Chapter Twelve
Declan
I had no idea how I was going to make it through the night without pushing Cassie up against a wall and having my way with her. She looked smokin’ hot. Tight edgy leather leggings, a loose-fitting gray sweater that kept falling off one beautiful shoulder. Her hair was piled-on-head messy and perfect all at the same time, and her six-inch heels screamed, “Fuck me.”
Cassie’s friends would never wear something like that. Her loose sweater and leather pants were too rock-and-roll for them. Those bitches were little cougars in training. Before long all of them would be banging their landscapers and trainers. They were always in short cocktail dresses even in the dead of winter. They dressed to impress, at all times, because they were always on the prowl.
I tore my gaze away from Cassie when Brice got in the car. He looked pissed. “Can you tell me again why we’re going to this stupid party?”
Cassie reapplied her lip gloss, which made my mouth water. “The invitation got sent to the house and Mom’s making us.”
Brice touched his chin, pensive. “Mom’s making you go to your friend’s party? Are you a grown-up? Or are you a twelve-year-old?”
After Cassie explained the events of the day, Brice chuckled. “They didn’t care if y’all went to this ridiculous party, they just wanted you out of the house. Why don’t we just blow this thing off and go get some drinks instead?”
Cassie clapped her hands quietly. “Ooooooo yeah. Let’s do that.”
I shook my head. “As much as I don’t want to go, I think the party is a good idea.” After I’d thrown a mini temper tantrum about having to go, I’d realized that we could use this little outing to our advantage. “My mom is not going to be quiet about the fact that she has a grandson. She’s going to be shouting it from the rooftops of every luncheon and charity event she attends. We might as well just get in front of this.”
“Get in front of this? What am I supposed to say? Oh, uh, so I got pregnant by my lifelong crush and I just now told him, but he doesn’t hate me and I’m not a pathetic loser.” Cassie shook her head, causing her subtle perfume to waft around me. “I can’t do this.”
I jerked back like I’d been slapped. “Your lifelong crush?” I knew she’d liked me when we were kids, and then in Florida she’d really liked me. But had it been a constant thing?
Brice rolled his eyes, ignoring me. “Are you kidding me? Look, you don’t have to make a big announcement. Go in there and act natural. When they ask about Wyllie, let Declan answer.” He looked over at me. “Just talk about him like he’s your son.”
“He is my son.”
Cassie bit at her thumbnail. “I can’t do this, I should’ve had a drink before we left the house. Those girls are going to eat me alive. They sense weakness.”
“Here you go, little sis, I got ya covered.” Brice pulled a leather-tooled flask out of his pocket and slapped her finger away from her mouth as he handed it to her. “And since when are you weak? You are one of the strongest chicks I know. Man up.”
The car slowed to a stop a few moments later. Cassie looked around, confused. “Wait. Why are we stopping already? Is something wrong with the car?”
Brice peered out the dark tinted window. “No, we’re here. Nicole and her husband only live a few houses down from me.” The house we stopped in front of looked brand-new and somewhat out of place in the older affluent neighborhood. They must have torn down the original house. Pity. I was such a fan of making the old new again. I hated teardowns.
Cassie leaned forward and placed her hand on our driver’s shoulder. “I am so sorry, sir, if I’d have known how close these last two stops were, I would have made my lazy brother meet us there.” I smiled, she was so damn sweet.
Brice made a face. “Cassie, he doesn’t care if he makes ten stops or two, he’s still getting paid.”
She whispered back. “Don’t talk about him like’s not here.” None of us made any move to get out of the car. Cassie took another sip of the flask before handing it back to her brother. “You live down the street and you weren’t planning on coming to her party?”
“God no. I don’t like Nicole or her husband, who by the way looks waaaaaay too much like her brother.” Brice took a pull and then handed it to me. “I live on the ‘M’ streets because they are close to all the good bars and restaurants and a great investment. Nicole lives on the ‘M’ streets because she’s trying to seem rich and trendy at the same time. We aren’t particularly neighborly.”
I looked over at Cass. “All right, princess, take one more sip and then it’s time to go.” She did what I said, but then I had to all but shove her out of the car.
Walking up to the house, she seemed pale and shaky. She looked like a little lamb going to slaughter. This wasn’t right. Cassie was strong and happy, and she needed to walk into that house with confidence. I grabbed her arm, whirled her around and put my hands on her face. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and take her back to the car and pay the driver to take a walk.
“You did it, Cass, you did it all. You broke away from your family and you made your own choices. You made a good life for yourself, a great life for our son. You are an amazing mother and you’re fucking sexy as hell.” I reached behind her and slapped her ass, causing her to jump in surprise. “Now go in there, and show those catty bitches who is boss.” She smiled up at me, so beautiful my heart skipped a beat.