Chapter 342
“Cass?”
I had no idea how long my sister had been standing next to me. I hadn’t heard her walk up, and I hadn’t even noticed her until she said my name. Maybe it wasn’t the first time she’d said it either. I felt my cheeks turn red. This was the first time I realized Tara might be a little right—maybe I did have a bit of a crush on Alex. I didn’t think it was anything to worry about because I loved Brandon—I love Brandon. But I hated that she was right.
My head swiveled to look at my sister, and she asked. “Can I speak to you for a moment?” Then, she turned to Alex and added, “Pardon me for interrupting.”
“Ah, if it isn’t the elder Miss Findley. How are you this fine day?” Alex did his little bow, and my sister looked bewildered.
“Good, thank you... kind sir,” Cadence stammered. I couldn’t help but giggle. Just because Alex spoke so formally didn’t mean he expected everyone else to. “Cass?”
“Okay, yeah, sure....” I muttered, shaking my head slightly to clear it. “Thanks again, Alex.” I hoped I wasn’t gushing. Stooping to the level of those swooning girls who stand outside of hotel rooms waiting to see the week’s next pop sensation get into a limo wasn’t what I was all about.
“I am at your service any time, Miss Cassidy.” He did that bow thing again, and I felt like I might need a piece of poster board that said, “I heart Alex,” to keep me on my feet.
Or my sister’s arm. She grabbed me by the elbow and started dragging me across the room. Even though she had a smile on her face, I could tell she was annoyed at my behavior. I couldn’t blame her. So was I. “Earth to Cassidy?” my sister asked once she’d brought us to a halt over closer to the door.
Irritated, I spat, “What? I’m not deaf!”
Cadence shook her head at me. “Uh, you are infatuated, though. Does Brandon know about this?”
I folded my arms and narrowed my eyes in defiance. Clearly, Cadence was right, but I wasn’t willing to admit that yet. Not to myself. Certainly not to her. “I am not infatuated. I just happen to take an interest in US history, unlike someone I know who totally takes it for granted and only got As because she sucked up to the teacher.”
I have no idea if my burn had any effect on my sister or not because she was moving the conversation along. “Look, we need to chat. How long will it take you to hit the showers and meet me over at Mom and Dad’s?”
Even the thought of trying to walk into that cramped apartment and get any work done made me nauseated. “Ugh. Can we go somewhere else?” Apparently, I thought it was a good time to spout off a free flow of verbal diarrhea. “Mom is driving me crazy lately. Do you know my curfew is ten on the weekend unless I’m on a hunt?” Cadence just stared at me, like she didn’t know what to say. I know hers hadn’t ever been that early. Of course, she also hadn’t nearly gotten herself killed when she was fifteen—that I know of. “It’s eight during the week.” She continued to stare at me, so I was compelled to march on. “That’s so stupid. Brandon’s apartment is literally a floor above ours.” I thought about all of the freedom Lucy had now and a pang of jealousy stabbed me right in the gut.
“Okay,” Cadence reasoned, probably not willing to go into our parents’ choices at the moment. “How about Brandon’s apartment then? Meet me there?”
I knew my mom would never go for that. I hadn’t been able to convince her to let me go straight to Brandon’s after training for at least a month. “I have my schoolwork to finish still.”
“I’ll tell Mom,” Cadence offered.
That did sound like a good alternative. Despite Mom’s leash, she did realize that Cadence was my boss and that the only reason I was here in the first place was so that I could serve as a member of this team. “Fine,” I agreed, still trying not to sound too happy or grateful. I wouldn’t want my sister getting the idea I appreciated her or anything. “See you in twenty minutes?”
“Sounds good.” Cadence smiled at me, but I could tell I’d irritated her enough that she didn’t meant it. She headed out of the room. I lingered for a moment. My eyes flickered around the room, and I noticed I was the only one there. I hadn’t seen Alex leave, but I was disappointed he was gone.
I made my way down the hallway, thinking I should probably hurry if I was going to take a shower and get to Brandon’s in twenty minutes. But I also knew it would take Cadence longer than that. She might walk fast, but she would have to stop and talk to Mom, and that could take anywhere from ten minutes to three weeks depending upon how lonely Liz was feeling that day.
As I passed by Aurora’s office, I heard her talking to someone, which I thought was odd now that she was no longer sharing an office with Shane. I couldn’t blame her for finding a way out of that one. But she was talking to a guy. I couldn’t quite identify the voice because they were speaking in such hushed tones, but when he answered her, I was certain it had to be a male.
I didn’t think she was dating anyone, so the idea struck me as odd. But I didn’t have time to ponder the situation for too long, and I figured it was none of my business. If Roar found someone who made her happy, good for her. So long as it wasn’t Alex. I don’t even know why that idea filled my mind.
