Double Play XLI

By Cruise

Chapter 47

            Cassidy gasped, shocked by Dakota’s words.  Cassidy’s unexpected reaction took Dakota by surprise when she walked past her. She followed her to Cass’ grave.  “What is going on? Did you hear me?”

            Cassidy looked at Dakota.  “You don’t love me, you love my sister.”

            Dakota knelt on one knee in the snow before her.  “I love you.  It’s you I want to be with.”  Dakota leaned down to look into Cassidy’s eyes as she looked at the ground.  “Believe me.”

            Cassidy looked up at her.  “I want to believe you so much, but the truth is that the only reason you pursued me was because you thought I was her.”

            “I was never in love with Cass.”

            “Oh, come on Dakota.”  Cassidy rolled her eyes, and then looked back at her skeptically.  “You sure act like you were.  What makes you so sure it’s me you’re in love with?”

            Dakota took a few seconds to find the words to explain everything Cassidy meant to her.  She knew then it would be impossible to say it all, but she’d try.  “What she and I had was special, she was my first, but I didn’t feel this way about her like I do for you.  When I saw you at the softball meeting in the beginning of the school year I was upset because of what had happened, but as I got to know YOU I began to forget about how it was with her at softball camp.  You are so different.”  She smiled adoringly, lightly stroking Cassidy’s hand with her thumb.  “You’re sweeter, gentler, and more innocent than her.  Although, you can be freaky if you want to in the bedroom.”  She grinned widely and rubbed Cassidy’s leg when she blushed.  “I’m sad when I’m not with you.  When you smile I feel this incredible sensation within...something I’ve never felt before and that I never want to stop feeling.  You’ve touched my heart in a way no one ever has and ever will. You have made me want to change my life.  I want to make you smile, I want to protect you and never make you cry.  I want to share my life with you and make you happy.  I don’t want my heart to ever feel the way it did the past few days being without you.  I know I’m still a work in progress, but you are the reason I want to change.”  Dakota’s tears fell unchecked.  She smiled and kissed Cassidy’s hand as she peered into her green eyes.  “I love the way you look at me with so much passion and love.  Am I right? Is that the way you feel?”

            Cassidy’s heart felt as if it would jump out of her chest; she was filled with so much joy.  She slid to the edge of the bench and smiled, grasping Dakota’s face in her hands.  “My heart couldn’t be filled with any more love for you Dakota.  I love you so much baby.”  Cassidy pressed her lips against Dakota’s and both women gasped for a breath simultaneously. 

            They laughed as they stared lovingly at one another.  “So, Cassidy I’m Dakota it’s a pleasure to meet you.”  Dakota whispered with a chuckle and kissed her briefly.  She laughed when Cassidy jumped into her arms, wrapping arms and legs tightly around her.  She stood up, holding her tightly, smiling happily.  She kissed her on the cheek and rubbed her back comfortingly when she felt her body shaking, as she cried harder.  “Hey, why are you crying?” Dakota said softly as she stroked her hair and leaned back to look at her.

            “I’ve dreamt about you calling me by my real name and how wonderful it would feel to hear you speak it.”  She paused and inhaled deeply, smiling broader.  “It is incredibly better than I ever imagined.”  Cassidy leaned her head against Dakota’s, squeezing her tightly.  “Say it again.”  She requested in a whisper.

            “Cassidy.”  Dakota said softly, lovingly stroking her back as she held her tightly.  The wondrous feeling of having Cassidy wrapped within her arms, made her heart beat faster.

            “Take me away.”  Cassidy requested as she looked at Dakota.

            Dakota smiled and walked past the bench.  “Sure, where would you like to go?”

“Back to my aunt’s house...for now.  I would love to go back to Florida, but I have to meet with Agent Spencer tomorrow to go over some pre-trial stuff.  Are you able to stay or do you need to get back?”

