Page 50 of Chase

Morning arrives and Chase is already out of bed, I can hear him working out in the gym. I shower and change into tight jeans and a tank top, then start to cook a huge breakfast for everyone. Pancakes, bacon and eggs, hash browns- the whole works. Chase walks into the kitchen, freshly showered, by the time I am done cooking, and hugs me from behind as I’m at the sink washing the dishes.

“You didn’t have to cook baby, I could have taken you out to breakfast.” I ignore him and continue my washing.

“It looks delicious. You spoil us Layla.” I turn around to look at him. He’s so damn beautiful. He’s wearing nothing but a pair of faded jeans, the top button undone. His stomach is just, yeah, wow. So sculptured, it should belong in a museum.

James walks out; I think he smelt the bacon. “Hey bro. Layla, it smells so good. You are a fucking keeper!” He kisses me on my cheek and starts to dig in.

Kade soon follows, giving me a huge grin. “You are the best, Layla, I’m so hungry.”

Chase sits there quietly eating, staring daggers at everyone at the table. I have no idea why, nor am I going to ask. I head into my bedroom and pack my bag for class. When I walk out, Chase and his brothers are arguing, but when I walk in they all stop. This house is so much drama. I walk out and head for my car without saying a word.

******

It’s been a week and Chase and I are still over. Well, at least I consider us over. Chase has convinced himself I’m just angry at him and holding a grudge. He hurt me, bad. Tonight I’m going out for dinner with Kade, he said he wants to have a talk with me. We go to this Mexican restaurant I love called ‘Salsas’. It has the best food.

“So what do you want to talk about Kade?” I ask after we are seated.

“You need to forgive Chase already, princess,” he demands, voice stern.

My eyebrows hit my hairline. “And why is that, Kade?” I ask.

“He’s fucking in love with you, Layla. He’s miserable without you. Damn, I never thought I would ever see him like this. He’s wanted you since he first saw you three years ago. That has to mean something to you?”

“He hurt me, Kade,” I say in a tiny voice. I see Kade’s eyes soften.

“I know he fucked up, princess. He is just a man, one who has never felt like this towards a woman before. I know it sounds like a shitload of excuses, but give him a break Layla. He is gone for you. It’s kind of pathetic really.”

I can’t stop a small smile. “I wish it were that easy, Kade, I really do. I need some time to think. Okay?”

“Okay,” he nods, seemingly satisfied.

“You and Nikki?” I ask, with a raised eyebrow.

“You digress, princess,” he says with a grin.

“Is that not allowed?” I retort.

“You are cheeky, you know that?”

“You love it,” I assure him.

“What are you ordering?” he asks.

“The nachos. You?”

“I was thinking of getting some tacos. But nachos sounds good too,” he says thoughtfully.

“Wanna get both of them and go halves?” I offer.

“Done,” he says with a grin.

“I’m paying, by the way,” I tell him.

He laughs. “You keep telling yourself that darling.”

He paid. I sulked. Then we went home.

******

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