Memories - Mayans M.C.

Chapter 5

"You sure taking this babysitting thing seriously, huh, Prospect?" She doesn't even look over her shoulder when he comes up behind her. From her perch at the top of the building she can see the whole party. "I used to come up here for the quiet." She explains her knowledge of the hideout to the unasked question as EZ leans on the ledge next to her. She looks numb, her face showing no emotion. His heart sinks for her, she had clearly been on a roller coaster today.

"I'm off the clock, just figured you had a rough day and maybe the roof wasn't the best place for you to hang out alone." It's dark but in the glow from the lights below he can see her slightly smile as she raises the bottle to her lips, taking another long draw.

"Fair point, Ezekiel." Cass is staring down at the party. Angel is now making out with his new friend. EZ sees her eye go dark again and follows her gaze as she takes another drink.

"Thought maybe you could use a friend too." He says it softly. He understands dealing with a day like today more than she knows. Or maybe she does know.

"Funny how you can feel so fucking lonely when there are so many people around." She grits her teeth and swallows another lump in her throat, her eyes now glassy. EZ hangs his head. Yea she knows. He stands up and pulls her to face him, but she keeps her eyes angled downward. One tear falls and he brings his hand up to her chin gently forcing her to look at him, wiping away another tear before pulling her into a hug. She stands there for a minute, stubbornly, with her arms at her sides, before hesitantly wrapping them around him. He pulls her tighter to give her more security and drops his head down to hers. The din of the party seems to fade away and she holds him tighter too. When is the last time someone actually gave enough of a shit to try and make you feel better? Cass sighs deeply and closes her eyes, relaxing into EZ. She had vowed today when she opened her eyes she would find a way to let the hurt go. Maybe this hug could do it.

"Hey, Boy Scout sure is keeping his eyes an eye on CiCi, huh. Maybe he wants to keep something else on her?" Coco slaps Angel in the back of the head and points towards the roof where he can see two shadows embracing. He watches Angel's face for his reaction. He knew how much Angel cared about her, he always thought they would end up together eventually. After they both stopped living in denial about how in love they clearly were with each other, at least in his opinion.

"Hmmph." Angel squints to try and see clearer. The beers he has been drinking make it hard to focus, but it does appear to be a long hug. He goes to stand up but the woman on his lap keeps him planted to his seat and redirects his attention back to her. Coco keeps his eyes on the two, if Angel isn't going to pay attention, someone has to.

"Alright. I feel less lonely, thank you." Cass laughs and pulls away from EZ, wrapping her arms around herself to keep from shivering. She really could have stood there all night if she thought it wouldn't be weird. Who would have thought baby brother would be the one trying to make me feel better? She glances back down at the party and sees Angel is still heavily involved with his "friend." EZ takes a seat on a nearby milk crate and pulls her down into his lap so she can't see the party, or his dumb brother, anymore.

"Just to keep you warm." He wraps his arms around her again and she chuckles nervously. "Look, you have no reason to feel lonely. From what I can see, there are a lot of people down there that care about you."

"Yes, apparently they show it by ignoring me or embarrassing the fuck out of me." She laughs again, referencing Tig's outburst. "Just an FYI, I don't, um, you know, I don't just go around. Lyla says I'm picky, but it's just I don't want..."

EZ saves her from floundering and cuts her off "I don't need an explanation. You're talking to a guy who was in prison for 8 years. What do you think they'd say about me?" He laughs trying to make her feel better. "Like I said, a lot of people care about you, but you know, maybe some of them just don't know how to show it today."