Page 82 of Becoming

“So, a woman struts in naked, acting as though it’s her home, and you just left her alone with Cass?”

This time Rebecca stood to pace. “Well, when you put it that way, what I thought was a good idea now seems like a terrible one.”

“Why would that be a good idea if you doubted her, Becca?”

“Because!”

“That explains everything,” Hunter scoffed.

“Love is a bitch sometimes, Hunter. Do you know that when Samantha cheated on me—which was practically every fucking week—I didn’t care. Hell, I was grateful that it wasn’t me! But the thought of Cassidy being with someone else literally gives me heartburn. I can’t stand the thought! Which is exactly why I left them alone.”

“Okay, babe, you’re going to have to explain that one to me.” Hunter had no clue what was going to happen with Ellie. But, man, Rebecca wasn’t making love sound like rainbows and unicorns.

“I don’t know what’s real in here,” Rebecca said, pointing to her head. “If Miranda has been abused and I hindered her from getting help from Cass, anything that happens to her is my fault. She would never talk if I was there, so I left.”

“You don’t believe her? About being abused?”

“That’s the thing, I don’t know what I believe. Even Cassidy says Miranda is acting weird. How do I know that she hasn’t been abused and this whole naked thing is how she’s acting out?”

Hunter stood and walked over to Rebecca. “So, you made the only decision you could.”

Rebecca nodded. “Cassidy is doing the right thing. I know she didn’t hesitate in believing Miranda. That’s who she is. I couldn’t force my doubts on her.”

“She’s good, too, Becca.”

“I know. Maybe too good for me.”

“Bullshit.” Hunter rolled her eyes when Rebecca lifted a brow. Yeah, she got it. She needed to stop doubting her worthiness for Ellie. It wouldn’t be easy, but she would try. “I hope you know that Cass is head over heels in love with you. I don’t think anything could make her hurt you.”

Rebecca smiled. “I know. I trust Cassidy with my heart. I don’t, however, trust Miranda. I’m afraid Cassidy is going to get hurt somehow.”

“If that happens, at least she has you to make it all better.”

NINE HOURS, FIFTEEN minutes, and forty-three seconds. Cass’s fingers tapped her thigh as the seconds ticked by, reminding her that the woman she loved wasn’t with her. That Rebecca hadn’t called her. And that she wasn’t sure if Rebecca would pick up if Cass called her. Why the fuck did she just let Rebecca go? And what good did it do? Rand still hasn’t talked to her. Well, she’s talked, but not about the abuse. She talked about her and Cass and their past. There was a lot of “Do you remember when we…” and really playing up the closeness they had growing up together.

Through all of it, Cass tried to remain attentive and supportive. Every time she tried to steer the conversation back to why Rand was there, Rand got upset. That’s normal, right? Cass sighed in the dark. God, I wish Rebecca were here. It probably wouldn’t have helped Rand, but it sure as hell would have helped Cass. As it was, she was alone, on the couch, missing the love of her life.

She almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of her gushing. The love of her life. As hokey as that sounded, especially from one who was only twenty-five, it was true. Cass was the luckiest son of a bitch ever to have found someone like Rebecca. She tried so hard not to be pissed that Rand was now sleeping in Cass and Rebecca’s bed while Rebecca was gone. Rand would have understood that this was Rebecca’s home. Right? Even this very different, very confusing Rand would understand.

“Cass?”

Cass looked through the darkness towards Rand’s voice. She could only make out her silhouette. “Yeah?”

“Are you sure you don’t want to sleep upstairs with me? I’d feel much safer.”

“I’m sure. Look, you’re safe, Rand. No one will get past me to get to you.”

“You always did look out for me.”

Rand had moved closer, but Cass remained where she was. Something was wrong. Rand sounded… wrong.

“Yeah, well, we’re best friends,” Cass said slowly.

“It’s always been more than that for you, hasn’t it?”

“What? No.”

“Come on, Cassidy. It’s just us here. You can tell me the truth. Remember that night when we…”