Page 130 of Love Collided

“Why thefuckis my car showing that it’s here on this property?”

THIRTY-SEVEN

SCOUT

Earlier That Day

My phone started ringing the second I set the bags of food down on the seat, and I fumbled to grab it.

I assumed it would be Chase, but an unknown number popped up. My stomach dropped. The gambling goons were back and wanting more money. I had to face it, though. I was starting over with my problems, and I couldn’t let this one keep following me around.

I connected the call and tried to find any ounce of strength I had left to deal with them.

“What do you want now?” I asked, the firm tone making me happier. I could do this.

I could handle the situation and not involve the crew, or Chase and his watches, anymore.

“Excuse me?” a woman’s voice asked. “I’m not sure if I have the right number, but I was looking for…Scout?”

“Oh,” I said, surprised that it was a woman, and from the sound of it, an older woman, but I couldn’t place the voice. “That’s me. Who is this?”

“Oh good. This is Mrs. Parker. Chase’s mother.”

My mouth dropped open, the words barely processing. I had met her at the party, but besides a strained smile, she hadn’t spoken to me. I didn’t really know where she stood on Chase and me together, or him changing his whole life, but if she was willingly calling me, I guess I was about to find out.

“Um, of course,” I said. “Is there something I could help you with?”

“There is actually. As you know, Chase and his dad had a bit of a falling out over all these changes, and now it seems Chase isn’t answering my calls either. I was wondering if you would be willing to stop by and talk with me? Maybe us girls could help to get this all straightened out. As you can imagine, I really don’t want to lose Chase in my life, and with the way his dad is running things, that’s exactly where this is headed.”

My body was frozen, trying to listen for anything in her tone that gave her away, but all I heard was a worried mother.

Not that I had much experience with a worried mother, but I could imagine any mother wouldn’t want her son estranged from her just because he and his dad were fighting.

“What would me coming over help, though? I can’t exactly change Chase’s mind on anything.”

“Of course not, but it may make him see that I don’t want to be the bad guy here. That maybe there is a chance we could talk this out in a more civil manner. I don’t want to take up too much of your time, but it would really mean a lot if we could start working on this.”

I looked over at the bag of food, and the beautiful interior of the Porsche grabbed my attention.

If there was any way that Chase could keep his fancy life and be with me, I would try to help him do it. He didn’t deserve to give up everything just because he wanted to be with me.

“I don’t have a lot of time, but I could stop by for a few minutes.”

“Ahh,” she said, and I could hear the smile on her face. “Perfect! I wouldn’t want to keep you so head over and I will have some tea ready for us.”

Ten minutes later,I was perched on a ridiculously fancy couch being handed a small teacup, and feeling like I fell into someone else’s life.

A couch just for politely sitting, not sprawling out on with eight other people to watch a movie, or fall asleep on. I bounced a bit, the cushion underneath me so thin I could feel the wood beneath it.

“I’m so glad you could stop over,” his mom said, handing me a small plate with a few cookies on it. “I really don’t want Chase to think he has to run off like this.”

“I don’t think he’s running off. He is staying with me right across town.”

“He’s staying with you?” she asked, her eyebrows shooting up. His mom was pretty in a way, but the way she dressed and did her makeup seemed to age her even more. I couldn’t stop staring at the dried, cracked, pink hue of her lipstick. Something about it making me uneasy.

“He is. Temporarily, but after his dad told him to leave the condo, it was the fastest option for a place to live for now.”

“He has a room here that he could have stayed in,” she said with a huff. “This is exactly what I’m talking about. He should be runningtohis parents, not from them.” The grimace of her thin lips quickly turned into a broad smile. “Would you like to see his old room?”

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