“I’m going to be where ever you are.”  Dakota grinned charmingly and leaned in to kiss Cassidy, breaking it when she felt her feet slip out from underneath her.  “Shit!” She yelled out, in her feeble attempt to keep them from falling.  They landed in the snow and laughed.  “I’m sorry; I totally suck at walking in this stuff.”

            “You’re really romantic did you know that?” Cassidy laughed and wiped the small speck of snow off of Dakota’s cheek.

            “Oh, I don’t know about not being romantic.  After all, I am on top of you.”  Dakota grinned adorably looking down at her.  “Are you okay?”

            “I am now.”  Cassidy smiled and kissed her chin lightly. 

            Dakota smiled.  “Is your aunt going to be cool with me staying until tomorrow?”

            “Oh yeah.  After dinner her and my uncle will go to bed early.  They are leaving early tomorrow for a Caribbean cruise.”

“Nice.  I’m sure they will have a great time.”

“They will now.  She had talked about cancelling the trip because I was so upset, but I insisted she go and that I would be fine.  So, now that I’m with you, I will be more than fine and he’ll be very relieved.”

            “That’s so sweet of her.  Hmmm, sun, warmth sounds great right now.  I think my toes are frozen.”  Dakota chuckled.

            “Well, let’s get your thin blooded self out of the snow then.”  Cassidy chuckled and gladly accepted the hand Dakota offered as help.  She smiled and slid her hand into Dakota’s who walked her to the car.

            “I have to tell you something funny.  I thought you were at McDonalds and couldn’t understand why it took you so long to get food.”  Dakota laughed as did Cassidy.

            “That is pretty funny, but the restaurant is pretty far away.”

            “How did you live so far away from civilization?”

            “Ah, it’s not that bad.  It’s only a twenty minute drive to the city center.”  Cassidy chuckled.  “Oh, listen you cannot call me Cassidy in front of anyone, my aunt and uncle are in the dark.”

            Dakota looked at her disappointed and stroked her hair.  “I figured they didn’t know.  I’m sorry you have to live a lie.  I wish there was something I could do to give you your life back.”

            “I know and I appreciate your concern, but I will get it back soon.”  Cassidy inhaled and smiled feeling rejuvenated.

            “Are you sure about that? It doesn’t seem like lady justice has been on your side or any of the other victims of this guy.  What will you do if he gets off again?”

            Cassidy sighed heavily, looking down to fight off the tears that moistened her eyes at that possibility.  She then thought of the woman standing before her and looked up with renewed hope.  “I’ll continue to be Cassandra until he finally faces judgment.  One way or another that day will come, but it will be much easier now that I have you.  Although, it’s not fair that you have to live my lie, it puts you and your family in danger.”  She felt a catch in her heart at the thought of Dakota being harmed because of her and grasped Dakota’s hand tighter.

            Dakota smiled reassuringly.  “Don’t worry about us, we will be fine.  I told you once before that I can help you.  I have my sources.  Let’s just say my family is very powerful and influential.”  Dakota stared her in the eye emphatically.

            “As wonderful as it would be for that man to disappear from the face of the earth I don’t want your family to have to be involved in this fiasco.  I have to believe that the FBI will finally be able to nail him.  I don’t want to compromise you or your family any more than it already is, but thank you.  I would die if anything happened to you.”  Cassidy threw her arms around Dakota hugging her tightly.

            Dakota held her close and kissed her on the top of her head.  ‘He will pay.’  She rubbed Cassidy’s back and kissed her again.  “I’m not going anywhere any time soon except into that warm car.”  Dakota chuckled and smiled when Cassidy looked up at her.

            Cassidy giggled and opened the door.  She climbed into the driver’s seat smiling broader when Dakota waved to her as she walked to her rental car.

            Dakota climbed into the warm car and turned the key in the ignition.  She pulled out her cell phone, noting she had missed a call from Michelle.  She punched in her code and listened to the message. 

            ‘Kody  call me ASAP.’ Michelle voice had an urgent ring to it.

