Stone Cold (13 page)

She didn’t know how he could tell she was being cautious, but as he continued to stoke the fire the building inside of her, she had no choice but to let go, freefalling, hoping he would be there to catch her when she landed.

When Cassie woke up the next morning, she tried to quash the disappointment. She was alone. Again. She reminded herself that Drake was a busy man, that his time was valuable, but in her idealistic mind, he’d woken her with a kiss, if only to tell her that last night had been as magical for him as it had been for her.

Before she had time to feel sorry for herself, her cell phone rang. Scrambling to find the purse she’d dropped on the floor the night before, she tried following the sound, tossing aside clothes and pillows in her haste to find it. If it was Drake, she didn’t want to miss his call.

She glanced at the screen. Unknown caller. “Hello.”

“I’m looking for Cassidy Ross.”

“This is she.”

“Cassidy, my name is Elsie. I live across the hall from your mama. I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but she’s had a stroke.” When Cassidy didn’t respond, she continued. “I didn’t know who else to call. She talked about you and your sister all the time. I found your numbers in the book by the phone… I just thought someone should be there for her. I would go to the hospital myself, but I have to go into work soon.”

Deafening silence prompted her to say, “I’d, uh, call in, but there’s no one to take my shift at the diner.”

Cassidy sank to the bed, trying to process the news. She hadn’t spoken to her mother in over a year. Phil encouraged her to sever the toxic bonds in her life so she could begin to let go of the past. Her mother had always been a harsh reminder of why she’d been trying to escape in the first place. Still, a part of her remained hopeful that her Elizabeth would find the strength to fight her own demons someday.

“Is she…?” She cleared her throat. “Going to be okay?”

“I don’t know, honey. They just rushed her to the hospital around the corner.”

Cassidy remembered that hospital well. It was so close she could hear the sirens from her bedroom when she left the window open in the summer to escape the stifling heat and stench of stale booze and cigarettes. “Thank you for calling. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Her hand trembled as she let the phone fall to her lap.

Elizabeth Ross had lived in the same rundown apartment two blocks from the hospital for as long as Cassidy could remember. The only other home she remembered was a run-down trailer they’d lived in with one of her mother’s boyfriends when Katie was just a toddler.

That apartment was the dungeon that housed her worst childhood memories and now she had to go back and face them again. She only prayed she was strong enough to face it alone.

***

Drake bounded up the stairs leading to his front door just before dinner. He couldn’t wait to see Cassidy. In spite of how busy he’d been in the studio, memories of last night had been taunting him all day, making it difficult for him to concentrate.

He wandered in to the kitchen, expecting to see Cassidy sitting on a stool at the counter, helping Dora chop vegetables. In spite of Dora’s protests, she insisted on helping and he suspected both women enjoyed their daily chats.

“Hey,” he said, smiling at his housekeeper. “Where’s Cassidy?”

Dora focused her attention on the prime rib she was slicing, not responding right away.

Drake couldn’t explain why Dora’s subtle evasion made him nervous, but it did. “I asked you a question, Dora. Where is she?”

She sighed as she pulled a white envelope out of her apron. “She’s gone. She asked me to give you this.”

Drake reached for the letter as a sick feeling of dread overcame him. “What do you mean, she’s gone? Don’t tell me she went back to that hell hole.”

“No, nothing like that,” Dora said, looking sad. “She had to deal with a family emergency.”

“What kind of family emergency?” He knew she didn’t have a relationship with her mother or her sister and she didn’t have any other family.

“It’s all in the letter, I assume,” Dora said, wiping her hands on a dish towel.

“Just tell me one thing.” He wasn’t sure he had the courage to ask the question, but living in denial wasn’t an option for him. “Is she planning on coming back?”

“I don’t think so,” Dora said softly, looking up at him. “I’m sorry, honey.”

He sank down on a stool, unable to believe what he was hearing. He’d let himself fall in love with that woman all over again and last night she’d shown him in every possible way that the feeling was mutual. Why would she leave him now when fate was giving them a second chance?

“I don’t get it… why?”

“Read the letter,” Dora said, rounding the counter to pat his back. “I’m sure she explained everything.”

He didn’t want to read the damn letter. He wanted to see her face to face so he could convince her to stop running. This was her home, or at least he wanted it to be.

He waited until Dora left the room before tearing in to the non-descript envelope. His hands were trembling as he unfolded the single sheet of paper. How the hell could she explain her reasons for walking out of his life on one lousy piece of paper?

Drake,

I’ll never be able to thank you enough for welcoming me in to your home and taking such good care of me.

Drake was getting angrier by the second. She was addressing him like he was a stranger instead of the man she’d made love to last night. Forcing himself to continue, his eyes scanned the words.

