Page 81 of Just Between Us

“Hey, angel.” I stretch out on my couch, one arm behind my head while I prop the phone on my chest. “How’s Texas treating you?”

One hand twists her gold hoop for a beat before she answers. “Better. Each day is better.”

Relief washes over me, but it’s tangled up with guilt. She’s there dealing with her mom, unpacking a lifetime of complicated shit, and I’m here journaling about my feelings. At least she’s doing the real work. Sitting with her mom, having hard conversations.

“I’m so glad to hear that” is all I can manage.

We fall into easy conversation, mostly about upcoming Christmas plans and family traditions. She tells me Tyler stayed here to be with Josie and her kids, which causes my brows to rise up my forehead. Josie has been closed off to men for years. I’d occasionally try fixing her up and she shot that down real fast. I’ve been around Tyler a couple times now at the studio though, and he seems like a real standup guy. Smart and reliable. Kinda on the quiet side.

“But listen, I need to tell you. Something weird is going on with Penny and Austin.”

Alarm bells sound, and my face must show it because Cassie quickly corrects herself. “No, no. Not like that. We both know Penny sleeps like the dead, right?” I nod and she goes on. “But I’ve noticed lately she’s slept even more. Like, so much. Every chance she gets. And Austin’s hovered over her nonstop.”

I’m not following where she’s going with this. “Do you think Penny’s sick?”

“No, Liam. I think Penny might be pregnant. That’s what I’m trying to say.”

Shit. Penny, who is like a sister to me, might be a mom?

“Pregnant?”

Cassie nods. “Yes. That’s the only explanation I can come up with for their behavior. I forgot to tell you, but Mom and I talked about it yesterday and she agreed. She took me to lunch for my birthday, and it was actually her who suggested it when I mentioned Penny sleeping all the time.”

She continues talking but my brain rewinds snagging on one word. Birthday. “What did you just say?”

“I said it was Mom who suggested it because Penny’s been sleeping a lot.”

“No, before that.”

Now Cassie won’t meet my eyes. “She took me to lunch for my birthday.”

Holy fuck. I shoot upright. She’s either had a birthday or about to have a birthday that I knew nothing about.

“Angel, what day is your birthday?”

She chews one corner of her lip, eyes looking anywhere but at mine through the screen.

“Today.”

That one word lands like a blow. All I can do is stare at her. Today is her birthday and I had no idea. I search through every conversation we’ve had for some mention, but I come up empty.

“I’m a Christmas Eve baby. So it just kind of blends in. I didn’t think to tell you. Birthdays are just another day when you’re our age. It’s fine. Aunt Ashley makes my favorite meal and cake. That’s plenty.”

But I can tell by the way she’s rambling she doesn’t mean it. By the way her voice goes higher, faster. How many birthdays has she had to pretend it didn’t matter? It’s just another day. She says it’s fine. But it’s not.

She deserves someone who knows her birthday and makes damn sure it’s the biggest party of the year. Someone who makes sure she feels celebrated even if it does fall during the biggest holiday season. And I can’t keep lying to myself much longer when an undeniable truth stares me straight in the face.

I want that person to be me.

“Cassie, listen to me.” I wait until her eyes finally meet mine through the screen. “We should celebrate every year we get. Your birthday matters to me because you matter to me. And I’m sorry I didn’t know.”

Her eyes go glassy and she blinks rapidly, looking away. “You couldn’t have known. I didn’t tell you.”

“I should have asked.” The words come out rougher than I intend. “I should have—fuck. I know what tea you drink. I know you can cross your toes, which by the way I still can’t do. I know the exact face you make when you’re trying not to cry.” I point to the screen. “It’s the same face you’re making right now.”

A wet laugh escapes her. “Liam?—”

“What day do you get back?” My mind’s already working, pieces clicking into place.