CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

 

Dalton asked us for the second time if we wanted him to pick up any food while he was out.  

“You really don’t have to leave,” I said, getting comfortable on the couch beside Cami.  “I hate the idea that I’m kicking you out of your own apartment.” 

“You’re not kicking me anywhere,” he replied cheerfully.  “I’m stepping out voluntarily because I think the Gentry twins deserve some private time.”  

“Love you,” Cami called. 

“Love you too,” Dalton answered before he walked out the door. 

“So,” Cami said, not wasting any time, “what’s going on?  You sounded funny every time I talked to you this week.” 

I hugged a couch pillow to my chest.  Never in my life had I kept a real secret from Cami.  At first I hadn’t wanted to tell her at all.  I still hadn’t told my parents.  But ever since last Friday night when Parker Neely attacked me I’d been walking around with a thick feeling of dread in my heart.  The feeling lifted slightly when I filed a police report yesterday detailing the assault.  I knew his family had money, along with connections, so I was not optimistic that anything would come of it but the officer who took my statement promised me they would follow up.  She also said I might want to consider filing a restraining order. That way he could be arrested if he showed up anywhere near me. Curtis accompanied me to the police station and gave his statement as well. 

Having Curtis around also helped ease that crushing sense of dread. He and Brecken had moved to their new apartment last Sunday but since Brecken still spent afternoons at our house the two of them were always invited to dinner.  We didn’t talk to each other much at work but just knowing that he was within reach made me feel better. Plus he insisted on being there when I got out of class.  He wouldn’t leave until I was safely in my car and driving home.  The other night when I checked my rearview mirror at the last second before making a right turn out of the college parking lot I was surprised to see that he was still standing right where I’d left him, just silently watching over me. 

I told Cami everything.  She didn’t cry at first.  Her eyes glistened and she squeezed my hand as I talked.  Then when I got to the part about how I’d crawled on the ground, trying to escape from Parker and maintain consciousness, Cami let out a cry of anguish and my strong, brilliant sister lost her composure.  Tears spilled down her cheeks. 

“Cass,” she whispered. 

“I’m okay,” I assured her.  “Curtis was amazing.  He busted in on the scene like a superhero, scared the shit out of Parker and took care of me.  I try not to think about what would have happened if he hadn’t been there, if he hadn’t happened to be standing on the front porch and noticed something was wrong. But he was there.” 

Cami sniffed and swiped at her tears.  “Thank god for Curtis Mulligan.” 

“The same thought has crossed my mind a few times.”   

Cami’s face changed.  Fury replaced grief.  “I could kill him. Parker.  I’m not even just saying that.  I could seriously fucking kill him.”

“You’ll have to get in line behind me,” I said, feeling my jaw clench and my fists tighten. 

“You’re angry,” Cami said, nodding with approval.  “Good, I’m glad you’re angry.” 

“You mean instead of retreating into my shell?” I shook my head. “No, I did that once. And I learned that it solves nothing.  I won’t do it again.” 

“But you still won’t talk to Mom and Dad?” 

I sighed.  “I’ve been dreading it. The police officer encouraged me to file a restraining order.” 

“That’ll be on public record,” Cami warned.   

“I know.  So I guess I’m going to need to tell them.” 

“You should,” she said.  Then she frowned as her reporter’s mind chewed on the details of the story.  “You said that you thought Parker showed up at your class because he knew you’d be there.”

“Yes, that’s what I think.  Remember Alex Dorsey?” 

Cami recoiled with a look of disgust.  “Gross. What’s he got to do with it?”

“I heard his sister Amanda works in the Registrar’s office at the college. From what I can tell, Parker and Alex are still pretty tight.  I actually drove down to the school at lunch time yesterday to confront Amanda.  I didn’t make any accusations. I just asked her if she’d passed along any information about me.  She denied even knowing who I was but she couldn’t look me in the eye.  I can’t prove anything but I made enough of a scene while I was in the office that hopefully she’ll at least get a warning.” 

Cami looked doubtful.  “Are you sure it’s safe for you to go back there?  It’s late when you get out of class.  He could be stalking you in the parking lot.” 

“He won’t try it. Both times when I got out of class this week Curtis was waiting to escort me to my car.”

Cami was amazed.  “Really?” 

“Really. I told him I was fine, that I was ready to scream and dial 911 if I even thought I saw Parker’s shadow but he didn’t listen.  There are only a few more weeks of class and he said he would keep coming no matter what.” I shrugged.  “He’s stubborn.”  

Cami slapped her thigh. “He’s damn awesome is what he is. I’m going to have to think about what kind of medal I’m going to give that guy the next time I see him.” 

