Say It

Chapter 16: Flashback

Cassies POV:

As we all began to leave, Stacy kept apologizing. She says she did tell the security about Jameus, but they didn't have a picture of him and when he signed in, he used his last name. She tried to stop him but he argued with her a moment while she called security. I don't blame her and I don't think Lincoln does either, but he doesn't say, clearly wanting to get a rise out of her.

Lincoln offered to drive me home, but I knew I needed to tell Claud what happened and riding home with him would only prolong the inevitable conversation that was going to end with Claudia angry yelling at me for not telling her. As I pull up and park my car, I notice a car with a South Carolina licsence plate. I wonder who has visitors from my home state.

I sit in the car just a bit longer, pep talking to myself in the small visor mirror that I can tell her. Nothing bad will come out of it except anger. I eventually pull myself together, gather my things and trudge out of the car and to the front door. I walk in with head down as I hand up my cardigan by the door, leaving my work bag to rest by the door. I might as well rip the bandaid off by showing her the bruises. I guess here goes nothing. "Hey, Claud." I hear a small gasp, not allowing my eyes to leave the floor. Still ashamed of what happened, when suddenly a deep voice I was not expecting catches my attention.

"What the hell happened to your arms, Cassidy Santana?" f**k. My dad is standing in our small kitchen looking more pissed than ever. Why is he here? I hear Claudia's and Sus' voices leave her bedroom giggling about something.

"John, dear, what's wr-" Sus stops when her eyes travel to me and pause on my arms as Claudia's follow.

Her response is a little more aggressive than my dads. "Who the f**k left those on your arms, Cas?" A little shockingly, Susanne doesn't scold her for her pouty tongue and they all just stare, impatiently waiting for me to answer their questions.

I stare back at them. What a great night this is going to be. "Cassidy, we're waiting." There it is again. The use of my federal name rolling off my dad's tongue. I hate that name. It's why I go by Cassie. Cassidy was my mother's name and it feels weird to having her name. It was her's, it belonged to her. It's a weird tribute from my dad, but I'm not her and I don't want that name. Cassie suits me just fine. Or even Santana.

"First, stop using that name. You know I hate it."

"Well, it opened your mouth, so it's working just fine for me." He scolds back. He hates that I hate it, but I don't care.

"I promise to tell you all what happened. Just give me 5 minutes to go pee and change into something comfortable." I say and walk toward our small hallway. Thankfully, they don't protest.

I changed quickly and made my way down the hall to the bathroom. Once I"m finished and my hands are clean, I step out of the bathroom and head to the living area. Before I can fully step in, I hear my dad's voice softly fussing at Claudia. "How have you not noticed those bruises? And if she was seeing someone why didn't we know? You should have kept a better eye on her. You knew that with him being out could have caused her to relapse." That's enough of that.

"Seriously?" I half yell out and all their heads snap to me. My dad being the only one who is seething. "I understand why you're angry and scared, but you don't get to take it out on Claudia. She has done nothing but been there for me. She is the most patient person I have ever been around and the only one that didn't look at me with judgement when all of that s**t went down. ALL of it." My dad's angry expression turns guilty for a second before becoming angry again. "I'm not a child anymore. I'm not in that weak spot I was with Trey."

"Yeah, obviously." He scoffs resting his hands on his hips turning away from me. Jeez, that hurt.

"Right. Well, I'm done with this for now." I grab my phone off the counter and head to the door to grab my keys. "I need to blow off some steam." I mutter as I push by my dad, who tries to stop me by grabbing hold of my wrist. I yank out of his grasps, glaring at him from a moment before leaving the apartment and walking straight to the car. I understand his concern. All of theirs, but I don't deserve to be treated less because of my past. I thought I had earned a little more credit than that. I text Lincoln asking if he would meet me at the gym that's near GHP. It has a boxing area and right now, all I need is to punch something. Or someone.

Lincoln's POV:

All I've been able to think about is Cassie. That look of defeat in her eyes when I first saw the bruises. I know she was putting up a strong front and she wanted to believe she would do something about him touching her that way and maybe she would have, but I know she felt defeated. All the work she must have done to make herself forget about that asshole ex of hers abused her. I don't know more than that, but I know you have to be a warrior to survive something like that and I could see she was. Nevertheless, having yet another man lay his hands on her and leaving bruises, that awful had to bring her down. I know she was ashamed. She said as much.

