Chapter 32: Chapter 32

I’m no saint when it comes to how I treat the environment. I’m no tree hugger.

I don’t always recycle well.

I pick at leaves sometimes.

But I’ve never thrown trash anywhere else but the trashcan. I’ve never cut down any tree.

I’ve never burnt trash.

So, I really don’t understand why the universe hates me so much. It wasn’t like I committed some deadly crime that can end the world.

I mean, seriously, you have got to be kidding me. The irony of this situation is unreal.

She’s the ex of my dead brother and then there’s Preston, someone who just told me I was basically his little sister, dating her.

God, why does the universe hates me so much? What did I ever do to it?

I took cautious steps towards her. I honestly had enough shit on my plate right now. If she was about wants to start a public drama, I’ll just walk out of this place before she could even utter a single word because I really can't handle that kind of bullshit right now.

To my relief, Madison chose to ignore my presence for the time being and greet Preston instead. She kissed him on the cheek and gave him a quick hug before sitting back down and scooting further into the booth to make room for him.

I let Cali take a seat in the booth first and asked the staff for a high chair for Pio. I cleared my throat and decided to look at Preston for some overdue answers. He was dating the bitch who decided it was okay to blame me for my brother’s death. My brother. It wasn’t like I wasn’t already blaming myself. I didn’t need her egging that guilt on.

“So, how did you guys meet?” I asked after Preston introduced all of us, I was forcing a smile for the sake of appearances while silently losing my shit under the facade I was putting on.

“Why don’t we order some food and drinks before we get into that?” Preston suggested I begrudgingly agreed and walked up to the counter to order for all of us. After we had that out of the way, Preston cleared his throat and started talking. His hand was slung across Maddison’s shoulder and I was inwardly cringing from all the memories I had of seeing my brother doing that to her.

“We met in the supermarket. She dropped an egg on me and I flirted my way through to her.” Preston smiled cheekily. My grudge against Maddison melted for a second when I saw how happy he was sitting there beside her. I wondered if I should tell him that Maddison and I already knew each other but I didn’t know how to tell him. Fortunately, Maddison apparently got that covered for me.

“Baby, um, there’s something you should know,” Maddison trailed off as her gaze flitted towards me for a split second. Preston followed her eyes, frowning in confusion.

“Cassandra and I were actually high school friends.” I snorted and rolled my eyes. Friends is an overstatement of what we were. I decided that I might as well rip off the band aid when Maddison shot me a glare at my snort.

“She used to date my brother,” I bit out, trying to hold back from spilling the fact that she tormented me and blamed me for his death to spare their relationship. I doubt that Preston would still look at her the same way if I told him about that. I didn’t forget about the time that Maddison actually stood up for me against Sonia once when Sonia had me cornered with all the student body watching us. I think I could do this much for Maddison to pay her back for that.

Preston’s eyebrows hit the roof as his gaze moved between me and Maddison and I.

“Well this is awkward.” He muttered out and I didn’t know why, but I started laughing. Maybe because awkward was a major understatement of what we were currently experiencing.

“Can I talk to you outside real quick?” Maddison looked at me. I nodded slowly, getting out of the booth and walking out of the cafe. When we were both outside, we walked to the side of the cafe. Maddison started talking after a moment of awkward silence.

“Listen, I can’t apologize enough for what I’ve done to you after what happened to Bryant. You didn’t deserve that and I should’ve been there for you instead of standing against you. Bryant loved you and he would’ve hated me for what I did to you. I loved Bryant and me dating Preston now doesn’t change that. He’ll always be a big part of my life and I really am sorry for the things I’ve said to you. Of course it wasn’t your fault Bryant died. It wasn’t your fault.” Maddison was getting choked up from her own speech. A few tears had escaped my own eyes from hearing the long overdue apology.

Even if a single apology didn’t necessarily mean we were buddy-buddy now, I knew Bryant would’ve wanted me to give her a sense of comfort her. So, I wrapped my arm around her shaking form and pat her back awkwardly. We stayed that way until she calmed down.

We went back inside the cafe to our food and drinks being served. I could tell that Preston noticed Maddison’s puffy eyes and red nose but he smartly chose to not comment on it. I helped feed Pio throughout the awkward silence. Since it was obvious that the introduction was unnecessary, there was nothing to fill the silence. I knew that Preston could tell that Maddison and I weren’t the best of friends in high school but he kept his silence until we were back in the car and buckled in.

