Chase (12 page)

Before I can exit something occurs to me. Is Chase not in his bed because someone else is? New mission accepted. I head to his room and peak inside. The bed is empty.

I turn from his room and come face first into a hard chest. Looking up into curious blue eyes, I thank my lucky stars it’s the easiest going of the group. I wrap my arms around him and watch his eyebrows rise and his eyes widen. He takes in my attire causing his lips to twitch.

“James,” I whisper, “I’m going to Nikki’s, I just need some time alone, away from him.”

James puts his arms around me and sighs. He leads me outside to my car. “What happened last night Layla?”

I jump in my car and he gets in the passenger side.

“Short story is. I came home early, you guys were having your orgy, I see a girl on Chase’s lap and there was a girl in his bed.”

“Aubrey.” James whispers to himself.

“Who is she?” I demand. James plays with his lip ring, and avoids my question. “Oh and Chase is friends with my cousin, Ryder, who is not happy we were together,” I sigh dramatically.

“He’s going to kill me if I just let you drive away, you know. Last night he came storming out of your room, and kicked everyone out. Aubrey included. That was a first, that’s for sure. He and Ryder had a long ass chat, Ryder said he will be back to talk with you tomorrow.” He sighs, “Come home tonight Princess, don’t let him kick you out of your own house.” He gets out of the car, and makes his way back inside, as I’m pulling away from the house.

I decide to check into a hotel, paying with my emergency credit card. If this wasn’t an emergency, I don’t know what was. I text Nikki and let her know what’s going on, avoiding all of Chase’s numerous texts and calls. I have a shit load of calls and messages from Ryder too. I reply to him and let him know I’m perfectly fine.

Chapter Seventeen

An hour later I’m sitting in bed, surrounded by various orders of room service. I randomly decide to google Chase Jackson. I’m surprised when various articles and pictures pop up; Chase with a man, I assume is his father, and Chase with various women of all ages, at rich people functions. I click on a popular article and read through it. One line catches my eye and my eyes must have popped from my head. It says, ‘Chase Jackson, the only child of Wayne Jackson, CEO of Jackson Enterprises, has hired popular Vegas showgirl, Aubrey Belle, to headline at his popular strip club ‘Heat.’ There was so many things wrong with that sentence. First of all, he owned a strip club? Since when? Aubrey was a Vegas showgirl? I read a text from Chase.

C: I’m giving you a couple hours then I’m coming to get you. Enjoy your hotel stay.

Smug bastard. I forgot about his phone tracking abilities. I text back.

L: don’t bother. I’m sure your showgirls and strippers will keep you busy.

C: I’m coming now.

I contemplate running, but what’s the point. This confrontation is going to happen at some time. He arrives twenty minutes later, making me think he was lurking nearby because this hotel is at least an hour away from the house. He knocks lightly on the door and I open it and stare at him. He looks like hell, and I know it makes me a bad person, but I feel slightly satisfied that he does. His hair is not fashionably messy like it usually is, it just looks messy. He looks tired, exhausted even. I gesture for him to enter. He takes a quick look around the room and sees my laptop open to the google search of him; he grimaces as he sees it, and then sits on my bed.

“Just let me talk, Layla, okay? Just listen before you say anything.” I nod, I can give him that.

“I haven’t lied to you. I am an architect; I do own my own business. I decided to expand so I designed and built my own club. I decided to make it a strip club after the profits weren’t as much as I had hoped. I hardly ever go there anymore; I have people to do all the work for me. As for Aubrey, she was a famous showgirl in Vegas, and I brought her down to perform at Heat. We dated for a while. Almost a year, then we broke up. That was over a year ago. Now we are strictly friends. And about Ryder, he and I were friends, and yes I saw you at his house one time. I couldn’t explain it; I was just drawn to you. You were so beautiful, graceful and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. Ryder noticed and told me to stay away, which I agreed. Until I saw you at the club, and I knew it was our time.”

I almost laugh at how nonchalant he makes it sound.

“Do I still have a place to live?” I ask abruptly.

He looks shocked, then angry. “Of course you have a place to stay. No matter what. Fuck, Layla, I’m not an asshole.”

I’m pretty sure evidence is saying otherwise.

“What about James and Kade? That article says you were the only son of Wayne Jackson. You told me you were brothers.”

