Intentions

Things were better the next week. Joe kept his word , opting to keep things purely on a professional basis and Cassie did her best to blank out the two encounters they had. But truth be told, Paul and Joe's words about Travis continued to stay with her. She became hyper aware of the things he was doing and she couldn't deny some of the tell-tale signs from his previous affairs were also there. For one, he didn't seem to initiate sex at all between them, making her feel even more unattractive. Joe seemed to pick up on her mood, but given she had told him to mind his business he didn't ask any questions, just asking her just one time if she was OK. There was a gathering again at the end of that week for a few of them. It was a couples thing and surprisingly Travis had agreed to go to it. Joe had tried not to react when she had mentioned Travis would be going , texting that it would be good to see them on Thursday. They had got a sitter for Aubrey and Cassie made a special effort getting ready , choosing a red midi dress that shaped all of her body , she had straightened her hair and it fell long and lustrous and her make up was sultry. She really wanted to make an effort for Travis. When she stepped out of the room all dressed up she smiled brightly at him. The smile faded very quickly from his face " What are you wearing that for, it's a bit much Cassie". Her smile stalled " All of the girls get really dressed up like this , I thought you might like it". He actually had the audacity to laugh " Um it's OK I guess. But I think a lot of the guys would be looking at you dressed like that , maybe something a little bit less fitted". "I'm not changing Travis , I am going like this". Her voice was firm and his gaze met hers " Well I am not going if you are wearing that, it's too revealing". He knew he had her , this was a couples event , she wouldn't risk the embarrassment of showing up without him. His smirk made something inside her snap. " OK then" , she walked back into the bedroom , only to return two minutes later with her black purse , "You should cancel the babysitter then seeing as you don't want to come". She didn't even wait to hear what Travis said instead getting into her car and pulling out. She wasn't sure where that had come from , but she knew for too long , she had lived her life the way he had wanted , and right now she wanted to start doing things for her.

She began to slightly regret her decision when she got to the venue and saw all of the couples there. She made excuses to Paul and Marla that something had come up. None of them questioned further, they were trying to stay out of her business. Jey and his wife Takecia came to speak to her along with Jimmy and Trinity. She gave them the same excuse she had to Paul and Marla. To her surprise she noticed Liv was there and seemed to be solo with Ruby. She seemed to be staring at the door in anticipation which meant that Joe must be on his way. Cassie was sipping on her martini when Trinity went " Oh shit, There's gonna be drama y'all". At the door , Joe was walking in with a girl Cassie had never seen before , she was gorgeous though, looked like a model. "Uce got some balls man , Liv is gonna trip" Jimmy said. Cassie had forgotten about Liv in the middle of this all, her eyes went to the blonde who looked crestfallen. Joe looked good , he wore dark jeans and navy loafers with a pale blue fitted button down shirt. His hair was tied back in a sleek bun and he wore what looked like a very expensive watch. She wasn't sure why , but Cassie excused herself from the table, " Need the ladies room" she murmured to Trinity. Joe was sure to stop at the table with his cousins first and she wasn't sure why she needed a minute. Maybe she should have brought Travis after all. After fixing her lip gloss in the mirror she went back outside , heading straight to Paul and Marla , speaking to them for a little bit. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Joe and his cousins talking and the girls seemed to be talking to his date. She knew she would have to go over there but also wanted a drink first. She made her way to the bar and waited for the bar tenders attention , she ordered a martini and as he made the drink she heard a voice say to the bar tender " I got that" , it was Joe , paying for her drink. " You don't have to do that" she said. Her eyes met his , brown on brown. " So, no Travis?". She shook her head, " Something come up?" he asked politely. Cassie took a long slug of her drink " Actually Joe, he isn't here because he thought what I was wearing was too revealing and that people would think it was too much, so he told me to change or go alone. And here I am". He picked up his beer bottle and took a sip . Then he smirked " Damn that told him. And about the dress , it's a good choice". She caught him give her the once over with his eyes . " So you're a brave man then, who is the new lady?". "Someone I been out with a few times since the separation. Her name is Lisa , she is cool". Cassie nodded , she wasn't sure why she felt so uncomfortable. " Well I better get back to Paul". His smile faltered " Are you not joining us at our table?". Again she tried to project an air of confidence " maybe later, thanks for the drink". She walked away , making sure her hair swished a little as she went.

Joe felt like a prize idiot. " Man Liv , is staring holes in the back of your head" Jey whispered out of earshot of Lisa. " I can feel them Uce, look she needs to get the message that her and I ain't a couple, she been blowing up my phone. She is obsessive over me and Cassie, like I cant even talk about her and Liv snaps". Jey took a sip of his beer. " Its because Cassie is a hot girl , you and her always together , she obviously getting ideas.". Joe shook his head and looked at Jey " Cassie is married". Jey leaned in " Yeah speaking of that , where is the dude? I ain't met him yet , but any man who leaves his wife go alone to everything ain't shit. Plus Heyman seems to hate him". There was no way Joe was going to betray Cassie's confidence " Truth ? He is a loser man , she deserves a lot better. But I think she's beginning to realise that." He snuck a peek at her and that dress, she looked killer in it , instead of being proud that she was his woman, Travis instead chose to try and make her hide and cover up more. Joe was so proud of her for leaving him to it and coming anyway she had a lot of grit , even if she didn't see it herself . He was a little bummed that she was sitting over there with Paul and Marla , he would have liked to spend a little time with her. Lisa came up to him and put her arm around his waist , earning him a killer look from Liv . He really should have thought this through a little more.