I just want to take the pain from her and I would every second of the day if it meant she never had to feel it again. Beating him around brought some form of joy for me and a little peace of mind. He has long deserved that ass whooping, but he lays his hands on my girl again, it will be a lot worse.

And there I go again, calling her my girl. I mean she was. Maybe she didn't know it yet, but she was. At least, I would protect her as if she was. I would go to the end of the earth as if she was. I would do anything just to see she goofy lopsided smile envelop her face as if she was. It's scary to think she has that effect on me, but it wasn't something I would ignore anymore. Growing close to her, possibly loving her, was dangerously stupid for the choices I make, but I don't know how I could ever stop fate from pushing me head first off this ledge. A matter of fact, I think it already has and I barely know the woman.

Just as I reach the shower, Ryder calls. I had briefly texted him about the afternoon's events. He was livid, to say the least.

" What's up, Bro?" I speak into the phone.

"What the hell happened today?" He ask, then blows out a frustrated heap of air.

"Well, it seems the devil himself has laid his grimy f*****g hands on Cassie. He left 2 big ass bruises on her arms in the shape of his hands. Well, long story short, I beat the s**t out of him when he showed up to the office today." I say nonchantly and switch my water on in the shower. "Anyway, the police exhorted him out and both her and I got restraining orders on him. Of course, they wouldn't arrest him because it happened a couple of days ago."

"s**t. When did he do that?" He asks. I assume he means when he hurt Cassie.

"I think Friday night. Why?"

"I was over there on Friday night." He sighs and continues. "Claudia had called me and asked about Jameus because Cassie had mentioned to her that you made it pretty clear you didn't like him. She basically wanted to know if you were just being jealous or truthful."

"Probably both." I admit. "That still doesn't tell me why you were over there." I say, noticing he avoided my question.

"Well," He begins, clearing his throat. I hear shuffling on the other end of the phone like he's moving around, trying to find a safe space.

"Are you at home?"

"Nah, I'm still at the office. I have some paperwork I need to get done and a few referrals to send in." I nod as if he can see me. I hear his office door close and he lets out a breath. "Anyway, I went over to their apartment because Claudia asked me to. And well, one thing led to another and," He pauses, probably trying to think of something to say, but he doesn't need to because I already know what happened. "wow, that woman is amazing." I chuckle from my end of the phone. My brother may have a few one night stands, but nothing more. He has always said even s*x feels like he is cheating on Julie. He never imagined having to some day love someone else because she was his person. Loving her and, of course, being a father, was what he was best at. It even beat out being a doctor. Still, after all the time they had been together, it was as if they had just met and fell in love. They were two giddy teenager. Always flirting, laughing, teasing one another. Never was there a dual moment between them. And being able to watch there love manifest and grow over the years was a sight in itself. We all adore their undying romance. I envied them a little. I've always wanted it, but I'm not sure I deserve it.

"Ry, sounds like you're in for it." I reply.

"Man, you have no idea. I'm already walking in the muck for her."

I have some idea. Cassie has captivated my heart and quite possibly my soul, from the moment I watched that small shelf give out, crashing her literal sweet ass to the floor. All for the sake of Jam. I should have known I was in trouble. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I knew it was a bad idea to engage, but I simply couldn't control myself. "I some idea. Anyway, It's not your fault." I sigh into the phone. "She is as stubborn as they come. Even more so than mom. She still would have tried to handle it on her own."

"Yeah. I could tell from the night at the ER." He says and I hear more shuffling around. I know he spoke absent kindly because he has never mention a night at the ER.

"Ry, what night at the ER?" I ask, impatiently waiting for my answer.

"Shit." He mutters softly. "Okay, I'm not telling you much because she is my patient."

"Your patient? f**k man!" I run my hand through my already tousled hair. He owns a family practice, but still. She's barely been here a month and already she found a doctor. I mean, I guess it's sensible. But it sounds a little wired. "Why does she need a doctor already?"