            ‘Hmmm, that’s weird.’  She scrolled through her phone log for Michelle, clicked send and rolled her eyes when she got her voicemail.  “Hey, I’m calling you ASAP.  Later.”  She clicked off the phone and scrolled through her list of numbers, lifting the phone to her ear as she cautiously navigated the car behind Cassidy’s.  “Hola Tio, I need a favor.”

            ‘Dakota was with Cass.’  Cassidy’s heart raced.  ‘What if she’s still in love with her?’  Insecurity filled her and she cried harder.  “You’re being stupid, she loves you.  You know that.  She steered the car into the driveway and parked, turning off the engine.  “You need to trust her.”  She turned and smiled seeing Dakota standing next to her door.

            Dakota opened the door for her and closed it behind Cassidy when she exited the car. 

***

“How much longer?” Alex asked, slightly agitated.

            “I’m sorry sir, but we are being rerouted due to bad weather ahead.”

            “Damn it!”  He grumbled and walked away, lifting his phone to his ear when it rang.  “Hey son, what’s up?”

            “Did you get what you needed?” Rex asked.

            “Oh, yeah plus some.”  Alex smirked as he looked at Leila.

            “Excellent, fill me in later.” 

            “I sure will.”  Alex chuckled and clicked off the phone, sitting down.

***

Dakota grinned adoringly as she entered Cassidy’s room and then frowned seeing the poster of her from the Olympics on the ground.  She walked over to it as Cassidy pushed by her.  “Hmmm, that’s a strange place for a poster.”

            “I’m sorry, but I was so upset with you.”  Cassidy grabbed it before Dakota and dusted off the poster, putting it back in its place on the wall.

            Dakota looked at it and chuckled.  “Should I be worried that you might be a stalker considering you have my poster on your wall?” She laughed when Cassidy elbowed her.

            “Very funny.”

            “Well, I certainly hope my poster gave you some memorable nights.”  Dakota grinned slyly.

            “Oh, it sure did.”  Cassidy smiled flirtatiously and winked.

            Dakota blushed and they laughed harder.  “Very nice.”  Dakota reached onto the desk and grabbed a marker, then walked over to the poster. 

            “What are you doing?”

Dakota smiled slyly and scribbled,

‘Enjoy Me!                                                                      

Dakota Colby,  #0

        Cassidy laughed and patted Dakota on the back.  “I’ve waited a long time for your autograph on that poster.”

“Well, you can have it any time you want it.”  Dakota smiled.    

“So, tell me what’s it like to stand up on that podium with the gold medal wrapped around your neck with our national anthem playing?” Cassidy asked excitedly.

            Dakota looked at the poster as if she were there.  “Oh, wow it is the most incredible and emotional feeling ever.  I was filled with some much happiness and pride to be able to bring home the gold that I couldn’t contain my emotion.  I tried.”  Dakota looked at Cassidy and blushed slightly.

            “I know, I watched the ceremony and cried right along with you.”  Cassidy chuckled and wrapped her arm around Dakota’s waist, squeezing it.

            “I was overwhelmed to say the least.  I can’t wait until I join the team again for Beijing.”

            “That is incredible.  I would love to be in the Olympics.”

            “You could be.  We need a speedy player.”  Dakota looked at her with a sly grin.

            Cassidy stared at her momentarily, excited by the possibility and sighed at reality.  “If this whole thing is cleared up by then and I can stop this charade.  Oh, what am I dreaming about, I won’t make the team.”

            “Of course you will, I’ll call the coach.”

            “No, no IF I were to attempt to play, I don’t want you pulling any strings.”  Cassidy warned.

            Dakota threw up her hands in defense.  “Not a problem, but I will give you a glowing review.”

            Cassidy felt her heart race at the thought.  As much as she would love to make the team, she felt like something would go wrong with the trial to keep her from playing.  “Maybe.”  She smiled faintly.

            Dakota rubbed her back comfortingly.  “It will happen.”  Dakota smiled encouragingly and looked away when Cassidy’s aunt called out as she knocked on the door.

