The Last Conversation: Part II

Chapter Two

Casey and Cappie stood their ground staring at one another. Casey couldn't help but find him as sexy as ever. He was wearing dark jeans that hung on him nicely and a light gray t-shirt that hugged his chest and arms perfectly.

Cappie's heart ached at the site of Casey. Damn, she looked good, he thought. Her blonde hair was darker and they hung in curls down her back. The red dress hugged her body perfectly accentuating her chest and showing off her tanned legs. He'd come to hang out with Dale, Calvin, and Rusty, but then Rusty announced that he was picking Casey up from the airport. He hadn't been able to leave and he decided to wait for her in her old bedroom. He needed to explain things to her.

Casey let go of her suitcase handle and dropped her bag on the bed. She turned towards him again and crossed her arms across her chest. "So, what are you doing in my old room?"

"I wanted to talk to you alone." Cappie said.

"About what?" Casey asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Casey, I don't know how to say this, but I'm bringing someone to the wedding." Cappie told her quietly.

Casey shrugged. "Hey, it's all good. Rusty and Jordan told me already. So, is there anything else?"

"Casey," Cappie said, coming towards her, his face softening. "This is a big deal for me. I have to give this relationship a shot. And in order to do that, I'd like it if we kept things casual between us. I just don't want to put any of us in an awkward situation."

Like being in my bedroom, isn't it? Casey thought to herself. "I understand what you're saying, Cap. I feel the same way.

Cappie looked at her and gave her a small smile. He let his shoulders sagged. "I'm sorry about everything that happened between us."

Casey looked at him and rolled her eyes. "It's okay, Cap. There's no need for apologies."

"Casey," Cappie reached for her hand. "I really wanted things to work out for us. I really did. I just hope we can still be friends."

Casey looked down at Cappie's hand on hers. No drama, remember? Be casual. She had promised Rusty and Jordan that there wouldn't be any drama between her and Cappie. "Sure, friends it is." Casey said quickly. And she let go of Cappie's hand. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like some time before everyone else arrives."

Cappie looked at Casey and sighed. He knew she was annoyed. He could always tell how Casey felt. He really wanted Casey to understand why he did what he did a few months ago. He was thrilled when Casey called him in September (it had been a whole two months since she dumped Derek and went back to Manhattan). They immediately picked up right where they left off. They were so comfortable in everything. They Skyped almost every night and e-mailed each other throughout the day. But what he missed most was having her with him, next to him. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, and make love to her. Casey didn't have time for a weekend visit – there was never time and she always had plans.

So one night, he went out with a few friends and he ended up having a one-night stand with some girl that looked a lot like Casey. It was messed up, he knew. And it weirded him out so much that he avoided Casey for a whole week. But he and his one-night stand met up a few times for sheer sex. And then that girl managed to pick up the phone one night when Casey called. Their newfound relationship ended right then and there. Casey had been so hurt and he hated that he caused it. Once Casey had calmed down, she told him it was for the best.

He was still pining for Casey when he met Natalie. He and Natalie had been dating a little over four months. He enjoyed her company and they had fun together. Things with Natalie were pretty simple, he didn't expect too much from her, and she was the same. He hadn't wanted to bring her to wedding, but she stumbled upon the invitation and he felt obliged to bring her. And he meant it when he told Casey that he had to give his relationship a shot. It was the fair thing to do.

"Casey," Cappie said, walking towards the door. "You might not believe it, but it's really good to see you."

Casey looked at him and smiled. "It's good to see you, too, Cap." She walked towards him and gestured for a hug. "What do you say; we let bygones be bygones and enjoy the weekend."

"I'd like that." Cappie said as he and Casey hugged. He was trying to keep his feelings for Casey as platonic as possible, but once she was in his arms, it all felt so good and so familiar. He couldn't help himself and he closed his eyes and smelled in her familiar scent.

Casey had to admit, it felt really good to be in Cappie's arms. She closed her eyes and leaned her cheek against his chest. Why did he have to have a girlfriend? But Casey knew she was going to behave. She promised him she wouldn't interfere with his relationship. She wouldn't let anything happen between them – for both their sakes and for Rusty and Jordan.

Cappie let go of Casey. "Well, I better go and hang out with the guys. See you in a bit."

"See ya." Casey closed the door as Cappie left. She went and plopped herself on her bed and laid back against it. It was going to be a long weekend, Casey thought with a groan.


Earlier in the afternoon, Cappie, Dale, and Calvin had helped Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Reed set up the backyard for dinner. The Cartwright's had a large and beautiful backyard. They had set up a long table for the food and several smaller ones for everyone to eat at. Cappie knew there'd be about 30 people over for dinner that night. Several of their Kappa Tau brothers would be there and he looked forward to seeing them.