"I'm not at liberty to say. Besides, that's something you should hear from her anyway." More shuffling. "But anyway, she had come in and we talked for a bit. She is fine, if that's what you're wondering."

"Of course I am. I need to know she's going to be okay."

"Funny, we could say the same about you." I audibly scoff at my twin's antics to rile me up. "If she trusts you with her life, you need to trust her with yours." He tells me as if he isn't stating the obvious.

"Not now." A sudden buzz of my phone draws my interest. None other than my girl.

"Linc, I'm-"

"Yeah, whatever. I have to go." I hang up before he can protest. I've already had a s**t day, I don't really need a s**t night by talking about things we don't need to.

*C: Meet me at Bandwagon.

The text reads. No reason behind it, but I know somethings wrong. Bandwagon is a gym that is just down the block from GHP and from what I remember, her complex has a gym, so whatever is bothering her must be there and she needs to get away.

I rush and turn off the shower before running in the room to quickly change into gym attire. I chose a tank and some shorts. I want to show off my dazzling muscles to impress ma lady. I let her know I'd be there in 15 and jump in the car.

My mind briefly grazes over the events of early and my body washes over with concern that something is seriously wrong. My foot pins the peddle close to the floor, accelerating well over the speed limit. I quickly pray there are no cops on the way, and speed up once again as worry has a stronghold on me. God, I hope- no, I pray nothing she isn't hurt. I would hate to actually kill someone today.

15 minutes turn into 10 as I race there the whole way. Only slowing down when I reach a traffic light. I park in the lot, searching for her car with no luck. I lean on the door of my car, waiting for her. Finally about 10 minutes later, I see her little silver Jetta roll into the parking lot. I rush over and open her door for her. She turn her head just a little and stares up at me in confusion before turning off the car and stepping out. "What's the matter?" She asked and now under the light of the sun that setting, I can she her face red and tear stained.

"I think the question is what's the matter with you?" I retort.

She sighs and looks away to quickly wipe a few tear gliding down her beautiful face. "Is it Jameus?" My vicious voice comes out gaining a giggle from her as she stare back up at me.

Shaking her head she says "No." She begins moving to the gym door and a follow like the love-sick puppy I am. "My dad and mom showed up at our place today," She turns her head and peeks at me a little before continuing. "Well, they saw the bruises from Jameus. My dad and I had a few words." I rush in front of her to hold the door open as she shyly thanks me and walks to the check in desk.

Since we aren't members, we have to pay a small fee which I cover before she can protest. We through our keys into a small locker and she speed walks to the boxing area. She's cute for wanting to punch that heavy bag, but I don't-

WAM! Before I could finish my thought, she punches the black, patched up bag with so much force it almost knock over the guy hitting the speedball. I walk over before she can injury herself of anyone else and get into stance holding the bag in place. She stares at me for a moment, realizing I'm not going to force her to talk. With a deep breath, she begins to whale on the bag, reminding me of a little incident from earlier. Jackass.

Her stance is close to flawless as she lays blow after blow to the bag. Every hit done so with purpose. And as the bag becomes battered by the small woman, I see the anger flow from her heart, through her arms and exiting on the bag. Anger in every punch. I hadn't even noticed she hadn't wrapped her knuckles and I know she'd regret it later. But instead of stopping her, I just hold the bag tighter, allowing her a release.

As the anger builds up, she moves kicking the bag and get an insight to what Jameus felt when she kicked him in the throat. Her little legs kick with a force of a grown man. I don't know why I ever estimated her ability to beat the bag. She could easily beat me if I let her.

But now I'm left wondering, how did Jameus ever get a grip on her like that? Maybe he took her by surprise. Maybe he just had her in a position she couldn't untangle herself from. I'm not sure, but this woman is far from weak.

Finally, after about 15 minutes of a non-stop jab, full blown punch, or kick she's finished. Her chest expanding with every hard breath she takes. She must have been in a hurry when she left because she's in a plain black t-shirt and pajama sweat pants. Just beautiful.

As her breath steadies, her eyes scan over me and she grins. "What?" I ask, suddenly feeling shy.

Huffing, she shakes her head "Nothing. You're in workout clothes and I look like I hopped out of bed." She shrugs. She clearly doesn't care how she looks.

