From Spencer’s, Cassie headed next door to see her parents. Her father wasn’t home, but her mother was happy to see her. She sat her down and explained the conversation she’d had with her brother. The truth brought her mother to tears. Relieved tears that her husband wasn’t the monster they’d both feared, and angsty pain-filled tears that her son was capable of such callous, destructive behavior. Cassie hugged her mother, feeling all the same conflicting emotions, wishing there was something they could do to change the past. Knowing there wasn’t anything that would undo the hurt Spencer had caused.
“You can’t take on his behavior as your own,” her mother said, squeezing both Cassie’s hands tightly in her own.
“But I can make it easier on Derek’s family to keep the past where it belongs. If they don’t have to see me, to deal with our family in any way, they can put it behind them.” Pain ripped through her chest, but they deserved better.
“Honey, I take it you’re in love with the man or you wouldn’t be so emotional.”
Cassie blinked back tears and nodded.
“Would you walk away from him if the situation were reversed? If his sibling had done something to me?” her mother asked.
“No. I’d fight for him.”
“So why aren’t you fighting for him now?” her mother asked.
“I told him to take time, to think. He deserves to make a decision about us with a clear head.”
Her mother rolled her eyes. “Fine, but if he’s a smart man, he won’t let you go.”
She laughed. “You’re biased.”
“Maybe, but I’m only speaking the truth.
She hugged her mother before easing back. “You’ll talk to Dad? Tell him everything?”
Her mother nodded. “Oh, yes. I have every intention of having a long-overdue conversation with him about your brother. Among other things.”
Cassie was about to stand when another question came to her. “The other day, when we met for lunch, you said you overlooked a lot. Did you mean it?”
A sigh escaped. “I suppose I meant we accept the person we love for who they are, flaws and all. Your father has many, especially as a parent. But he’s not all bad. And I try to nudge him in the right direction when I can.” She paused. “Does that help explain?”
Cassie nodded. “It does.” She agreed that you had to accept the other person for who they were. But with her father’s behavior, it still wasn’t what she’d want in a relationship. But Cassie understood her mother better. “I love you,” she said, hugging her mom again.
“Go live your life,” her mother urged.
More than anything, Cassie wanted a life with Derek. At the very least, she wanted the chance to see if they could make it work long term. But first she needed to find a way to tell Derek what her brother had done.
And she needed time before she could decide how to do just that.
* * *
Derek stood in his mother’s kitchen, a printed copy of the online Take a Byte article on the table. He paced the floor, unable to sit still, a host of emotions rushing through him. Anger at Spencer, frustration at his inability to do anything about the revelations. Once out there, there was nothing he could do to prevent readers from delving into his and his family’s history.
And he worried about Cassie, because instead of sticking around, she’d rushed out, telling him to think about what having her in his life meant. As if he didn’t already know. She meant everything to him. Nothing her brother did or said would change that.
“Sit down,” his mother said, breaking into his thoughts. “You’re nervous and it’s driving me crazy.”
Leave it to his mom to make him feel like a child again. He lowered himself into his seat. “Are you okay?” he asked her. “Will you have trouble facing your friends, dealing with people?” He worried about her, especially with his father gone.
“Derek, I hate to break it to you, but my friends don’t read tech magazines, online or otherwise.” She picked up the papers and ripped them in half.
He sputtered, shocked by her cavalier attitude. “What if the networks or other media outlets pick up on it?” he asked.
“This is my life. It has been for years. Do you think just because it’s been made public it changes anything? I know I didn’t do this. Anyone who cares about me knows I wouldn’t do something like this. Other people can kiss my ass.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “I’m over it. I have been for years.”
She leaned over and grasped his hand. “I just wish I’d realized sooner that you weren’t.”
“Since Dad died, well, since Dad got sick, I’ve felt responsible.”