Page 11 of Love Collided

“I don’t have a crush on him, and I’m with Jesse. The guy who is a lot more like me. He’s a mechanic, and likes cars, andisn’t stuck up. Did I like the popular guys in high school? Of course, who didn’t.”

Quinn raised her hand. “Me.”

“Only because you and Ransom are meant to be together.”

“And I didn’t think I should be with someone like him, but I still had a crush on him. Just because Jesse feels like the person youshouldbe with, doesn’t mean you should ignore if you like other types.”

“Are you suggesting I should cheat on Jesse and go for Chase?”

“Don’t even get an attitude with me or I’m going to start calling you ankle biter, too. All I’m saying is learn that lesson from me, what youthinkyou need, isn’t always what you actually need.”

“If I go out there, can this conversation be over?”

She laughed again. “Yes, but only if you play nice with that hot-as-sin man and not be rude.”

“There is no way I would agree to that. I will say that I will try to be nicer if he stops getting under my skin.”

“Come on,” she said, pouting out her bottom lip, “let’s go see if the hot man is really as bad as you say he is.”

I followed her back out, catching Chase's head of dark hair as he was talking with the guys, not missing Kye laughing at something he said.

He was in jeans and a hoodie tonight instead of the dressed up look he had at the races. Every part of him was relaxed and so different from what I saw the night of the races. Then he had been perfect, every hair in line, shoes shined, and suit pants pressed.

Now he looked a little more like the guys. There was still a difference to his edge though. Where the guys seemed feral and reckless, Chase was sharp and calculated. Even the way he waslooking at me now didn’t feel fun and wild, it felt like he was watching my every move, waiting for a chance to make his move.

Normally, I would know exactly what that move would be, but I wasn’t sure with him. Would he hit on me? Or just insult me? Or maybe something worse.

Our eyes locked, and a sly smirk spread over his face before I turned away, following Quinn to join the girls huddled around the fire.

“You okay?” Carly asked.

“Fine.”

“Rightbecause you usually hide away and look all pissed off when we’re all together.”

“Someone has an issue with the newcomer,” Quinn said, grabbing a drink from Carly and sitting closer to the fire.

“Chase?” Ash asked. “Why, because of the racing thing? I thought it was all resolved.”

“It was,” I said, “but I’m still not a fan.”

“I mean, he’s a bit of a partier, kind of a playboy, too, but he’s fun, and from everything I know, not a terrible guy.”

“Whatdoyou know exactly?” Quinn asked.

“His family were the lawyers for Holt until there was some sort of falling out with him and my dad. They are still cordial, and work around each other. I know Chase is going to law school, and will become a lawyer for his dad’s firm after. He parties a lot, more so now than before even, which is surprising. He was pretty much the party house when we were in high school, and I thought he would grow out of that, but never did, apparently.”

“And relationships?” Carly asked, her lips pursing with a smile.

“He had a few girlfriends throughout high school, but they weren’t serious. They probably didn’t last more than a month. After that, I don’t know. Nothing I’ve heard about.”

“Interesting,” Quinn said.

“Why? Looking for a new man?” I asked, the snark not hidden.

“Not even a little bit,” she said, kicking out her boot at me.

“Speak of the devil,” Ash said, making me look over my shoulder to see Chase only a few feet behind me.

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