Cassidy
Elliott walks to the sink and downs a glass of water leaving me breathless, I can’t believe I let him do that? Oh, who am I kidding I so would have let him fuck me right here on this table. He doesn’t look at me once as he walks past me and into the living room then sits down. I follow him in and sit on the edge of the chair.
“What happens now?” I ask gently. I’m confused as fuck. We haven’t discussed Cameron at all which was the reason why I came here in the first place but seeing him sit on that bike brought back so much.
“How do you mean?” He asks dragging me from my memories of him.
“With us?”
“Is there an us Cass? If so who was the tool that came to the bar?”
“He’s a friend that’s all.” I know Matt wants there to be more between us, but I can’t, not when my heart belongs to someone else - to Elliott.
“So here we are again. What did you even come here to say, Cassidy?”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Cameron knows, I told him... about you.”
His eyes narrow as he takes in what I just said
“Okay. How did he take that?”
If I’m not mistaken he looks a little worried.
“The news that his dad has turned up or the news that I kept it from him?”
“Both.”
“Not very good. He’s not talking to me right now, he hides in his bedroom instead.”
“I’d like to meet him.”
“Are you staying around? Because if you’re going to leave... then no.” I tell him in a snarky tone.
“You can’t dictate to me, Cass! He’s my son!”
“Yeah, and I have his best interests at heart even if I haven’t done the right things.”
My head shakes with a heavy sigh.
“Let me know what you decide.”
I pull a piece of paper from my pocket and place it on the table then get up to leave.
“Where are you going?” Elliott asks sounding annoyed.
“Look this wasn’t meant to happen. I’m going because Cameron will be home from school soon and he’s my priority.”
Turning on my heels I leave as Dale enters the kitchen through the back door. “Dale.”
“Oh, hey Cass.” I don’t answer just keep on walking not stopping until I reach the comfort and security of my home.
Why did I let that happen? I know because I was always easy where Elliott was concerned. He was my soft spot - still is. I couldn’t tell him if I tell him he’ll be even more upset. This will crucify him.
The water in the shower always relaxes me, it soothes me and washes away my worries and stresses for five minutes. I wish a shower could make everything better though then I wouldn’t be in this mess. Once I’m done I get out, throw some joggers and a t-shirt on and make a coffee.
The bang of the front door tells me Cameron is home. I stand in the doorway as he takes off his coat and dumps his bag in the corner. He barely looks at me as he tries to run straight up the stairs away from me.
“No way. Not today, you’re going to sit here and talk to me, mister.”
“Why?” he whines.
“Because you’ve ignored me enough and it ends today. I’ve let you bang, sulk and shut yourself away but no more.”
His shoulders slump as he walks into the living room and bounces down on the settee grumpily.
“Now, I know this is my fault and I’m sorry okay, I didn’t know how to tell you, I thought I was doing what was best for you - but guess what, even adults don’t always do the right the thing. Even Mum’s get it wrong sometimes.”
He looks at me with his huge sad eyes, the mossy-green colour just like his Dad’s.
He launches himself at me and flings his arms around my neck. “I’m sorry, Mum.”
“Oh Cam, you have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sorry.” Silence descends around us while I hold my son in my arms...
“Mum, can I meet him properly?” My eyes close with a sigh.
“Yes, sweetheart if you want to if you think you’re ready.”
“I am.”
“Okay, I’ll arrange it for the weekend. Is that alright with you.”
He nods happily. “Thanks, Mum. I love you.”
“I love you more. Anything you need to know then ask and I’ll try to answer.” He nods then runs off upstairs to play his game.
How the fuck am I going to get through this now?
Friday night at work you could cut through the tension with a knife. Elliott is sitting at the bar drinking from a bottle of Budweiser staring at me and Carson. I know he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. After the conversation we had in his kitchen about when he came back I haven’t questioned my Mum about that yet - but I will.
“Dude just get up there and play.”
“I don’t work here anymore.” He lifts the bottle to his full lips arching a perfect dark eyebrow, begging Carson to challenge him. His Adams apple bobs as he swallows the beer down before pulling the bottle away.
“So why are you here?”
“Is this not a public-house? Can I not come here when I feel like it? You can’t throw me out... I’m not causing any trouble and I’m drinking, lining your pockets.” He shrugs as he tips the neck of the bottle towards Carson to prove his point.
“I think you’ve had enough already?”
“I haven’t had anywhere near enough. You and me, still have shit to sort out so don’t fucking push me, Carson.”
He drinks the remnants of the bottle and calls me over motioning with his head. I serve some of the guys down the other end of the bar when he calls out….
“Cass another when you’re ready only this time make it a JD.”
Once I’ve finished with the guys I walk back to the top of the bar towards Elliott, his gaze is fixed on the bottle in front of him. I take a moment to admire him, his dark hair, his beard, his tattoos that run all up his arms starting from his knuckles on both hands. He looks so different from when he left. He was a blank canvas with just a bit of scruff on his chin and messy hair. The hair hasn’t really changed, but everything else has.
“CASS?” He shouts again, pulling me from my Elliott daze.
He bangs his bottle on the bar. Narrowing my gaze at him I walk up the bar until I’m standing in front of the optics and turn back.
“Don’t shout at me, Elliott, otherwise you’ll be wearing the JD not drinking it...” I tell him annoyed through gritted teeth. I pour him a double Jack Daniels anyway and turn back with the glass in my hand.
He stares right at me with a sexy smirk as I place the drink down, I want to look away from him, but I can’t, I’m mesmerised by him, he gets right inside my head when he’s like this. His intense gaze causing a shiver to run all the way through me from head to toe. Carson’s voice drags him away as his head to turns to the side.
“Dude. We can sort that shit another time, right now just have your job back I need a decent fucking singer man, look at this place, there’s more life in a morgue.”
Carson stands next to Elliott and looks around the pub shaking his head at the lack of customers in here. “Please?!” He uses his pleading eyes to beg with Elliott as he waits for an answer.
“Fine!” He sighs.
“YES!” Carson fist pumps the air.
“Cass, get the man a drink.”
“Another? I think he’s had enough.” With a roll of my eyes I pour him another JD anyway, placing it down again in front of Elliott and give him a shy smile.
Losing my anger from a moment earlier I tell him exactly what I think he needs to hear. “I’m glad you’re sticking around.” With that said, I round the bar and go to collect some glasses.