Cassie was speaking to Marla when Joe and Lisa arrived at their table . " Hey guys , I thought we could have a little toast" he said holding an expensive bottle of champagne. Paul and Marla stood and shook Lisa's hand as did Cassie. She seemed like a lovely girl and Cassie spoke to her in a friendly and welcoming manner Joe filled the glasses and handed one to them all " What are we toasting ?" Marla asked Joe raised a glass "To Paul and Cassie , who have saved my career and made this the most enjoyable few weeks to date . I really appreciate you both". They all said cheers and Cassie couldn't help but think it had been a lovely gesture of his. Lisa excused herself and went to the Ladies room and Joe pulled up a chair. " She is a pretty girl Joe, is this something a little more serious?" Marla was asking. " No definitely not, I am having some fun, but I have no intention of getting into a relationship right now". A song came on and Marla and Paul decided to dance leaving Cassie and Joe at the table . They were sat directly across from each other " That was quite a nice toast, and with the good stuff too" she said with a smirk. He stood and refilled her glass . "Well you deserve the best Cass , I'm not talking shit . I am not going in on Travis here and I get that you have Aubrey , but I was in the same situation as you . Not the cheating piece, but only staying out of duty to the kids . And guess what I was never going to be happy in that place, sure I would get by but I wasn't in love with Galina anymore. So I get it.". Her eyes had begun to fill a little as he spoke and he got up and came around to sit next to her . He positioned himself so her face would be shielded from the crowd. " I didn't mean to upset you" . Two little tears fell from her eyes but she was fighting to regain her composure " Tonight was real bad Joe , I did all this for him, dressing up in this dress , trying to reignite something between us. I was really making an effort and look at what I got back. I am fairly certain he is cheating again too" she blurted out , surprising herself and him with the blatant honesty . Under the table cloth she felt his hand find hers , it was soft and he stroked the front of her hand with his thumb as he spoke . " Why are you staying then , what's holding you back?". She sighed " Its his house for one , I haven't really been working so money is an issue. Aubrey loves it there , she has friends and her dad means the world to her , I would worry that she would blame me for taking him away from her. But mostly I worry that if we leave z he won't make an effort to see Aubrey and it will be my fault that he is not in her life as much". As she was speaking she knew they sounded like lame excuses. "All of those things can be sorted, of course it will be painful .But the alternative is you stay feeling like this and he continues to cheat and you listen to me babygirl if he walks on Aubrey that is all on him , nothing to do with you. Can't blame yourself for the actions of others". Joe was trying his best. Cassie looked at his hand in hers " I cheated too , it's not like I am completely blameless here". He looked at her " Well I can't comment too much on that given that I am the other guilty party in that one , but he broke those vows first and repeatedly and if you needed to feel" he trailed off not wanting to assume what she had wanted from him in the moment they were together , but she finished his sentence " wanted , sexy , needed" . He squeezed her hand tightly " You were all of those things , trust me". His eyes were so sincere and she held his gaze for a moment and just enjoyed holding his hand where no one could see him them. It didn't last too long though as Lisa soon came back from the bathroom. Cassie immediately let go of Joe's hand , though he didn't move from the seat next to her. Lisa looked at them both " Um there is a blonde girl at the bar that keeps staring at me, do you guys know her". Cassie looked over and made eye contact with Liv. That seemed to be like a red flag to a bull and she began to stalk towards them . Cassie turned her head to the side and whispered discreetly into Joe's ear " Shit Liv's coming over here".

Liv stalked towards the table with purpose , " Joe , can we talk right now? Or did you forget about me now that there is some fresh meat on the scene". Lisa looked shocked and Cassie tutted at the mean comment " Liv , there is no need for that" she said to the blonde. " oh of course you would have to be involved here Cassie, like two peas in a pod you and Joe aren't you. Well sorry but it's me he is fucking at night, and not you . So for once just shut your mouth and butt out of our business." Joe was looking around and trying to shush Liv " You're making a scene , stop this now". Lisa looked at Cassie " Wait , so both of you are seeing him too?". A crowd was beginning to form Cassie made sure she said loudly " Joe and I are co-workers , that's it". Lisa looked around " I don't know what's going on here between you three, but this seems way to complicated for me". Lisa said picking up her purse and making her waynto the exit. Joe went to go after her but he stopped , he took a look at Liv and then looked after where Lisa had walked and then finally he looked at Cassie. " Fuck this , Liv whatever this was its over now. I value privacy more than anything , you know that. I don't want any drama, let's just leave it. Cass come on let's go find your uncle". He stalked off and then turned back to look at Cassie who was shocked at the clear implication- he had chosen her. "Cassie" he called again and she picked up on the urgency in his voice and went after him as the crowd dispersed. As they walked towards Paul and Marla the older couple looked at them with surprise "What happened there?". Paul asked . Joe shook his head as Cassie caught up to him . " That is precisely why I will not be getting into a relationship again any time soon".