The moment I pull up in front of my house, I send him a text to let him know I made it. Then I go up to my room, crawl into bed, and smell the pillow he slept on until I fall asleep.
Chapter Forty-One
Cassius
I blow another big breath into the black balloon, tie it off, and hand it to Cammy as I fight off the urge to pass out.
“Next year, we’re getting a machine.”
Cammy laughs as she connects it to the other black balloons and attaches it to the arch between the teal bunches we already made.
Chrissy insisted on a balloon arch for the doorway leading into the dining room and kitchen… because she saw it and fell in love. I couldn’t tell her no. She’s never had a birthday party before. Never had friends over. Hell, I’ve never even met anyone she’s considered a friend. Today is big.
“I’m so worried about this,” Cammy says quietly as she picks up the little gold balls that attach to the open spaces between the balloons.
“The arch?” I ask, stepping back to look at it. “Why? These kids are old enough to not put the pieces in their mouths and choke on them.”
Cammy gives me a scathing look, and I can’t help but laugh.
“I mean having all these kids here.”
“What’s the problem with that?”
She looks toward Chrissy’s room. The door is closed and the music is on. She’s been getting ready all morning and closed her door about thirty minutes ago to change. Which I’m sure she’s done a hundred times—just like she did with her hair and her nails.
Cammy looks back at me and whispers, “How do we know these kids are actually her friends?”
“Why does that matter?”
“Because they’re being nice to her all of a sudden.”
“Did you think that maybe they’re being nice to her because Chrissy now has confidence to talk to them?”
She frowns.
“Cammy, we’ve basically been her parents forever. I get being worried, but part of having kids is letting them make their own mistakes.”
She shoves me, and I laugh again.
“Why the hell are you in such a good mood?” she complains, pulling a balloon from the package.
“I’ve barely seen you to give you the good news…”
She raises a brow. “What good news?”
I grin, rocking back on my heels before I say, “I signed a contract with Stone Timeworks. I’m an official employee. I start on Monday!”
Cammy squeals and leaps at me, throwing her arms around my neck. “I’m so happy for you, Cass. That’s freaking awesome.”
When she steps back, there’s a strange look on her face, though. Like she’s worried about something. Nervous, maybe.
“What?” I say. “What’s wrong?”
“There’smaybesomething I need to tell you…”
“You better not say you forgot to submit the application for school—”
“No, I did that. Trust me. I put them all in. I’ve been panicking about it every day, waiting for a response, even though I know I have weeks before I get a letter.”