23: My plan

Beckie POV

I prepared a bowl of chocolate cream with milk for my friend and brought it to her in her room. It was my way of apologizing for being so harsh with her earlier when I brought up Joshua.

I really didn’t mean to fight with her, but finding out she was falling for Joshua Carter caught me off guard.

I carried the fondue to her room, knocking lightly on the door before entering. My friend was lying on the bed, hugging her pillow, with a goofy smile on her face as she typed on her phone, clearly texting someone.

And, given what I’d just figured out, along with that lovesick smile of hers while she used her phone, it wasn’t hard to conclude that the person she was messaging was none other than Joshua.

I sighed as I entered the room. As soon as she noticed me, her smile faded, and she sat up on the bed, turning off her phone.

“What do you want?” she asked, a bit hesitant, with the expression of someone caught doing something they shouldn’t.

“I brought you your chocolate cream with milk.” I pointed to the bowl in my hands. “Who are you talking to?” I asked, stepping closer.

“No one! I’m not talking to anyone important,” she lied blatantly. I’d known this girl long enough to tell when she was lying.

I handed her the bowl, which she took, placing it on her lap, grabbing the spoon, and starting to eat the cream. “I’m not saying anything, okay,” I scolded her with a look for lying to me.

She got defensive. “God, fine! Don’t you have a home? Why are you here so late?” She gave me a disgusted look.

I laughed at that. Cassie was always begging me to sleep over, and now she wanted privacy? Privacy to be alone texting that old guy? And she still said she was smarter than me.

I raised my hands in surrender. “Alright, calm down. I just came to apologize for yelling at you, that’s all,” I said.

She still stared at me, her big almond-shaped eyes looking down at me, with a slight pout on her pink lips, as if she were about to cry.

“I’ll forgive you if you leave,” she said.

“Relax, I’m going.” I leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the forehead. “Take care not to get yourself into trouble,” I warned.

She stuck her tongue out at me and went back to eating the creamy dessert.

I grabbed my bag and left after giving Kittie a quick pet.

While I was in the taxi on my way home, I couldn’t stop thinking about my friend. I was so scared she’d get hurt. Cassie could act tough, but I knew her well enough to know how fragile she really was.

This guy, Josh, could play with her heart and hurt her. I knew his type, and he wasn’t someone to trust. The path my friend was on wasn’t safe—she’d definitely get hurt. So, when I got home, I grabbed my phone and called someone.

The person answered after two rings. “Hello, Beckie?” Joe Wilson sounded surprised by my sudden call. “Everything okay?”

“Um, yeah. I’m good, you?” I replied, sitting on my couch in my apartment.

“I’m good too, just surprised you’re calling.” There was indeed a hint of surprise in his voice.

I laughed to lighten the mood. “Oh, I wanted to ask you something. It’s about my friend Cassie. You like her, right?” I asked, being direct. He laughed, a bit nervous.

“Do I like her? Yeah, I do. A lot,” he answered. “But why the question? Why are you asking me this?”

“So, if you like her, why don’t you ask her out?” I countered with another question.

He laughed too, to ease the tension. “Looks like I’m in an interrogation without warning,” he joked, good-humoredly.

“What if I told you Cassie herself asked me to ask you these questions?” I started. This could be risky—I might be throwing my friend under the bus—but I thought this was a better option for her.

“Well, I’d say you’re lying,” he replied. “Ever since we hooked up in the college bathroom, Cassie hasn’t talked to me. She even blocked me and avoids me. I don’t even know why.” He reminded me of what Cassie had said about him—that Joe had spread it around that he’d slept with her in the college bathroom. Honestly, I understood my friend’s reaction.

“Really? Wow, that’s rough!” I tried to sound enthusiastic, though I was actually in a terrible mood. I couldn’t understand why the hell Cassie was into that guy.

She was only twenty—she should be falling for guys her own age, like Joe, for example, or even that jerk Mark, though those two weren’t exactly great either. But they were way better than that crazy old Joshua Carter. She definitely shouldn’t be chasing a guy literally old enough to be her father. But it seemed like she didn’t see that.

She was the one who always pulled my ear to focus on my life, yet here she was, getting herself into this mess. Didn’t she realize Joshua wouldn’t keep up with her? He’d only use her for sex, interested only in her body to fuck, and when he got tired, he’d toss her aside.

I was also getting into this mistress business, but at least I’d be making money. Cassie, on the other hand, would end up with a broken heart and a trauma she’d probably carry for life. But I wasn’t going to let that happen. I was here to protect and take care of her, just like she’d taken care of me so many times.

“Yeah, it would’ve been great if your friend would talk to me again. I really like her,” Joe said, sighing deeply.

“So? You giving up already?”

“Well, I can’t do anything if she doesn’t want me.”

“Look, Cassie’s been busy all weekend with Civil Law stuff she’s studying for upcoming exams. She hasn’t even had time to eat. If I hadn’t been there, the girl would’ve starved,” I lied. I had to make up this story, when in reality, Cassie spent the whole weekend with that guy. “You shouldn’t give up on her. My friend’s interested in you, I can confirm that.” I tried to convince him.

“Really? Then why’s she avoiding me?”

“Because girls like to play hard to get, and Cassie’s the worst of them,” I said, knowing guys loved reducing women to clichés.

“No way? Holy shit,” he laughed.

“For real. Trust me. You just have to read between the lines.”

“Got it, got it! Thanks, Becks. You’re an angel!” Joe already sounded excited just from what I’d said.

I smiled—he was hooked. It was clear he wouldn’t give up on Cassie. That was exactly what I wanted.