Page 43 of Chase

“You had a woman sitting in your freaking lap! Is that the standard you are setting for our relationship? So I’m allowed to go sitting in other men’s laps?” I hiss.

“Don’t play games with me, Layla. A woman sat in my lap yes, but I moved her off it!” he growls.

“Yeah, after like, half an hour!” Okay it was more like thirty seconds, but whatever!

“Layla, now you’re just looking for reasons to get angry,” he hisses.

“I’m done, Chase. You hurt me. I’m not going to blindly just give you that power again.”

“Then I will earn it. You’re mine baby. And I’m yours. I can’t even explain it. We just... fit. I knew it then, and I know it now.”

The rest of the ride is silent, there is nothing I can say, that he won’t have an answer too. The man should have become a damn lawyer. I think about the whole thing with Ryder. It explains why Chase wanted me so much instantly, because he’s been interested since the first time he saw me. I mentally chastise myself for thinking that it is romantic. He carries my bag inside and puts it in my room. I walk into the lounge room to find James and Kade watching Supernatural. Awesome! They both look happy to see me. I squeeze onto the couch in between each of them and eat some of James’s popcorn. Chase walks in, frowns, starts to open his mouth but thinks better of it, so he sits on the chair by himself. I can feel his eyes on me and not the television. He is sulking, in his own manly way. Any other time I would have laughed.

My phone starts to ring, and I know instantly it’s Ryder by the ring tone, which is ‘Lightning Crashes’, one of his favorite songs.

“Hey Ry.” I greet. I can feel three pairs of eyes on me, and the air in the room getting a little heavier.

“Hey, baby girl. Is everything okay? If you don’t want to stay there you can always come stay with me, okay,” he says, his words rushed.

“I’m okay, Ryder,” I say softly.

“How long have you and Chase been together?”

I sigh. “A few months, I guess.”

I hear him mutter “That fucking bastard,” and I can’t help my lip twitching a little.

“I appreciate you looking out for me, Ryder, but I’m not a little girl anymore, I can handle myself. I know you feel protective of me over what happened with Kyle, but you can’t go around punching everyone who hurts me.” I had totally forgotten about my audience when I let that line slip. I can see Chase’s fists curled in tight balls, and I avoid any eye contact with him.

“I know, I know,” he grumbles, “Just, call me if you need anything, okay? Anything. I wanted to come over, but the band is coming over to practice.”

“Okay Ry. I love you,” I say in a tender tone.

“Alright Layla.”

We hang up. I’ve only just clicked the button when all three of them pounce.

“Who the fuck is Kyle?” Growls Kade.

“Who hurt you?” James is almost yelling, which is very unusual for him. His control is usually impenetrable.

“What happened Layla? I will fucking kill this bastard with my bare hands!” Chase booms.

All these three sentences were said at the same time. I address Chase’s comment first. “So, only you’re allowed to hurt me?” I say spitefully. I instantly regret the low blow when I see the look on his face. He looks pained, his gaze dropping to his fists. I clear my throat. I can see Kade and James both looking at me with disappointment. Ah, hell. “Just my ex, he cheated on me and what not. Ryder found out, and completely lost it.”

James asks for the assholes full name. Kade grins like he loves James idea. Those two! Chase is staring at me silently, like he is seeing me in a new light, and I know exactly what he is thinking. But Chase is not paying for Kyle’s mistakes. Hell, Kyle was not serious at all, just some guy I was seeing in high school. We all return our gazes to the television and eventually I fall asleep against James’ shoulder.

Chapter Eighteen

I wake up some time later, to the guys arguing. James must have moved me, because I was now alone.

“Why did you even invite her to the fucking party then, Chase?” That was Kade.

“She comes to every party! I mentioned it and she said she wanted to come because she hasn’t seen any of us in ages. And we are friends, there is nothing romantic between us, but that doesn’t mean I just cut her out of my life. I’m the one who brought her to Australia. I can’t just leave her to fend for herself now. But fuck, I didn’t even think. I’m not exactly used to having to explain my actions to anyone, or having a woman I intend to keep permanently. I didn’t think about Layla’s feelings. I fucked up okay!!”

“Why the fuck are you still taking care of her? She’s a grown ass woman and not your responsibility.” Kade growls. “What happened was fucked up Chase, we all know it. We all felt it. But it’s been a year. Why are you still putting up with her shit?” Hmm, I wonder what he’s talking about.

“She’s a fucking friend!” Chase is getting defensive.

---