            “Cass honey!”

            “Yes, Aunt Maymo.”  Cassidy walked over to the door and opened it.

            “Will you two be staying for dinner?”

            Cassidy turned to look at Dakota who smiled approvingly.  “Yes, thank you.”

            “I’ll call your uncle and tell him to bring another lobster home for Dakota.  You do eat lobster don’t cha honey?”  She motioned towards Dakota.

            “I love it.  Thank you ma’am.”

            “I think I warned you already about the ma’am thing.”  She smiled mischievously.

            “Sorry...Mable.”  Dakota smiled, embarrassed.

            “I’m going to make you a plate of meatless spaghetti.”  Mable looked to Cassidy with a smile.

            “Thanks.” 

            “I’ll call you when it’s time to set the table for dinner.”  Mable smiled and walked out of the room closing the door behind her.

            “Okay.  Thank you.”  Cassidy walked over to her bed and sat down.

            Dakota followed her and sat on the bed, scooting backwards to lean against the wall.  Both sat silently and Dakota looked at Cassidy.  “Are you really a vegetarian?”

            Cassidy chuckled.  “Yes, I am.”

            Dakota smiled.  “Okay, so how did you explain that, because at camp Cass was a big meat eater.”

            Cassidy looked down and traced the outline of the Dolphin figure on her comforter.  She sighed heavily thinking back.  “Well, I wasn’t always a vegetarian.  I became one shortly after the accident.  I had to do a school paper on nutrition and after I read about how they abuse and kill the animals at the slaughter house I couldn’t consciously contribute to that torture.  I’m not passing judgment on anyone; it’s just a personal choice.”  Cassidy grinned at Dakota.

            “Hmmm, maybe I should rethink this eating meat thing huh?”

            “That is up to you, but the animals would love you for it.”

            “Ooh, your smile is very convincing.”  Dakota chuckled. 

            “Well, considering the situation I’m in, I guess I need to be convincing.”

            “It seems so.  I hope I didn’t offend you by asking if you were really a vegetarian.”

            “No, not at all.  You need to know about me and what is real.  I’m not a second baseman, which you knew.”  Cassidy grinned sheepishly. 

            “You’re pretty good at passing off for one.”  Dakota winked with a grin.

            “Why were you so convinced I wasn’t a second basemen?”

            “Well, it’s really weird.  I was upset because you were totally clueless about softball camp and then I was really disappointed by how you played second base.”

            “Gee, sorry I didn’t realize I was that awful.”  Cassidy sighed, with a glum look on her face.

            “No, no I’m sorry I didn’t mean it that way.”  Dakota rubbed her back comfortingly and kissed her on the forehead.  “I was confused and disappointed as to what happened to your infield skills from softball camp.  Cass and I were in tune with where the other person would be in regards to the bag and where the ball would be thrown to turn two.  You throw it to the wrong spot and oh, man...”  Dakota leaned her head back against the wall and chuckled.

            “What?”

            “There was one other thing I couldn’t put my finger on until I just remembered it. I can’t believe it slipped by me, it’s so obvious.  You toss the ball with your palm up and Cass tossed it with her palm down.”

            “So, what’s the big deal with doing it with my palm up?”

            “It causes the ball to float and that’s why your throws are off.”

            “Really? I thought I knew everything about her.  I constantly watched video footage of her playing so I could mimic her, but I never noticed how she tossed the ball.”

            “Try it.  It will make me much happier.”  Dakota smiled with a wink.

             “Cass was a great second baseman.”  She smiled fondly.

            “Definitely and I guess you’re an outfielder right? A really good one?” Dakota smiled knowingly.

            “Oh, I don’t know about that, but yes, I am and I do love playing out there especially diving for the balls.  I love it.”  Cassidy’s eyes lit up.

            “What position?”

            “Center field.”

            “Then that is where you should play.”

