Page 32 of Chase
“I tried. He told me he loves Ashley and we left it at that. Everything was fine. Until today. But Ashley is back, so he’ll get laid and leave me alone.” She picks at the label on her beer bottle.
“It will be okay Ally. You have me now. As much as Rhys scares me, I won’t let him upset you. I have your back.”
She looks up at me. “Are you sure? Chase won’t like that.”
“What won’t I like?” Chase asks from the doorway startling both of us.
“If I have Ally’s back.”
“Ally you deserve to have someone else having your back. You already have us and now you have Yasmin.”
“You have no idea what you just agreed to.” Ally mumbles again.
Chase looks over at me, and I mouth “Later” I won’t tell him everything, Ally doesn’t need that. Just enough for him to not get in my way if I have to go head to head with Rhys.
There’s a knock at the door that distracts us.
Chapter Twelve
Chase
Dinner goes without any casualties. Everyone behaves and Rhys seems to go back to his usual self now that Ashley is here. She doesn’t hang out with us much, but it’s always awkward when she does. She’s a year younger than us and it shows. She’s peppy and if the school offered cheerleading, she’d be the captain. That’s the person she is. She is bubbly and social. The complete opposite to Rhys.
The look on Millie’s face was priceless when Hayden walked in. He’s the same age as Millie and Julia. She’s no doubt seen him around school. He’s a bad boy in every sense. Where Rhys shies away from attention, Hayden runs towards it. They head inside after dinner to watch a movie. Mum makes her rounds hugging all of us before heading to bed.
Not long after, GW says goodnight and leaves me sitting outside with my friends. It’s been a nice afternoon just hanging out. Yasmin chose to sit on my lap again. I love that I can run my hand up and down her exposed thigh. She shivers every time I toy with the hem of her dress. Rhys is distracted by Ashley. They’re making out in the corner. Arden and Yasmin are discussing our joint birthday party.
“Did you just say jelly wrestling?” Yasmin asks, bringing my attention back to the conversation.
“Yep, and sexy clowns. It’s going to be epic; you only turn 18 once.” I’ve let Arden plan the last three parties. It’s more for him. For me it’s just another day.
“When is this epic party?” Yasmin asks again.
“Next weekend. You’re coming right?” Arden asks her.
“Umm, am I invited?”
“Of course. If you don’t come, neither will Chase and then it wouldn’t be Arden and Chase’s big birthday bash.”
“I suppose I could make an appearance,” Yasmin teases.
“As long as it’s okay with Millie. I don’t like leaving her at home by herself.” Yasmin showed me a message from her dad earlier. He told her he needed to go to New Hope for the week for work training. Promised to call her tomorrow.
He didn’t ask. Just left Yasmin and Millie here to fend for themselves. It made me angry. Yasmin brushed it off. Told me she was use to it.
I spoke to Mum about it briefly earlier. She said that the girls were always welcome here, although she would know where I was if I wasn’t here in the morning. She knows that I won’t leave Yasmin alone. Not now that I know we have a history. I’m eager to bring back old memories while creating new ones.
“She can stay here with Mum. Julia as well if she wants. I know she won’t want to be at the house during the party.” I suggest.
Arden installed locks on our bedroom doors at the house so that no one could get in when we have a party there. He wanted to know that Julia would be safe and same with Ally when she goes off to bed.
“Millie and Julia are chummy. I haven’t seen Julia that interactive in years.” Arden says.
“I know. It was good to watch; you know she’s like a sister to me as well right?” I ask. Not sure that Arden realises that it goes both ways. His family is mine as well. Even if we do spend more time here.
“Mine too.” Rhys chimes in. I guess he was listening after all.
“I’ve missed her.” Ally says. “I still message her every week to check in on her, even though I know she won’t reply. I just wanted her to know that I was here when she was ready.”
