Page 23 of His Last Chase

“You’re very welcome,” Daddy Timothy said to me.

“You’re awfully quiet over there,” Casey said as we merged into traffic.

How did I explain that I was embarrassed for the needy request I made?

“You, um, you don’t have to take me to your house. Sorry about that.” There, I used my words.

“Would you be more comfortable at your house?”

“I just,” I sighed, might as well get it out. “I meant you could just drop me off if you didn’t want to hang out anymore.”

Casey didn’t say a word. He put on the turn signal and pulled into a nearby lot and parked.

“Chase.” I said nothing, just stared out the window waiting for the words I feared most. “Chase, look at me.”

Reluctantly, I turned to face him.

“Chase, I want nothing more than to spend the evening and as much time as I can get with you. I only wish you’d verbalize these wants as well as your little does. When will Chase the man let me in?”

Until he said those words, I hadn’t realized I had not only held myself back, but us as well.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m doing.” That was putting it mildly.

“Let’s go back to your house, where you’re more comfortable so we can talk. Will that work for you?” When I nodded, Casey took my hand and kissed the top of it then held it for the duration of the drive.

I could do this.

Correction, I wanted to do this.

Most of the cars were still there when we pulled up but knowing those guys they were across the street at Rhone and Ely’s house eating. We were spoiled having fantastic chefs like Ely and Jordan in the family.

Casey grabbed a bag from the back of his SUV, and we thankfully stepped inside to a quiet house.

“You staying put?” Snipe’s voice scared the hell out of me.

“Yeah, if I go anywhere it will just be to Rhone’s later.” Though likely not. I was emotionally drained after today.

“Cool. Sikes is over there so I’m gonna go grab a bite.” Snipe turned and headed across the street.

“How hard was it to get used to having bodyguards?”

“It’s a complete and total life change. I mean, I get the necessity but sometimes it feels like overkill.” I glanced down at Beary whom I still had a firm grip on. Snipe hadn’t said a word about a grown mancarrying around a toy. Maybe this would all be okay. Me being a little, that was.

“Want to watch a movie or sit outside?” Casey asked as he glanced around the living room.

“Yeah, but up in my room if that’s cool?” We had a lot to talk about and getting interrupted or risking the brotherly insanity that was my everyday life…none of that was how I wanted this night to go down.

“Lead the way.”

Casey silently followed me up the stairs and into my room. My guts were in my throat. While I knew there were things to clear up, I was reluctant to do so. What if the end result was him breaking up with me? He was the Daddy, couldn’t he just magically fix everything and make it right?

Ugh, I hated making decisions.

“There’s a mini fridge with drinks in it over there.” I pointed to the area I considered my office area. Desk, computer, mini fridge. All the necessities. I should consider adding a Keurig, though.

“Well,” Casey handed me the bag he had. “Here’s your gift.”

I sat Beary on the bed next to Miles and Spidey and pulled the box out and opened it. “It’s my lucky bear day. I love him!”

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