Had it only been 2 days? It felt like so much longer. How did this happen? This was his house, how could he not know she was coming? Fuck, he wasn't used to having her this close and with so little people to act as a buffer... He was close to losing it and it she had been there for less than an hour.
Two days ago she showed up to a party, crying about something. Since then, she had been glued to his best friend's side, even starying in the spare room at his house. His best friend was to blame for, because he was sure Sean hadn't mentioned coming with her in any of the 20 messages they had exchanged about food and drinks and music for that night.
Jeez... why was he so upset? It wasn't the first time he was in the same room as her, it wasn't going to be the last either. Even thought he knew Sean was his best friend, he was like a brother to Cassie. They met while doing an admissions test course. It had been 4 years since then, which is when he became his friend as well, when they started sharing classes in school. Sean was very vocal about his annoyance when they didn't spend as much time together because of her douche of a boyfriend, but he always forgave her. He had asked Sean if he liked Cassie as something more than a friend and he gagged at the thought, dismissing him asking. When anyone else asked him, he just told the story about him missing his sister (who was living with her husband abroad) and having to adopt the stray girl that couldn't stop talking to him during the admissions course.
Like he always did, he had his arm around her waist and was playing with a loose thread from her black lace top. Wait... what? He had to stop looking before someone noticed.
She became another member of the group but everyone paid attention to her. Not only was she the only girl there but, with the help of Sean, she was also the first person to ever win a card game against him. They didn't have any money so the bet was, whoever lost had to give the winner a piece of worn clothing. He could've given her something else, after all they were in his house, but he saw the look she gave him during the game, she wanted the hoodie he was wearing then and there.
Or could she be looking at him? Really looking... Nah, what was his deal?! He had to stop thinking she had any interest in him. She had a boyfriend for fuck's sake! Rolling his eyes to himself he went to the kitchen, where they kept the beer and food.
He got a whiff of her perfume and got his head out of the fridge. There she was. Looking at him and smiling. Smiling at him, maybe?
- hi - she said shyly
- hi, want anything?
- umm... Sean said he brought a bottle of whiskey for me but he had you hide it so everyone else had the beer you bought for the group. I didn't want to go snooping around your room... can you help me get it?
- yeah, sure. you can always go to my room, I don't keep a secret stash of drugs or a box with tokens from my murder victims.
When her eyes opened like plates and the smile disappeared, he cursed himself internally. He freaked her out, sounded like a total idiot. He always forgot she wasn't familiar with his humor and his sinister tone.
- sorry, that was a joke. come with me and we'll get your bottle
- yes, yes, sure haha I'm sorry, I'm not used to you joking with me. you don't usually talk to me directly, now that I think of it
- I don't? Hadn't noticed... but we've talked before - she was still looking at him with wary eyes. It killed him because it felt she didn't trust him. She still walked with him to his room, so she couldn't be that uncomfortable.
- we've been part of the same conversations when I go to parties with Sean, but I don't think we ever talked to each other... sorry, I never meant for this to be weird. I'll get the bottle and be out of your hair
- you are not making this weird, we are Sean's best friends after all, right? - he tried smiling at her and saw how her shoulders relaxed.
- he says I'm more like a sister and I am staying with him after all... - her cheeks pinken and she looks to the floor before looking directly into his eyes - thanks for the hoodie, by the way. Sean is usually upset if I use someone elses clothes but this is yours so I don't think he'll make a big fuss about it
- upset? why? - and he regrets asking as soon as she looks to the floor again, because he knows he's not going to like the answer.
- it usually means I lost my clothes before going to him so... not very pleasant for him I guess... thanks for stashing that for me. I don't think beer would cut it for me this days so, I appreciate it - she smiles at him and he notices it reaches her eyes for the first time all night.
- ummm... yeah, sure. anytime. I mean, not that you would come to my place any time soon but yeah, sure. whenever. whatever. yeah, so... - he scratches his neck because what is happening right now?
- Cassie, where are you?! - Sean yells from the living room.
- haha thanks again, I better go to Sean. he'll yell at me some more if I don't get back to the heated conversation he was having with Freddy. I have to square this indy vs. folk discussion before they start wrecking the house - she laughs and smiles again before turning out of his room.
He sighs and runs his hand over his face to erase the effect she had over him. Was this what his life was going to be? He couldn't be a ball of nerves everytime she was around.
