The Baker

Chapter 36

It's Ben and Cassie's anniversary. Six month anniversary to be exact. Ben was taking her out to a nice restuarant (he wouldn't say where), but first he had to get up extra early to make his girl--er, girls since Jess moved in--breakfast. He cooked eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, waffles, and bacon. All of Cassie's favorites.

By the time both girls had woken up, he had the table all set and everything put out. He put a dozen red roses where Cassie was to sit and stood there with a smile on his face. "Ben," Cassie gasped. "Oh my God, this is...amazing!" She went up to him and kissed him with every ounce of passion she had. He moaned into the kiss and raked his fingers through her hair. Then, Jess cleared her throat, making them break apart.

"Look, I know it's your anniversary and all, but please keep the sex to a low volume tonight. I can't stand the "oh yes, Ben!" and "right there, Cass!" and "let's do it again!"." Cassie blushed furiously, but as always, Ben came up with a witty remark. "When I'm with this woman, the sex and the volume can never be tamed." Jess chuckled and rolled her eyes.

Ben led Cassie to her seat, sat her down, sat himself down next to her, and said, "Happy six month anniversary, sweetheart." "Happy six month anniversary, Ben." They shared a sweet kiss and started digging into the food. "This is delicious, Ben," she praised. He smirked and purred, "Not as delicious as you." He winked, knowing he'd take her back to memories of last night.

Jess pretended to gag and got up from the table. "Right, I will be in the living room while you two gush at each other and talk about sex." She walked into the living room, leaving Cassie to sigh in relief. "What's wrong?" Ben asked her. She gave him that look she always gave when something should be obvious. He hated that look because it made him feel inferior and scared. "How about we just enjoy our breakfast and you can tell me after the fantastic sex we're going to have to burn all these calories off?" That made her smile.

***

"So...what seems to be bothering you?" Ben asked after a few moments of post-sex bliss. They were both tangled in each other's naked limbs with the sheets barely making it to their thighs.

Cassie sighed. She didn't want to bring up her problems on their anniversary, but if she doesn't vent soon, she's afraid she's going to explode. "It's Jess," she mumbled into his chest. He moved his fingers up and down her back and asked, "What about her?"

"She's just...she's driving me up the damn wall! She's been a downer, she's been ungrateful, and I don't know what to do! She's been there for me ever since high school. She's taken care of me when no one else should. I mean, she moved to London for me! I owe her everything, but...she's just being so mean. And crude. I don't like it when she comments in our sex, it's embarrassing."

Ben listened and let her let it all out. When she finished, he thought for a moment, while stroking his thumb on her hip. "Well," he started, "I can see how that can be irritating. I know from all the times I've been here, she hasn't been the Jess I've come to know. The sex comments...don't you talk to her about it, anyways?"

"Well, yeah that's what girls do, but I mean when she--."

"Repeats the words you and I both shout from our orgasms," he finishes with a touch a annoyance. It really is annoying. "Exactly," she told him. "I don't know, I just...I was trying to be a good friend, but now I'm not so sure."

Ben pulled her closer to him and said, "You are not just a great friend, you're the greatest friend anyone would have the privilege of having. Jess just needs to see that somehow."

***

Later that night, when Cassie was waiting out in the living room for Ben to finish getting ready (yes, she was waiting on him), she saw Jess walk out from the kitchen with two beers in her hand. "Hey," Cassie told her, "those are Ben's last beers, put them back." Jess rolled her eyes and said, "Last time I checked, he doesn't live here. What goes in that fridge comes out as mine." Cassie looked at her like she was crazy. "Excuse me?" She scoffed. "But last time I checked, he is my boyfriend and this is my house, not yours." She couldn't believe the nerve!

Jess looked at her curiously and said, "Last time I checked, it's chicks before dicks!" The. Nerve. Cassie shook her head and told Jess, "Last time I checked, you're staying here rent free! Last time I checked, I gave up moving in with my boyfriend for you!" Jess scoffed, "Oh please! You didn't want to move in with him, so you took me in! Some girlfriend you are." 

Cassie was about to fire back something, until Ben's voice shouted, "Hey! Don't talk to her like that!" He appeared beside her in a flash. "She took you in, gave you a roof over your head, and you are being so ungrateful about it! She is a Saint! Both of you are, actually, but at least she sees that in you!" Cassie has never seen him so worked up and defensive before. At least it was working because Jess turned speechless for once in her life.

Ben continued a little more calmly, "I know she didn't want to move in with me, but that is far beyond why she took you in. She's a great friend that's trying to re-pay all that you've done for her, but when you act like this it's...disgusting, immature. Jess, we are both grateful for what you've done for her. You've looked after my girl for so many years and there aren't any words to describe how thankful we are for that. And she is a fantastic girlfriend, by the way. I was the one who pressured her into moving in and I should have never done that. It was stupid of me." 

Cassie took Ben's hand and he laced their fingers together. They both waited for Jess to say something. He got out everything Cassie wouldn't have told her, everything she told him. Thank the Lord she did. 

Finally, Jess opened her mouth to speak. "So you get your boyfriend to fight your battles for you?" Cassie's jaw dropped and Ben's blood boiled. "You just can't stand that I have one and you don't," Cassie retorted. That's when she saw Jess' eyes grow wide and her jaw clench.

Oh my God...

"You can't stand that I have someone else in my life, besides you," Cassie figured out. "You don't have anyone, so why should I, right? I mean, what happened to that guy you were skipping out on work to meet?" Jess didn't answer, so Cassie continued, "My life is moving on. My life has been moving on and yours hasn't...oh my God! I've always been the one you leaned on! I opened a bakery, I moved to London, I was getting on, but you were stuck! You used me to get on with your life and now it's backfiring since that last piece of the puzzle has finally fit!"

Jess' eyes watered up. Her mouth was open, but she didn't know what to say. This was it. Cassie has figured it all out. 

"Jess," Cassie sighed, "why don't you go in the living room, binge watch some shows, Ben and I are going to go out, and when I come back, we'll have a mature and proper--."

SLAP! 

Cassie's head flew off to the side from the impact of Jess' palm. Ben looked absolutely mortified and immediately got in front of her to look over her cheek. It was already blistering red with a tiny cut on her cheekbone. He turned to Jess with pure rage in his eyes. He looked like he was going to conjure up Satan, kick his ass, and then conquer all of hell. Jess had a look of guilt and regret, but tried not to show it. 

"Get the fuck out of here!" Ben yelled. Jess hesitated a moment, looking at Cassie and seeing the look of betrayal and hurt in her eyes. After all they've been through and she fucked it up real bad. "GET OUT!" Ben yelled again, except this time, angrier. 

Jess wiped away some loose tears and stormed off into her room to go pack. Ben turned back to Cassie. "Baby, are you alright?" He wasn't just asking about how her cheek was, but how she in general was. This was going to take a big emotional impact on her. Ben just had to do his best to make sure he could stop it.