The time I spent with you allowed me to heal physically and emotionally. I feel stronger than I ever have and I know I’m going to be just fine now.

So, he’d served his purpose, helping her to heal from her injuries. Now it was time for her to move on? What a fool he’d been to trust her again. He should’ve known she would pull a stunt like this.

It’s time for me to go home and face my past before I can ever hope to build a future, with you or anyone else.

Once the initial anger began to subside, fear set in. He read and re-read the last sentence, trying to make sense of those few simple words. How could she even think about building a life with someone else when he loved her too much to even contemplate letting her go?

My mother’s had a stroke. I hope you can understand why I want to be there for her. I know she wasn’t the mother I needed growing up, but she’s the only mother I have. I could never forgive myself if I abandoned her now.

Drake felt like a jerk for assuming the worst. Of course she would want to be there for her mother. He wouldn’t expect any less from the woman who’d put her life in jeopardy to help strangers wrestle their demons.

I’m not sure of her status. Her neighbour wasn’t able to tell me very much over the phone, but her recovery may be long and painful. There’s no telling how long she’ll need me, months, years, perhaps forever.

Being apart forever wasn’t an option for Drake. Now that Cassidy was back in his life, there was no way in hell he intended to let her go again.

I wanted to call and say good-bye, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I know a letter probably seems like the coward’s way out, but I didn’t see another way.

Last night was incredible. I’ll store it with all of the other wonderful memories you gave me during our time together. You’re an amazing man and I’m so much better and stronger for having known you.

Love,

Cassidy

Drake refolded the paper and shoved it back in the envelope as his mind raced to find a solution to their dilemma. He was right in the middle of making a record and the most sought-after studio in the city didn’t grant special favors to anyone, not even him. Getting away right now seemed impossible, but leaving Cassidy to face her nightmare alone was unthinkable. She needed him and he couldn’t let her down.

“Are you okay?” Dora asked, placing a hand on his back.

“Did you know about what happened to her mother?” he asked.

“Yes, she told me before she left.”

“How did she seem to you?”

“Scared.”

“That’s what I was afraid of. I need to go there, to be with her.” He dropped the envelope on the counter and raked his hands through his hair. “But I need to make some plans first. Jesus, what a mess.”

“Drake,” Dora said, placing a hand on his forearm. “You’re the strongest man I know. You survived losing your own parents at such a young age, and in spite of that tragedy, you still managed to build this incredible life for yourself.”

“What’s your point?” He’d known Dora long enough to know there was one. She wouldn’t have risked picking his emotional scabs without a reason.

“You’ll find a way to make this work. I watched you fall in love with that young lady all over again these past few weeks.” She smiled. “In fact, I don’t think you’ve ever stopped loving her.”

“You’re probably right about that.”

“Anger is a vicious beast,” she said quietly. “It has the power to twist the most beautiful thing into something wretched.”

“Are you saying you don’t think I had the right to be angry about what happened between Cassidy and my brother?”

She touched his face, a sad smile on her lips. “Honey, things are not always what they seem.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? I walked in there and saw them in bed together. How could I have misunderstood that?”

“If that’s the way you feel, there’s no point going after her, is there?”

Not going after her wasn’t an option. He loved her. But he didn’t know if he could ever forget what happened between Cassidy and Lee. The love hadn’t died that night, but the trust certainly had. He just hoped they could rebuild that in time.

Cassidy was physically and emotionally exhausted and she’d only been sitting by her mother’s bedside since yesterday. The stroke had impacted Elizabeth’s speech. She didn’t have full use of her limbs yet, but the doctor suggested that may come with time and patience. So much remained a mystery.

Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked at her daughter. “Still… here?” she whispered.

Cassidy couldn’t help but remember her own hospital stay not so long ago. She’d never even thought to call her mother. Having her there would have likely hindered her recovery.

Taking a deep breath, Cassidy gave herself a pep talk about staying positive, for her sake and her mother’s. “I told you I wasn’t going anywhere,” she said, repositioning the blanket. “I’ll stay as long as you need me to.”

“You…” She hesitated, as though it required great effort to get the words out. “Have life.”

“To tell you the truth, my career wasn’t really going anywhere. I tried to make it work in Nashville, but—” She shrugged. She’d never told her mother about her relationship with Drake. Not even when they were engaged. She was afraid she would show up on their doorstep looking for a handout if she found out her daughter was marrying a wealthy man.

“Can’t… afford…get…sick.”

Cassidy didn’t even want to think about how they were going to pay for her mother’s hospital stay. If she required constant care, which she would, at least in the beginning, that would limit Cassidy’s job prospects. Maybe she could sell her songs…

“Let me worry about that, Mama.”

“Don’t… deserve… you.”