As he was turning the light off in his room and coming out he heard her again, but this time she was whispering something to Sean:
- I'm not getting back together with Noah, Sean. you don't have to worry so much about me
- I love you, of course I worry about you. I come looking for you and find you downing half the whiskey bottle in one chug, how do you expect me to react? I was going to ask Tommy if we could stay with him. his dad is not coming back until Monday night so there's an extra room for us. you can make us breakfast tomorrow as a thanks and we can chill the rest of the day, Mom will understand if I text her
- please PLEASE tell her not to say anything to my Mom... you know how she can get and she'll come here playing the part of the worried-mom if she knows I'm not at your place where your parents can keep an eye on my "whoring" self... - he can't see her face but her shoulders slump and her head hangs heavy too.
- you know my Mom would never. she understands why you are staying with us, she loves you as much as I do and will understand when I tell her we're staying here. besides, she knows Tommy would never do anything - Sean puts his hands around her, hugging her tightly to his chest and breathing deep while closing his eyes.
- I love you too, you know? - she breathes out silently.
- yeah, yeah. give me that bottle now, we can't have you crying over feelings. go to the table, they are setting poker now and that will pay the ingredients for breakfast tomorrow. I have to find Tommy and be right there with you
- thanks, Sean... - she looks up to his eyes and smiles with all her face - I don't know what I would do without you
- win us some green ones and show me the love hahaha
Tommy just stays frozen in place until she turns around and walks to the living room. Before he can turn back into his room and pretend he wasn't listening, Sean turns the corner and finds him looking to where they were talking.
- how much did you hear, man? - Sean asks with a scowl on his face.
- enough? - Tommy looks right at him with a straight face - so you are staying in my room, then? I'll sleep in my Dad's room so she doesn't have to share with a stranger
- don't tell anyone we are staying. and please don't say anything about what you heard. she's very private and the last thing I want is her thinking I talked too much
- you know me, man. I would never. I just have to ask... you sure you don't have any feelings for her? that didn't sound like brotherly love to me
- like I said, the last thing she needs is for people to keep talking about her
- so... she broke up with the douch? - Tommy asks, fishing for information.
- yeah... remember 2 days ago she came to that party at 3am? she found him being sucked by a rando so she came and found me. good thing too because the asshole went to her house the next day saying she was just confused and that wasn't him. the worst part? the girl had taken a video and sent it to her. but he went off about how she couldn't break up with him for that and she had to forgive him. thank fuck her mom wasn't there and I was. as soon as he gave up and left, I took a bag of clothes for her along with her school backpack and took her to my place. it's not the first time she stays so Mom was over the moon about her staying longer than usual. he's been blowing her cel non stop, and since she's not at home... let's just say those messages are making me consider murder
- how? why? what? - Tommy stands there, speechless. He thought everything was peachy in her life so none of this made sense to him.
- don't worry about anything. I promise it won't come back to you and the guys know better than to talk to Noah about her. I just hope she doesn't get back to him this time, she doesn't see it but everytime he comes back and she lets him in... she gets lost. I hate that for her - and Tommy can see the pain in his best friends face so he just pats his back and says
- whatever you need, man. just don't forget this is on her, not on you. and if at any point you need help burying the body, text me - Tommy ends with a wink and Sean laughs while side hugging him.
After that, Tommy stole glances and kept her in his sight. She ended up winning at poker too, cleaning every guy's pocket which meant that breakfast the following day was going to be amazing.
He was very aware of her after she borrowed some clothes from him and when she came out of the bathroom after brushing her teeth and when she went to the kitchen to get a glass of water in nothing but this gym t-shirt... How was he going to get her out of her mind with everything he knew now?
Of course things went worse the following day when he entered his kitchen and she was there, all short legs and side boob showing with her hair all messy from sleep. He wanted to get a glass of water before getting decent and forgot she was going to make breakfast for the three of them. If she had gone to the corner store alone looking like that, his Dad was going to have lots of questions tomorrow after coming back from his trip. But Tommy was a bit more worried about the fact he was sporting morning wood that only became harder to hide after she reached up to get cups for the wonderfully smelling coffee and her butt cheeks peeked from under his shirt. Cassie hadn't noticed him, she was all happy and humming a song that was playing on the radio.
Tommy cleared his throat and she jumped on her feet, almost dropping the cup in her hand.
- fuck! you almost got me there haha I didn't hear you come into the kitchen. was I too loud? I'm sorry...
