Dash had been with Linc this weekend, but had he asked how his niece was doing? How Jordan was feeling? No, because he was a dick, worried about his own problems and letting his brothers dance around him while he stewed and waited for the test results.
Even his sister, Chloe, who had been jilted at the altar and rescued by Linc’s nemesis, Beck Daniels, was now engaged and living with the man she loved. But again, Dash had been too wrapped up in himself to check in with his sister.
He hadn’t been kidding Cassidy when he said he wanted to change his lifestyle. He wanted to be someone his family could be proud of and a woman like Cassidy would want to be with.
He had his work cut out for him.
* * *
From the minute Cassidy entered her house, she couldn’t relax. What had she been thinking, agreeing to be Dash’s fake girlfriend? For a playboy like him, she might as well have given him an all clear. He’d kissed her, and she’d melted into him like any good groupie would have. And let’s face it, he’d treated her no better than the one the time they’d been together.
But he was right. She had to acclimate to being around him, letting him touch her, and reciprocating in an easy, casual manner. Without falling for him further in the process. She needed someone to talk to, but she didn’t want to bother Sasha or take her away from Xander.
Which explained why, instead of working, she’d baked cookies from scratch, using the recipe her grandmother had taught her when she treated them to dessert for high grades or good behavior. The delicious smell permeated her nostrils, making her stomach grumble.
Once they cooled, she intended to binge a television show and indulge. That would be her second treat today, the first being the ice cream sundae. Three if she included Dash’s kiss.
Dammit. She shook her head at her thoughts and strode from the kitchen to the family room in her quaint rental home. She’d fallen in love with the place at first sight, she thought, as she settled into the cushy sofa she’d purchased for comfort rather than looks.
Working for Sasha over the past four years, the last two being extremely lucrative as her friend’s career soared, Cassidy could afford to live in a larger home on East Hampton. But after a childhood of not having much and refusing to live off her brother’s money after he made it big with Caged Chaos, she wanted to save what she earned.
She’d only lived with Sasha in her huge LA mansion because Cassidy had insisted on paying something in rent despite her friend wanting her to just move in and accept her generosity. Cassidy hadn’t grown up with a lot, but she’d always had her pride. And she intended to hang on to the security her current financial situation offered.
Her doorbell rang and she rose, walking to the entry and finding her brother on the other side. She let him in. “Hey, Ax.”
“Cass.” He pulled her in for a hug, and she wrapped her arms around him to reciprocate. “I smell Grandma’s cookies,” he said.
She laughed as he released her and started for the kitchen. “Leave it to you to show up when they’re ready.”
“Got milk?” he asked as he entered the room.
She strode to the refrigerator and poured them both a glass. They sat on the small barstools around the center island.
He grabbed the top cookie from the pile and took a huge bite. “You’ve got the magic touch. Grandma taught you well.”
Cassidy smiled, thinking about the woman who’d taken them in, no questions asked. “That she did.” Cassidy propped her chin on her hands. “I miss her.”
“Me, too.” He downed half of his milk, placed the glass on the counter, and met her gaze. “Okay, why’d you agree?”
She didn’t wonder what he was referring to. He’d obviously been home when Dash had returned, and he’d probably filled them all in on her agreeing to be his fake girlfriend.
“Because Naomi’s reasons made sense. If Dash and his offstage women and antics disappear, the press will turn their attention to your music and how well you fit into the band. And that’s what you need right now.” She put her hand on his. “I did it for you.”
He shook his head. “There were other ways. We didn’t brainstorm them yet, but I’m certain we can figure one out. Everyone knows what a man-whore Dash is. I don’t want you getting involved with him.”
She frowned, uncomfortable with his description of Dash, despite having thought it herself. Which reminded her of something Dash had said earlier today. I’ve been celibate since our night together.
She shivered and wondered if he’d been telling her the truth. She doubted he’d lie, but she had a hunch his reasons for not having sex had more to do with being scared to death he’d impregnated a woman than because of his feelings for her.
She refocused on her bossy brother. “You’re speaking like it’s your decision. It’s not. It’s mine. And after all you’ve done for me over the years, helping Grandma, taking care of me, I need to step up for you.”
She refused to say another word about it. She’d made her choice. She picked up a cookie and split it in half, the gooey chocolate still melting. She took a bite and reached for a napkin, wiping her face.
“Stop staring at me,” she muttered.
“You’re a stubborn pain in the ass.”
She was tempted to stick out her tongue like when they were kids. “Can’t you just let me do what I need to do without giving me a hard time?”
He nodded but a small grumble escaped from his throat. “I’m just used to looking out for you.”
“I appreciate it but it’s also time to let me live my life.” She hesitated. “And make my own mistakes.”
He stiffened his body and narrowed his gaze. “What does that mean? What did you do?”
For half a second, she’d considered telling him about her night with Dash and immediately changed her mind. No way would she do anything to cause a fight between him and their lead singer. “Nothing. Relax. I’m just saying back off.”
Axel snatched another cookie. “Fine. But be smart.”
She rolled her eyes. “Aren’t I always?”
He rose and yanked on her ponytail. “Thanks for the cookies.”
She stood. “That’s it? You just came to give me the third degree?”
He nodded. “That’s what brothers are for. Love you, Cass.”
“Love you, too.” She started walking him to the door. “Oh, wait. Take some cookies!” She rushed back to the kitchen and packed up a bunch for him to bring home, then she let him out and locked up behind him.
After heading back to the kitchen, she cleaned up their snack, covered the cookies so they didn’t get stale, and decided she wasn’t in the mood to binge watch any shows.
Instead, she took a long, hot bath, during which she forced herself to put her concerns out of her mind and let herself enjoy and relax. Later, wearing her favorite old tee shirt, she sat down on her bed and pulled out her laptop to go over scheduling.
She already knew the biggest night this week was Sunday. The band would be performing at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The limousines were booked. The guys spent plenty of time practicing and had to be at the arena on Wednesday for rehearsal.
Emails had piled up during the day, and she scanned through the ones from the band’s label and added dates to the calendar, following them up with cc’d emails to the guys, letting them know where they had to be and when.