            “I can’t.”  Cassidy absently drew circles on the comforter.  “I think it will bring to much suspicion my way.”

            “Does that guy really know that much about you two that it would raise eyebrows if you played in the outfield?”

            “I really don’t want to take a chance.  Agent Spencer was very adamant about me assuming Cass’ life in everyway.

            “How are you sure that this guy is convinced the witness is dead? What if he thinks Cass told you or your family what happened and would tell the authorities?”

            “I asked the same thing to Agent Spencer and he told me that it would be hearsay.  It wouldn’t hold up in court and that horrible man knows it.  Agent Spencer has been keeping it very tight lipped as to what witness he has to hold against him.  The guy has many charges against him so, he sends out his people to check on all of the witness’ family members to intimidate us, hoping that he can fish out who the witness is, but he hasn’t been successful.”

            “Well, hopefully he will be thrown under the jail and you all can have your lives back.”

            “That would be wonderful.”  Cassidy smiled hopeful.

            “It will happen.”  Dakota said reassuringly as she held Cassidy.  After a few quiet moments, Dakota smiled.  “We could really use you in the outfield.  Man, when you ran that ball down in fall practice...that was incredible.”  Dakota shook her head amazed as she remembered the play.

            “Thanks.”  Cassidy smiled and blushed.

            “I know that Cass’ number is 4, what is yours?”

            “Number 3.  Pretty original for twins huh?”

            “I think it’s cute.  What made you choose number 3?”

            “She was born before me so I chose a number that came before her.”  Cassidy grinned and chuckled.

            “Too funny.”

            Cassidy reached into the drawer next to the bed and pulled out a small framed picture.  She looked at it and smiled, then handed it to Dakota.

            Dakota stared down at the picture of Cassidy and Cass in their uniforms with their arms draped over the other’s shoulder, both smiling broadly.  “This is an awesome picture.  You two look so happy.”

            “We are.  She was my best friend.  I miss her so much.”  Cassidy’s eyes welled.

            “I’m sorry.”  Dakota moved over and gathered her into her arms comfortingly hugging her.  “I want to help in any way I can to nail this asshole that created so much pain in your life. It won’t bring Cass back, but it will insure that she didn’t die in vain.”

            Cassidy looked up at Dakota and wiped away her tears.  “Thanks, that means a lot to me.”  She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.  “Tell me about you and my sister.”

            Dakota shifted nervously and looked down at the floor.  She gave Cassidy a sideways glance.  “What do you want to know?”

            “I don’t really want to, but I think we should talk about it.  I don’t want to not know and then wonder... if that makes any sense.”

            “It does, but like I told you before I was never in love with her.”

            “You’re sure?”

            “I can tell you wholeheartedly that I was not.”

            “You were so upset with me/her in the beginning of the school year and to be honest it causes a lot of doubt in my mind.”

            “I know and I’m sorry.  I carried over my adolescent anger and humiliation from her shutting me out of her life.  I am spoiled, I don’t get turned down and I get my way.  I didn’t with her and at first it hurt me deeply, but the hurt turned to anger then I became resolved to never feel like that again.  I didn’t want anyone to be close to me and I didn’t want any attachments.  That way I knew I would never be hurt like that again.”

            “If you didn’t want any attachments, then what was Leila?”

            “Plain and simple.  Uhmmm, this is pretty harsh to say and I feel weird saying it in front of you.”  Dakota looked down at her hands embarrassed.

            “No, we need to be honest.  Tell me.”  Cassidy rubbed Dakota’s arm comfortingly and inhaled when Dakota looked up at her.

            “Okay, well she was fun to hang out with and was a good fuck buddy.  I feel embarrassed saying that.”

            “Man that is brutal.  Honest, but brutal.  I’m relieved that you are not interested in her any more.”

            “I told you that many times before.”  Dakota grinned slyly.

            “I know and I’m sorry for not believing you, but damn it she knew intimate things about us.  She was very convincing when I spoke to her on the phone when you were in the hospital.  Why was she in your room?”