- I was just getting a glass of water before getting ready
- ready for what? are we imposing? I'm sorry. I told Sean I could go back to my place, I didn't want to bother you. sorry again, let me just finish this up for the two of you and
- Cassie, stop. you are not imposing, neither bothering me or Sean. I was going to get dressed so you would be comfortable around me
- oh... but I'm comfortable. you don't have to act any differently around me. this is your house, after all. oh, I didn't think... should I get changed? I found this last night, NOT THAT I WAS LOOKING AROUND YOUR ROOM OMG - Cassie said facepalming loudly after realizing that she wasn't wearing what Tommy has given her the night before - I'm sorry again. I was hot and Sean was sleeping and I didn't want to just strip and OMG I would never sleep naked in a strangers bed and... I ramble when I'm nervous, Tommy. please stop me, what are you laughing about?
- it's just... you are so cute when you ramble and I don't want to stop you because this is so funny. please, can you stop - Tommy was laughing but trying so hard not to that a couple of tear ran out of his eyes from the effort - you can look through my room whenever you want, you can sleep naked too if you want and ever come back and stay in my bed and please feel free to treat this as your house because breakfast smells so good that I'm about to drool over the floor. I'm just going to my room and get some pants on for Sean's benefit then, he'll be jealouse if he sees what I'm sporting - Tommy realized too late what he was saying and stopped talking when Cassie's eyes went to the bulge in his underware and she blushed red.
- I'm going to put some pants on and come to give you a hand. at least to set the table because I see everything's almost ready
Tommy turned and almost sprinted to his room. He found Sean still sleeping so he decided to put some pants on and wake him up.
- DUDE! wake up! you let Cassie go get groceries on her own?! she didn't even change!
- Tommy, why are you so upset? this isn't how you should wake up the reason why we have such a big breakfast waiting for us. and did you go to the kitchen like that? do you know what t-shirts are for? - Sean said loudly as he opened one eye after the other.
- did you see what she's wearing? she changed in the middle of the night because she was hot and forgot to chang
- why are you so upset about it? and why is anything Cassie wears any of your concern? I also asked if you went shirtless to greet Cassie, shitface, answer me
- wake the fuck up and you're going to understand as soon as you see her
- it's too early for this shit. let me put some pants on and I'll be in the kitchen in a sec
- did you sleep in your underware while sharing a room with a girl? were you big spoon or little spoon, shitface? - Tommy says loudly and starting to get upset
- GUYS CAN YOU STOP FIGHTING ABOUT MY CLOTHES AND GET IN HERE? I'M PLATING AND THE FOOD WILL GET COLD IF THE TABLE ISN'T SET - Cassie starts huffing and talking under her breath after that, which neither Sean nor Tommy can understand
- sorry, dude, let's go help her. I just need coffee and am not used to waking up to anyone other than my Dad
- thank you for letting us stay. I owe you one. umm... can we not talk about yesterday. at 4am Noah started blasting Cassie's phone with horrible messages and voicenotes I need to forget soon before I kill him - Sean says angrily before standing from the bed and walking out of the room.
- yeah, about that... did any of you go into social media at all? one of the guys was trying to reach you but you wouldn't answer so he sent me the link to a video of Noah fucking a girl at the club last night - Tommy puts his hand behind his neck and starts massaging it angrily. At that same moment they both hear a loud gasp and the clutter of cuttlery falling on the floor. They both rush to the kitchen and find Cassie on the kitchen floor breathing heavily while clutching her phone. Sean and Tommy look at the other and know, they know what Cassie just saw.
- did you know? - Cassie whispers still looking at her phone - did you know, Sean?
- Cassie... what are you talking about? - Sean looks at Tommy pleading not to say anything.
- Tommy, are you going to tell me the truth? did Sean bring me here last night because he knew Noah was fucking a girl in the club? please don't lie to me, Tommy. I can tell when someone lies to me and I will not be able to take it if one of you lies to me. not you two, please - she starts shaking on the floor and Sean is there holding her in an instant.
- please, don't cry - he pleads with her, trying to coax her into his embrace - please please just forget about him and get back to us now. lets have breakfast and stay here watching something and talking about nothing - she doesn't stop shaking but lets him stand and help her to her feet to go sit at the table.
- Tommy, can you bring everything and we'll have breakfast?
