A fiber optic cable assembly suitable for providing mesh connectivity includes a fiber shuffle region arranged between first and second cable assembly sections that each include multiple tubes each containing a group of optical fibers, with a jacket provided over one or both cable assembly sections. The fiber shuffle region may be compact in width and length, and integrated into a trunk cable. Optical fibers remain in sequential order in groups at ends of the cable assembly sections, where the fibers may be ribbonized and/or connectorized. A fabrication method for such a fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.