            Dakota threw up her hands in defense.  “I have no idea I was out of it for a few days after the surgery.”

            “Why were you in the hospital that long? I thought that was an in and out kind of procedure.”

            “It usually is, but mine had ruptured and was infected so they couldn’t go in with a scope.  They had to do a laparotomy and they made me stay longer because of the infection.  Thankfully, they gave me pain meds to knock me out.”

            “Oh, you poor thing.  I’m sorry I wasn’t by your side.”  Cassidy moved closer to her and squeezed her hand. 

            “It’s okay.  I understand.” 

            “Let me see your scar.”

            Dakota unbuttoned her jeans and pulled the material back.

            “It’s not too bad.  Your surgeon did a great job.”

            “Yeah, the discoloration should fade pretty quickly.”

            Cassidy leaned down and lightly kissed the area.

            “It’s much better now.”  Dakota smiled when Cassidy looked up at her.

            Cassidy sat back up and glanced down at the picture.  “Didn’t Cass mention she had a twin sister?”

            “No, she just mentioned that her...your parents were really strict and homophobes.  That they were prominent in your small town and it would be really bad for her if they found out she was with a girl.”

            Cassidy paused, upset that her sister hadn’t mentioned her, but also that everything that crossed Dakota’s lips about her parents were true.  She looked up at Dakota.  “I’m disappointed that she didn’t mention me, but she was truthful about our parents.”

            “I’m sorry about your parents and that she didn’t mention you.”  Dakota rubbed her arm comfortingly.

            “Yeah, me too.”

            “Girls can you come out here please.”  Mable called out.

            Cassidy climbed off the bed followed by Dakota who quickly buttoned her jeans.  Both women walked out into the living room.

            “Do you know who is getting out of that car?” Mable pointed through the window.

            Dakota and Cassidy walked towards the window.  Dakota furrowed her dark eyebrows when she saw her father walk around the car.  “Excuse me.”  Dakota said in a sinister tone and walked out of the house.

            “Is everything okay honey?” Mable asked Cassidy.

            “I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out what is going on.  I’m sorry Auntie.”  She smiled warmly and rubbed her aunt’s arm comfortingly before walking outside.

Dakota’s gait quickened as she walked towards her father.  “What are you doing here?” Her eyes narrowed when she saw Leila step out of the car.  “What in the hell are you doing with her?”

“I’m here to help.”

“Since when? And how are you trying to do that with her?”

“I’m trying to be a father and do right by you.”

“What is in it for you?”

Alex grasped his daughter’s shoulders.  “Listen, I found out...”

“Wait, how did you find me?” Dakota looked over her shoulder when she felt Cassidy next to her.

“The pilot told me where you were heading and by GPS on your phone.”

“I don’t have GPS on my phone.”

“I had it put on all of your phones.”

Dakota’s ire reared.  “Oh, you’re a piece of work. You put GPS on my phone to spy on me and bring her here? Just how is it that you’re trying to be a father and help?” Dakota shouted in his face.

“I know I haven’t been the best father or just a father at all, but I want to try and be better.”

“Why? Why now?”

“Despite what you might think my feelings are for you, I do love you.  You’re my little girl and seeing you sitting in your room at your mother’s with your heart broken, tore me up.”

“Sure it did, you stood there and mocked me.”  Dakota looked past him and glared at Leila who stood a few paces behind him with her arms crossed over her chest, looking down.

Cassidy felt a deep sadness within when she heard the comment from Dakota’s father.

“I’m not great with words or with any of you, but I do know how you think and act.  You do the exact opposite of what I’ve ever said so that’s how I interacted with you.”

Dakota stared at him, angrily.  “And you think that makes it right?”

“No, I’m not saying that, I’m saying that I’ve been a lousy father and handled everything wrong with all my kids, in particularly you.  I want to try and have a better relationship with you.”

“And you do that by bringing her here? I...we don’t get it.”  She motioned between her and Cassidy.

