Chapter 5

CASSIE

I reached home.

“She’s here,” I heard Rosa say on the phone before she hung up and walked to me, worry plastered on her face. “It was Jake asking—what happened?”

The mention of his name, coupled with the realization that he hadn’t followed me home, hurt even more. “Trouble at school, Rosa,” I said weakly, hoping she wouldn’t ask further.

“Trouble at school? Bloodshot eyes, red nose, look at yourself, I don’t buy that. Jake called so I knew it was about Jake this time,” she said, her concern deepening.

Even to her, my feelings for Jake were not a secret. Like a mother, she had that instinct I couldn’t understand. I couldn’t lie to her. “She’s with someone else, Rosa.” Even though I tried to hold it, I still couldn't. Sniffling, I cried again, tears flowing, my throat aching. My knees couldn’t hold me anymore. I felt weak.

“Oh, little Cassie,” Rosa murmured, wrapping her arms around me in a comforting hug. “Don’t you think it’s time to let it go? You deserve so much better, mi querida. It hurts now, but with time, you’ll heal. Maybe Jake is not really for you.”

“Am I difficult to love, Rosa? Am I ugly?”

She shook her head vigorously. “No, you’re beautiful, mija. You’re kind. You just have so much love in your heart that sometimes you can’t see the ugly side of love.”

“Love has no ugly side. Beautiful things follow when you give love, yet why can’t I get the same kind of love I give?”

“Mija Cassie, Jake loves you,” she whispered, gently rocking me in her embrace.

“I want...him to...to love me more than a sister,” I sniffled, my snot flowing with my tears. “Is that hard?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

“Jake loves you,”

JAKE

I saw the pain in her eyes, but I didn’t bother chasing after her. Didn’t lift a damn finger. It had to be this way, and I sure as hell wasn’t gonna change it. It was for her own good, whether she figured it out or not. She needed to get over that little crush of hers. Sooner or later, she was gonna see I wasn’t the right man for her. She had to steer clear of me.

She would realize I wasn’t the fairy tale ending she was dreaming about. Life’s harsh, and sometimes you gotta be too. She had to toughen up. But dammit! The pain in her eyes haunted me. Rosa said she made it home and I could only imagine how much she had cried. Fuck! I was mad. Mad at myself. Mad for screwing things up, for hurting her. It’s like I couldn’t get anything right with her. And I knew I couldn't be right for her.

I wanted to shake off the frustration, but it clung to me like a damn shadow. Stupid, Jake. Stupid move. My tongue unconsciously licked the rim of my lips where her taste remained sweet. We kissed. I had a very small taste of her lips that made me want to have more.

Stupid!

I almost lost it. I was this close to taking her right there and then, but Caitlyn arrived and I came to my senses.

No...not Cassie.

You want her though.

You turned so possessive you wanted to break that boy’s face.

Yes! I want her, but that can’t be. She will be disgusted. I can’t risk losing her. She’s too naive for my world. Too weak.

“Do you still want me tonight, Jake?” Caitlyn asked, crossing her legs. I’d forgotten I made an appointment with her for tonight, too focused on Cassie’s date with that boy.

“You were jealous.” a voice taunted me. “You got scared.”

“Yeah,” I grunted, running a hand through my hair. “Let’s get this over with.”

Caitlyn didn’t seem bothered by my mood. She leaned back, a smirk playing on her lips. “I can make you feel good. Let’s forget about what happened tonight, shall we?”

I looked at the woman in front of me. She was nothing like Cassie, and she would never be, but she could help me find my release with all these frustrations building inside me. As agreed, I could do everything with her, but with limits on her side.

Caitlyn eyed me with a hungry look, aware of the mess I was dealing with. “Let’s get rid of that pent-up frustration, Jake,” she purred, walking to me and pressing her body against mine.

In the back of my mind, Cassie’s tear-stricken face reflected, and all I could think was,“What the hell am I doing?”

Fuck! I need something more physical.

“Not tonight, Caitlyn. See yourself out,” I said, my tone cold and dismissive.

“What the hell, Jake?!” she burst out. “I drove all the way here. You can’t just change your mind like that.”

I shot her a glare, the anger in me bubbling to the surface. “I can do whatever the hell I want. This isn’t a charity, Caitlyn. You’re not entitled to anything.”

Her eyes flashed with anger, “You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”

“Yeah, and you’re not my therapist,” I snapped back, my patience wearing thin. “Get out. Fifty percent will be sent to your account.”

“You better make it seventy-five,” she retorted, crossing her arms defiantly.

I scoffed. “You’re pushing your luck, Caitlyn. Be happy you’re getting anything at all.”

“You’re such an asshole, Jake.”

I leaned against the wall, unbothered by her words. “Yeah, well, that’s not breaking news, sweetheart. Now, leave.”

Caitlyn grabbed her bag, muttering curses under her breath as she stormed towards the door. “You’re gonna regret this, Jake.”

“I highly doubt that,” I replied, watching her leave without a hint of remorse.

Taking out my phone, I dialed a number. I needed a fight.

On the first ring, he answered. “Vito. You available? Yeah, my place.”