Page 25 of Chase

Chase looks into my eyes when he says, “Oh trust me, you will know.”

James laughs, “Oh, how the mighty have fallen!”

Chase simply grins and nuzzles my nape, placing a few chaste kisses there. My phone rings, and I sigh as I see it’s my mother calling. “I better take this.” I get up to move off his lap but he holds me there, not letting me go.

“Chase let me up.”

“No,” he says as he wraps his arms tighter around me.

I sigh. Guess I’m taking this call in front of all of them.

“Hi mama.”

In a slightly accented voice, my mother replies. “Layla, are you too busy to call your own mother these days?”

“No I..”

She cuts me off before I can continue. “I have your sister on the other side of the world, and you, not even keeping in touch. How’s school? You better be studying Layla, and not partying with these men you live with.”

“Of course I’m...”

“We miss you. Will you come home soon, or shall we come there? I don’t mind coming there to see these men you are living with. I still don’t like it Layla, it’s not very proper.”

“I’ll come as soon as I get holidays from school.” I finally get a sentence in, and I avoid her last comment.

Chase is massaging my back seriously messing with my concentration.

“Okay mama I’m studying right now, tell dad I love him.”

“Okay Layla. I hope you are eating healthy!”

“I am I prom....” I can feel Chase’s body shaking silently.

“Good darling, you know you need to watch that figure..”

Someone kill me.

“Bye mama.”

“Bye sweetheart, remember that you don’t have to drink alcohol to fit in.”

I hang up and groan. And that would be why I moved away from home. I glance up to see everyone’s eyes on mine, then they all burst out laughing.

“It is not funny!”

“It is, you barely got two words in.” Chase chuckles.

“Yeah, I was too busy being lectured!”

James walks past and musses my hair. “I hope you aren’t drinking to fit in Layla.” They all chuckle and my face goes red. Great of course they heard that. “You’re mother sounds fun; I can’t wait to meet her.” Oh great, that is just what I need.

“Where is your mother? I’m sure I’d love to listen to a few stories about you guys.”

Chase grins, “She’s overseas right now. She travels a lot; when she gets back you can meet her. I’m her favorite, you know.” He looks smug.

Kade scoffs. “Bull shit. I am her favorite!”

James groans, “I didn’t wanna mention it, but she told me I was!”