I snorted.  “Somehow I don’t think Curtis is into medals.  Maybe you could get him a new tattoo.” 

She giggled.  Then she grew thoughtful.  “Who’s to say Parker won’t keep creeping around you at that college?  Especially if he’s got someone feeding him inside information.” 

“The restraining order will give me some legal protection once I have it.  And as far as the insider information, it won’t matter soon anyway.  At least I hope it won’t.” 

Cami was confused.  “What does that mean?  You’re not quitting school, are you?”

“In a way.  I applied for a transfer to Arizona State so keep your fingers crossed that all goes as planned and I’ll be going there full time in the fall.” 

“That’s great!” Cami gushed.  “I’m so proud of you!”  

I tried to smile. “Thanks.  I’m working on being proud of myself.”   

“Why wouldn’t you be?”

I shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed.  “I just wish I’d done so many things differently.  That’s all.” 

My sister was quiet for a moment.  “Our mistakes aren’t what break us,” she said softly. “What hurts the most is how we punish ourselves for them.  So don’t do that, Cassidy.  Be good to yourself.” 

The words sounded familiar.  “An impressively profound statement, Camille.  Did you read that somewhere?”  

“Nope, those words were once said by a wise woman.” 

“Who?”

She smiled.  “You. Don’t you remember? When we went to go see Debra in the hospital after she took all those pills.  You told her that.” 

Cami was right.  I did remember now. 

“So,” Cami said and now her green eyes practically danced with mischief, “I’d like to hear a little bit more about Curtis.” 

I knew where she was heading with this and I played dumb. “Oh, well he’s been busy getting his new apartment set up.  He still hasn’t had any luck searching for Tristan but Brecken’s been doing great.  And even though he’s too polite to admit it, I’m sure Curtis is excited to be sleeping somewhere other than our pullout couch. Did I tell you Uncle Deck hooked him up with some furniture?”

Cami waved an impatient hand.  “Stop babbling about nonsense.  You know damn well what I want to know.” 

“Enlighten me anyway.” 

She leaned in close and looked me right in the eye.  “Cassie, when are you going to admit that you want Curtis Mulligan so bad you can’t think straight?” 

“Oh my god.”  I rolled my eyes and huffed out a sigh even though I knew denial was futile.  The consequence of having a twin sister is that she will always and forever be able to see right through you. 

Cami was not sympathetic. “Who do you think you’re kidding, dear sister?  I can hear it in your voice every time you say his name.  And I confess that I had some doubts about him when he first showed up but I’m delighted to admit I was wrong.” 

“You don’t even know him. You met him once, right?” 

She cocked her head. “It doesn’t matter. You’ve told me more than you realize. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still ready to grill him about his past, present and future the next time he’s unfortunate enough to be in the same room with me.  But he’s a good guy, Cass.  And he cares about you a hell of a lot.”

I squirmed. “You don’t know that.”

“Sure I do. You think the world’s full of guys who would stick by your side like he has, even waiting around for you after class, with no promise that he was ever going to get anything out of it? For crying out loud, he slept right down the hall from you every night for weeks and never even tried to touch you.” 

The blush must have reached my cheeks because Cami’s eyes went wide. 

“Holy shit,” she whispered.  “When?” 

“It was nothing,” I insisted.  “We just kind of started messing around one night.  And I didn’t tell you because it’s really a bit humiliating. I asked him to come to my room and he turned me down.  Curtis said he couldn’t disrespect my family like that and he was sure I was too good for him anyway.” 

“Wow,” Cassie whispered then shook her head.  “Okay that’s a real bonehead thing to say but WOW.  I mean, look at you Cassie, you’re drop dead gorgeous.  That must have practically killed him.” 

I rolled my eyes.  “Shut up.” 

“I bet the poor guy was limping around with blue balls for the next three days.” 

“Cami!” I squealed and threw the couch pillow at her head. 

She dodged it and laughed.  My feelings for Curtis were complicated and intense. But there was more at stake. As the head of his family, Curtis had a level of responsibility I couldn’t imagine. Plus I was almost afraid to do anything that risked the bond we now shared.  He’d grown so very important to me in a short amount of time.  I couldn’t bear to lose him. 

“Curtis and Brecken are practically honorary members of the family now,” I told Cami.  “It’s possible we might just be destined to be great friends.  And maybe we’re better off that way.” 

My sister’s mouth twisted into a smirk.  “You don’t really believe that.” 

I refused to argue or confirm her statement. 

But she was right. I didn’t believe that at all.