Page 96 of Scoring Chances

Then she looks at Maddie and Parker concerned. “And they were in the car too?”

Cole and I both answer, “No!”

“Of course I wouldn’t put them in the car with us. No, they rode with Lando," I tell her.

Cassidy looks relieved. She’s a natural born care-giver.

She sits between Maddie and I while we wait. “So…” I start.

“So?” she asks.

“How’s your new place? Did you ever find what you were looking for?” She clears her throat like she’s uncomfortable with what she’s about to say.

“I’m actually nannying for another family through the rest of the summer.” She doesn’t look at me.

“You are?”

She nods, but doesn’t say anything else.

Oh… so it’s just us she doesn’t want to be around.

Again. I get it. I guess. I don’t like it, but I get it.

“And, how’s that working out for you?”

She looks at me and for a split second she looks so broken it hurts me. “It’s okay.”

“Just okay?”

She shrugs. “It’s full time and they’re giving me a place to stay but… it doesn’t feel…”

“Like home?” I ask.

She gives one terse nod. “It’s not the same.”

“Oh, Princess,” I lean into her. “You shouldn’t have to work anymore I’m sure you have plenty to cover your expenses for a while."

She bites her lip and looks down at the vinyl black and white floors.

“It’s… complicated,” she says. Her eyes meeting mine.

“Hicks family?” A nurse calls into the waiting room.

We all get up. All except Cassidy. I reach my hand over to her and she stares at it.

“Come with us,” I say. And I realize just how desperate I sound when I say it. I honestly don’t even care.

“I don’t kn–”

Maddie grabs her by the arm and pushes her forward to get off the chair and take my hand.

“You’re one of us,” Maddie says to her.

And tears well in her eyes.

Chapter 28

Cassidy