Chapter 2 -- Too Big
Saturday January 21
Brook's parents had moved into an attractive three-bedroom home across the street from her grandmother's place. Cassidy slept in Brook's room while I was in the next room over. I snuck into Brook's bedroom before her parents had awoken.
I found Brook awake, and she smiled at me. She put her finger over her mouth and pointed to Cassidy, sleeping beside her like a baby. We'd been up late with Brook's cousins and the rest of her relatives. I learned that Brook wasn't the only prankster in the family as they told stories of what they'd done to each other growing up.
I think that last night put me in the mindset to have a little fun myself. Cassidy sleeping gave me the perfect opportunity. I also owed her because she'd gotten a little too comfortable bossing me around.
It never bothered me because I knew that Cassidy didn't have a mean bone in her body. Yes, she could make a boy squeal in pain, but that was because she felt she was righting a wrong. Cassidy never did anything more than some light teasing.
There were two reasons she was bossy with me. First, she knew I was a softy and would do absolutely anything for her. I'd made it clear that if there was anything I could do for her, all she had to do was ask.
Unlike my other friends--Wolf and Pam were good examples--she took me at my word and would just let me know what she wanted. Wolf had grown up without much and didn't ever want to accept what he considered charity. I hoped that on our last trip, he'd started to get past that attitude.
Pam liked to get my attention, so we played a cute game in which she came to me with requests for my son. I sometimes had to reject her requests because she liked seeing how far I would go.
The second reason Cassidy was bossy was that she was trying to find a balance between her job as my security and our close friendship. I knew that once she figured that out, things would be easier for her ... and me.
Brook's eyes got big when I stripped off and slid into bed behind Cassidy. She was sleeping in a flannel pajama set that kept her toasty warm. My well-thought-out plan was for her to wake up when I snuggled up to her. She just kept lightly snoring. I decided to up the ante and slipped my hand inside her top and put my palm on her tummy. When she still didn't wake up, I pulled her tight against me.
I was lucky that Mr. Happy was being well-behaved. He seemed to know that Cassidy was a no-go zone for multiple reasons. I decided to wait Cassidy out.
---
I woke to Cassidy looking me in the eyes. She leaned forward and kissed my nose.
"As enjoyable as it would be to have you in my arms all day, we need to get up soon," she said, smiling. "And you better take your hand off my butt."
Yep. Somehow, my hand had found its way under her pajamas, and I had a handful. I just left it there.
"We should talk," Cassidy said.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Brook is having some problems with the girls at her school, two in particular. They're implying that she's a slut because that would be the only way she could land you as a boyfriend."
"What am I supposed to do about it?" I asked.
"I don't think she wants you to do anything, but we're going to a party they're throwing tonight. You should be aware in case she gets mad and takes them out," Cassidy warned.
"Destiny Crown learned the hard way not to mess with Brook," I said with a little smile at the memory. "I can't really see her doing that at an all-girls boarding school."
"No, she probably won't. You can help her by being Mr. Charming and winning over her classmates."
"That I can do," I agreed.
"There's something else. Brook doesn't want to have sex with you this weekend."
I stuck my bottom lip out and pouted. Cassidy patted my cheek.
"It'll be okay. She doesn't want to make leaving you any harder than it already is. She misses you," Cassidy explained.
"Her cousins are cute," I said, perking up as dirty thoughts of a threesome ran through my head.
Cassidy glanced down because someone decided to poke her in her stomach.
"You do that, and I'll snap your little friend off," Cassidy advised.
It was like magic; my swelling went away. Next time I had a problem at school, I would go find Cassidy and have her threaten to rip my manhood off. Who was I kidding? That would be a terrible idea. She might take me at my word.
---
We had breakfast at Grace's, across the street. I fully understood why. Her cook had prepared a small buffet. I discovered something I'd never eaten before. There was a cheese doughnut that was split and made into a sandwich filled with peanut butter, a soft Italian cream cheese called mascarpone, and banana, and then grilled. I probably shouldn't have eaten three of them, but they were too damned good to resist.
Over breakfast, I was able to watch Ian and Ava more closely. He was trying to mend fences, but she was still not happy. If it ended up being anything like my parents' case, they would have to work on rebuilding their trust.
After breakfast, Brook's cousin Chelsea got my attention.
"Grab your coat. I want to show you something."
She wanted to talk, so I did as she asked. Brook eyed her but didn't interfere. We stepped out the back, and I discovered how special Grace's home really was. It was built on a bluff overlooking the Ohio River, with the courtyard and two-story section of the house on the same level as the road.
When you walked out the back door, you stepped down a level to a semi-enclosed, covered patio that ran the length of the house. From there, you had a spectacular view of the river and skyline. From the terrace, you could walk down the hill to another level that was surrounded by trees and shrubs, and sported at least a ten-person in-ground hot tub. The next level down from that was where the pool was.
"Gram was confused as to why you and Brook broke up. She said you two were perfect for each other," Chelsea said, getting right to the point.
I appreciated her direct approach, if only because it was in the mid-30s today. It was a little too cold for small talk.
"What did Brook say?" I asked to stall, and if need be, to back up Brook's story.
"She's not talking, which is unlike her. When we were growing up, we shared everything."
I pondered what to say for a moment. It wasn't my place to share Brook's family business and the real reason they'd moved, so I decided on the indirect approach and explained the breakup itself.
"I'll make you a deal. First, you tell me about the girls bullying her, and then I'll tell you what I know," I said, and looked around. "If I do tell you, you have to promise not to share it with anybody."
I'd pulled out my acting skills and was playing the nervous teenage boy. I'd gotten better at acting and could do the drowning puppy and get sympathy. The act would have never worked if Chelsea had known me better because I was usually confident.
She shoved her hands into her pockets and got closer to me so we could be coconspirators.
"Kaia Chamberlin is the one who sets the tone at our school. She and Brook clashed when they first met because Brook didn't know she was supposed to kowtow to Kaia's royal status. Kaia has nicknamed Brook 'New Girl' and gotten everyone to use it. She has also said some nasty things about you breaking up with Brook, and that Brook has loose morals," Chelsea said to enlighten me.
Sometimes, I forget that I lived in a fishbowl and people knew who I dated. One of the reasons I decided to pick Brook as my girlfriend was that she could handle the public scrutiny. Some tabloid must have said something unkind. Frankly, one reason I loved my hometown was that I never had to deal with that kind of BS.
"Brook and I knew our relationship would change at the end of high school. We agreed that when she went to college, and I left to film movies, we would end it ... for now. Brook's a great girl, and I admit I still love her, maybe even more than she loves me. If anything, she dumped me," I said, telling her the truth.
Chelsea pondered what I said and nodded.