“I brought her here to explain to Cass what happened in New York between you two.”

Dakota glanced at Cassidy from the name mention then looked back at her father.  “The only time I saw her was at the ceremony, nothing happened.”

“That’s correct.  It seems that she cooked up this whole lie to cause problems between you two.”  He looked at Dakota and then Cassidy.

“I’m confused?” Cassidy said looking between the Colby’s.

“When you spoke to Leila on the phone, she had come to the hospital to see Dakota right after she had surgery.  Dakota had no idea she was there.  When Dakota’s mother returned after speaking with the doctor she asked Leila to leave the room.”

“This is incredible!” Dakota snapped.  “Why would you do this to me?”

 Alex turned to Leila.  “Well, tell them!”

Leila jumped when he yelled at her and stepped forward.  “Because you hurt me Kody.  I’m the one who looked the other way whenever you strayed and put up with your shit for a long time.”

“I told you from the beginning that I would be seeing other people and that you and I were not in a relationship.  You were fine with that.”

“I always thought you would come around and see that we should be together.  So, when you dumped me like a piece of trash for her I wanted to hurt you both, just like you did to me.  I got personal information from Cass and decided to use it to my advantage to break you two up. You made a fool of me and I wanted the same for you both.”

Dakota’s blue eyes narrowed, her fists clenched and she moved to the left of her father, but was stopped by him.

“Dakota, no.”  He said sternly and stepped in front of his determined daughter who stepped to his right.  He looked into her eyes that were fixated on the woman behind him as she pushed him with all her might.  “No Alejandra.”  He said softly and sighed relieved when his daughter’s demeanor changed and she looked at him.  He smiled warmly and patted Dakota’s shoulder, relieved she stepped back when Cassidy moved closer to her.   “Aah, look Cass.  Dakota never did anything with this woman.  I didn’t come here and stage this whole thing to hide what you think happened between them.  Because nothing did, I can see in my daughter’s eyes that she cares very much for you and if you would have seen her sadness when you two were apart you would know for a fact, that you mean a lot to her.  I hope you will believe her.”

Cassidy slipped her hand into Dakota’s and smiled as she looked up at her.  “I do.”

They looked up when they heard footsteps.  “Dad, wait.”  Dakota and Cassidy walked closer as he turned to stop.  “Aah, how did you get her to tell you the truth?”

He grinned mischievously.  “I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.”  He guided Leila away.

“Thanks, but how did she get the personal information from Cass?”  Dakota said, stunned by her father’s help.

“She’s still holding out on who helped her, but she’ll tell me soon enough.  Call me when you get back home, I should have more info then.  We have a plane to catch.”  He winked and walked away.

Dakota and Cassidy watched them slowly drive down the winding road and looked at each other in disbelief.  “I should probably ask you if you really want to be involved in my troubled life.”

“Absolutely.”  Cassidy smiled and wrapped her arm around Dakota’s waist as they walked towards the house.

They held hands as they climbed the stairs to the porch.  “Everything that has happened is like a soap opera.”  Dakota chuckled as did Cassidy.

“Tell me about it.”  Cassidy laughed.  “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you about New York.  Once again, I’ve failed with my trust in you.”

Dakota smiled lovingly and rubbed Cassidy’s cheek.  “All I ask and ever asked is that you give me the benefit of the doubt.  I know I’m very hard to trust, but I continue to hope that will be much easier for you.”

“It will.  I promise to do a better job.”  Cassidy smiled and kissed Dakota. 

“Thanks.  Hey, I’m sorry for what just happened.  Your aunt must think we are psychos and would rather you not be involved with me.”

“Nah, she will be fine.”  Cassidy patted Dakota’s back as they walked to the front door.  She stopped and faced Dakota.  “Are you okay?”

“I’m kind of freaked about my dad coming all the way here.  He’s never done anything like that before.  I’m not sure whether to believe he was being genuine or whether he’s working some kind of an angle to hold over me at another time.”