- yeah... yeah, man. you got it
- Sean... please make me forget... Sean, please help me unsee that... I can't... he was sending all those messages while he was... you heard his voicenotes... how can someone... how could he... I just, I just... why? - she stops shaking and just lets Sean take her to the couch where we hug her.
- Cassie... what can we do? - Tommy doesn't know her enough to know without asking so he waits for her response.
- don't ever be like him. if you don't want someone, just let them go. and never lie, to anyone about nothing, okay? I'm sorry I just get this way - Tommy and Sean nod silently at Cassie and hold one hand each.
- do you want to sit here or do you want to eat breakfast? - Sean breaks the silence - I promise we'll distract you. just... Cassie... please don't get numb on me. I hate it and don't know how to get you out of there
- yeah... yeah, just... yeah... let's get breakfast. I was actually proud of it before I saw the link my Mom sent me. I'll be fine in a second - she says as if trying to convince herself. Tommy knew then and there: he was going to try to do everything in his power to never see Cassie that way. Even if that meant kicking someone in the face.
After the first round of coffee, conversation got started on easier topics. Tommy could see Sean typing furiously under the table when Cassie was distracted and was wondering what that was about. Sean didn't have a girlfriend, nor he wanted one. And his Mom had been okay with them staying over last night. But after a while Cassie was looking better, even if the smiles she put on her face, didn't reach her eyes. When the bell rang at the door, the three of them got startled and both Sean and Cassie looked at Tommy with wondering eyes.
- no idea who that is, guys. did you order anything, Sean?
- no way, man. I would've said something. did you tell anyone we were here, Cassie?
- how could I? I turned my phone off after we sat down on the table because he who will not be named started messaging again - she rolls her eyes but I can see a tiny flush on her cheeks as if remembering put her in a rage. They heard the bell ringing again and again.
- dude, just go check who's at the door already. it could be someone looking for your Dad too.
Tommy stood from the table, looking back at Cassie and finding she was whispering something angrily at Sean while he looked down, as if she was chastising him for something he'd done. When Tommy reached the door he looked through the peephole and asked you it was, surprised to see his Dad's friend from the grocery store around the corner.
- open up, kid! - he spoke out loud from the other side of the door. Tommy opened, surprised to see him.
- hi, what's up old man? do I owe you something? do you need anything from my Dad's?
- old man, my ass, kid. you wish you were 60 years old and this fit. I had a friend of yours - he says shaking his eyebrows at Tommy as if he knew a secret he didn't - come over earlier and she forgot her wallet back at the store. I just had a break from all the customers and thought to bring it back. it has her ID and license, which I thought she'd need when she found out you eat your weight in pancakes, eggs and bacon - he laughed so loud that his friends were probably listening already
- give me that! she'll be thankfull an... - he got interrupted by a smiling Cassie opening the door a bit more to fit under Tommy's arm. He could feel the heat from her body and her perfume lingered even after sleeping in his bed all night, all of which had him growing hard in his pants.
- thank you, Ed! I didn't even realize I had left this behind. and you are most certainly right, I will need my license and ID when I rent a car later to get to my place. you are a life saver, how can I thank you properly? - Cassie gets close and on her tip toes to kiss Ed's cheek lightly. Ed blushed so hard, Tommy's never seen him so soft with anyone so he's surprised when Ed responds
- no problem, little lady. no need to repay me in any way. just make sure he eats well and next time you visit, stop by. the guys will never believe me when I tell them a beautiful little lady like yourself stopped by my store
- hahaha you are a charmer, Ed. I promise to stop by the shop even if I'm not invited here any time soon. but you can't flirt with me in front of them because they will make excuses to not let me go. although... you know I'm a fiesty one - she finishes with a wink that does nothing to Tommy's situation. Turning back and getting inside, Cassie turns just before disappearing inside and blows Ed a kiss.
- damn, kid. if you don't get a date out of her, I'll propose. if I can see that, so will every other guy. don't take too long to realize she's the one and step up
With that, Ed leaves for the store and Tommy closes the door. When he gets back to the living room, he sees Cassie with her head resting over Sean's lap, both of them sitting on the couch and looking for a movie. Cassie looks up at him and asks Tommy to sit at her feet, so he can heat them and make her more comfortable. When Sean calls his name, Tommy realizes that he never responded and just stood there. With an awkward smile and massaging his neck, he takes a seat and puts Cassie's feet over his lap.
Cassie had both of them locked down: Sean and Tommy didn't realize it then but she was going to be their downfall.