“YOU TOLD YOUR WIFE ABOUT ME?” Cassie was practically screaming at this point.
“Obviously not, dipshit,” Tony replied, growing more annoyed with every word. “I didn’t know it was going to be YOU who showed up. I hired an escort three towns over from my house, away from where I know ANYONE and YOU showed up? What are you even doing here? Does your mom know what you’re doing?”
“It’s none of her business and it’s none of your business,” Cassie said.
“Like hell it’s not,” Tony replied. “It might not have been my business ten minutes ago but it damn well is now.”
“No, it’s not,” Cassie said, matter of factly. “And, frankly, I’m only back here to tell you to mind your fucking business and keep this to yourself.”
“Or what?” he said.
“Or I’ll kick your ass,” Cassie said. She didn’t want to but the comment broke her mood and she laughed. She knew there was no chance she could physically intimidate her cousin. He easily had 120 pounds on her and she’s not exactly the ass-kicking type.
“Honestly, I’d like to see you try,” Tony said, happy for the little hint of a lighthearted break from the tone they’ve had thus far. “I’ve already paid you so I guess I may as well get something for my money.”
“I mean, obviously I’m going to give you your money back,” Cassie said. “I’m not a bitch.”
“Yeah, I know,” he replied.
Another awkward moment of silence. Tony stared at his phone, unsure of what he was looking for but knowing it beat the hell out of looking his cousin in the eye right now.
“So what now?” he said, breaking the quiet.
“What do you mean?” she said.
“Well, this isn’t how I envisioned tonight going,” Tony said. “And, honestly, I think I want to cut my losses and get out of here.”
“Okay,” Cassie said. “That’s fine with me.”
“Cool,”
“You’re not going to tell anyone about this, right?” she asked.
“Tell them what exactly?” Tony wondered. “That I spent ten years working up the courage to hire an escort and the first time I do, I get my freaking cousin?”
Cassie didn’t see it coming but that line broke her. She couldn’t help herself. She started to laugh uncontrollably, right in Tony’s face. Her laughter, coupled with the ridiculousness of the situation he found himself in, made him break too.
“Yeah, that sucks, dude,” Cassie eked out. “That’s … well, that’s …. that’s something.”
It took Cassie a few moments to recompose herself but she felt a lot better about things and was relieved at how this conversation had turned out compared to how it started. As awkward as running into a family member was in this situation, at least with Tony she knew she could joke about it. They weren’t really “close” as cousins but they had a decent enough relationship that they could find the silliness in this.
“I, uhh, I just need to know you’re not going to tell anyone about this, okay?” she asked. “It’s really important.”
“How long have you been doing this?” Tony asked.
“Why?”
“I just … I have to know,” he said. “How have you kept this secret?”
“Luck, I guess,” she said. “I never thought I’d run into something like this. I’ve been so careful. I guess I fucked up. I should have made you send me your ID or a reference or something. If I knew it was you, I would have never shown up.”