Julius had only spoken to Cassie a handful of times since she left. School had consumed him, classes, exams, the relentless pace of growing up too fast, but overhearing his parents' conversation that afternoon stirred something restless and protective inside him.
He hadn't even thought twice before dialing her number.
What he did not expect, what made his chest tighten instantly, was the sound of a male voice in the background.
"Cassie," he asked carefully, trying not to sound suspicious and failing anyway, "are you with someone?"
It was Sunday. It couldn't possibly be work.
Cassie forced a smile, the kind that comes instinctively when you recognize jealousy dressed up as concern. Boys always tried to behave like men once they reached their teenage years.
"Julius," she
