My lips tipped up. “I suppose, but I’m not great company right now either, Cecilia.”
“I don’t care. When Brock and I were on the outs, Rainey hung with me and it didn’t make things all better, but it still helped. See you in five.”
I let Cecilia into my apartment and sat down at my dinette set. I couldn’t bear to sit on the couch because it reminded me of Gabe. If that made me a wimp, so be it; I just didn’t have it in me to care.
Cecilia settled next to me and patted my arm.
“When will I ever learn?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“The sweeter they are the bigger the jerk they are. God, Gabe was always so damn sweet. Like he could give me a toothache with his easy sweetness. But just like every other man I’ve been attracted to or who gives me the time of day, his jerkiness far outweighs the sweet.”
She pressed her lips together, and I could see she was debating what to say to me.
I shook my head. “You don’t have to say anything. I’m just thinking the next time, if there is a next time, I’m going to look for the biggest damn jerk and at least that way I’ll know exactly what I’m in for from the get-go.”
Cecilia chuckled and shook her head. “Don’t do that, Cassie. A man who’s a jerk from the start is only hiding one helluva bigger jerk deep down. I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am. Um, I know you know a lot about Gabe, but I’m not sure you understand how fiery those Sullivan men’s tempers can be. And he’ll come around. It will just take some time.”
I leveled a hard look at her. “Well, by then, it might be too late for Gabe. I might be in my twenties, but no woman has time for his bullshit.”
Cecilia did a long blink and sighed. “I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but I think you two belong together.”
I barked out a laugh. “Not even a little bit, Cecilia-ba-delia.”
“Well, you’ve had enough,” she chuckled.
My eyes narrowed. “Except, we’re not drinking! That’s the other bad part to all this. My visitor hasn’t made an appearance. My fat ass might be pregnant with his kid. How awful is that?”
“Oh, honey. If you’re pregnant, that’s wonderful news.”
My eyes widened. “It’s anything but wonderful! I don’t need to be tied to Gabriel Clark Sullivan in any way shape or form. No way, no how.”
“Does he know you might be pregnant?”
“Yes, and no.”
Cecilia’s brows furrowed. “Um, clarify, Cassie. There’s no way he can know and not know.”
I sighed. “He went in ungloved. I told him I needed to get a morning-after pill. I’m not even sure if I could’ve gotten one or not. But, he did everything he could to keep his swimmers in me! Can you believe that shit?”
“Knowing you’re not on the pill?”
I nodded once. “Yes! In fact, he said something about how funny would it be if he got married before Vamp or you and Brock.”
She laughed nervously. “Brock and I are serious, but we’re nowhere near engagement and marriage. Gracious.”
“Well, he fed me one helluva line about how if I was pregnant it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but a beautiful beginning or some shit. I’d like to march over there and make him eat those damned words.”
She sighed. “I’d almost encourage you to do that, but Gabe’s temper was off the charts, honey. Did either of you say things were over?”
My lips pulled to the side with skepticism. “No. I think that’s the only reason I’m not a full-on blubbering mess. Yet, I’m so unaccustomed to us arguing like this, it feels like the end of everything. Does that even make sense?”
She rubbed my forearm. “It makes complete sense, Cassie. You’re in uncharted territory with Gabe. And vice versa, though as stubborn as those Sullivans can be, he’d never admit it, I’m sure. So, don’t assume the worst. Okay?”
I nodded and offered her a wan smile. “You’re right. Thanks. Maybe I’ll text him—”
Her eyes widened. “I know that sounds like a good idea, but I’m telling you, Cassie. Those guys say the worst things when they’re pissed. I have no idea how pissed Gabe is, except he was willing to shove his brother around about it, and I haven’t seen them get physical that often. And the only times I did, it was because Gabe was being a jerk to me or about me.”
I sighed, then opened my mouth to say something, but Cecilia beat me to it. “I’m gonna head back over there. You’re completely wiped, it’s written all over you, so you take a bath or something. Have a cup of herbal tea and get some sleep.”
28Can’t Say I Feel the Same Way
Cassie
TUESDAY TURNED OUT to be worse than Monday, and when I was done with classes, I called in sick to work. Ryan wasn’t available so I left word with Wendy that I wouldn’t be there.
Cecilia’s words about taking a bath last night hit me again, and I thought that sounded like a fabulous idea, but as I looked at my bathroom vanity I remembered I’d left my favorite brush at Gabe’s. That was the reason my day started off on the wrong foot. Not having my best brush meant I struggled with my hair twice as long because of all my tangles. It forced me to put my hair in a ponytail, and wearing my hair up all day led to a headache.
Part of me was willing to sacrifice the brush in order to avoid him. However, I couldn’t replace the brush since, when I realized it was my favorite, I had returned to buy another, only to find they were discontinued. So, I really wanted that brush back.
I texted Cecilia asking if she was around. Her schedule was crazy, but her
