Page 32 of Protecting Gina

“I remember Mom recovered quickly from giving birth to you. I don’t know how much the guy paid her before he took off, but she had money, at least for a little while, which was something new, or at least new to me. Maybe she always had money.”

“I remember meeting my dad a few times.”

Wave nodded. “I think he came by once or twice after your birth. Then it was just a few times a year when you were a kid.”

“Yeah, he wasn’t here much. I don’t think I’ve seen him since I was ten or so.”

He bit his lower lip as he thought about everything. “The house. Who gave it to her?”

Cass’s forehead wrinkled in concentration. “I don’t remember his name from the paperwork. But she always had guys hanging around.”

“Yeah, Mom got around.” Wave glanced up and met Gina’s gaze and winked. He hoped she wasn’t feeling judged by what had been said. “But it was her prerogative. She was an adult.”

Cass nodded. “Once I was older, she made sure I had somewhere to stay most weekend nights. I thought it was great fun always having sleepovers, but looking back, I wonder if she was hooking up with men.”

Wave shrugged. “She probably was.”

“I know she wasn’t very good to you. I think my life would have been a lot different if you hadn’t sent money each month. She wasn’t the best mom, but she had her moments.”

Gina put her arm around Cass. “I know she loved you, even if that love wasn’t as good as what you deserved.”

Cass hugged Gina. “Thank you. I know you saw from the outside. It was difficult. I saw how she treated Wave, and I learned to expect less. I was happy, for the most part. She wasn’t the best mom, but she wasn’t the worst either.”

“That’s a very healthy attitude,” Gina said.

Wave put the files back in the box and closed the lid. “Do you want to keep the files or toss them?”

Cass’s lips screwed up to the side. “Keep them. I want to go through them and see if I can figure out why she had them. It’s only one more box.”

He nodded. “Sure. We’ll pack them in the back of the truck.”

“How long will it take us to drive?” Gina asked.

“A couple of days,” Wave said.

“The pod company I contacted is loading the last of my stuff tomorrow, and the company shipping my car is going to pick it up tomorrow, too. We should move the furniture you want to keep over to my apartment today.”

Wave nodded. “Sure. I have someone coming to help with that this afternoon. It’s only three pieces of furniture. Everything else will go with the house or be picked up and taken away.”

Cass put her hand on his arm. “It’s weird leaving here, but it’s time.”

He pulled her into a hug. “I think you’ll like California. The person buying Mom’s car is coming later today. We’ll buy you a car when we get out there.” They would take their mom’s car, but it was small and old. There was no way all three of them could fit in the car, not with boxes or suitcases.

“Thank you,” Cass said.

“You know, it will be different, but different can be good.”

Cass nodded. “Yes, it can. I’m sure I’ll be happy out there. I always wanted to go visit you, but Mom never wanted to go there.”

“I know. You’re a good sister. I’m glad we’re related.”

“Same.”

With her moving in with him, there would be an adjustment period, but Cass was easy to get along with. They would figure it out as they went. He was looking forward to getting to know Cass better. She was his sister, and he was glad they would have this time together.

The idea of living with Gina sent a thrill through him. He needed to make sure she understood he was serious about her. He also wanted her to know he would let her go if she didn’t want to stay. Though, he hoped she wanted to stay with him, because he really liked her.

CHAPTER NINETEEN