Read Online How Cassie Got Her Grind Back by Heather Rainier - Free Book Online Page B

it? Portman, is that you? Dorene looks as though she’s having a good time without you—weakling.”
    Ivan put out an arm to hold back Andrew, who had been pretty good at basketball but had always been more of an academic in high school. “He isn’t worth it, man.”
    Andrew crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “You haven’t changed a bit, Resendez, except for losing the best thing that ever happened to you.” He nodded and smiled at Brittany. “A pretty thing like her must not know you very well to have agreed to come as your date.”
    “Fuck off, Portman. You have enough on your hands if you think you’re finally getting your chance with Cass. Cutter acts like a dog guarding its old chewed-up bone. He might share with Ivan, but you’d be doing well to get sloppy thirds.”
    Red filtered into Ivan’s vision as he and Samson stepped toward Bill.
    Showing impeccable timing, Hank inserted himself in the center of the growing conflict. “You’ve said a bit more than necessary, Resendez. Now go to the other side of the room and stay there.”
    “Happily,” Bill said before draping his arm possessively around Brittany’s shoulder. “See you around, sheriff.” Unable to just walk away, he turned back and made eye contact with Ivan and called, “How’s that knee?” and then walked away chuckling. Brittany was peering up at the man, and to her credit, she wasn’t smiling. She cast a glance back at the group as she walked away with him.
    “Shit-eating, motherfucking son-of-a—” Ivan ground out under his breath until Samson nudged him and frowned and shook his head.
    Focus.
    Bill knew damned good and well he was responsible for Ivan’s knee injury, by not doing his job on the football field. Because of that injury Ivan’s senior year of high school, he’d not been able to play football in college, losing his scholarship, and he’d been rejected at his army physical because of the injury. Ivan and Samson, and the coach for that matter, had always suspected Bill had intentionally pulled up short, leaving Ivan open for the devastating hit, which had required surgery to repair, but there was no proving it. Sports injuries happened all the time. Adding insult to injury, it had occurred the same night everything had changed for the three of them and their futures. A future that, for Samson at least, had included Cassie.
    Andrew checked his watch and then said, “I think I’ll head back to the hotel, guys.” He looked at Samson and Ivan and then grinned at Cassie. “Especially now the cavalry has arrived.”
    “Nonsense,” Cassie said, grabbing hold of his arm as he backed away. “You just got here, and you told me you were in town expressly for the reunion. You can’t leave now. Don’t let them ruin your fun tonight.”
    Andrew hesitated and then nodded. “Okay, to make you happy, but you don’t need to pose as my wingperson anymore. I know you want to catch up with the guys. And maybe some of the ladies are single,” he added as he flicked a quick glance around the room.
    “I noticed Brittany was kinda checking you out,” Cassie said as she tightened her arm around his waist. “That poor thing has no idea what a dickhead jerk Bill is.”
    “A jerk and a dickhead?” Hank asked with a smile as he turned to face her.
    “That’s right. He interrupted our reunion,” she replied as she hugged Ivan again and then thumped him in the chest with her little fist. “Ouch! You jerk! You were in Morehead all this time, and you never came to see me!”
    Ivan caressed her injured hand, mainly because he could, and then gestured with a thumb at the receding dickhead-jerk. “Like that would’ve gone over well with your husband?”
    “Point taken, I suppose, but I’ve been divorced for four years now.”
    He kissed her hand and then held it to his chest. “I’m sorry.”
    “I forgive you.”
    “Will you dance with me?”
    Samson scoffed at them both and said, “Just that easily you