Free Love and Chaos: A Growing Pains Novel by K.F. Breene Page A

glass close to you so you can monitor it. There is no shortage of wine in this house.”
    “Do I have to take a shower right now? I want some fruit. Well, I really want some chocolate, but fruit will have to do.”
    Peter glanced toward the stairs. He stepped closer. “Yes, honey, please. You have to act the part or they’ll never believe you actually like me.”
    She couldn’t help rolling her eyes. Dealing with insecurity and drama, when she felt like garbage, was a tough situation. “Okay. What outfit do I wear?”
    “We’re doing lawn sports today, I think. So maybe a sun dress.”
    “Wait.” Cassie dropped her hand from her hair and let it dangle at her side. “I don’t get to play?”
    Peter stared at her for a silent beat. She couldn’t tell if he was thi nking, or about to say something he knew she wouldn’t like.
    “Because I’ll push, Peter.” She stared back with stubborn determination. “I will push and I will get my way. Just so we’re clear. I want to play sports, and if you need to be the gentleman and sit out so I can do that , since you hate sports, then great. But I want to play.”
    Peter stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Cassie, usually only the guys play. The girls sit to the side and sip their drinks in the shade or sun, depending. That’s just kind of how things are done. I don’t want to play—I hate this stuff. I’d much rather sit out. But I don’t really have a choice, either.”
    “We’ll see.” She gave him a dark look before pushing him out of the room.
     
    An hour later, after she sucked water from the tap, washed herself with no real conviction, put only a light dusting of makeup on, and donned an expensive outfit even though it might get destroyed, she headed down, grumpy as hell.
    She really could’ve used a bar of chocolate. Seriously. She wa s only as sweet as the intake of chocolate made her.
    The buzz through the kitchen didn’t affect her this time, mostly because her mind was set for the battle to come. Jenn and Rachel sat at the island, Rachel eating a muffin. Nick and Roger sat at the table, Nick with the baby. Everyone else was gone.
    “Well, don’t you look pretty,” Rachel said, wearing only mascara. Jenn sat without makeup at all, hair brushed out but not done up.
    Cassie suddenly felt extremely overdressed for country festiv ities. She gave a smile she didn’t feel and eyed the coffee pot. “Can I have some coffee?”
    “Yup, sure.” Jenn pointed toward a cabinet. “There’s muffins. Or cereal, if you want. No one felt like cooking a big breakfast this morning.”
    “If Roger wouldn’t keep opening bottles of wine it might be different,” Rachel accused, not bothering to glance back at the table.
    “Do you guys have fruit? Or chocolate?” she tried, loading her cup with sugar.
    The distant bellow of the motorcycle took the place of talking. When it shut off, Jenn said, “I think there’s some fruit in the fridge. The kids ate the bananas this morning. We need to hit the store.”
    “We can wait until tomorrow. They can eat cereal tomorrow morning.” Rachel broke her muffin into pieces. “So, Cassie, you like kids, huh? Do you want some one day?”
    Cassie leaned against the counter , facing the women. Roger glanced up, and then immediately back down, obviously interested in the answer, but not daring to poke his nose into a female conversation. He didn’t fool anyone—Cassie knew men were just as big of gossips.
    “I do. Want kids , that is,” she said, grimacing at the bitter drink. “Just need to wrestle a ring out of the man, first.”
    “Well, that’s half done, right?” Jenn smiled in a kind way as she took a bite.
    Cassie nodded slowly, hating these half lies she was telling. It made her uncomfortable—she obviously wasn’t the best pick for Peter’s fake girlfriend. She eyed the muffins. She checked the fridge, only found blueberries, which she wasn’t a huge fan of, and then glanced outside. “I might go