Free Cupcakes and Cowboys (Sunset Plains Romance Book 1) by Lindzee Armstrong Page B

should’ve done to begin with, and tell Cassidy he’d be working with Drew one last time.
    “She’s still that hung up on me, huh? I guess I’m not surprised. I bet she’d love to get her hands on my money. No doubt she’d be supportive, now that I’ve made it. But back when I was still trying, all she could do was nag.”
    Jase pointed an angry finger in Drew’s face. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
    “Get away, while you still can. She’ll try and ruin your career, just like she tried to stop mine before it even began.”
    “You’re leaving. Now.”
    “And you’re coming with me. The studio booked us hotel rooms in Tulsa—our flight leaves early.”
    Jase chewed on his lip, hating that he let his mother treat him like a child. She didn’t control his career, even if she believed otherwise. But if he didn’t go, he’d get fired for being difficult—not a reputation he wanted—or she’d show up here herself. He wasn’t sure which would be worse. But he hadn’t made his final decision yet about acting, so he needed to keep his options open.
    “Okay. Give me a minute to grab my things, and then we can leave.” He’d make sure Drew stayed in the car while he said goodbye to Cassidy. He’d tell her about Drew after they were both safely back in California, so their last moments together wouldn’t be ruined by him.
    Five minutes later, Jase headed toward the door, Drew on his heels. He opened it to Cassidy standing on the step, hand reaching for the knob. He blinked, then quickly moved, trying to hide Drew from her view. “What are you doing home?”
    “Kari told me she could close up. I wanted to see you.” She peered around his shoulder. “Can I come in?”
    Drew’s hand rested on the door, forcing it open. His eyes slowly roved Cassidy’s body. “Didn’t expect to see you while I was here. You’re looking a lot better than the last time I saw you. Haven’t thrown up lately, huh?”
    Cassidy’s face froze. Then she blinked, and Jase saw the open hostility shine through. She glanced back and forth between him and Drew. “So it’s true? He’s in the movie, too?”
    “Yes.” Jase gulped. He should’ve known she’d find out. “Just a minor role. I didn’t know he was coming here.”
    “Well, then. See ya. I hope your stay here was satisfactory.” Cassidy turned on her heel and strode across the wide expanse of grass.
    Jase raced after her, heart pounding. He grabbed her arm, but she shook him off. “I didn’t know he was coming.”
    “Seems like the two of you are pretty chummy.”
    “Cassidy, let me explain.”
    She turned, and the disappointment in her eyes made him catch his breath. “You know how much he hurt me. And you brought him here, without any warning. Were you even going to say goodbye before you left?”
    “Of course.” He clutched at her hand, hoping to make her understand. “This doesn’t have to be it.”
    She pulled from his grasp. “We both knew we couldn’t last. It was nice knowing you, Jase.”
    The words were a slap in the face. “Cassidy!”
    “Don’t follow me.”
    He stood frozen. With suddenly clarity, it hit him—this was what he wanted. She was what he wanted. He didn’t care about the production or Drew or Hollywood or what his mother wanted.
    The only thing in life that really mattered to him was walking away.

 
     
     
     
     
     

     
    Cassidy walked back to the homestead, praying her legs wouldn’t give out until she was safely locked inside. The tears burned for release, but she wouldn’t let them—not this time. She was done crying over men who didn’t care for her.
    Jase had lied to her. He’d brought Drew right to her home, even knowing how much he’d hurt her. She was sure Drew was partly to blame, but in the end, all that mattered was Jase hadn’t cared.
    Cassidy closed the kitchen door and sank to the floor, glad that neither of her parents were home. Her entire body shook with adrenaline. Drew had looked at her