Page 30 of Chase
Chase leans forward to whisper in my ear, “I’ll be right back.” He kisses me on the cheek and heads into the house.
While he is gone, GW comes over from the garden and takes Chase’s seat beside me.
“Thank you, Yasmin,” GW speaks softly so that I’m the only person to hear him.
“What for?”
“I haven’t seen Chase and Natalie smile this much in years; she was worried this morning when Arden told her about you. She was positive she’d never get to see you again. It broke her heart when your dad took you away.”
“Oh,” I respond unsure what else to say. I still haven’t processed all the information I learnt earlier. I know I need to talk to dad. I just don’t know when that’ll happen. It feels like he has been avoiding us even more since the move. This is out of the ordinary for me. I can’t help it though. Being here with Chase makes me feel safe. It feels more like home than anywhere we have lived in the past fifteen years.
“It changed Chase when you left as well. He missed you every day. He was sad all the time, and he looked for you everywhere. When he started school and met Arden and Ally it helped. But they weren’t you. I’m happy fate has brought you back to us.”
“I don’t know if you could call it fate that brought us back. I am, however, happy to be here. It’s hard to explain, but being here feels right.”
Chase comes back outside, and my eyes track him across the deck. He looks good in his dark denim jeans and black graphic tee. His hair is hidden under his hat. He looks between his grandfather and I, a slight smile on his lips.
“Gee Gramps you move quick. I’ve been gone 10 minutes and you’re already trying to steal my girl?” Chase jokes.
GW laughs at his grandson.
“Your girl?” I ask. Kind of surprised he chooses now to lay his claim. I know we aren’t fooling his friends. They kind of knew it was inevitable and I guess his family knows as well. I can’t help but smile.
Chase lifts me from my chair and places me on his lap as he takes my seat. He hands me my glucose monitor and I catch Arden nod from across the table.
Mr Hawk Eyes.
“Yep, is that okay with you?” he tentatively asks.
“Of course, it’s okay with her.” GW says from beside us.
“Who am I to argue with GW?” I laugh. I set up the monitor and check my sugar levels. I show Chase the screen. Arden’s phone vibrates on the table. He checks it.
“Eat Shorty, or no more beer.” Arden says.
“Wow, stalker much? You connected your phone to the machine?” It’s endearing in a kind of stalkerish way. But Arden likes to be in control. If this helps put him at ease, I won’t kick up a fuss. If he starts showing up at my classes with food, we might have a problem.
“Actually, we all have the app on our phone.” Chase says.
“You guys don’t have to do that.”
“We want to.” Rhys says. I think that’s the third time he has directly spoken to me this week. He’s kept his distance; I don’t know why. I don’t want to get between him and his friends.
“Thank you.” I don’t know what else to say. My throat thick with emotion. I try to blink back the tears. Chase senses my change and starts to rub my back.
Millie pushes the platter closer to me. I grab some cheese and crackers and make myself comfortable on Chase’s lap.
Millie’s phone starts ringing. I look over to her, confused. Her smile is bright again as she answers before the second ring.
“I’m coming out now,” She says into the speaker as she starts for the door. “Julia is here,” She says excitedly making her way into the house. Arden straightens in his seat.
“Julia is here?” Ally questions.
“Yeah, her and Millie are friends. Millie invited her over,” Arden replies.
“And she said yes?” Rhys cuts in.
“Yep. It seems Millie has the same superpower as her sister and is able to get people to do things they wouldn’t normally do without even trying.”
