Page 57 of Regaining Integrity

Hiding my huge ass in the junior high library isn’t an easy thing to do. I feel stupid as fuck standing back here and hoping my nephew pulls through on his end.

Ridge was topretendto have a stomachache in Angie’s class and thenclaimhe forgot his backpack in the library when he started to feel sick. With Angie’s kind heart, he knew she would give the class something to do and then come here to get it for him while he was in the nurse’s office.

Each time the double doors open and then close softly, I think it may be her, but so far, I haven’t seen a single glimpse of her or any adult aside from the librarian, who thought my plan was a sweet gesture.

Come on, baby. Find me.

I have my nephew’s backpack sitting at my shuffling feet. She won’t see me because I’m at a dead end and hidden. This may not be the high school library, but it’ll work for now. There’s no way I could corner her there since she doesn’t work at that building, so this’ll have to do.

The door opens again, and this time, I hear her sweet voice talk to the librarian. “Have you seen Ridge Thorne’s backpack?”

I grin. If I hadn’t had the sweet woman in on this, officers would have escorted me out.

Creepy dude in aisle two, no thanks.

“I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve been in my office for the past hour. Go ahead and check.”

“Thanks.” Her shoes make a strange crunching noise on the weathered carpet. It’s the only signal I know she’s close. I turn and brace myself to walk right into her just like I did years ago when I was a douchebag, drunk dumbass.

“There you are.” I let her pick up the backpack and stand back up right before I walk right into her.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Quickly, I grab her to act like I’m steadying her, but I’m really grabbing her so she can’t escape me.

Angie feels amazing. I didn’t realize how much I missed her nearness until now.

“Chase.” Her breathless shock beats against my face.

“Hey, Angelica.” She blinks several times up at me before trying to break free of my hold.

“Let go of me, Chase.” The fight isn’t in her.

“Not until you hear me out,” I whisper.

“I havenothingto say to you,” she snarls. I like it.

“Good because I have plenty.” I smile against her cheek.

“Chase, let go,” she pleads.

“No, Angelica, I will not.”

“You haven’t changed.” She sobs. Despite herself, her fists cling to my shirt.

I didn’t want to make her cry.

“But I did, baby, for you.” Bending my knees, I try to capture her eyes, to convey the truth with my gaze as well as my words. “I had all of them over Sunday, every ex of mine who we saw the other night. I told them off. Cera got loud and woke Ridge. That was it. She won’t be a problem anymore. I don’t care about her or any other woman who may come into my life unless it’s a daughter someday.”

She gasps, but I continue.

“I only see you, Angelica. I was blind years ago by my own stupidity, but I won’t let you slip through my fingers anymore. I felt you that first time, and I feel you just as powerfully now. Forgive me?” I drop to my knees now. I’ll do anything to prove that I’m starting to truly understand these feelings growing inside me. “I’m starting to fall for you. Please be my girlfriend?”

Epilogue

Angelica

“Wow.” I can’t believe the vision before me. I would have never imagined myself in something thissexyin my entire life.

But Chase did.

---