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Chapter 34: Cassidy
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STay Chapter 35: Cassidy
##Chapter 35: CassidyBook One: StayMy attention locks on Cole who I didn't realize was standing behind Austin. "You guys showed up here because someone texted a picture of Brooklyn?""It wasn't just of Brooklyn," he says.Austin scrolls to the next picture. It's one of me and the guy I'd been dancing with. My profile is clear in the shot, but his isn't. It's a little shocking to realize that someone snapped a picture of us and sent it to Austin. A pit grows at the bottom of my belly as I glance from Austin's phone to Cole. He doesn't look upset, but he doesn't look happy either."We were just dancing." Cole and I are in such a good place. I don't want to do anything to ruin that.He searches my gaze for a silent moment before his expression lightens. "Okay."Air rushes from my lungs in relief that he's dropped the subject so easily."Where's Brooklyn?" The question is clipped out as Austin scans the sea of revelers.I nibble at my lower lip. My fear is that she's still with that guy.
STay Chapter 36: Cassidy
##Chapter 36: CassidyBook One: Stay"It's been two weeks since I last saw you, tell me how everything is going." Dr. Thompson skims over her notes before her gaze settles on mine.I draw in a steady breath and silently marvel at my answer. "It's been good." My mind tumbles over the past couple of weeks before reiterating, "It's actually been really good."When was the last time I could say that?It feels like forever.Six months ago, I'd been teetering on the brink of depression and feeling anxious most of the time.Her lips lift into a smile. "And school? That's going well?""I've still got straight A's. I'm going to talk to a couple of my professors about changing my courses for next semester. I need something more challenging. What I'm enjoying most is my Psych class. The subject matter is so interesting." I pause before admitting the path I've been considering. "I'm thinking about changing my major to Psychology, and maybe going into counseling."A thoughtful expression crosses he
STay Chapter 37: Cassidy
##Chapter 37: CassidyBook One: Stay"I've never been here before." My fingers fidget with my skirt before smoothing the fabric out. The only thing I can focus on is that by the end of the evening, Cole will know all of my secrets.As the hostess seats us in the dining room, her gaze continuously strays to Cole. It's almost comical how oblivious he is to her lingering looks. A grin springs to my lips as she returns to the front of the restaurant."What?" A smile curves his lips upward as his golden-hued eyes lock on mine. Cole has such a direct, unflinching stare. Sometimes I wonder if he can see straight down to my soul."Nothing." Glancing away from him, I look around the cute Italian restaurant Cole chose for us. "This place is really nice."There are crisp white cloths covering each table and the lighting is dim. Even though the atmosphere is intimate, I notice other students dining here as well. It seems like a strangely popular place for being so far from campus. My guess is that
STay Chapter 38: Cassidy
##Chapter 38: CassidyBook One: Stay"Cass, tell me what's wrong."Brooklyn strokes my back as I lie curled up in the middle of my bed. Once I returned to my room, the tears started flowing and refused to stop."I can't help you if you won't talk to me," she says.Luke Wellington is here at Western.That thought plays on a constant loop inside my head.He should be at Dartmouth. What happened should be a distant memory. But that's clearly not the case, because he's here. If the look in his eyes is any indication, he remembers everything."Did you and Cole have a fight?" Her voice dips, becoming low. "Did you break up?"I shake my head, unable to get the words out.I had come to Western to forget about the mistakes I've made. I didn't want to be that girl. And now there was someone here who could breathe life into the rumors all over again."Just tell me what's wrong and we'll work it out, I promise." She squeezes one shoulder. "You know that I'm here for you and I'll help any way I can
STay Chapter 39: Cassidy
##Chapter 39: CassidyBook One: StayNerves prickle at the bottom of my belly as I stand on the front porch and knock on the door. A few seconds tick by before it swings open and Alex stares down at me."Hi." It takes effort to force out the question. "Is Cole here?""Hey." lex jerks his head toward the second floor. "He's up in his room. Go on up."With that, he swings around and leaves me standing on the porch before walking into the living room where a bunch of guys from the hockey team are sitting around playing video games.Avoiding eye contact, I slip past them before racing up the stairs and taking them two at a time. I need to get this over with before I chicken out.Or Luke suddenly decides to tell him first.I suck in a breath, trying to settle everything inside me before wrapping my knuckles against the thick wood. When his muffled voice greets me from the other side, I push it open and find Cole at his desk, bent over a textbook. He does a double take before rising to his
STay Chapter 40: Cassidy
##Chapter 40: CassidyBook One: Stay"Hey, Cassidy, wait up."Not recognizing the voice, I turn at the sound of my name. My muscles freeze as I catch sight of Luke trotting toward me. Unable to move, I hitch the brown leather bag higher onto my shoulder as if clutching it for dear life.When he reaches my side, he flashes a bright smile as if we're lifelong friends."Hey." Even though it's difficult, I force my stiff lips into something that hopefully resembles a smile as my heart jackhammers a painful staccato beneath my breast."I've been looking all over for you."Why?My mouth turns cottony, making it impossible to swallow. What could we possibly have to say to one another?Nothing good. Certainly nothing I want to discuss. Especially with him."Are you headed this way." He nods in the direction I've been walking.It's tempting to shake my head and take off down another path. I don't want to spend another moment in his company. Already my chest is tightening.I open my mouth to lie
STay Chapter 41: Cassidy
##Chapter 41: CassidyBook One: StayWill it now seem like I'm trying to hide our nonexistent relationship from Cole?My teeth sink into my lower lip as I lean closer to the table. "Want to hear something weird?"One of her perfectly manicured brows slinks upward. "If it has anything to do with Luke, I don't think so. The situation is already bad enough." When I remain silent, she gestures with her hand to continue. "All right, lay it on me.""Luke caught up with me when I was walking to Econ earlier this afternoon." I'm still unsure what to think about the encounter. It had been so uncomfortable and stilted.Her brows nearly hit the ceiling as she shoves a forkful of salad into her mouth. Her expression turns contemplative. "You want my honest opinion?" Before I can say anything, she blurts, "I think he has a thing for you."Not that I want to feed into her speculations, but I need to tell her everything. "He asked me to grab coffee with him so we could talk."She holds her fork midai
STay Chapter 42: Cassidy
##Chapter 42: CassidyBook One: StayIt feels amazing to fly down the ice with the puck before snapping it into the net with a flick of my wrist. When I'm out here, I can shut off everything in my head, and lose myself in the physical exertion."You suck, Cassidy!" Our goalie shakes her head, irritated that I was able to slip another puck past her. I grin around my neon-pink mouth guard before skating to center ice. Sammy glides over before slapping me on the shoulder. I wince from the impact of it. The girl doesn't know her own strength."Nice goal. The team really seems to be shaping up. I think we're going to have an awesome season this year. I'm glad you decided to join us."That makes two of us. Playing with this group of girls has quickly become everything to me. I never thought I'd enjoy hockey again. I wasn't even sure if I'd skate. And I owe it to Cole. He figured it out and found a way to give it to me.I huff out a tired breath as both of us glide to center ice for another
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