Chapter 65

Cassie woke up alone in bed as Daniel and Ryker were not at home. Cassie sensed something was going on between the boys and they refrained from telling her about it. She respected the boundaries and didn’t force them to tell her. Last night after dinner when Cassie was doing the dishes Steven and Daniel rushed to Ryker. They have been dying to talk to him since he came home.

The moment Cassie told them she’d do the dishes both nodded and ran to Ryker. Cassie was in the middle of loading the washer and Steven came out of the room and kissed her in a hurry. “I am leaving.”

Cassie told him he could stay but Steven said he had to make some arrangements for Raven so need to go right now. It doesn’t make any sense to her but still, she let him go without further questioning. After cleaning the kitchen when Cassie entered the room Ryker and Daniel stopped talking as if they were discussing some nuclear codes and she was prohibited person to hearing about it.
Cassie told them they could leave the room and continue their discussion, as she was extremely sleepy and unwilling to leave her comfortable bed. Ryker's phone began to ring, and both of them glanced at the screen before heading out of the room. Cassie turned the light off and dozed off. Cassie didn’t know last night if they came to bed or not. When she woke up alone, she called them, and in return, there was a reverberation of her voice.

Cassie took out her phone under the pillow and dialed Daniel, but he didn’t pick up her call. She tried Ryker, and he told her they had to leave early because they had a commitment to Lily for breakfast. Cassie wasn’t convinced but still, she didn’t make a scene and ended the call.

Cassie was in the process of contemplating the ball game as all three of her boys were restless and her eyes landed on Riley. She was having fun with her friends. She was high-fiving, laughing, clapping with her friends like nobody was watching. Cassie felt the absence of Peter around her but Riley seemed perfectly okay without Peter.

Cassie shrugged her shoulders and entered the class. Cassie was curious about Peter's absence because he had never skipped college before. After finishing all her classes for the day, Cassie was heading to the cafe for some coffee when she spotted Riley sitting with a guy. The way that guy wrapped his arms around her didn’t seem friendly to her; in fact, it seemed more like romance to Cassie.

Cassie wanted to go to Riley and ask about Peter, but she stopped herself because he was no longer her concern and headed to the cafe. She was taken aback to see that Daniel and Ryker hadn’t come to college. This time, she avoided calling them and had her coffee. Steven called her and asked if she could be with Raven at home; he told her an urgent meeting had come and he had no idea when it would end. Cassie said okay, and after finishing her coffee, she headed to Steven's place.

While heading to Steven's, she called the office for the day off and found out that Daniel hadn't come to work that day. She had enough and decided to ask when they got back home. Cassie rushed home, and Raven was sitting with a man who had brought him from Denver to New York. Cassie thanked him and said goodbye.

Raven had disappointment all over his face. “Where is Dad?”

Cassie walked over to him and tapped a finger on his nose. “Steven is in a meeting.” Cassie sensed Raven’s displeasure. “But he told me that until he comes, we can watch your favorite movie.”

Raven is still looking at the floor. “Dad started doing it like mom.”

Cassie didn’t understand. “You mean Elena also came home late due to her meetings?”

Raven shook his head. Cassie slipped his finger under Raven’s chin and moved his face up. “Then what do you mean, Raven?”

Raven slumped on his shoulders. "Mom sends me to Granny and Grandad's house all the time, but she doesn't even come to see me."

Cassie squinted. “Didn’t you ask Elena or your grandparents about it?”

Raven nodded. “I did but they said mom is busy but they don’t know. I heard them say mom is married to a guy and now she lives with him at his place.”

Cassie was taken aback but she couldn’t pry into this matter. She snapped her fingers and pretended to have a brilliant idea for a fun activity with Raven. “Do you like caramel or salty popcorn?”

Raven’s face lit up. “Can I have both?”

Cassie smiled and saluted. “Caramel and salty popcorn are on your way, Mr. Raven.”

Raven asked. “Can I come with you to the kitchen?”

Cassie raised her shoulders. “Of course, I was expecting some help from you.”

Cassie and Raven made popcorn and chose to watch Raven’s favorite Super Sonic. While watching TV, Raven passed out. Cassie carefully picked up Raven and went to his room. After tucking him in bed, she also decided to take a nap.

Cassie was about to scream as she thought someone had sneaked into the house but soon Steven turned on the light and she came back to her senses and realized that she was sleeping at Steven’s and he had come back now.

Cassie looked outside and it was dark. “How long was your damn meeting?”

Steven sighed. “Yeah, I know I am late but trust me, I was unable to do anything.”

Cassie clenched her jaws. “Raven is your son and you fought for him to spend a week with him in a month. Can’t you miss the damn meeting for your five-year-old son?”

Steven held her arms. “It won’t happen again. I know you have life and he is my responsibility.

Cassie pushed him away and cut him off. “You think I am angry because you asked me to take care of that angel?”

Steven had no idea what to say so Cassie continued, “It's not about me, you idiot; it's about Raven. He was missing you; he was looking for your company, not mine.”