Page 48 of Chase
“What do you need? What can I do?”
“You’re doing it. This is what I need.” I try to get closer to him. He tightens his hold.
I don’t know how much time passes, but Chase moves me slightly so he can retrieve his vibrating phone from his pocket.
“Yo.” He says. I can hear Arden on the other end of the phone but can’t hear what he is saying.
“Are you sure that’s okay?” he asks. I don’t try to listen. I focus on the rise and fall of his chest.
“I’ll fill you in tomorrow, but Yasmin is here and she’s okay. Thanks man,” Chase says hanging up the phone.
“Millie asked to stay over there tonight. Martha has cooked tacos.”
I laugh softly. “Taco’s are Millie’s favourite.”
“Arden figured that out when Millie got really excited. Ally and Rhys have gone home so he is going to watch Coco with the girls tonight. His dad got Julia an early copy. Millie’s going to stay there tonight if that’s okay with you?”
“As long as Arden doesn’t mind. It’s probably better she stays there. I don’t really want her to see me like this.” My face is blotchy and red from the tears. “I’ll talk to her tomorrow after school.”
“Sounds like a good idea. Why don’t you go and have a shower then you can curl up in bed with your Kindle while I help GW with dinner?” Chases says.
“I’d love that. But my Kindle is in my overnight bag at Arden’s.”
“Arden bought you a spare one. There is one on my bedside table. He has one at his house as well. He even gave one to Ally AND Rhys. He didn’t want you to ever be without one. Kind of like your glucose monitor. Speaking of which…” Chase says gently moving me from his lap so he can retrieve a monitor for me.
“Arden really does think of everything. Even if that is a bit overkill,” I say while pricking my finger.
“That’s because it’s the way Arden knows how to show affection. His dad was never around so would constantly buy gifts, making sure Arden never wanted for anything. Arden does the same thing for his friends,” Chase tells me while we wait for my result.
6.2
My sugars have been sitting in a normal range the last few days. I’ve been feeling a lot better. That could also be to do with the fact that when Chase holds me in my sleep, I sleep for six hours. Without night terrors. I feel like a new person.
Chase gives me a towel, one of his shirts and a pair of my pyjamas I left here during the week and leaves me while I have a shower. I let the water cascade over me while I cry again. Letting out all the hurt that Dad’s words caused.
I crawl into Chase’s bed and power up the new Kindle Arden bought for me. He really does go overboard. But I appreciate the thought. Logging in, I start reading Game Breaker, the next book in one of my favourite rom-com series by my favourite Kiwi Author.
Chase comes in to tell me when dinner is ready. I don’t want to put the book down, but he promises that I can keep reading after dinner.
I stop him before we walk out of his room. Reaching up, I kiss him softly.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his lips. He responds by deepening the kiss briefly before pulling away and leading me down the hallway towards the kitchen.
Nat still isn’t back from Dad’s. I wonder what is happening over there? I hope she’s okay.
“How was the party last night?” GW asks after we are seated and have started eating. They made chicken schnitzel and vegetables for dinner. There’s even mash potato. My favourite. My stomach flutters. Chase paid attention when I told Ally one day that I could live off mash potato.
“There were clowns, a mime, huskies painted like a tiger and little people,” I answer
“Sounds like Arden. How did Ally take the little people?”
“As well as you’d expect. She swore at Arden, threw back a shot, and made Arden promise to buy her some hair thing to apologise,” Chase answers. I still can’t believe Ally is afraid of little people. I enjoyed bringing it up as often as I could last night. It was fun getting a reaction out of her. I hoped it helped distract her from the truth bomb Rhys dropped on us.
“That’s my girl. Arden knows better. I’m glad she made him pay for it.”
“Did you see that Arden included a Fitbit in every gift bag last night?” I ask Chase.
“Yeah, he told me earlier in the day. There were also some iPads and some iPhones as well. He pulled out all the stops last night.”
