Free Cassie by E. L. Todd

bigger. Then I started playing with the big boys. My addiction only grew. I ended up making enough money that I bought the Rangers.”
    “You bought the Rangers?”
    He nodded.
    “Well, that explains a lot.”
    “I’m always quiet about my profession because people want in on it, or they want money from me. So dating is really hard. I always have to act broke or like an average Joe.”
    “Is that wh y you took me to the Ranger game?”
    He smiled. “I’ve always wanted a girl that loves sports, and someone who doesn’t care about fancy dinners and bullshit like that. When we went to the game you had so much fun. I could tell you didn’t care that I wasn’t taking you to the Ritz. I was immediately smitten with you. I knew you were the one for me. And when we went to dinner and you offered to pay, I was shocked. Girls never do that. I wouldn’t want you to pay, but it’s nice to be in a relationship where I know I’m not being used.”
    I nodded. “I can understand that. And when I told Janet that I wanted to be a housewife, I meant when I have kids. Not forever.”
    “You don’t have to explain yourself,” he said gently.
    “I just don’t want you to think that’s why I’m around.”
    “You’ve already proven it to me,” he said. “I see the way you look at me. There’s nothing but love there.”
    “What should we do?” I asked with a sigh.
    “We’re staying together.”
    “But—”
    “No buts. If my sister wants to behave this way, fine. I don’t care. I’m not giving you up. You did nothing wrong.”
    I still wasn’t convinced. “But she’s my best friend.”
    “I know,” he said gently. “But she isn’t tearing us apart. She’ll realize she’s wrong eventually.”
    “And if she doesn’t?”
    He shrugged. “It’s her loss.”
    I stared at his chest and thought to myself. This was a bad situation. I wished it never happened. Tony made me so happy and I didn’t want to give him up. And he was right about Janet. Her assumptions were completely wrong. I was seriously wounded by the horrible accusations. She couldn’t be more wrong.
    Tony moved on top of me then pinned my legs back. “I’m not going anywhere.”
    “I really don’t want to lose you.”
    “You won’t,” he said as he pressed his face close to mine. He slid inside me and made me moan.
    “Tony…”
    “I’m not giving this up for anything,” he whispered in my ear. He moved inside me, his hands holding my legs back. Tony stared into my eyes while he made love to me. It felt amazing every time we were together, more amazing than I ever could have dreamed. I grabbed the back of his neck and felt more tears fall. Tony was everything to me, the person I always wanted. I couldn’t let him go. If I did, it would break my heart.
    “Look at me,” he whispered.
    I opened my eyes and looked into his.
    He kissed the moisture around my eyes while he thrust.
    I felt myself tighten around him as my body gave into him. The pleasure spread through my body and ignited me, making me burn like hot ash. “Tony….”
    “Baby…”
    “Yeah…god yeah.”
    He stiffed as he met his bliss at the same time. He moved into me a few more times before we were both finished. His hands grabbed my neck and he kissed me gently, trailing kisses everywhere. When he pulled out, he grabbed me and pulled me to his chest, holding me close. I never felt more depressed and happy at the same time. But as long as I had Tony, I would be okay. Janet is the one who ruined everything. When my depression faded away, all I felt was rage.

9
    I was pretty depressed for the next few days. I kept checking my phone to see if Janet called but she never did. It was the hardest breakup I’d ever been through. I never lost a girlfriend, especially one I was so close to. I knew I shouldn’t be sad because Janet was out of line, but I couldn’t help it. I miss ed her.
    When I told Orlando everything, he was pissed.
    “Fuck that cunt,” he said.
    “Keep