Wild Forces: A Friends to Lovers Romance (O-Town Book 2) by Karen Renee (summer reads .TXT) 📕

her in, I suspected her age to be fifteen. Watching her pad away from me, her old age seemed to be reflected in her slow gait. I sighed and thought about what song to play.

For the last two years, I had loved that music was a thing between Gabe and me, so much so, it was pretty much our thing. But now, with so much weighing on my mind, I hated that my love of music drummed up thoughts of him.

I sat at the piano and shoved thoughts of Gabe out of my head. My fingers hit the keys, and instinctively they played the chord to one of my favorite Maroon 5 songs, “Whiskey.” The lyrics started in the second bar of music, and I couldn’t help but sing it.

Having heard it and played it a gazillion times (minor exaggeration), I easily flipped all the appropriate pronouns. While it didn’t all apply, I had always been Gabe’s even if he wasn’t mine. Allowing myself to be so reckless was a stupid mistake on my part, but I knew I had let it go on far too long. I had learned the lesson in a bitter way.

I finished out the song, singing it and playing it on the piano with tears brimming in my eyes. It was like hearing the song for the first time. Occasionally that happened to me. I could hear a song over and over again, but not until I played it would I understand the song in a visceral way.

Gabe would only be willing to kiss me or pursue me physically if he was intoxicated, that seemed clear. That was humiliating as hell. My choices were to get over my humiliation and keep our friendship, which was like nothing else I had ever known, or I could throw it all away because of my humiliation. While I told myself that rationally, it didn’t mean I was on board with it.

AROUND FOUR IN THE afternoon, I arrived back at my apartment. To my surprise, Kaylee stood at the breakfast bar when I came in.

“Oh, fantastic! I don’t have to leave you a note.”

“A note? About what?”

She arched an eyebrow. “I don’t know what the hell went down between you and Gabe, but he was fit to be tied when you weren’t here. He really wanted to know where to find you, but I kept quiet about it. It also didn’t hurt that Dad and Uncle Mike were here. He didn’t want to discuss it with them around.”

I nodded and her eyes widened.

“Seriously? You’re not gonna tell me anything else?”

I sighed. “There’s nothing to tell. He tied one on, and he conked out on the sofa.”

Her eyes narrowed. “But you couldn’t bear to see him in the morning?”

I kept my mouth shut. After a moment, I asked, “So, are you done? This the last time you’ll be here? You’re always welcome to come back, but...”

She smiled. “Yeah. I’ve got everything. My key is on the counter.”

“Well, hang on. I have something for you.”

I hustled to my room and back out with my checkbook and pen in hand.

“What are you doing, Cass?”

I filled out the amount and scribbled my signature on the bottom.

“Here,” I said, ripping the check off. “This is your security deposit back plus a little extra.”

“I never paid you a security deposit.”

“Well, you should have seeing as you essentially were security a couple weeks ago.”

“Cassie, this is too much. God. It’s like nearly a year’s rent. You need this.”

I really didn’t, but I didn’t want to tell her why.

“Kaylee, I’m not taking it back from you. Call it an early graduation gift. Call it whatever you want, but that’s your money, so take it.”

A devious look crossed her face. “I could tear it up.”

“I could just give you cash, if you’re going to argue.”

“You have this kind of cash on hand?”

My lips twisted. “Not quite, but close-ish.”

She laughed. “I know that you pinch pennies, but really? No way you stuff money in your mattress.”

I scoffed. “Of course not! That isn’t the least bit secure.”

She laughed. “Fine, since you insist. This is very generous of you, Cassie.”

After she left, I put on my swimsuit and went down to the pool. I knew I wouldn’t run into Gabe there, since he avoided it. With almost ten laps done, I realized how out of shape I had become. I forced myself to get to the fifteen-lap mark, and dragged myself to a chaise lounge. As I toweled off, I saw DeShawn had texted me.

You all right?

My eyebrow cocked. There was no reason for him to ask me that... unless, Gabe had mentioned something to him.

I texted back: Yes, why do you ask?

He sent me back a shrugging emoji and I shook my head. Every instinct told me to let it go, but I couldn’t stop myself from texting him again.

I don’t believe you, but thanks for thinking of me. You being so sweet will remain our little secret!

His response was nearly immediate.

Not sweet, Cass. Glad U R OK.

I left it at that, and stood up to wrap my towel around me before heading back to the apartment.

9Merciless Little Deaths

Gabe

I FELT LIKE SHIT. A jumble of so many shitty emotions. Especially guilt. To some extent, regret.

Except I didn’t regret kissing Cassie; I regretted her reaction to it. I needed to talk to her, and I could only hope she would hear me out.

After spending time with her at the shelter last week, I knew Tuesdays were lighter days for her. I didn’t know if she was still at the shelter, so I called the main line.

Nona answered with her southern twang, making me smile.

“Hi, Nona. It’s Gabe Sullivan, but don’t say anything. I was curious if Cassandra Daughtry was still there. Or not?”

“Oh, no, Gabe. She left an hour ago, but she didn’t seem quite herself. Didn’t even head back to spend time with the cats.”

I sighed quietly. “All right, Nona. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll