Page 68 of Chase

“Um, how do you guys know each other?” I ask, being my nosey self.

No one speaks up for a while, and then Sasha says “James and I used to date.”

“What?” Okay, I totally didn’t see that one coming.

“Awkward,” Nikki says, drawing the word out.

“Look, it was a long time ago. I’ll talk to you in a bit, Layla,” she says sadly.

Then she walks off.

I turn to James. “What the hell James?”

“How was I supposed to know she was your cousin? Shit, Layla,” he growls.

“If you did something to her..” I threaten.

“I’m sorry, Layla,” he interrupts, “I don’t want this to be awkward for Sasha, I’m gonna leave. Kade, can I take your car?”

Kade throws him the keys.

“James..” I say, not wanting him to go. He gives me a kiss on the cheek.

“I’ll see you back at the house,” he says before walking off.

Well hell.

“You okay,” Chase whispers in my ear. I nod, looking for Sasha. I’m getting answers dammit. I see Ryder walking towards me, his gray eyes twinkling.

“How’s my beautiful girl?” he asks, hugging me. Chase growls.

“I’m good. How are you, Ry?”

“I’m good. Chase, Kade,” he nods at them before looking at Nikki, “Nicole, long time no see.”

Nikki grins, “Apparently not long enough, Ryder.”

Ryder flashes her smile that I’m sure can get him in and out of anything. I see Kade grab Nikki’s hand, and Nikki pull it away. Those two. A freaking soap opera, I swear.

We all load our plates with the bucket loads of food my mum has prepared. Its times like these I miss my sister, Tenielle. She would have totally livened up this get together. I smile at the thought.

“What is that smile for?” Chase asks, not missing a beat.

“Thinking of my sister,” I tell him.

“What is she like?” he asks, curious.

“Fun, crazy, spontaneous, loyal,” I say, summing her up in four words.

Chase is about to reply, when I see Sasha. I hand my plate to Chase, “Hold this for a sec, please?”

I corner her in the kitchen. “Talk to me Sasha,” I say, getting straight to the point.

“I thought he was the one,” she says, emphasizing the last two words. I’m caught off guard. Sasha has the most game when it comes to guys; she normally has them wrapped around her manicured little finger.

“You want to talk about it?”

“Nope,” she replies, popping the P.

---