Page 28 of Chase
I’m wearing a burgundy fit and flare dress; it hugs my upper body and flares at my waist. It sits mid-thigh. I’ve left my hair down to air dry, adding just enough product to hopefully stop it from going to frizzy. I put my glasses on, grab a black cardigan from my wardrobe and head down the stairs.
Chase looks up from his phone, taking me in from head to toe. He’s up and in front of me before I can even blink.
“Wow pretty girl. You are beautiful in anything you wear, but that dress is just wow.” He pulls me close and starts running his hands over my hips.
Before his lips can touch mine, I pull away. I don’t want to, but if I don’t Arden will be beating my front door down, and we do not need Arden walking in on anything that may happen if I let Chase kiss me again. I’m not a freaking saint. I’m not against begging. I want Chase and he knows it.
“We need to go before Arden comes looking for us.” I say, trying to soften the blow of pulling away.
“I know, but I don’t want to share you, especially when you look like that.”
“We promised Arden and I can’t leave Millie over there. Come on it will be fun. I promise I’ll let you kiss me again later.” I whisper as I lean forward and press a soft kiss to his lips, letting him know I’m fully prepared to keep my promise.
“Tease.” He says playfully. I thread my fingers with his and head out the door and across the street.
The minute we walk through the door Arden is there.
“You are both in trouble.” He says in a stern voice with his hand on his hip.
“Uh why?” I say.
“Have you eaten since breakfast? Checked your sugar?” There’s concern in his eyes. Chase shifts awkwardly beside me. I glance at him and see the guilt on his face.
“Arden, it’s fine. I feel okay,” I say trying to placate him.
“It’s not fine, you need to be careful, take care of yourself.”
I give Chase’s hand a squeeze before letting go and walking past them both. As I walk away, I can feel them staring at me. They whisper to each other briefly before following me into the kitchen.
Millie and Mumma Nat are at the kitchen bench chopping up salad. Millie smiles at me. Mumma Nat looks at me with concern.
“I’m sorry,” I say to the room. My voice waivers. My hands start to shake slightly, I don’t know how to handle all of this concern and worry. It’s new to me. I sense Chase. He places his hand on my lower back and guides me to my chair from this morning.
Arden places some rolls and my monitor in front of us, and Millie brings over the juice. All eyes are on me as I prick my finger and wait for the result.
“4.5” I tell everyone. Mumma Nat and Millie continue whatever they are doing in the kitchen, while Arden sits across from us.
“That’s okay, but from what I saw yesterday, you can crash quickly. You need to snack Shorty, it’s the only way you will keep it stable,” Arden speaks and Chase listens to every word. No doubt learning everything he can from Arden.
I pick up a roll and start eating, to keep everyone in the room happy.
“I know. I’ll try to take better care of myself.” I say around a mouthful of food.
“That’s all I ask,” Arden responds and then instantly he changes back to playful Arden.
“Guess who I banged this morning?” Arden asks us. I almost choke on my food. Mumma Nat throws a kitchen towel at Arden.
“Arden Blakely! I do not need to be hearing this.”
Arden laughs. “Sorry Mumma Nat. But you knew there was a reason I was leaving at five a.m. this morning. I don’t get out of bed that early for just anyone.”
“Wait, your last name is Blakely? Are you related to Julia?” Millie asks.
Arden swings around in his chair to look at Millie. “Yeah, she’s my sister, why?”
“No reason. She’s nice, I’ve been sitting with her in English and at lunch. She’s quiet, mentioned that she had an older brother but didn’t say who. You two are complete opposites. I wouldn’t have picked you to be related had it not been for your last name. Where is she? Is she coming tonight?” Millie asks a little hopeful. It’s nice she is making friends and if she is making friends with Arden’s sister that is good. Arden doesn’t talk much about her. I see Chase tense a little at Millie’s questions.
Arden doesn’t respond immediately.
