Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
He blew out a long breath. “Yeah. Thank you.” And then he picked up his cell, turned it on, and let the messages and notifications pour through.
Chapter Ten
Cassidy sat with Sasha on the comfortable sofa in Dash’s family room, unnerved by the worried look on her friend’s face. She and Sasha had been through so much from when they lived together in a two-bedroom and barely knew each other and later throughout Sasha’s rise to stardom. Cassidy trusted her friend with everything important in her life.
“What’s up?” Cassidy asked.
Sasha, looking casual in a pair of jeans and a cute red blouse, leaned forward. “I know your relationship started out as pretend, but it’s so clearly gone beyond. True?”
Cassidy had never lied to her friend. “True.”
“You two seem close.” Sasha fiddled with a bracelet on her hand and Cassidy sighed.
“If by close you mean he talks to me about things he might not tell others, then yes. We are.” Since Cassidy knew what this conversation was about, she had no intention of making Sasha work to get information out of her. “Look, I promise you, my eyes are wide open. I realize Dash is going through a period of self-reflection, and I’m not taking anything he says or does to heart.”
At least, that’s what she wanted to think, because if he meant he was falling for her, she was falling right back.
“Are you sure?”
She managed a smile. “Is anyone sure about anything? All I can tell you is, I’m well aware his intentions are good, but this might be some phase Dash is going through. I mean, first some groupie claims he fathered her child, and now this mess with his past. He’s looking to hold on to something.”
“And you’re worried that something is you?”
She lifted her shoulders. “I’d be stupid not to consider it, right?” Before Sasha could reply, Cassidy continued. “I just don’t want to be hurt if or when he goes on tour and reverts to old behavior.”
“I don’t want that for you, either. I just wanted to see where your head was at and make sure you’re okay.”
Not in the least, she thought, but there was nothing anyone could do to change the ultimate outcome. Not even her well-meaning best friend.
“Well, I’m here for you. Anything you need, anytime.” Sasha leaned forward and pulled Cassidy into a hug, which she gratefully returned.
“Thanks.”
The sound of voices had them turning as everyone else walked in from the kitchen. Dash looked tired, and the day had barely started. She and Sasha rose to their feet.
“I’ve been trying to reach Dean,” Dash said. “The bastard’s not taking my calls. Where are the guys? I want to know if they’ve heard from him.” He glanced toward the hall with the guest bedrooms, where all seemed quiet.
“I haven’t seen them,” Cassidy said. “They’re probably sleeping in. Do you want me to wake Axel?”
Xander snorted. “No need. He’s at my place, hanging with Bella. Do you see what you did?” he asked Dash.
Cassidy bit back a grin because Xander always seemed put out by the company, but he never asked anyone to leave. Make that rarely. Sometimes she thought he enjoyed complaining more than he hated the visitors.
Sasha laughed. “I think he took the dog for a walk.”
Even Dash managed to laugh. “I’ll talk to the band later. Naomi’s in LA at the main office, but she wants to talk via Zoom and nail a strategy. I’ll find them by the time she’s ready.” He turned to his brothers, starting with Linc. “You guys staying?”
Linc shook his head. “We’re heading over to Mom’s to get the baby before she spoils him.”
“Can you really spoil an infant?” Dash asked.
Jordan looked at Linc, the love in her eyes obvious for all to see. “Ask us that when we can’t put him down because she’s been holding him all the time,” Jordan said, looking back at Dash.
Linc walked over and patted Dash on the back. “I’m proud of how you’re handling this.”
So was Cassidy.
“I’m not sure why,” Dash muttered. “I started this mess.”
She hated how he was beating himself up for a situation that any teenager could have gotten himself into. “It could have happened to anyone.”
“Anyone stupid enough to buy coke from shitty dealers on the street,” he said.
Linc shook his head. “You can’t change the past. Just keep moving forward and doing good. It’s all any of us can do.” He took Jordan’s hand. They said their goodbyes and left in an obvious hurry to get back to Jasper. She wished them luck getting through the mass of reporters outside.
Dash ran a hand through his hair, messing it more, and glanced at Xander. “What about you and Sasha? Are you staying?”
Xander eyed him with concern. “No, but if you need me, just call.”
“Or come over to our place,” Sasha said, easing the tension.