The Secret The Cheerleader Doesn't... - Chapter 63: Chapter 63

Cassie POV
My alarm went off, telling me to go take a shower and head over to therapy.  Passing Shelby she gives me a little high-five and wishes me luck as I bounce through the door.  On the way there, I stop by a coffee shop to grab something to drink. I was staring up at the menu when someone started talking to me, "Nice to see you again stranger!"
Glancing over, I saw that it was the young girl from the Deli. Her blonde curly hair was pinned back with pink clips. She was dressed in winter attire and was all smiles. "Good to see you again, how's school and work going?" I asked.
"Pretty good! College is eh, but work is simple," she said, squeezing in beside me. She had to tell the people behind me sorry because she sorta cut the line. "Do you think they'll be mad?"
"Probably," I teased, watching her puff out her cheeks. I just chuckled.
"What do you usual get?"
"A mocha latte with oat milk - iced usually but since it's winter I'm getting it hot," I said.
"Then why are you looking at the menu?" She asked.
"Habit," I shrugged, "can't teach an old dog new tricks."
"But you aren't an old dog," she said as we took a step forward.
I chuckled, "I'm much older than you."
"I call BS!"
"Let's just say when I entered middle school, you weren't even born yet," I glanced at her, smirking for I thought I had won.
"That doesn't mean much," she sighed, "remember, my brother and I have over twenty years between us." True... 12 years probably looks tiny to her. She took another step with me, "So, how old are you... if you feel comfortable enough to tell me."
"Thirty-six," I said, sighing a little, "I have three kids."
"Really? How old?"
"Two are thirteen - twins. The eldest is twenty-one," I laughed, "three years younger than you."
"So your eldest and I probably have a lot in common," she said, cheerfully. This child really didn't care about the age difference. I definitely thought Jaelynn's age would scare her off... interesting.
"What are you getting?" I asked, getting my wallet out.
"Probably a cappuccino!" She giggled.
"Not sure you need it," I teased, handing the boy my card, "one hot mocha latte with oat milk - sixteen ounces - and a cappuccino."
"Hey!" She said, puffing her cheeks again, "Why are you ordering for me?"
"You're in college. You need to save all the money you got," I took my card back.
"Name?" He asked.
"Cassidy," I said, walking away - the girl following.
"Cassidy? I like your name," she said.
"Thank you," I took a seat by the window, "what's yours?"
"Emilee," she said, "but not the usual way. There's two E's at the end of it."
I nodded, "Any reason why?"
"My mom was paranoid and said if my name was unusual, it would be less likely my identity would be stolen," she huffed, "so far I'm just made fun of." I choked a bit on my laughter. She smiled again, leaning forward, "What is your last name Cassidy?"
"Mer-" I abruptly stopped. Should I say 'Meryl'? Legally my last name is that but... I planned to switch it back when Antonia and I divorced, and since were reconsidering... should I go by 'Winters' or 'Meryl'? For a moment I thought about it, then I said, "Truthfully... I'm not sure."
"How are you not sure?" She asked.
"Well," I coughed a bit, "my last name could possibly switch in a couple of months... I'm not sure yet what it will be."
She shook her head, "Well what was your birth name?"
"Cassidy Winters," I said.
"Oooh! It sounds all nice," she giggled, making me grin, "Emilee Breckenson."
"Sounds like a name Vikings had," I said.
"It does, doesn't it?" She leaned back, looking around. She is a very pretty girl. Her cheeks were naturally rosy, light skin with curly blonde hair. Her eyes were brown and her lips were a nice pink. She was petite and cute... she's probably popular. "Why didn't you reach out?" She asked.
I shrugged, "What does a young pretty girl like you want to do with a granny like me?"
"You aren't a granny," she rolled her eyes, "you look very young... you don't even look like you're in your late twenties."
"Thank you," I said, "but I am thirty-six... turning thirty-seven soon."
"I'm turning twenty-five soon," she said, grinning, "is age a problem?"
"Isn't it everyone's problem?" I said, "Dating a minor means you're a pedophile."
"Okay smartass!" She flicked my hand, making me laugh a little. "You should have reached out."
"Kids like you should be hanging out with others your age. Going on dates with girls... and guys if you swing both ways," I said.
"So it's not the gender that bothers you?" She asked.
I could stop myself from laughing at that, "I married a woman... of course gender doesn't matter."
"You're married?" She asked, stoping me a bit.
I suddenly felt... awkward. I am married but right now we're separated. Not even sure if this going to work. I sighed, "It's complicated... that's all I want to say." Before she could say anything, my name was called and we grabbed our coffees. I still had thirty minutes to get there, so I bid her goodbye.
As I was walking away, she ran up, "Can I have your number?"
Sighing, I said, "Emilee... right now I'm not really sure what is going on in my life. I'm not done with my... with my wife currently. I don't think you should busy yourself with me."
She thought about it, but still held out her phone, "No reason to put pressure on what this is. I'm just an individual who wants to be friends with you." I gawked at her for a second but soon complied. She was right, there was no pressure between us.
She was just a friend I made.