Broken Sound by Karolyn James Page B

coffee table.  He turned towards Cassy and saw her staring straight ahead.  She hugged a small pillow and a tear trickled from the corner of her eye.  Davey, again, tried to put himself in her shoes.  Having to defend herself probably every single day.  To go through her young life like this. 
    He reached for her, forcing Cassy to look at him.  She did, with an obvious apprehension, enjoying the attention.  Davey didn’t care, he just wanted to find a way to make things right. 
    They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.
    Davey knew what he needed to do.  He needed to find a way to explain they needed to confirm his paternity to Donald.  They needed the legal proof to go forward in anything.  But it seemed so wrong to say or ask.  Unless Davey handed it to Peter.  Let the lawyers muck it up.
    Donald let out a small cry from the bedroom that came over a monitor that stood on the television stand.  It pained Davey, knowing that Donald didn’t deserve lawyers.  Not when it could maybe be done this way.
    “Cassy, I want to figure everything out,” Davey said.  “Okay?  I want what’s right and fair for you and Donald.  I’ve been hurt in my life too.  I don’t just like a big expensive life.  And if we get closer...”
    The buzzer for Cassy’s intercom echoed.
    Cassy smiled and jumped from the couch.  Cassy pushed the button and said, “Come on up, he’s here!”
    “He’s here?” Davey asked.
    Cassy looked at him and bit her lip.  “I hope you don’t mind.  I called some friends.  I can prove it now.”
    “Prove it... Jesus, Cassy, no.  I haven’t agreed or said or... just no.  I’m not doing this.”
    Davey stood up and Cassy’s face dropped.  The anger in her eyes worried Davey, but he needed to draw the line with her.
    “Just walk out then,” Cassy said.  “Fine.  I’ll make sure I tell everyone what kind of father you are.  How you tried to pay me off.”
    “Pay you off?” Davey asked.  “I’m helping you until we get to the bottom of the truth.”
    “What’s the truth?”
    “If I’m the father,” Davey said.  He sounded cold and he couldn’t hold it back anymore.
    “You are the father,” Cassy said.
    “Then let’s find out for sure.”
    “Why?  You want me to look like a slut?”
    “No.  Of course not.  I want the truth.  Legally... because of who I am...”
    “Oh, sorry.  You’re just some big celebrity.”
    A knock at the door ended the conversation.  It was a conversation that Davey knew he should have had earlier.  It was also a conversation that deserved an ending but it was cut short.
    Cassy opened the door and four women poured in, all excited and in shock that Davey from Chasing Cross stood in their friend’s living room.
    “I told you,” Cassy said.
    “Oh my gosh,” one of them said.  “It’s... really him.”
    “Where’s Johnnie?” another asked.  “Is he single?  I would let him impregnate me...”
    Davey felt his lip curl and he looked at Cassy, ready to explode. 
    “Cassy is a good woman,” someone said.  “She’ll take care of you.  Just take care of her.”
    “Shut up, Danielle,” Cassy said.
    “Wait,” the one asking about Johnnie cut in.  “When is the next album coming out?  I totally want to hear it before everyone else.  I’m connected now.”
    She giggled.  Normally Davey could handle himself around fans.  In fact, he loved it.  He loved how much people loved Chasing Cross.  But not right then.  Not in that moment.
    “Here, let’s do something,” one of them said. 
    “Cassy,” Davey said, “please... we need to talk...”
    Davey heard the sound of a camera shutter and looked to see one of the women taking his picture with her cell phone. 
    “Whoa!” he cried out.  “Come on...”
    Now there were four cell phones, all snapping pictures. 
    Davey put his hands up and moved to the open door.
    “You’re leaving?” Cassy asked.
    Davey spun around and heard the cell