Page 55 of Becoming
“Badges of honor,” Rebecca blurted before Cassidy could leave. “That’s what she called them.” She slipped on one of Cassidy’s t-shirts and turned around. “For her. The more scars she could leave on my back, the more powerful she felt. And the more she was in control of me. The worst ones,” Rebecca pulled up the shirt enough to show a large stripe that rounded her side and disappeared under the shirt, “happened the night she found out I bought the club. Afterward, she made me stand under the steaming shower.”
Cass curled her hands into fists, digging her nails into her palms. That fucking bitch. A tear rolled down her cheek and she closed her eyes when Rebecca wiped it away.
“Don’t cry for me, Cassidy,” she said softly.
Cass shook her head and took Rebecca’s beautiful face in her hands. “You have to allow me to be sad for you, baby. And you have to allow me to be mad that I can’t kill that bitch for what she did to you.”
“Don’t say that. You are too good to carry that guilt.”
“I could say the same to you.” Rebecca tried to turn away, but Cass held steady. “One day, baby, I will get you to believe that you have nothing to be guilty of.”
Rebecca gave Cassidy the smile she knew she needed. “Right now, you need to take a really quick shower and get ready.” She playfully pushed Cassidy back. “Cassidy? Hunter spoke to me once before about getting the scars removed. Or reduced. If they make you uncomfortable…”
“Hey. Don’t do that, baby. I may hate the way you got them, but there is nothing about you that I hate or would change.”
“Not even my attitude this past week or so?”
“The only thing I would change about that is whatever I did to annoy you.”
Rebecca chuckled. “Oh my God, you’re impossibly sweet. You didn’t do anything. I’ve just… we need to talk later, okay? Don’t look so scared, baby. I’m not going anywhere. Except for dinner without you, if you don’t hurry. Now, get that fine ass naked and get in the shower.”
Cass smirked. She said not to be scared, I’m going to trust her. “Join me?”
“We’ll never leave if I do.” Rebecca tapped her watch. “Five minutes, babe.”
“Only need three!” They both laughed as Cass stripped in record time and ran towards the bathroom. After what they just spoke about, the sound of laughter coming from Rebecca was a gift. She knew talking about the scars had to have reminded Rebecca of the pain of her past. As long as Rebecca would have her, Cass would continue to do whatever it took to remind Rebecca that her present and future would be better.
DESPITE THEIR LITTLE setback, Rebecca and Cassidy managed to make it to the restaurant on time. The drive was quiet, but not uncomfortably so. The two held hands and merely enjoyed being in each other’s presence. Rebecca acknowledged that she probably could have had “the talk” with Cassidy then. But, once again, she chickened out, justifying her cowardice with not wanting to ruin the night if Cassidy didn’t like what she was hearing.
They were still holding hands when they walked into the restaurant. Cassidy rubbed her thumb over Rebecca’s knuckles and Rebecca responded by giving her a little squeeze. It was their way of letting each other know that no matter what happened tonight, they would be okay.
“Rebecca!” Hunter stood and waved them over.
Rebecca gave her long-time friend a huge smile and pulled Cassidy along with her as she quickened her pace.
“Hey, you. Long time, no see.” She gave Hunter a quick peck on the cheek before the introductions. “Hunter this is Cassidy.” She stepped back to let them get acquainted and hugged Patty. “Good to see you. And you, Mo,” she said, giving Mo a quick embrace.
Cass shook Hunter’s hand, trying not to stare. The woman was gorgeous. Well, not quite Cass’s type, but definitely Rebecca’s. How in the hell did Rebecca not hook up with her? She absolutely did not want to think of that, so she focused on Hunter saving her girl’s life.
“Got the handshake in, now I owe you a beer,” Cass grinned.
“You don’t owe me anything, but I’ll take it,” Hunter laughed and gestured for Cass to sit. Her approval of the woman grew in spades as she watched Cass wait for Rebecca to finish her hellos with the others before pulling her chair out for her.
“Patty and Mo, this is my girlfriend Cassidy,” Rebecca paused for a second as Cassidy automatically corrected her with “just Cass.”
“Never thought I’d ever hear those words coming from you,” Mo quipped before taking a swig of beer.
“Me, either. But here we are.”
Out of the three women, Rebecca clashed with Mo the most. It wasn’t because she didn’t like the woman. She did. It just so happened that Mo’s personality took a little getting used to. While Rebecca appreciated Mo’s frankness, it sometimes went a little overboard.
Patty, on the other hand, was a saint to put up with her wife’s frequent immaturity. When Rebecca had met them both during her stay at the hospital, she never would have guessed they were married. They were polar opposites in almost every way except in height.
Patty was a five-foot-two, no-nonsense, chocolate-skinned woman who could put the fear of God into you with one look from her light brown eyes. She was also a few years older than Rebecca and was known as the “mama” of the group. In contrast, Mo—who, unbelievably at times, was around the same age as Rebecca—was a stout butch with short, dirty blonde hair, and a childishness about her that could be as endearing as it was frustrating. Opposites attract, she supposed.
“Well, I can see why you’ve been hiding this one away,” Patty fawned.
“Why? Because she’s so young? Seriously, what’d you do, Becca? Rob a cradle?”