Page 22 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

I stare at the letter in shock, paper crinkling as it sticks to my sweaty palms.

Dear Chase,

Congratulations! It is with great pleasure that I offer you admission to Eastern Tennessee University.

Accepted? I can’t believe it. When Sam and Anna asked what my plans were for the future, I was adamant about staying local and working at Sugarlake Construction. There’s no better way to learn a business than to be hands-on, and college was never even a whisper of a thought. They convinced me to apply, saying the company would always be waiting, and a degree in something like business management would strengthen my skills.

I listened. Partly because I can’t stand the thought of disappointing them, and partly because at the time there wasn’t much—other than Lily—holding me here. But I never thought I would actually get in. How the fuck am I supposed to leave now that I finally have Goldi?

“What’s that?” Jax peers over my shoulder, being a nosy fucker like usual.

I ball it up quickly and push him back. “Jesus, get off my dick.”

His eyes twinkle with mirth. “You’re right. I think that’s Alina’s job now, anyway.” He puts his hand over his heart. “Let me be the first to tell you how happy I am to finally give up the title.”

My mouth tilts up. “Isn’t there some car that needs lubed or whatever the hell it is you do down at that shop?”

He smirks. “Know a lot about lube jobs, do you?”

“Why the fuck do I hang out with you?”

He shrugs in response, reclining on the couch and spreading his arms over the back.

I glance at the balled-up paper in my fist. It’s not a big deal.

There’s a knock on the wooden frame of the house. I look up to see Goldi opening the screen door, and damn, she looks good. I haven’t slept with her. Fuck if I know why—because I’m a moron who clearly loves to torture himself? I get the sense she’s afraid of taking that final step. So, I’ll wait. I’ll prove to her I’m not going anywhere. It’s not about her body anyway—it’s her soul that holds my interest.

“Hey, I thought you would be with Lil today.” I give her a kiss, shoving the acceptance letter under the stack of mail before pulling her to sit on my lap.

She gives Jax a small wave and turns her upper body to face me. Her hair brushes my neck, sending that vanilla shit she wears straight up my nose, making me grow hard underneath her. Clearly, even though my mind is on board with waiting, my body disagrees.

“What?” Her eyebrows raise at me in surprise. “Why would I be with Lily?”

“Because she’s your best friend? She told me she was going to Chattanooga with Becca, I just assumed you would be with them.”

“Uhh… nope.”

Moving the strands of her hair to the side, I kiss the base of her neck lightly. “What’s wrong?” My lips brush her skin with the question.

She sighs. “Chase, Lily hasn’t had anything to do with me since she found out about us, and if I’m honest, she was rarely around before that.”

I laugh because she has to be fucking with me. “What are you talking about? She’s always with you.”

She shakes her head slowly. “No, Chase. She’s not. You knew she was lyin’ that day we showed up on your front door. You really thought that was a one-time thing?”

I was so twisted up in Goldi’s date, I guess I glossed over that fact. My

eyebrows draw in. “If she isn’t with you, then who the hell is she with?”

Goldi’s hands wring together, her teeth chewing on that puffy bottom lip of hers. She mumbles something, but I don’t hear it.

“What’s that?” My tone is sharp. I’m not trying to be a dick, but I need her to get over whatever her issue is. Spit it the fuck out.

“I said, I’m not sure, alright? A couple years back, she started seein’ this guy. He was no good.” She’s still shaking her head at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.

What? How could I not know this?

“I never met him, but he was older—too old for her. She swore she stopped seein’ him, but all those weekends she said she was with us…” Her voice trails off, and my grip around her hips becomes tight. She squeaks, smacking my hands off her.

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