Chapter 19:

Chapter 19:
“I  have seen this smile before.”-Remington

Remington

I didn’t miss the notes of one of my favorite songs on Cassidy’s radio before he quickly changed the channel. It’s kind of cute that he was listening to that stuff when I know he doesn’t really like it, he usually only listens to it because I have it on. He must have been missing me.

Cassidy has some satellite radio dance channel on and is tapping his hand on the steering wheel as we head towards the city center. I vaguely remember going this way to the park where they hold Summer Fest. 

“Hey, Cass,” I say. “I haven’t seen your sister yet.”

“Thank the goddess,” Cassidy mutters before responding more appropriately. “She has volunteered to do some work at the packhouse, and she has classes at the local college.”

“I am surprised she hasn’t come to Breel to attend C.U.,” Remmy hums, thoughtfully. 

“I absolutely forbade her from it. She wanted to come to C.U. and she stil might to finish her master’s degree after she finishes up this year, but I have been trying to keep her out of our hair,” Cassidy grumbles.

“Why do I sense that this is a cause of stress for you?” 

“She has a massive crush on you and no matter how I explain that you are gay, she isn’t buying it because you are so nice and sweet,” Cassidy groans.

I nearly choke on my own tongue.

How had I not realized that my best friend’s younger sister has a crush on me?

Why does she have a crush on me of all people?

“Remi?” Cassidy asks, tentatively. “Are you gonna be okay? I didn’t break you by telling you that, did I?” 

“I’m just wondering what she could possibly see in me when she is surrounded by hunky werewolves all the time and I am just a broken hybrid,” I sigh.

“You are not broken and I have already told you that you are a very attractive guy who is sweet, kind and smart,” Cassidy replies. “Who wouldn’t be attracted to you?”

“A straight guy or lesbian, to start,” I snort as if that isn’t obvious.

“You know what I mean,” Cassidy chuckles and rolls his eyes.

“Sure,” I sigh.

If only he was attracted to me! But as it stands I can’t let him know how I feel. It would ruin everything.

We pull up to a green that is covered in tents and tables right in front of The City Hall and The Packhouse, which are right next to one another. 

Cassidy grabs the bags and we wander around the bright market which is brimming with the last of this autumn’s harvest. There are cranberries, pumpkins, squashes of all kinds, onions, garlic, corn, kale, beans, potatoes, mushrooms, sunflowers, honey and eggs. There is a musician playing guitar and singing. A woman is reading books to children. The entire scene is wonderful.

We buy some honey and edible flowers at one booth, herbs and vegetables at another and skin cream at a third booth. 

We are at the fourth booth debating varieties of mushrooms when a high voice shrieks and I find myself wrapped in strong, feminine arms.

“Put him down, Mel!” Cassidy growls. “You can’t just go around literally picking men up like that, especially not Remi!”

“Hi…Melody,” I manage to grunt while being squished by her embrace from behind.

Thankfully, she places me on my feet and while I know I am flushed with embarrassment, I can turn to face her. Cassidy looks furious as he narrows his eyes at his sister.

“It has been so long since you visited and Cassidy said you weren’t coming! Oh, my goddess! I’m so glad you could come here, Remington! There are so many things I would love to talk to you about, and maybe you will be nicer than my brother in answering my questions about C.U. or listening to the song I am writing,” Melody rambles off excitedly. 

“Take a breath, Mel,” Cassidy groans.

“It’s fine. I get it. I rarely come visit with your brother and we had a lovely time the last time I was around,” I reply, diplomatically. 

“We should go somewhere fun for lunch,” Melody suggests.

“Sorry, your brother and I have plans with your uncle Morgan and Oren for lunch and the afternoon. However, maybe we can plan dinner or lunch another time. I plan to be around either until Cassidy gets sick of me, or until we both head home. My brother told me I am overworked and need to take the month off,” I reply while Cassidy grinds his teeth and shoots daggers at his younger sister with his eyes.

I could swear they got along so beautifully eight years ago. I know Cassidy adores his younger sister, so what is this all about? 

“Melody, remember what I told you,” Cassidy says in a warning tone.

“Whatever,” Melody replies with a flippant laugh. 

“Anyway…we need to finish our shopping and get back for lunch and those reservations,” I say, looking around at the small crowd that has gathered.

“I was hoping to avoid this,” Cassidy whispers. “I know how much you dislike crowds, and we possibly could have managed not to gain one before Mel showed up, but two of the Alpha’s children, especially when one is rarely around and the other is so vociferous, means we get noticed.”

“It’s okay. I’ll breathe through it,” I reply in a breathy whisper. 

“Cassidy!” A shrill voice calls out and I see Cass visibly cringe, his eye twitches and he looks over at me.

“Let’s be quick!” Cassidy murmurs then turns to his sister and asks, “can you run interference?” 

Just then, a stunningly beautiful she wolf with a skin tight designer dress and salon perfect hair and makeup makes her way through the crowd. This girl looks like she could be one of our stars, but her voice is shrill and nasally as she whines out Cassidy’s name again and he spins around, plastering his fake smile on his lips.

I have seen this smile before. It’s the smile he gives women he regrets having fucked.

Suddenly, a white hot, angry heat flares in my abdomen and the thing that holds it down is Cassidy’s hand as he guides me back to our shopping and informs the woman we have limited time.

“We simply must catch up, Cassidy! Maybe we could go to dinner one night,” she says.

Cassidy grits his teeth before turning and replying, “maybe, we can. Perhaps, my sister and Remi would join us.”

“What on a date? Are they…together?” She asks.

“No!” Cassidy snaps. 

“I didn’t mean to upset you, but…”she starts and Mel cuts in.

“You don’t want this out in the open, trust me,” Mel says, winking at Cassidy, then leaning in to whisper in the other woman’s ear.

She gasps, covers her mouth and says, “that can’t be! Are you sure? Cassidy and I have…Oh, goddess! What a waste!”

“Tell me about it,” Mel says. “They are cute together, though.”

I get the sinking feeling that Melody just told the woman that Cassidy and I are a couple.

“I don’t think so, and I am not quite sure I believe you,” she huffs. “I know Cassidy…he’s not…he can’t be…”

Cassidy pulls me away from the scene to finish our shopping and my mind reels.