Chapter 11：The Dispute

"Hedidwhat??!" Mrs. Winters roared.

"Calm down Mom!" Cassie pleaded. "Someone is going to hear us."

"And why shouldn't they?!" she screamed. Pain spasmed across her face and laced her voice when she spoke.

"Mom! Please!" Cassie put her hands together like she was saying a silent prayer.

"I have a good mind to go out there and castrate him!" Cassie shuddered at the thought. "And those two hussies! Pretending to be your friends!"

"Mom! Shhh!" She was still gasping with indignation and shock.

"Don't you shush me, young lady!"

"I'm regretting why I told you-I should've known this is how you'd react," Cassie hissed.

"I'm sorry..." She took a deep breath and massaged her temples as she paced up and down the floor. "You can't blame me though-"

"I know," Cassie said, her voice flat.

"Then he has the nerve to come here acting like- Grrrr!" She clenched her fists and grit growled like a typical mama bear. "Unbelievable! Yes, that's exactly what he is. Unbelievable son of a bachelor!"

"Don't worry Mom. I have a few of my own trick up my sleeve..." Cassie said with a smug look. "Actually Ethan and I came up with it. We had lots of time on our hands after all."

"Are you going to enlighten me?"

Just as she was about to do just that Kace strolled in, without a care in the world. "Hie sugar-plum," he leaned over and kissed Cassie on the forehead and her mother looked like she was in agony.

"Mrs. Winters, I trust you are well?"The sound of Kace's voice was like nails scoring a chalkboard on her nerves.

"Hmmph.." she struggled with her emotions until Cassie prompted her to act normal.

"Mom...why don't you check on Dad?" Cassie said quickly. "I need to talk to Kace...alone..." she emphasized.

"Oh look who's here!" Her mother smiled triumphantly as Ethan stepped in. His presence and his scent dominating the room and Cassie's nerves.

"Good evening Mrs. Winters-"

"Its Cathrine please," she turned her cheek up for him as he leaned to kiss her.

"I think Mrs. Winters has a nice ring to it don't you think?" Ethan gave her a heart-stopping smile and she blushed and giggled like a teenager.

"You're such a charmer," she sighed happily.

"Its George, how many times should I tell you, Ethan," Cassie's father beamed at the parent-charmer. Leaving both Kace and Cassie in awe. "We're still on for sailing this weekend?"

"George? You never let me-" Kace sputtered.

"Come rain, come shine we're going," Ethan continued to dazzle, cutting him off. "Good round of golf by the way."

"Loved it. Thank you for letting me tag along-"

"It was nothing," Ethan said with a wave of his hand.

"You've got a mean swing young man. What's your handicap by the way?"

"It's only +8," Ethan said modestly.

"Impressive I must say." George Winters smiled. "Are we still going fishing with the boys on Friday-" Mr winters began before Cassie cut him off, although she was secretly overjoyed that Ethan got along so well with her parents. Their relationship with Kace was-well-stiff...for lack of a better word.

"Please spare us the details..." she groaned loudly, interrupting the bromance. Her eyes threatened to close out of sheer boredom.

"I'm so sorry Cass," Ethan said as he hurried over to Cassie, firmly planting his lips on her forehead. "Are you feeling any better sweetheart," he held her face tenderly as if it was fragile, "How was your day?" he perched himself at the edge of the matress and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, looking at her with unhindered adoration.

"Don't touch her like that! And stop calling her that!" Kace's eyes darkened as he charged towards Ethan with his fists tightly clenched.

"What? Sweetheart?" he glanced between Kace and Cassie. "She doesn't seem to mind."

"She doesn't seem to mind at all," Cassie's mother chirped.

"Stop causing a scene Kace."Her dad maneuvered himself around an irate Kace and stood beside Ethan. "All this negative energy isn't good for my daughter."

"It's not really a big deal..." Cassie sighed tiredly.

"I rest my case..." Her mother smirked.

"Can you all give me a moment alone with Kace?"

"No." Ethan stood up straight and looked down at Kace.

"That's my boy." George Winters mumbled but everyone heard him.

"Ethan please-"

"Stay out of this Cassie." All the men in the house spoke in unison.

"We'll be outside." Cassie's Mom took her husband's arm and they made a hasty retreat. Surely their baby girl was old enough to handle her own affairs.

"Fall back Hunter. She's mine. She even has a ring to prove it." Kace stated with a smug look on his face.

"You're sure about that?" Ethan asked as he took Cassie's hand and held it up. All her fingers were bare. Cassie snatched her hand away and fiddled with her fingers nervously.

"Meer technicality." Kace clenched his jaw.

"Why don't we ask the source instead of making insinuations."

"Why should we? I put the ring on her finger so I pretty much got this one in the bag." He said with clenched teeth.

"I think there's only one way to settle this dispute," Ethan decisively as he thrust his hands into his pockets.

"Really?"

"Let Cassandra decide what she wants."

"She wants me-"

"Does she?"

"Of cos-"

"STOP!" Cassie finally shouted. "I can't deal with this right now so I want both of you to leave. So I can have time to think."

"There's nothing to decide kitten. Tell him you belong to me."

Cassie sighed and fiddled with her comforter.

"Cassie? Honey? Tell him."

"I can't!" she cried out as she threw her hands up in frustration.

"What? Why not??"

"Ethan, can you please give me a moment alone with Kace? Please?!" she pleaded softly.

"Fine," he kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be right outside."

Cassie took a deep breath. "Take a seat Kace. We need to talk..."