8: ...Is he an angel?...

Sarah.

I stood up as Casey was entering the living room, but Connie held my arm firmly but gently, pulling me to sit back down.

“I know you don't get along with Cee,” she whispered softly in my ear, “And you don't have to... But can't you at least finish what's on your plate first before leaving?”

“I really have to get going. I'll be late to___”

“Relax Sarah... He wouldn't try anything stupid when I'm here... At least just finish the juice first, then you can leave,”

She was right. I don't think Casey would attempt to hurt me when Connie is around... He wouldn't dare... Would he?

“What are you doing here?” he plopped down on the seat opposite us, in front of Connie.

And yes... The question was directed to me.

“I... I...”

“Well a 'good morning Sarah' would have been a nice way to start the conversation,” Connie stated casually.

“I would if I cared,”

“Can you quit being so mean? This is Sarah's home as well... She doesn't need permission to be here. The least you could do, is be polite, ”

“'Be polite'” Casey scoffed but didn't add anything else on the subject. “Whatever,”

And he simply kept himself busy by typing on his phone.

“You know, I'm really curious,” he looked up at his cousin, “Why did Brian give you his hoodie? I need you to explain it to me in detail, ”

“There are no details... It was cold, I forgot to carry my jacket... He was a gentleman and gave me his, end of story!”

“What is this, a stupid rom-com?”

“I don't know, maybe?”

“Is there something going on between the two of you that I'm not aware of?”

“Between Brian and I? I mean, we kinda f**ked last night,” Connie shrugged carelessly.

I seriously couldn't believe what I was hearing... And with the way Casey was looking at her, I suppose he couldn't believe it either.

“What?!” I visibly saw him grip his fork tighter. His knuckles turning white.

“Don't worry... We used protection. Plus, it was pure sex... No love involved,”

“Connie!” Casey and I said at the same time... And Connie burst out laughing, occasionally wiping tears from her eyes.

Casey didn't find it funny, neither of us did... We didn't even have any idea what was so funny.

“You guys are hilarious! You should have seen your faces!” and she laughed again. “I wouldn't sleep with your friend Casey, even if I wanted to... Not that I want to, I'm just saying,” her laughter finally died down.

“I... You...” this is the very first time Casey is speechless... I am so not forgetting this moment.

“Brian and I are nothing more than friends... Plus, he isn't really my type,”

“Oh really?”

“Yes really! And just like you said, this isn't a rom-com, just because he gave me his hoodie doesn't mean we'll end up falling madly in love with each other and get married at some grand garden wedding ... Now if that's all that was bothering you, can we please eat the cake I had such a hard time preparing?”

Casey didn't talk... And instead concentrated entirely on his plate. I had no reason to talk cause none of this was any of my business. I just wanted to finish and leave here as soon as possible... But with Casey here, I immediately lost my appetite.

For once, we were actually having a quiet breakfast... And I very much appreciated the silence. Unfortunately, not everyone did. Connie kept on tapping her foot on the floor or drumming on the table.

“So___” she nervously cleared her throat, scratching the back of her neck... She was trying to initiate a conversation... But I didn't see that working out... Not with me or Casey!

“Are we just going to stay quiet?”

Silence! Complete silence!

“Connie? Don't force issues!” Casey simply sounded bored. Of course he'd be bored... Everything involving me gets him bored!

“I'm just... Trying to make the situation less awkward,”

She said in a whisper, and Casey gave her an almost concerned look. But as soon as our eyes met, he turned cold, forcing me to turn my attention away from him.

“Bee? Are you good?” I heard him ask, but I didn't dare look up at him.

“Well no! You two are really hard headed and___”

“No! Bee, you're bleeding!” now I just had to look up! I didn't see any... Wait. She was bleeding! She had blood at the tip of her fingers.

“Bleeding?” she glanced down at her hand... Then touched the back of her neck... And her hand came out with even more blood.

For the first time ever, Casey genuinely looked worried about someone other than himself! He looked like he cared... And I don't think he was faking it.

He stood up and went around the table to check on Connie. He took the hood off her head.

“Cee relax, I'm fine,”

“Define 'fine'. You're hurt!” even his tone sounded concerned.

“It's a tiny cut!”

“You can use this to wipe it off,” I gave Casey my Handkerchief... I was actually expecting him to decline it, but miraculously, he took it, then gave me a small nod.

He gently placed it on Connie's neck and she slightly flinched.

“Sarah, go get some water,”

“No! No water! I'm fine!” Connie held my am preventing me from leaving.

“Bee___”

“Why are you both making such a big deal out of such a small issue?” she smacked Casey's hand aside.

“Sarah... The water!”

“NO! Could you stop treating me like a kid? ” she pushed Casey away.

“I'm trying to help you!”

“I didn't ask for help!”

“Connie___”

“I'm very capable of taking care of myself Casey. Stop treating me like I can't! ”

“If you're so capable of taking___”

“Maybe we should stop... Shouting? The maids might...” I stopped midsentence. I said it in a small voice, but I knew they had heard me... At least I hoped they had.

I seriously hated arguments... And the last thing I needed, was for a fight to break out between the two of them. It gets difficult to separate them cause they're both usually too proud to back down... So it would be best to extinguish the flames before they're even lit.

“Look,” Connie said, thankfully, without shouting this time, “It's only a small cut... Nothing to get yourself worked up about. I wanted to trim my hair a bit, and the scissors slipped from my grip... Made a small cut. But I assure you it's nothing serious... Okay?” she took the Handkerchief from Casey and placed it at the back of her neck. “I'm okay,”

“You cut yourself trying to trim your hair?” Casey raised a brow at her..  Just like myself, he clearly wasn't buying the story.

“I was sleepy and dizzy. The scissors slipped,”

“Why were you even trying to trim your hair?”

Casey had a point. Why would she want to trim her hair? It's long and curly... And perfect on her! Her wanting to cut it made no sense.

“I was only planning to cut the split ends,”

“The split ends?”

“You know, the___”

“I know what split ends are Connie!” Casey was clearly trying his best not to lash out. “I'm just not buying your story! Don't you usually go to the spa for that?”

“I mean, yeah, but that doesn't mean I can't do it myself,”

“Well clearly, you can't,” Casey stopped talking when his phone rang. He looked at it, then at Connie, before answering it. I heard Connie let out a sigh of relief. Clearly, this phone call interruption has benefitted her a lot.

“Nat? What's up?” he said, “She is, why?... I don't know... I thought she had it... A guy? Which guy? I see... Sure,” he stretched the phone towards Connie.

“It's Natalya,” Connie took the phone from Casey, “And afterwards, maybe you'd like to explain to me which guy you left your phone with!” his tone was serious.

Connie simply rolled her eyes. It's really fascinating how different Casey is around her... Almost a different person... Dare I say 'angelic'. She's really lucky.

“What's up Nat?... Yeah... I may have kinda misplaced it last night... It's a long story, ” she stood up from the table. She covered the phone's speaker with her hand and turned to us, “I'll be right back... I'll just go clean up,” and she headed upstairs, chatting away on the phone with Natalya.

Well this is just great... I'm in the den of the lion, and my only defense just left me... I'm all alone with Casey... This is not going to end well for me!