Chapter 57

Steven flew back to Denver to talk to Elena. “Why the hell you are not getting that Raven doesn’t need you in his life?”

Steven responded with anger. “Why don’t you understand that Raven needs a Dad in his life and you can’t lie to him that his Dad is dead when in real I am alive and doing everything to keep him as part of my life.”

Elena sighed. “Listen, Steven, try to understand Raven is going to be a part of your life but he is my life.”

Steven reminded her. “All right if you are not agreeing to co-parent you have left me with nothing but to go to court and keep in mind you’ll have to fly to New York on every date.”

Elena flared her nostrils. “I am not the five years back Elena who you can threaten easily. You are more than welcome to go to court. I am up to face anything but give up this time.”

Steven stood up. “You can take your time to think about it.” and then he walked away.

After about four days, Steven went to college to wrap up his stuff and shifted in his place. Cassie was so happy to see him and asked. “Why the hell you didn’t respond to any of my messages and calls?”

Steven smiled. “I was hell busy, Specs. I am sorry.”

Cassie asked if he saw Daniel and Ryker to which he responded. “I didn’t see both.”

Steven sensed her restlessness. “What happened?”

Cassie looked at him. “Actually I wanted to tell something to all three of you. First, you were MIA and now they are nowhere to be found,” she put her hand under her chin. “Why are you looking so dull?”

Steven sighed. “I also wanted to tell you all something but it would be best if you go first.”

Ryker and Daniel joined them. Ryker asked. “Please, Cass, now tell us what you have been wanting to tell us.”

Cassie took a deep breath. All right, Peter and I had sex.”

Daniel, Steven and Ryker all opened their mouths at once to say something but Cassie stopped them. “Let me complete guys, when we went on a trip last year. It happened once and thats it. I am not going to say it meant nothing but Peter is in denial so for a while I let him go.”

Ryker asked. “What kind of a denial is that? He is having a girlfriend.”

Cassie was in the middle of explaining but Steven stood up. “I don’t fucking understand why you kept us in darkness since last year?”

Cassie opened her mouth but Steven raised his hand. “I don’t want to listen to anything, I have had enough of this being in darkness.”

Steven walked away and Cassie was taken aback because she had never seen Steven this harsh in these two years. Cassie looked at Ryker and Daniel. “What is wrong with him?”

Both didn’t respond. “You both are also angry or you guys know something and I don’t?”

Daniel held her hand. “I think you should go and talk to him in private.”

Cassie got annoyed. “I don’t understand Steven why he needs privacy when he knows I love you all equally?”

Daniel sighed. “That's how he is and you need to understand this just like he is trying to adjust to our arrangement.”

Cassie nodded but Ryker intervened. “We know you would have kissed Daniel if we were not in college now go and talk to him.”

Cassie dropped her mouth down. “That means you also know something. Why do I feel like being cornered?”

Daniel gave her a stare.”You need to go Cassie, now.”

Cassie asked. “You mean right now? I was trying to give him some space because clearly he seems upset about something else.”

Ryker asked. “How is Ruth doing?”

Cassie shook her head and sighed. “Mom is not getting better at all. I don’t understand what should I do?”

Daniel nodded. “I know it is difficult to accept but Cass, there has been negligence from Ruth’s side. She never took his back pain seriously and continued to take painkillers to get away from pain temporarily.”

Cassie sipped her coffee. “Mom never shared her pain with me, I have no idea since when she was taking painkillers. She didn’t give time to herself after Dad. She wanted to give me the best life.”

Cassie saw Pete with his girlfriend and stood up. “I think I should go to Steven.”

Ryker asked. “Why? Because you saw Peter with his girlfriend?”

Cassie squared her shoulders. “Yeah, right I can’t see this fake romance of them.”

Daniel cleared his throat. “Cass, how can you be so sure they are faking?”

Cassie sighed. “Because I have seen the truth in his eyes.”

Cassie sat back because Peter waved at them from a distance and walked out of the cafe. Ryker suggested her. “I think after finishing your coffee you should go to Steven and talk.”

Cassie had her last sip and said goodbye to them. In the dorm Steven was talking to Elena on call “Have you changed your decision?”

Elena responded. “My decision is same.”

Steven clenched his jaw. “Alright then wait for my summon.”

He ended the call and threw his phone in bed. Steven started packing his stuff because this was his last college visit. Steven met his coach. “Why are you doing this Steven? It's not a wise decision to quit college before a few months left for your final year exams.”

Steven sighed. “Coach, there is something that needs my attention it’s important more than a degree.”

When Steven was coming back to his dorm after meeting his team, he received a call from his lawyer. “Are you sure Steven because in this trial maybe your Dad would found guilty?”

Steven shook his head. “I don’t care about anything I just need my presence in Raven’s life.”

Cassie tapped his shoulder. “Raven? Elena’s son Raven?”