“Let’s hope it’s that he was being genuine.”

“Yeah, that would be nice for a change.”  Dakota said softly, hoping it was true as she glanced back over her shoulder watching her father’s car disappear from sight.

***

            “Hey dude, where are you?” Michelle asked through the phone.

            “Owen and I are coming back from practice.”  Chad answered wiping the sweat from his forehead.

            “Oh, man that’s right you two had to go back to prep for the bowl game.”

            “Yeah, hey did you get the tickets I sent for you and Brooke?”

            “Yes, thank you.”

            “Is she cool with going to the game?”

            “I was pleasantly surprised, she is very excited.”

            “Awesome.  I’m glad you two are getting along so well.”

            “What are you and Owen going to do for Christmas day?”

            “We’ll fly home for the day, then fly back to G-ville that night and then we leave the next morning for New Orleans.”

            “Bummer, well I’ll see you at the bowl game festivities then.”

            “My mom reserved a block of rooms for the hotel so double check with her.”

            “I will and tell her thanks.  Have you spoken to Kody?”

            “No, she took the plane to go after Cass and we haven’t heard anything from her.  Why?”

            “I’ve been trying to get in touch with her and she left me a message, but every time I call it goes straight through to voicemail.  I have something important to tell her.”

            “If I talk to her I’ll tell her to call you.  What’s going on?”

            “I’ll tell you after I talk with her.”

            “Fair enough.  Hey, I need to get in the shower.  A bunch of us are going out.”

            “Well, have fun.  I’ll talk to you later and have a Merry Christmas if I don’t talk to you by then.”

            “Thanks, you too.”

***

Dakota and Cassidy had left Maine earlier that morning at the same time as her aunt and uncle.  They walked off the plane hand in hand.  “It’s so warm!” Dakota laughed as did Cassidy.

            “Oh, you candy ass.”  Cassidy chuckled and squeezed her hand tighter.

            “Ouch.”  Dakota laughed harder.  “Hey, when do you have to leave for New Orleans with the team?”

            “The day after Christmas and we’ll be there for two weeks.  When will you be there for the game?”

            “I’m going with you and will be helping the medical staff baby.  They gave me a couple of weeks off from the hospital and the stipulation was that I helped out on the medical staff.”  Dakota chuckled and looked up, surprised to see Michelle and Brooke walking towards them.

            “Awesome.  I’m happy you are going with us.  Hey guys!” Cassidy called out excited and waved.

            Dakota and Cassidy stopped when the women approached. 

            “Kody you are so freaking hard to get in touch with.”  Michelle sighed.

            “Well, I was kind of busy.”  She smiled looking at Cassidy.

            “I’m so happy you are back.”  Brooke smiled and hugged her roommate.

            “Me too.”  Cassidy patted her on the back and stepped back.  “What’s going on?”

            “Well, I was talking to Chad who told me there was something going on with Leila.”

            “Oh, yeah she lied to...Cass and somehow got personal information about us so she could break us up.”  Dakota said after pausing briefly.

            “No way, really?” Michelle asked shocked.  “How did you find out?”

            “My father got the info out of her.”

            Michelle was even more surprised.  “Your father helped you?”

            “Yeah, shocking isn’t it?” Dakota chuckled.

            “Big time.”  Michelle shook her head in disbelief.

            “He’s still trying to figure out how she got personal info from Cass.  Leila isn’t talking.”

            Michelle looked down and rubbed her forehead.  “Shit, of course.  Why didn’t I figure this out sooner?” She turned around in a circle, fuming that she didn’t see it before.

            “What are you talking about?” Dakota asked as the trio stared at Michelle.

            “I saw Leila heatedly talking to someone awhile ago and thought it was weird, but didn’t think much of it until now.  It makes sense.  I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”  Michelle looked at Cassidy solemnly. 

            “Well, who was she talking too?” Dakota asked impatiently.

Continued...

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