"Ah, seems so." I joke back. She playfully swats at my arm and giggles. I fall out on the floor feaning pain and roll on the floor a bit, sucking my breath. She stops giggling to stare at me in disbelief. She looks around and tries to make me stop, clearly embarrassed at my current state. When she reaches down to stop me further, I yank her to the floor with me and she lands on top of me.

Her arms push her up as she stares down at me, searching my eyes for something I'm not sure. Reaching up, I push a stray strand of hair around her ear, bringing my hand down, slightly caressing her cheek. She leans ever so much into my touch, my thumb softly stroking the top of her cheek. "So very beautiful." I whisper and her eyes search mine again, stealing a peek of my lips, then back to my eyes. Without warning, she bends, taking my lips to hers and consuming them. I follow her lead and allow her to control and move at her own pace. Our tongues dance for a moment more before she pulls away and smirks. She climbs off and offers a hand, which I take.

We made quick work getting back to it. Mostly her pounding the s**t out of something and ending with us jogging on the treadmill. Well, she jogs and I walk, watching her bounce with each step. Would sound dumb, but she took off her black shirt, exposing her dark blue sports bra and her very round and plump chest. Rivulets of sweat gliding down from the top of her head all the way down her chest, getting lost in her bra. Her beautiful dark hair is pulled tight in a ponytail in the middle of her head and is frizzing up from the humidity and sweat. But even so, she is still astounding. If I hadn't already been out of breath, she would definitely have taken it from me. I'm sure.

The worst part of caring for someone so beautiful is that I'm not the only one who thinks so. Every other guy here, which is everyone here, has their eyes on her at some moment or another. Oggling her sensually and she doesn't know it. They want to take her and make her theirs, but she's mine. If she chooses. And if she doesn't, I don't know how I will ever be able to let her go.

"Didn't your mother tell you it's not polite to stare?" she asks jokingly with a smirk as she slows to walking.

"Mm, tersoro, she did. However, she said when something hold great beauty, you must admire it." I reply, earning a large amount of blush to flood her face and spread to her chest. Her sweet smirk transfers from her lips to mine.

I stop my machine and hop off. Utterly tired from the events and workout of today. She follows suit. "Conosci l'italiano?" (You know Italian?) her question astounds me. Well, not the question more so the language she asks the question in.

She begins laughing and speaks in it again. "Dovresti vedere la tua fascia!" (You should see your face) She barrels out laughing harder.

"Ho..wha.. I-I'm confused. How do you know Italian?" My stumble out of my mouth.

She shrugs as if it's not a big deal. It's a huge deal. To me. "I took courses when I started college and fell in love with it, so I took classes every year to become fluent." She begins walking to the towel bar the gym has, grabbing two fresh towels and throwing one my way. "Well, as fluent as I can be. It's proper Italian, not slang."

"Lo parli magnificamente." I say back with a smile.

"So you do know it?" she question again and I nod.

"My mother is Italian. She and her parents came over," I pause to wipe my face from the sweat before continuing. "when she was around 7 years old. She knew English because her parents could afford for her to learn at a young age. But she never let go, thankfully, of Italian and she taught us all as we were growing up. All three of us are fluent. We go to Italy every few years."

I finish as she stares in awh. I think I've made her happy sharing a part of me with her. As I am happy she has shared this with me. It's going to make sweet talk all the more sweeter. And my mother is going to love her.

"Wow, I would adore Italy. I just know it." We throw our towels in the bin, grab our keys and head out the door. "I have always wanted to, but never had the chance." she opens up her trunk and digs out a tank top and throws it on. "Or the money, I guess."

"Well, I'd be honored to take you." She closes the trunk and glances back at me. "It would bring me great joy to make you happy and if Italy is it, then I want to make it happen." She grins, but rolls her eyes. "Come have a cup of coffee with me. Please."

She seems like she wants to hesitate for a moment when she sucks her sore bottom lip between her teeth and chewing, but ultimately nods her head. I gently take her hand in mine, waiting a moment to see if she'd pull away. When she doesn't, I lead her to my car and help her in, rushing to the driver's seat. Excited to spend time with this amazing lady.