CHAPTER 5
Cassie shifted uncomfortably, her entire body felt like a giant walking bruise. She had taken quite the pounding in training today, pushing herself extra hard in the hope the exertion would help to bury all thoughts of Devon. It hadn't worked.
Cassie rolled her shoulders, trying to work out the lingering tension. The hot water of her shower had helped her to relax some, but not completely. While she dressed then brushed out the tangles in her hair, she listened to the sound of the TV coming from her room.
Limping a little, she pulled the door open. Chris was sitting Indian style on her bed, his hands folded before him as he leaned toward the TV. The Red Sox were in the race for the playoffs and he was riveted. Cassie shook her head as he groaned loudly and pounded his fist onto the bed. "These guys are killing me!"
Cassie chuckled as she settled onto the bed beside him. "Is it over?"
"Might as well be," he muttered.
Cassie pat his knee reassuringly. "Are you going to stay here tonight?"
Chris shook his head before rising to his feet. "No, it's pretty peaceful over there, and I suppose I should go home once in a while."
"I guess," she muttered.
"Are you going to miss me?" he asked teasingly.
"Always." Though it was true, Cassie didn't tell him that she didn't want to be alone tonight. If she was alone then she would think, and if she thought, she knew her thoughts would be centered on him.
Cassie shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself. She didn't want to think about Devon, she wanted to forget his existence entirely, but she knew it would be impossible, especially if Chris went home. Unfortunately she couldn't bring herself to ask Chris to stay. He would know something was wrong if she did.
Swallowing her anxiety, she drew on her pride as Chris swung a leg out her window to take his normal exit from her house. "I'll see you in the morning."
Cassie nodded as he leapt onto the tree branch and hung for a brief moment before scurrying down the limb hand over hand. His legs wrapped around the trunk as he used the other branches to climb to the ground. She watched as he loped across the street and disappeared through his front door.
Cassie closed the window most of the way. Hitting the switch, she slipped into bed, knowing that she wouldn't be able to sleep. Staring blankly at the flickering TV she tried to shut her mind down and not think of Devon, but the harder she tried the more she found herself fixated on him.
Tossing and turning, Cassie finally managed to slip into a restless sleep at almost two in the morning. She dreamed of him.