Page 82 of Chase

“So what’s going on with you now?” I ask nosily.

“Nothing. It’s complicated. But for now, nothing,” she says earnestly.

“Fine,” I mumble. “Everything is okay though right Nikki?” I ask her softly.

“Everything is fine, Layla. Come on, let’s go eat.”

I nod, and we walk out, arms linked.

******

James is throwing a party, which is very unusual, since it’s usually Kade who organizes them. Nikki walks into the house, hands full of bags. I told her to pick up some food on her way here from work. Nikki moved in last week and so far so good. Well that’s what she is telling me.

“You are the best, Nik,” I tell her, rummaging through one of the bags. Kade’s friend, Ashley, walks over and I frown.

“Hello, I’m Ashley. Who are you?” Ashley asks Nikki.

“This is my best friend, Nikki, she lives here now.” I tell Ashley. This girl doesn’t play nice, so I’m wondering what she is up to.

Nikki and Ashley eye each other.

“Oh yeah, you’re that bitch who told Layla to stay away from Kade!” Nikki says, chuckling evilly.

“Oh, I’ll get Kade,” Ashley purrs. “I did enjoy the other two, especially Chase,” She gives me a smug look as she says Chase’s name.

Well, shit.

I turn around looking for Chase. I’d love nothing more than to get involved in this, but there’s no way in hell I can. I put a hand on my stomach and sigh. I spot Chase seated, eating chocolate. Twix bars I suppose. You would think he was the pregnant one. I get his attention and signal him to come over. I turn back to the girls to see Nikki sitting on top of Ashley and repeatedly punching her, Ashley must have said something I didn’t hear, because I don’t think Nikki would just lay her out like that over that one comment. I almost laugh, because right at this moment “Girl Fight” by Brooke Valentine is playing. Instead of stopping the fight, Chase carries me in his arms and takes me far away from the fighting. From my new position, I can see Kade rushing over, pulling Nikki off Ashley.

“What the fuck is going on here!?” Kade growls.

“No one talks to my fucking best friend like that!” Nikki sneers.

All heads turn in my direction.

“Layla?” Chases asks. I tell him what she said and his body tenses.

“Kade, get her the fuck out of here,” Chase booms.

Kade says nothing as he escorts Ashley outside, and from the window, I see him load her up in his car and back out of the driveway.

“Why the hell is Kade friends with her? She will be back,” James mutters.

“Why the hell did everyone fuck her?” Nikki spits out.

“Nikki, I understand you gotta stick up for Layla, but she is fucking pregnant. She can’t be your partner in crime anymore, anytime you lose your shit!” Chase explodes.

I cringe. Nikki looks over at me and her eyes soften. “Sorry,” she mouths to me. I give her a smile. I wasn’t in any danger; I wasn’t standing right next to them. Chase needs to realize I will always look after my baby first. If I was in danger of getting hurt, I would have got the hell out of dodge.

“Come on, Nikki, let’s get you cleaned up, you got blood everywhere. Who would have thought you could lay a bitch out like that.” James chuckles as he takes her arm and heads towards the bathroom.

“Actually, she does this often.” I yell down the hallway.

“Just fucking great,” Chase mutters quietly. Chase turns to me, “I don’t want you around her when she gets like that.”

“When she gets like what? Loses her temper and resorts to violence? You don’t ever do that do you, honey?”

Chase narrows his eyes at me. “You’re pregnant, angel, I don’t want you hurt. I will fucking die before you get hurt!” he hisses.

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