Chapter 18

Cassidy took a moment to think, then reached out for my hand and I gave it to her.

“I think I’m happy you told her, because I didn’t know how I was going to,” she said. “Were you there when we talked about her family?”

I shook my head, glancing from her back to the lake and my driving, then back to her again.

“Well, Cattie and Sherry’s Mom cheated on Cattie’s Dad with Sherry’s birth father. They reconciled, but it didn’t end well at all. Their parents were always fighting through their whole childhood, and Cattie’s Mom kind of blamed Sherry for it because if she hadn’t gotten pregnant then Cattie’s Dad wouldn’t have found out about the cheating.”

“I didn’t know that,” I said. “I might not have told her if I did, I’m sure hearing about cheating is a trigger for her.”

“That’s why I’m happy you told her, and she’s taking it so well,” Cassidy said. “I- I’m actually kind of looking forward to talking with her about it. It’ll be hard to explain, and obviously no details, but I need to do it.

I squeezed her hand. “What about the first part?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Cassidy sighed. “What do you think?”

“I think Heather was definitely out of line. I think I wanted to say something, but it felt weird to tell a chick to lay off and I knew it would probably become an even bigger thing if I did. I’m also happy that you didn’t cave, or take advantage.”

She swallowed and nodded. “That hurts, that you have to think that. But I pushed you to it,” she said.

“I know. I thought the same thing,” I sighed.

“What should we say to Cattie?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe that we understand, and thanks for trying to say something, and we don’t blame her. And that we’re both looking forward to talking with her.”

Cassidy nodded and started typing. Then the radio crackled right from between her legs under the countertop, and she practically jumped into my arms she was so spooked.

“Couples Boat, come in. Couples Boat, this is Singles. Over,” Becca said over the radio.

I was laughing, and it took a moment for Cassidy to start laughing as well as she realized what had happened. She grabbed her phone from where it had dropped, and I pulled the radio mic from where it was hooked and pushed the transmit button. “Hey Becca, this is Robbie. What’s up?”

“We’re going to duck into a cove coming up and moor together for lunch. Could you get someone to fire up the barbecue? It should be on the front porch area, right under you. A couple of the girls here are prepping meals for the vegetarians.”

“Sounds good,” I radioed back. “What’s on the menu?”

“Burgers for carnivores, and lentil salad with roasted almonds on the side for the Veggies.”

“Sounds delicious,” I said. “We’ll get the barbecue hot and ready.”

“Awesome, thanks hero,” Becca said, and even over the radio you could hear the teasing smile on her lips. “Over and out.”

“Thanks, hero,” Cassidy said in her sing-song teasing voice.

“Oh, stop,” I said. “She’s just kidding around.”

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that,” Cassidy said. “And I’ll remind you about saying that when I’m rubbing her clit while you fuck her senseless.”

“God damn, Cass,” I said. “Are you trying to get me hard right before lunch?”

“Sorry,” she smirked, not really meaning it. “I’ll stop teasing you.”