“We are. My dad had an affair with my mom. Resulted in me. Later on she married and had James and Kade. We are brothers, just different fathers.”

”Look Chase. You may not have lied but you omitted. A hell of a lot. And there is no way in hell I am okay with your ex sleeping in your bed. I don’t think I’m even okay with you being close friends, or her coming over when you knew I wasn’t going to be there. You never told me about the strip club. Makes me think maybe there is more you’re hiding from me!”

“Layla, there is nothing going on between us! This whole insecure act you’re pulling, isn’t fucking cute!”

“Don’t put this shit on me!” I croak.

“Fuck. Come on, let’s go home, we can talk more on the way.” He starts grabbing my things and packing them in my bag.

“I’m not going anywhere with you!” I yell.

“Yes, you fucking are. I will carry you to the car if I have to.” His tone tells me he means it.

“Go to hell, Chase!” I say bitterly.

“Are you going to be a coward then? Afraid of going to your own house?” he raises his eyebrow in challenge.

I go silent, thinking through my options. I’m devising a plan, when I’m lifted off my feet and thrown over his shoulder.

“Don’t squirm or I will make a scene.” That shuts me up. My mother instilled in me to be a lady, unfortunately, public spectacles weren’t something I wanted to be a part of.

When we get into the hotel foyer, he gently puts me down. He checks out for me, and charges the bill to his card. He tells me to leave my car here; he will get an employee to drive it home. Probably a stripper. As soon as we get in the car I start questioning him.

“Why was she in your bed?” My voice is hoarse.

“We were all partying together. She was tired and drunk, so she asked if she could crash. I was going to sleep on the couch.” He sounds like he actually thinks he did nothing wrong.

“So if an ex-boyfriend of mine came over and I told him to sleep in my bed, that’s okay? You went psycho over me massaging your brother! You can’t have double standards!” His hands tighten on the steering wheel as I mention another man in my bed. Hypocrite much.

“That’s entirely different, Layla. No man will ever be in your bed except me, so no point talking hypothetically.”

Argh! Unbelievable. “This double standard crap is not fair, Chase! How is it okay for another woman to be in your bed, but not for another man to be in mine? Imagine how I feel right now!” I take a deep breath.

“You’re right. I fucked up Layla,” he admits.

“You had a woman sitting in your freaking lap! Is that the standard you are setting for our relationship? So I’m allowed to go sitting in other men’s laps?” I hiss.

“Don’t play games with me, Layla. A woman sat in my lap yes, but I moved her off it!” he growls.

“Yeah, after like, half an hour!” Okay it was more like thirty seconds, but whatever!

“Layla, now you’re just looking for reasons to get angry,” he hisses.

“I’m done, Chase. You hurt me. I’m not going to blindly just give you that power again.”

“Then I will earn it. You’re mine baby. And I’m yours. I can’t even explain it. We just... fit. I knew it then, and I know it now.”

The rest of the ride is silent, there is nothing I can say, that he won’t have an answer too. The man should have become a damn lawyer. I think about the whole thing with Ryder. It explains why Chase wanted me so much instantly, because he’s been interested since the first time he saw me. I mentally chastise myself for thinking that it is romantic. He carries my bag inside and puts it in my room. I walk into the lounge room to find James and Kade watching Supernatural. Awesome! They both look happy to see me. I squeeze onto the couch in between each of them and eat some of James’s popcorn. Chase walks in, frowns, starts to open his mouth but thinks better of it, so he sits on the chair by himself. I can feel his eyes on me and not the television. He is sulking, in his own manly way. Any other time I would have laughed.

My phone starts to ring, and I know instantly it’s Ryder by the ring tone, which is ‘Lightning Crashes’, one of his favorite songs.

“Hey Ry.” I greet. I can feel three pairs of eyes on me, and the air in the room getting a little heavier.

“Hey, baby girl. Is everything okay? If you don’t want to stay there you can always come stay with me, okay,” he says, his words rushed.

“I’m okay, Ryder,” I say softly.

“How long have you and Chase been together?”

I sigh. “A few months, I guess.”

I hear him mutter “That fucking bastard,” and I can’t help my lip twitching a little.

