The Boys Next Door (revised and continuing)

chapter 24

After telling Niall about my dirty little secret I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my chest. I decided that nobody else really needs to know.

As I sat at the pool Niall on one side and Liam on the other I decided to call my special helper back in Ohio.

"Hey Cass!" Josh smiles at me over our Skype call.

"Hey bud! I gotta talk to you...." I say with a small smile.

"What's up?" His brows furrow worryingly.

"I'm passing the torch to you." I smile at him genuinely this time. "The whole thing's yours now. I'll send over the numbers for our supplier and all of our clients. I don't want to do it anymore. I'm finally happy here."

He nods with a grin, "I knew you couldn't stand keeping it from everyone and as long as you're happy, I'm happy. But girl you're like my little sister so I'm gonna keep giving you money alright?"

I laugh a little and shake my head, "What ever you want hun. Just take care and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Will do. You have fun with that man of yours. I gotta go. Bye Cassie love ya kiddo."

"Love ya too" with that the Skype call ends.

Niall wraps me in his arms and hugs me while Liam pats my arm. "I'm proud of you." Niall whispers in my ear and kisses the side of my head.

I smile at the both of them but that's short lived when we hear someone clear their throat from the fence. In unison our heads snap in the direction to see all four girls looking at us. Erica's eyes narrow as she eyes me. "What business was he talking about?" She asks but you can tell she already knows.

My mouth opens but no words come out. Slowly I close it and look down in shame. Niall rubs my back for support but it doesn't help.

"What business?" Erica repeats in a more threatening tone.

"Weed." I say in a small quiet voice.

"That's what I thought. I cant believe you would do something so fucked up Cassie." My eyes wide as I hear the f bomb come from her mouth. "I can't do this anymore." She says and walks back to our house. The rest just look at me with an unreadable look and follow her. I get up and quickly run back to my house. Everyone's in their rooms with the doors locked. I knock on Erica's.

"Let me explain!" I plead. But I get silence in response. As I keep knocking and begging she doesnt reply until suddenly the door swings open causing me to jump back on shock. She gives me one look and shakes her head. As she walks past me I notice her suitcases in her hands. "Where are you going?" I ask as my voice cracks.

She whirls around to look at me, "you cant possibly think I'm going to stay here with a fucking drug dealer?! I'm leaving. I cant believe you would hide this from me for one and then expect everything to be fine when we found out!" She screams and leaves. I watch after her in shock as tears run down my face. Within the hour everyone else has left.

Sami's the last to leave and I give her a pleading look. "I'm sorry Cass... I really am..." she sighs giving me one last hug and leaving. As soon as she's gone I crumple to the floor in the middle of the hall crying. I dont even hear the knock on the door but then I suddenly feel strong arms pick me up.

"Shhhhh it's okay. You're okay. I'm here babe." I look up to see Niall looking down at me with worry as he sets down on the sofa with me in his lap.

"We aren't leaving you Cass. Yeah you did something you didnt think through but you stopped and that's what matters. You're bettering yourself and we understand. We all fuck up." Louis says as he sits next to Niall and squeezes my foot.

"Exactly." Liam says and sits on the floor in front of Niall and I.

"We all do stupid shit. Like Lou said." Harry smiles as he sits beside Liam.

I smile a small smile but soon something dawns on me.

"Where's Zayn?" I ask.

An emotion goes over all four boys faces and they look down.

"He left with Erica..." Harry says. "He said he was leaving the band too. That he hasn't been happy for a while and that it is not the type of music he wants to make."

My eyes widen, " I'm sorry guys..."

They all smile at me. "Nothing we can do love." Liam says.

I wiggle off of Niall's lap and hug him and Harry at the same time and motion for Louis and Niall to join. Soon were in a group hug.