After his talk with Casey, he found Rusty, Jordan, Dale, and Calvin in the living room. Rusty was giving him a suspicious look. Cappie shrugged and gestured that everything was cool.

"Where's Casey?" Dale asked a little too excitedly. It was well-known to both Cappie and Rusty that Dale had had a crush on Casey at CRU. Even in their late 20s, it appeared Dale was still crushing on her. It was kind of sweet, Cappie thought amusedly.

Jordan laughed. "Dale, you'll never be anything more than Rusty's roommate to Casey. Besides, aren't you dating someone?"

Dale smirked. "I just started seeing Lisa a few weeks ago. There's always hope for me."

"Yeah, you wish," Calvin teased. "Why would a beautiful woman like her want you?"

"Hey now," Cappie intervened. "Let's lay off Daley." The whole group laughed.

"Spitter!" A voice called from the hallway. A few seconds later Beaver and Wade walked into the living room. "Did someone order some KTs?" Wade asked, as Beaver and Wade grabbed Rusty in a hug. Beaver couldn't help but give Rusty and noogie and messing with the Rusty's hair.

It wasn't long after Wade and Beaver that other guests arrived at the Cartwright's: Rebecca and Evan, Ashleigh and her boyfriend Chase, Ben Bennett, Abby and her boyfriend Ryan, Jordan's best friend Sarah, Jordan's two older brothers, Jason and James and their wives Taylor and Nicole, several ZBZ sisters – Betsy, Laura, and Beth, several more KTs – Gonzo, Jeremy, and Heath. Soon, the Cartwright living room was full of laughter as all the old friends greeted each other.

Cappie looked around for Casey and noticed she hadn't made her way down. He hoped their little talk hadn't upset her. He hadn't invited Natalie tonight because he wanted to have some time with his friends by himself. Just then the voices stopped as all heads turned towards the doorway. Casey had just walked in and she looked unbelievable. She had changed out of her dress and was wearing a deep purple strapless dress. The skirt fell a few inches above her knees. The top of the dress was fitted and showed off her bronze-kissed shoulders. She had put her hair up in a twist, but he noticed a loose strand had come undone and grazed her right shoulder. How I wish I was that strand, Cappie thought hungrily. Then he snapped out of it. They were just friends now and he shouldn't have x-rated thoughts about her.

Casey felt like turning around and going back to her room to change. Whenever she felt down, she knew she could always count on looking great to hide it, hence her purple dress. But know, she wasn't sure if it was a great idea. She felt naked as everyone watched her. She noticed some of the guys giving her lustful looks. But there was only one reaction she was looking for and she smiled triumphantly as she saw the way Cappie was looking at her. As Cappie's eyes lingered on Casey, she couldn't help but look at him with the same interest. It reminded her of the night of the All Greek Ball during their junior year. As Casey had made her way down the ZBZ stairs in her red dress, Cappie hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her. He was looking at her with same appreciation just now.

Their stare was broke by Ashleigh and Rebecca's exclamations of seeing their best friend. And soon the room was filled with laughter once more. Casey was so busy greeting and hugging everyone that she forgot about Cappie, until she was facing him. He looked down at her and smiled.

"We meet again," Cappie said, laughing.

"Looks that way." Casey said.

"You look amazing, by the way," Cappie told her.

"Thanks," Casey said, blushing a bit. "It's not too dressed up?"

"More like practically naked." Cappie said grinning, raising his eyebrows at her.

Casey rolled her eyes and slapped his arms. "Oh, Cap," she said, laughing with him. She missed the joking around with Cappie. She realized that they could be friends and things wouldn't be awkward.

"So, I'm feeling left out," Cappie said.

"And why's that?" Casey asked.

"Every guy in here has gotten a hug from you. Where's mine?"

"As I recall, you got yours earlier." Casey said.

Cappie looked at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "Well, that was then. What about now?"

Casey hesitated. She realized they were no longer teasing or laughing about this situation. Cappie was looking at her with something more. Without saying anything, Casey opened her arms to him for a hug. As they hugged, the silence between them said more than either of them could say.

Cappie wasn't sure what was going on. One minute he was teasing Casey and the next he wanted her all to himself. He was so lost in their hug that he forgot where they were. "Case," he whispered in her ear, bringing his face close to hers.

Casey tilted her head back. "Yes," she said softly.

Before Cappie could respond, he felt an arm on his. Cappie turned and was shocked to see the redhead standing next to him. He immediately let go of Casey. "Natalie, what are you doing here?"


A/N: Hopefully there will be quick updates the rest of the week....I'm just so inspired by Casey and Cappie's love that I can't stop myself from writing. Please review and let me know how you like the first 2 chapters.

Thanks for reading!