“There’s something you’re not telling me.” Preston said to me. I decided to play dumb to stall time. I hummed in a questioning tone as a response to his statement. The kids were buckled up in the backseat, seeming to be listening in to our conversation as they kept their mouth shut while Preston shot his questions.

“What happened between you and Maddison? Why was she crying? What did she talk to you about?” Preston asked persistently, making me sigh in defeat.

I didn’t know what to tell him. No matter how horrible Maddison was to me after my brother died, Preston deserved to be happy. Despite the way she handled my brother’s death, she was a decent girlfriend. But if anything were to happen to Preston and she treated Cali the way she treated me, I will have her head.

“We weren’t the best of friends. But promise me you won’t let this get in the way of your relationship, Pres. What happened between us shouldn’t affect your relationship. You deserve to be happy.” Preston looked confused but he nodded to get me to continue explaining.

“After Bryant died, Maddison took it hard and I guess her way of grieving was different. She was never a bad girlfriend, she made Bryant happy and she treated me kindly, you know?” Preston looked impatient as he checked his rearview mirror and took a hand off the steering wheel to motion for me to keep speaking. I rolled my eyes at him but continued.

“Maddison started blaming me for my brother’s death. Bryant died during a car crash after he had picked me up from a party that he told me not to go to.” I tried to get it over with quickly but I don’t think it was possible when Preston still stopped abruptly at a red light and turned to look at me so quick he probably got a whiplash.

“What?” He asked harshly and I simply shrugged.

“She apologized to me outside the restaurant. It wasn’t right of her to blame me and she realized that and —” I rolled my eyes at his narrowed eyes as he kept his gaze at me. “Oh don’t give me that look, it’s not that big of a deal. I was already blaming myself her words hardly made any difference.”

The car behind us were beeping their horns and our car lurched into motion again.

“What do you mean it’s not a big deal?! That’s not okay, not even close to okay!” I snorted at that. Oh don’t I know it’s not okay. But it wasn't like I had a say in it. She was so drowned in hatred, grieve and everything else. She didn’t have it in her to stop and think rationally.

“It’s over now. I’m over it Pres, it’s in the past. Get over this too. I don’t want this to be a problem between you and her. I want you to be happy, dude. Don’t let some shit from the past stop you from getting that happiness.” I pat his arm lightly, turning to look out the window as he simply grunted. I took it that he heard me. I can’t force the guy to listen to me so I could only pray that he heeded my words instead of following whatever thoughts were circling in his head.

I turned my body to look at the backseat to check on the kids and both of them were fast asleep. No wonder they were so quiet.

After we arrived at the Jones’ house, I helped Preston carry Pio into his room and tucked him in. I pressed a kiss on his forehead as he turned his body and snuggled deeper into the covers of his bed.

I silently cooed at him before taking my leave, shutting the door as gently as I could as to not wake him up. I was about to search for Preston and get on the road to go home when I bumped into a rock-hard chest.

I took a step back to put some space between me and whoever it was in front of me, pressing my body against Pio’s bedroom door from my attempt. I looked up slowly only to be greeted by Adam’s eyes. My breath hitched.

Adam seemed to miss the note as he stayed rooted on the spot while I tried to slide sideways to escape the small space between Adam and the door.

When I wasn’t trapped anymore, I allowed myself to exhale and tried to breathe properly once again.

“Um, hi. Can I help you?” I asked awkwardly when he didn’t make a single sound. Today was apparently a “make Cassandra Johnson feel awkward” day. Adam slowly shook his head and tried to reply coherently.

“Um, sorry — I,” He shook his head again, quicker this time, seeming like he was struggling to gather his thoughts. “I just keep on having these flashes, visions, whatever you want to call it, and I dream about it and now I can’t figure out which ones are real and which are not. I need your help picking out memories from dreams.”

My throat got clogged up as I struggled to breathe again. He was remembering.

“B-but —” I cleared my throat and tried not to stutter, “what about Kiara? You know our past wasn’t filled with platonic feelings.” Adam’s expression looked conflicted.

“I need to remember, Case. I can’t keep on being vulnerable to brainwashing tricks anymore. Help me, please.” I was fighting my own overwhelming emotions. All I was able to do was nod at his request.

A smile grew on his face and suddenly, his arms were around me. I was pulled against his familiar build and surrounded by his familiar warmth.

I told myself that I was crossing a line right now. I should pull away. He wasn't mine anymore. I should step away. But my body did the exact opposite and decided to have a mind of its own as I melted against the comfort I found in his embrace. For once, everything looked okay. For once, everything that was spiraling out of control was veiled by the bubble created when I was with Adam.

For once, everything was okay.