Healing hearts

Chapter twenty six

Cassie's pov

"My husband was such a jerk. I had been looking forward to spending the whole weekend with him and our son, and he had decided to invite that woman friend of his along". I was so annoyed. I vented to Kelly, who was still grumbling about her two unexpected guests, Alex and I. We were both sitting on the couch, Alex playing with his toys while I fumed.

"You should have just talked to your husband if you didn't want her to come," Kelly said. "I'm sure he would have understood."

I knew she was right, but I hadn't wanted to seem like a controlling wife. "I know I should have," I said, feeling a bit guilty. "But I just have a bad feeling about this girl."

"Or maybe you're just jealous," Kelly teased. I gave her a look.

"Okay, fine," I said, relenting. "Maybe I am a bit jealous. But they just seem too close, and he told me they once had a  relationship and they had sex. I'm not comfortable with that, especially since we're together now."

"Cass, you have to trust him," Kelly said, her tone sympathetic. "I know it's hard, but you can't be jealous of his best friend. He's with you now."

"I trust him," I said, but even I could hear the doubt in my voice. "I just don't like their friendship, or their closeness. I feel she want to take my place I want to be his only best friend " I complained.

"Honey, relax," Kelly said, her voice soothing. "Xander loves you, and I'm sure he values you more than anything."

"You're right," I said, feeling calmer. "I guess I was just overreacting. I love him so much, and after last night, I'm sure as hell that I don't ever want to lose him."

"I know you won't," Kelly said, reassuringly. "From the few times I've met him, it's obvious how deeply he loves and cares about you and your son. You're both wearing diamonds shows how much he values you both. You have nothing to worry about, okay?"

I smiled, feeling a bit better. "Okay," I said.

"I guess I was being a bit irrational when I lied about you being sick and bolted out of there," I admitted.

"Yeah, that was a bit crazy," she said, laughing. "But I understand why you did it. So, how was your night with your hubby?" she asked, waggling her eyebrows.

I blushed. "It was wonderful," I said. "I've never felt something so beautiful. It was more than I expected. And he was... really good, which makes me feel a bit jealous," I said, pouting.

"Shouldn't you feel lucky instead?" she teased.

"I feel a little lucky," I admitted. "But I'm also a bit jealous of all those girls who had him in college, especially that Mia," I said, grumbling.

She burst out laughing. "You're crazy ," she said. "But seriously, you don't need to worry. He's yours now."

"You know," I said. " I miss him. I think I'm going to go home and see what he's up to."

"Oh, finally, I can get some rest," she said, with a wink.

I gasped. "Hey!" I said, feigning hurt.

"I'm kidding!" she said, laughing. "I love you and this little bundle of joy over here, but I didn't get any sleep last night. I went out with Chris to the club." Chris was her new boyfriend.

"How are you two doing?" I asked, curious.

"We're doing great," she said, a smile on her face. "He's really sweet and caring and I think I might be falling for him already "

"That's great," I said, smiling. "I'm so happy for you." She deserved to be happy. "I'm going to go home and be with Xander now," I said, feeling excited to see him.

As soon as I left with Alex, I started to miss Xander. But when I got home, he wasn't there.

Xander's pov

I took a few laps in the waves and felt my energy start to drain. I went to the shade to meet Mia, who was sunbathing, wearing shades and reading a magazine. "You still read all this crap?" I teased, referring to the magazine she'd been obsessed with since college.

"Hey, it's not crap," she said, mock offended. "It's got the latest fashion, healthy tips, and sexy boys - all the things I love."

I laughed, but then grew serious. "So are you going to tell me why you're really here?" I asked.

She sighed and took off her shades and magazines. 

"It's Ryan and Shawn," she said. "They asked me to help them talk to you."

I sighed. I knew it won't be long before they sent Mia on their behalf to me,  they knew that Mia was the only one I would listen to since college.

"Forget it," I said. "Those guys have to pay for what they did to me and Cassie."

"Come on, Xander," she said. "They're our friends."

"No, they are not my friends," I said, my voice firm. "They are drug-abusing idiots who only care about themselves. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to take back what I did to them. I'm going to make them pay."

Mia looked at me, her eyes pleading. "Do you think this is all necessary?" she asked, sounding worried. "Cassie forgave you. I think you can do the same for them."

"I can't," I said. "I really can't forgive what they did to me and Cassie. I already gave all the evidence I had on them - their drug abuse and trafficking - to the police. I can't take it back, and they have to pay."

"Okay, look," she said, her voice soft. "If you don't take this back, they're looking at ten years in prison. You know Ryan and Shawn. They'll want revenge on you. Are you willing to risk yourself, your wife, and your child for this stupid vendetta? You already have a happy life, and Cassie already loves you. What more do you want? I'm not saying this for them - I'm saying it for you, because I care about you and your family." She said and she had a point.

"Okay, fine," I said. "I'll think about it, but no promises."

"I hope you make the right choice," she said, a gentle smile on her face.

"Come on," I said, taking her magazine and running toward the water.

She ran after me, laughing. "No way that water is way too cold!" she said, but I kept running until I reached the edge of the water. I scooped her up and carried her into the waves.

We swam until the evening, laughing and talking. I decided to go back and call Cassie to check in and see how her friend was doing.

I drove Mia back to her apartment. She told me she'd had fun and that I should think about what she'd told me.

I headed home, and by the time I arrived it was already very late. I entered the house to find Cassie waiting for me. She didn't look happy.