Page 29 of Frenemies

Is that where we were going? “How long are you going to blame yourself for what your brother did?”

“You don’t understand–”

“Oh, I understand. You’d rather wallow in self-pity than man up and take care of the problem.”

Chase didn’t like that. He sat up, glaring right at me. “What the fuck do you think I was doing?”

“Trying to get yourself killed,” I answered flatly.

He tried to keep his face cold, but I saw the spark of guilt tugging on the corner of his mouth.

We sat there for a few minutes staring at each other before he laid back down. I don’t know what bothered me more? The fact that he gave up so easily or that I couldn’t get through to him. For the first time in my life, I felt ill-equipped to do the job. This must be how Bailey feels when she attempts to dress up.

“Leave, Naomi. I don’t want you here.”

That made me snort. “Sure you don’t.”

Of course, he wanted me here. Everyone wanted me, and if they didn’t, they wanted to be me.

“You’re such a cunt.”

“If I’m such a cunt,” I leaned in and whispered. “Then why are you smiling?”

His mouth dropped back into a frown faster than I could blink.

“I’m not smiling.” Chase threw his arm back, pushing me away. “Fuck off, leave me alone.”

Not a chance in hell.

* * *

Three hours later,and the worst of the day’s, withdrawals seemed to have passed. Did that mean Chase was in a better mood? No.

“What part of fuck off don’t you understand?”

Crossing my arms, I tapped the toe of my shoe against the floor. “Keep this up, and I might not come back tomorrow.”

“Good.” Chase barked and tossed an empty tray at the bars I stood behind.

The way Chase’s face screwed up reminded me of when we first met. All I’d have to do to piss him off was look at him. Apparently, that had returned. At least he looked better now. And by better, I meant clean, thanks to my sponge bath.

I could stand being in the same room with him without gagging, which was a bonus, but I didn’t have to put up with this.

“Until you learn a little appreciation,” I waved my hand through the air and walked away. “I’m not bringing you any more food.”

Let’s see how much he misses me when he’s choking down gas station sandwiches.

I sighed and sauntered up the stairs. Did Chase just have a knack for being infuriating, or was he purposely trying to piss me off? He was trying to push me away, that much I got. Somewhere in that tiny thing he called a brain—the man had convinced himself that I’d get hurt being around him.

Personally, I thought he was more scared of himself getting hurt. He lost his wife and son, and now he was afraid of losing me. Which just proved my point.

He did want me around. He was just letting his fear rule his decisions. Lucky for him, I wasn’t that easy to run off. Someone had to have the balls in this relationship, and clearly, he’d lost his.

Derek frowned at me when I rounded the top of the stairs. “He’s still not listening to reason, hey?”

Chase never listened to reason, but this was on a whole new level of stupidity.

“I’m beginning to think I’ll have to beat some sense into him.”With a really big bat.

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