa had finally dragged my sorry story out of me, late one night when the three of us were hanging out at their apartment. Cassie had kept her promise and hadn’t told her best friend, so it was up to me to fill Melissa in. Damn, it seemed like such a good idea at the time.
Melissa took a quick breath and then delivered her final assessment. “You’re both so screwed up alone that together you’re like the perfect mess.”
The table fell briefly silent as her rant sank in. I thought about protesting, but wasn’t sure she was all that wrong.
“That’s an attractive analogy. Thanks for saying I’m screwed up.” Cassie’s voice was sharp, her feelings clearly hurt.
I shot Melissa a murderous glare before reaching for Cassie’s chin and turning her face to mine. “I’ll be the perfect mess with you anytime.”
Cassie quickly swiped under her eye and leaned her head against my shoulder. She released a deep sigh. “Melissa just doesn’t know anything about having messed-up parents. Hers are perfect. She can’t relate.”
“Hey! It’s not my fault I won the parent lottery.” Melissa eyed Cassie. “Plus, we both know I’m not strong enough to deal with the shit you’ve dealt with. I would’ve had a nervous breakdown by now. I could never handle everything your dad’s put you through.”
Cassie’s body shook lightly against mine as she released a slight laugh, causing the tension in my chest and back to release. I realized in that moment that her feelings affected my own. I’d never let anyone hurt her as long as I was around. And if they did, I’d sure as hell make them pay for it.
“I don’t know if it’s because I’m strong or because I’ve gotten really good at turning off my emotions,” Cassie commented, her voice soft.
“It’s definitely both.” Melissa turned to me. “And Jack, I’ve never seen anyone completely shut off the way this one can.” Her head tilted toward Cass. “If you push her too far, she’ll flick off like a light switch. It’s scary.”
“Really? That’s impressive,” I teased as my fingers caressed her side.
“You won’t feel that way if she does it to you. Trust me.” Melissa’s face was the scary kind of serious.
“Well, I hope I never have to see it.”
“If I didn’t compartmentalize, I’d never be able to function! It’s the only way I can survive without being a total basket case.” Cassie’s face was serious as she defended herself.
“I get it, Kitten. Still impressive.” I smiled as she looked up at me.
“So when do you leave for Texas?” Dean’s question changed the subject and broke the tension. Thank God for little brothers, especially those who can talk around a mouthful of cheeseburger.
“We fly out Thursday morning. Why?”
“Just wondering.”
Cassie sat upright and turned to face me. “What do you do when you’re there? Like how does it work? Do you practice? Do parents go?”
Cassie always had a million questions about everything, but it turned me on. She was so damn inquisitive and smart. “Well, we typically fly in the day before our games start. We check in at the hotel. We’ll have practice and work out and have dinner as a team. Some parents go, but not many.”
“Does everyone get their own room?” she asked, her voice half impressed, half shocked.
“No.” I let out a laugh. “We share rooms.”
“Do you have like bed checks and stuff?”
I nodded and noticed Melissa’s elbows planted firmly on the table, her ears taking in every word. “We do. Usually Coach comes by and makes sure everyone’s in their rooms by ten.”
Her face softened. “Any other rules?”
I felt my mouth form a half smile. “No girls and no drinking,” I said with a chuckle.
She shoved against my shoulder. “I’m sure those rules never get broken, huh?”
“Nope. We’re all complete angels when we’re on the road.” My gaze darted between Melissa and Cassie, then fell on Dean, silently daring him to contradict me.
Dean let out a hearty laugh. “Angels, my ass.”
“No, wait wait wait!” Cassie’s voice broke through the chorus of laughter. “Do you guys sneak girls in your rooms? Like random strangers?”
I felt her eyes pierce mine. She wanted the truth and I didn’t want to lie to her. “Yeah.”
She rolled her eyes at my one-word response.
“Kitten. The eyes.”
“You’re such a pig.” She shook her head with disgust.
“This isn’t news! But I’m a changed man, Kitten. I swear it.” I took her chin in my fingers and pleaded, wanting her to believe me.
“We’ll see about that.” She stared back at me, her smirk evidence of her disbelief.
“Care to make a wager?” I offered, dying to loosen up the tense atmosphere.
Her face crinkled at my suggestion. “Please, tell me you don’t need a bet to stay faithful. I swear to God, Jack.”
I felt her body tighten as she angled away from me. With one humorous comment, I’d changed her body language completely. It was as though I could feel her replacing the bricks around her heart that I’d already knocked down. One by one, she cemented them back into place where she felt they belonged.
This away series was going to be the first real test in our relationship. She wasn’t sure she could trust me. I didn’t blame her though, but I was damn sure going to prove her wrong.
SEVEN