Tears sprang to Cassidy’s eyes. Her mother had never once told her she appreciated her or was proud of her talent or accomplishments.

When Cassidy told her she was going to Nashville to realize her dream of becoming a singer, her mother told her to bring a box of condoms because the only way she’d get a record deal is if she slept with the right person. Of course, she’d been drunk at the time and bitter because the boyfriend she’d been expecting a proposal from left her for a younger woman.

“I’m your daughter,” Cassidy said, patting her cold hand. “Where else would I be?”

“I… deserve… to be… alone.”

“Don’t say that,” she said, feeling the heaviness of regret filling the room. They’d both made so many mistakes, but if she could change, maybe her mother could too. “Everyone deserves to have someone they can count on.”

“I’m a… bad… mother,” she whispered as a tear slid down her wrinkled cheek. “Sorry.”

The years of drinking and smoking had taken their toll on Elizabeth’s body. Chronologically, she was only fifty-six, but she looked much older.

“You did the best you could,” Cassidy said, fighting back her own tears. She never expected her mother to express remorse for her actions. Perhaps her brush with death had given her a new perspective.

“Thank… you.”

Cassidy leaned over to brush her lips against her mother’s forehead. “You get some rest. I’m just going to go down to the cafeteria to get another cup of coffee. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Her eyes were closed, her breathing shallow, before Cassidy even reached the door. There was no doubt about it, her mother’s recovery was going to be long and taxing on both of them.

Stepping out into the hall, Cassidy glanced at the reception desk. She gasped when she saw the profile of the man and woman speaking to the nurse. It couldn’t be. Paralyzed by a myriad of emotions, disbelief, anger, and fear, she waited for them to turn around and spot her.

Katie was the first one to notice her. “Sis,” she said, taking a step toward her, arms outstretched. “I came as soon as I heard what happened to Mama.”

Cassidy stared at her, unable to believe she had the audacity to pretend the last night they’d seen each other Katie hadn’t been plotting to ruin her life. Holding her hand up, she said, “Stay right there.” Glaring at the man falling in to step behind her sister, she asked, “What the hell are you doing here, Lee?”

Even though they were identical twins, there was no way she could mistake Lee for his brother a second time. The differences were subtle, but recognizable when she wasn’t under the influence of that poison. Lee was leaner, paler, the lines around his eyes more pronounced. His hair was shaggier, as though it was in need of a trim. His clothes were tired and worn. In the bright light of day, he and his brother were as different as two men could be.

“I came because I knew my
wife
would need me.”

Cassidy tried to contain her shock as she saw the tell-tale gold wedding band on her sister’s left hand. “You two? When? I mean… how?” As far as Cassidy knew, her sister and Drake’s brother despised each other.

Katie pointed to a small room behind Cassidy. “That says family lounge. Do you think they’d mind if we used it for a minute? I’d rather discuss this in private.”

“I’ll ask the nurse,” Lee said, walking back to the reception desk.

“How could you marry that man after what he did to me?” Cassidy asked, shocked that her sister’s betrayal ran even deeper than she suspected.

Katie took a step closer, as though she was moving slowly trying to gauge her sister’s reaction. “Look, we were all in a bad place that night…”

Cassidy was too stunned to respond. She’d been in a bad place because of what her own sister had done to her. How could Katie make it sound as though they shared the blame for what happened that night? Before she could call her out on her abhorrent behavior, she saw Drake step off the elevator.

“Oh my God,” Cassidy whispered, gripping the door handle behind her when she feared her legs may give out.

“Shit,” Katie whispered when Drake spotted her husband.

Cassidy felt like she was having an out-of-body experience as she watched the man she loved close in on his nemesis… a man who would look like his mirror image to a bystander. She wanted to step in between them, but her feet were rooted to the ground. Thankfully, Katie didn’t seem to have the same problem.

“Drake, don’t,” Katie said, rushing to Lee’s defence. “Violence isn’t going to change what happened.”

The nurse sitting behind the desk seemed alarmed and confused with one eye on the two men and the other on the security call button.

As though he’d just spotted her, Drake closed the distance between them, reaching out for Cassidy. “Are you okay, baby?”

Weak with relief that he was here and would give her the strength to face the demonic duo, she sagged against him. “I am now that you’re here.”

“The question is, what the hell are they doing here?” Drake asked.

“I don’t know,” she said, trying to draw enough air into her lungs. “They just got here.”

“You want me to get rid of them?” he asked, framing her face with his hands.

“I guess she has a right to be here. So does Lee, since he’s her husband.”

“Her what?” Drake shouted, turning to look at his brother.

“Sssh,” Cassidy said, reaching for his hand. “Not here.”

“Cassidy’s right,” Lee said, stepping forward. “The nurse said we could use the lounge. Why don’t we talk in there?”

