Page 101 of Legal

“If a guy tells a girl he loves her, and she basically shits all over him—sorry, Jills, but it’s true—wouldn’t he be just a little hesitant to get back with her?”

Stephen turned to me. “Chase told you he loves you?”

“Yes.”

I waited for it. Waited for him to say that a kid his age had no business professing his love to me. But he didn’t say a word. He just exhaled forcefully and ran his hands through his hair.

“Okay, obviously he agrees with me,” Perry said. “The message here is don’t give up yet. Chase is hurting, and it might take some time, but he’ll come around. But he also has to know you’re serious. Does he even know how you feel about him?”

“Not exactly.” In hindsight, I should have said I loved him right away, but I never expected our time to end so quickly. My eyes flicked back over to my brother. I couldn’t believe he was being so unopinionated about the whole thing.

“He needs to know, Jills. Soon.”

I knew Chase was more than worth my efforts to try again, but I wasn’t sure how many times it’d take before my heart gave way. “Why’d you two stop over?”

“Oh, yeah!” Perry nudged Stephen. “Tell her what you told me. She needs some cheering up.”

I tilted my head at him, having no clue what was going on. “I was at Wengo’s the other night. So was Chase.”

My chest started yammering. “Who was he with?” Wait. Perry said this would cheer me up. That rules out another girl.

Stephen shrugged. “I don’t know, a couple buddies maybe.” His hands were stuck in his front pockets, and he was slowly rocking back and forth on his heels while Perry danced around him. She gestured for him to continue. “Yeah, and for what it’s worth, he looked pretty down and out. Several times, that blonde waitress came around, but he brushed her off.”

Amanda?

“See?” Perry said with a huge grin. “And that’s even more impressive, considering guys like to fuck anything that moves to get over someone.”

My insides churned. I already knew Chase was attracted to her; they’d screwed around before, but… but this was a good thing, right? Nothing was stopping him from getting with her again, yet he wasn’t taking the bait.

“Not all guys are like that, Perry,” Stephen said.

“Well, I know you’re not.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “There’s not enough pussy in the world that would help you get over me.”

“You’re right about that.”

She giggled and kissed him, and I responded by clearing my throat. If this was the start of their foreplay, I didn’t want it happening in my driveway. “How did you know he was brushing her off?” I asked Stephen.

“It was pretty obvious that’s what was happening.”

“Do you think he saw you, and that’s why he was being careful?” But that didn’t make sense either. We were already over, and it wasn’t like he was trying to get back with me.

“I don’t know, Jillian, but I really doubt it. Look, I’m not sure what all’s going on between you two, and I’m not asking for details. I only want to know that whatever you’re doing, you’re doing it with eyes wide open.”

He wasn’t condoning, but he wasn’t condemning either. Not that I needed Stephen’s consent to love Chase, but his softened stance on the matter meant a lot.

“Thank you, little brother.” I gave him a hug. “For the first time in my life, that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Iscanned the flyer again: Doors open at seven. Acts start at seven thirty. I’d read it over countless times. It was a benefit to support the music department. There wasn’t any more information to glean by continuing to stare at it, but I was a ball of flaming nerves and wasting time. I used the paper as a makeshift fan instead and watched people file into the gym.

I was parked in the crowded back lot not too far away from a black Ford. I’d known the chances were well above average that Chase would be part of the event, but spotting his car still tossed me on my back. I was both excited and scared as hell to see him. I’d committed to not giving up on us, but I was there for Hazel, first and foremost. Whether he acknowledged me or not, I wasn’t leaving until I saw her play. And God forbid, he was there with a date—please, please, please, no—I still wasn’t leaving.

I had to get my ass inside and get a seat; there was no sense showing up only to spend the night hiding out in the car. Besides, I shouldn’t be that nervous—I was wearing the magic dress. I hadn’t worn it for Chase, but for myself. I needed the extra boost of confidence.

I took an energizing breath and opened the door.Here we go.I followed the path of others and went into a small side lobby, and from there, into the gym. Admission was free, but there was a donation jar sitting near the entrance. I pulled some cash out of my purse and dropped it inside.

Then I scoped out the area. It was smaller than most schools, but so was the entire building. There weren’t bleacher seats like I’d expected to find, but several tables of all different sizes set up in front of the stage. It was more personal than I would have liked.

Once again, Chase had noticed me first. He was sitting at one of the far tables, but it was still close enough to see his confused expression as he took me in. His collared shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, and his forearms were straight out in front of him, hands crossed.

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