“I appreciate you looking out for me, Ryder, but I’m not a little girl anymore, I can handle myself. I know you feel protective of me over what happened with Kyle, but you can’t go around punching everyone who hurts me.” I had totally forgotten about my audience when I let that line slip. I can see Chase’s fists curled in tight balls, and I avoid any eye contact with him.

“I know, I know,” he grumbles, “Just, call me if you need anything, okay? Anything. I wanted to come over, but the band is coming over to practice.”

“Okay Ry. I love you,” I say in a tender tone.

“Alright Layla.”

We hang up. I’ve only just clicked the button when all three of them pounce.

“Who the fuck is Kyle?” Growls Kade.

“Who hurt you?” James is almost yelling, which is very unusual for him. His control is usually impenetrable.

“What happened Layla? I will fucking kill this bastard with my bare hands!” Chase booms.

All these three sentences were said at the same time. I address Chase’s comment first. “So, only you’re allowed to hurt me?” I say spitefully. I instantly regret the low blow when I see the look on his face. He looks pained, his gaze dropping to his fists. I clear my throat. I can see Kade and James both looking at me with disappointment. Ah, hell. “Just my ex, he cheated on me and what not. Ryder found out, and completely lost it.”

James asks for the assholes full name. Kade grins like he loves James idea. Those two! Chase is staring at me silently, like he is seeing me in a new light, and I know exactly what he is thinking. But Chase is not paying for Kyle’s mistakes. Hell, Kyle was not serious at all, just some guy I was seeing in high school. We all return our gazes to the television and eventually I fall asleep against James’ shoulder.

Chapter Eighteen

I wake up some time later, to the guys arguing. James must have moved me, because I was now alone.

“Why did you even invite her to the fucking party then, Chase?” That was Kade.

“She comes to every party! I mentioned it and she said she wanted to come because she hasn’t seen any of us in ages. And we are friends, there is nothing romantic between us, but that doesn’t mean I just cut her out of my life. I’m the one who brought her to Australia. I can’t just leave her to fend for herself now. But fuck, I didn’t even think. I’m not exactly used to having to explain my actions to anyone, or having a woman I intend to keep permanently. I didn’t think about Layla’s feelings. I fucked up okay!!”

“Why the fuck are you still taking care of her? She’s a grown ass woman and not your responsibility.” Kade growls. “What happened was fucked up Chase, we all know it. We all felt it. But it’s been a year. Why are you still putting up with her shit?” Hmm, I wonder what he’s talking about.

“She’s a fucking friend!” Chase is getting defensive.

“She’s a fucking blood sucker!” That comment was made by James.

Kade murmurs in agreement.

“I won’t be inviting her anywhere from now on, don’t worry. It was a mistake. Layla is my priority now and I’m not going to do anything to mess it up.”

“You still have to deal with her at work, and she’s so high maintenance, she’s just going to be a bitch on purpose now, to try and get your attention.”

“I know, fuck. I should just cancel the show. We can get another act; it’s not a big deal. Her regulars might be pissed, but I can’t help that.” Chase replies. Chase’s phone beeps, and he curses. “Speaking of the devil. Problems at the club. Already, for fuck sake. If it’s Aubrey, I’m gonna be fucking pissed.”

I open the door and walk over to them.

“Baby, you’re awake.” His voice softens when he talks to me, and I hate that I love it.

“If you’re going to Heat, you are taking me with you.” I can see a muscle in his jaw tick, and his lips and pursed together.

“No way in hell are you going in there babe, but nice try.” I stand up straighter, crossing my arms over my chest.

“What’s the big deal? Unless you are hiding something else?” James and Kade exit the room. Smart men, those two.

Chase considers, and then says, “I’ll take you on one condition. You promise not to leave this house, threatening to move out again. You see something you don’t like, we fucking deal with it. Together. No running.”

“I promise I won’t run. I don’t have anywhere to run to! But we are over Chase, we aren’t a couple. I can’t deal with this, all the women, all the drama, I’m just going to get hurt, over and over again. We can only be friends.” It hurts so damn much.

“Friends?” he spits the word out with venom. “As long as we are exclusive friends and no one else is touching you, you can label me however you want. Get dressed we will leave in twenty.”

“We aren’t together, so it’s none of your business who I let touch me. You need to understand that Chase,” I say in a heated tone.