“I don’t trust myself to be in the same room with you,” Drake growled.

Cassidy grabbed Drake’s arm. “Please, sweetheart, we need to hear them out.” Cassidy didn’t know why Katie and Lee felt compelled to come, but one thing was a given. The truth had to come out. If Drake cared about her enough to put his whole life on hold to be there to support her through a difficult time, he deserved to know the truth about what happened that night.

“Fine,” Drake said, between clenched teeth. Glaring at Lee, he said, “But I sure as hell hope you have health insurance ’cause you’re gonna need it.”

Reaching for his hand, Cassidy led him into the small, sterile lounge area. She waited for her sister and Lee to enter before closing the door behind them. “Why are you here, Katie?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I came as soon as I heard about Mama.”

Drake put his arm around Cassidy’s waist, pulling her close. “You tryin’ to tell us you’re clean now?”

Katie reached into her purse and withdrew a chip. “I have been for a whole year, Drake. We both have. After what we did to Cassidy…” She winced, as though she could barely stand to recall her actions.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Drake demanded. “If you’re feeling guilty about bringing that shit in to our home, you should.”

Cassidy knew this was the moment of truth. Drake could go ballistic, blaming her for lying to protect him and blaming both her sister and his brother for taking advantage of his fiancée’s vulnerability.

Katie looked at her sister. “You didn’t tell him what happened… what we did?”

Lee sank down in a chair at the round table. Dropping his head into his hands, he muttered, “Shit, this is gonna be bad.”

“What did you do?” Drake braced his fists on the table and leaned forward. Getting in Lee’s face, he said, “Be a real man for once in your miserable goddamn life, Lee. I want you to tell me what happened.”

Lee drew a shaky breath before steadying his hands on the table and looking his brother in the eye. “I just want you to know I was in a real bad place then, man. The drugs had a death grip on me. I wasn’t thinking straight.”

Drake leaned in closer. “Quit making excuses, asshole.”

Cassidy placed her hand on Drake’s back, hoping a reminder of her presence would help calm him down.

“You know I was pissed when you cut me off.” He held his hands up when Drake clenched his fists, looking ready to take the first swing. “Not that you didn’t have the right to. I get that now.”

“Go on,” Drake said, a muscle in his jaw twitching with the effort to restrain himself.

Cassidy held her breath, knowing the worst was still to come.

“Me and Katie hatched this plan, to… uh, stop by when you weren’t home and lift a few things. We were out of money and we needed a fix. I know it was a really shitty thing to do, but we were desperate. It was the disease…”

“Shut up! I’m sick of your excuses,” Drake snarled. “You make me sick.” He looked at Katie. “You were in cahoots with this loser all along? So the plan was to rip me and your sister off, huh? It didn’t matter to you that she sunk every dime she made in to that goddamn rehab facility so you could get clean and have a chance at a better life?”

“I hated myself for what I did,” Katie said, a tear slipping down her cheek. “As soon as I put that stuff in her drink, I wanted to take it back, but it was too late. She’d already drank it and—”

“Hold on just a minute,” Drake said, raising his hand. “You wanna run that past me again?” When everyone in the room remained silent, Drake turned to Cassidy for confirmation. “Is what she’s saying true? You didn’t take that shit voluntarily?”

Cassidy didn’t want him to feel guilty or let her off the hook for her part in this. She had been stupid enough to let her sister into their home that night, which set the whole thing in motion. “I’m so sorry, Drake. I—”

He held his hand up to silence her before turning his attention back to his brother. “I want to know how the hell you ended up in bed with my fiancée, and I want every last detail.”

Looking like he’d rather be anywhere else, Lee began squirming in his seat. “When Cassidy was down for the count, Katie helped her in to bed.” He looked up at his wife.

“That’s when I took the jewelry out of her jewelry box and a few other things that looked valuable,” Katie said quietly, refusing to look Drake in the eye.

“You took that stuff?” Drake muttered a curse. “I assumed Cassidy took it when she left.” Scraping his hands over his face, he said, “Go on. I need to hear the rest.”

“When Katie met me in the lobby,” Lee said, clearing his throat, “I told her about your wall safe. I was there one day when you opened it and was pretty sure I remembered the combination. I headed up and told Katie not to wait around for me.” He cast a glance at Cassidy. “I thought sleeping with Cassidy would be the best way to get back at you.”

“You sick bastard,” Drake shouted, lunging across the table. He grabbed the front of Lee’s shirt. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now.”

Lee looked Cassidy in the eye. “’Cause I can give you back something you lost that night.”

“I don’t give a shit about any of the stuff you took that night,” Drake said, letting go of Lee’s shirt with enough force to cause his chair to wobble.