Page 36 of Just Between Us

Cassie groans into the phone. “In the moment it was fun. Today, on the other hand…”

“You need some ibuprofen and electrolytes. Do you have any? I’m not much help right now, but I can run some to you when I get back to town if not.”

There’s a sound of a mattress creaking and a cabinet opening and closing. “I have ibuprofen. I’ll just guzzle lots of water.” Then I hear ice clinking into a glass and water running. At the sound, I’m overcome with the need to be the one getting her water and ibuprofen, pressing a hand to her forehead just for an excuse to touch her. Domestic shit nobody puts in a song, but I’d take it any day over a night out in Nashville.

I sit with that thought, until I realize Cassie is speaking.

“I think my service cut out. What was that?”

“I was saying, I have a vague memory of calling you. Did I call you?”

“Yeah…well, FaceTime.”

“Please tell me I didn’t say anything too embarrassing.”

I smile even though she can’t see me. “Define embarrassing.”

She groans again, and I hear the bed creak, like she’s climbing back under the covers. The mental image of Cassie in bed does something to me. What does she sleep in? An oversized T-shirt or a cute little matching set. Is her hair falling loose down her shoulders and back or is it piled up on top of her head? I picture her curled on her side, phone propped on the pillow, eyes half closed, and I have to adjust my grip on the steering wheel.

“You were fine,” I say in response. “Adorable. A little menace. And for the record, I enjoyed the call.”

Cassie lets out a cute sound, a cross between a sigh and a laugh. “I’m blaming Josie. She was all like ‘let’s take a shot every time you—’” She breaks off abruptly, and I look at the screen to see if we’ve been disconnected. But no, she’s still on the line.

“Every time you…what?”

She hesitates. “Never mind. Anyway, how’s your weekend been? Are you headed home?”

I let the subject change only because Cassie is probably embarrassed enough as it is. But I file it away. Take a shot every time you…every time she what? I wonder if it had something to do with me? Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

“Sure am. About two hours out.”

Cassie keeps me company while Highway 43 rolls by, Singing River getting closer and closer. She tells me all about her night with Penny and Josie, and I smile picturing her fitting seamlessly into their duo. I had a feeling she and Josie would hit it off.

Josie is Penny’s best friend, and she may as well be an extra daughter to my mom. She’s bold and vivacious, but when nobody’s looking, I see something else there. Something she tries to mask with snark and humor. There’s a very real chance she and Cassie have a lot in common.

Cassie and I are laughing about something Josie said when my phone beeps with an incoming call, Mom flashing onto my screen.

I may be a grown man of thirty years, but I love my mama, and I’ll always answer when she calls.

“Hey,” I interrupt gently. “My mom’s calling. Can we talk later?”

Cassie doesn’t miss a beat. “Oh, of course! Yes, take it. We’ll talk later.”

Pitching my voice into a lower register, I say, “Don’t tease me with a good time.”

“Bye, Liam,” Cassie says, probably with an eye roll and a grin. “You damn flirt.”

“Talk soon,” I say, and switch the call over to my mom.

After hanging up with Liam,I sit, smiling at my lock screen. Last night is a hazy fog, but at least I didn’t annoy Liam or do anything too crazy. That I know of. Then I notice the time and shoot Austin a quick text.

Good luck tonight!

Break a leg.

Tonight’s the night. Austin’s last show that determines if he’s finally free of his label, free to actually start over. I haven’t let myself think too hard about what happens if it doesn’t go his way. Not after watching him fight for sobriety. Not after seeing how much he loves Penny.

So full of optimism, he’s already booked a flight home with strict instructions to get Penny to Old Town Tavern tomorrow night.