Chasing Me (22 page)

Today, though, I won’t be lounging around with my favorite little princess. I will be in a studio, recording a duet with Hunter. The song that started off as some lyrics Hunter had worked up has turned into a merging of the three guys’ minds. Aiden, Gray, and Hunter are all working hard to make sure the lyrics are flawless. I’ve only seen pieces of the song. Hunter has forbid me to see anything other than my verse and the chorus. Just as I knew they would be, the lyrics I’ve seen are amazing. My nerves have been a constant mix of excitement and fear of being part of something bigger than me.

Today is also the start of is my plan with Cam to get Daisy. Having no desire to pay for her spa day, we are going big. Making her fall for something isn’t going to be easy, but with the added stress of the baby, the record, and the media… I’m sure hoping to catch her off guard.

I enter the dining room where everyone, including Katheryn, is in eating the big breakfast Daisy cooked this morning. Henry’s bedtime bud has been spending nearly every night here. Yeah, he seems happy and we all want that for him, but something is off. Maybe it’s because I don’t like her, I don’t know. All I do know is none of us really trust her. Except Big Man, who has now given her the code to the gate so she can come and go as she pleases.

Taking my seat between Jasmine and Hunter, I start fixing my plate. The thought of going to the studio eats away at my stomach, making it hard for me to eat more than a few bites. “You
still
not feeling well, Chase?” Cam asks, with a wink.

“I’m fine, my stomach is just really churning again this morning.” I reply, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.

Daisy’s head snaps up, taking our bait: hook, line, and sinker. “Are you getting a bug Chase?” She asks, buttering a piece of toast.

“No, I’m sure it’s nothing serious, I’ll be fine in a bit.”

Jasmine’s eyes snap to mine. “Bugs are gross.” Her nose scrunching up as she talks, “Bits ate a worm yesterday.” She adds, proudly, before tossing a piece of bacon to the floor.

“Jasmine, don’t feed him the
real
bacon.” Hunter scolds, reaching past me to move her plate back from the edge of the table. “Give him your eggs or somethin’.”

“I’m surprised you let anyone have any of that bacon anyway.” Henry chuckles, smothering his eggs in hot sauce. “Guess the kid has you wrapped around her finger.”

“You’re learnin’ to share, Hunter.” Aiden teases, throwing a sausage link at Hunter. “I’m so proud of you honey.”

Hunter shrugs in-between bites of bacon, “I got somethin’ right here for you to share, cockclown.”

Daisy and Cam giggle, while I avoid the conversation. I know better than to argue with the man over his meat. “So, Jasmine, you gonna be okay here with just Mack, Cam, and Daisy?” I ask, changing the subject.

“I’ve got coffee with my friends this morning, but I can come back if you want.” Katheryn says, all talking and joking ceases immediately.

“No, I vote Henry’s tow hitch gets a time out.” Mack snaps irritably. “I’ve had to listen to that screamin’ shit for weeks now.”

“Aw, quit your whining. It’s not like I need a thumbs up from you anyway.” Henry teases, making Katheryn giggle.

“Seriously, I don’t mind.” Katheryn offers again.

“No, we’re good.” Daisy mutters. “No need for you to hang around or anything, it’s not like Henry will be here anyway.”

“Everything we do isn’t about sex, perverts.” Henry grumbles.

“You wouldn’t know that from all the damn screamin’.” Aiden chuckles, everyone else nodding and voicing their agreement.

“It should be a rule that no one talks about their sex lives when I’m not supposed to have one.” Mack huffs. “That shit won’t have me givin’ you a thumbs up, dickhead; it’ll get you the finger.”

“Well, if you’re ready to go.” Big Man says, pushing to his feet. “I think it’s time to act like little Henry in there.” He says pointing to Daisy’s belly. “And head out.”

“Little what?” Daisy asks, covering her belly. “Big Man, we haven’t even…” She starts backtracking. With everything getting so hectic neither Daisy, nor Grayson, felt the time was right to spill the beans.

“Oh cut the shit.” Henry chuckles. “It’s a boy and we all know it. Grayson has a little extra ‘conceited cock’ in his step lately. No doubt he’s proud the soldiers marched in and took care of business.”

Gray’s face lights up with a shit eating grin, completely letting the cat out of the bag. “I woulda been happy with a girl, too.” He says defensively, when Daisy gives him an evil eye.

“Get out of here you bunch of dicks.” Cam huffs playfully. “No offense Chase.”

“None takin’, I don’t think.” I reply, tilting my head at her. “Maybe Hunter will be the only one havin’ girls; only time will tell.” I say, sweetly kissing Jazzie on top of the head before leaving the room and walking outside to the ‘Burban. Daisy’s harsh intake of breath makes me want to fist pump victoriously, but I don’t. Not yet.

Hunter catches up to me, wrapping his arm around my waist. “You know she’s gonna kill you when she finds out you’re jerkin’ her hormonal chain?”

Stopping at the side of the ‘Burban, Hunter presses me against the door. “You’ll protect me.” I whisper, leaning in to press my lips to his. His lips part, his tongue dancing erotically against mine. My nerves about singing forgotten while I let the passion in his kiss consume me. I’m trying to stay satisfied with the unspoken between us. Not rushing him to say things he’s not ready for, I want them to come because he wants to say them. Not out of force, or obligation. The words flow freely from me, both to him and Jasmine.

My feelings continue to deepen for Hunter. Not just for him though, my attachment to Jasmine is growing too. I just don’t see her as Hunter’s daughter. Ever since the night she locked herself in the bathroom, I’ve seen her as ours. I’m tied to her; not by blood, but by love. It’s so much stronger than any blood bond in my mind.

“You ‘bout done?” Aiden asks, clearing his throat. “Or do you need a condom?”

Pulling back, Hunter grins. “Let’s go make some music, babe.”

Once we all climb into the ‘Burban, Henry follows Katheryn’s truck out of the drive. “Mack said your boomerang pussy is more like a fuckin’ rock. A chick has to actually leave in order to keep comin’ back.” Hunter teases. When Henry raises his shades to glare at Hunter in the mirror, he winces. “Hey, his words not mine. Now that I’m off the bitch buffet, I’m trainin’ Big Mack to be my replacement.”

“Big Mack?” I laugh, holding my stomach. “Oh please tell me he’s not using that!”

“Of course he is,” Gray says from the front seat. “He told this chick at the grocery store that his name is ‘Big Mack but what he’s carryin’ is a helluva whopper’.”

All of us laugh at the crazy pickup lines Mack is using to get hand jobs while grabbing cookies and bacon. “Does it work?” I ask curiously. “I mean, seriously, women aren’t falling for that shit are they?”

“You’d be shocked how easily he makes the panties drop, and in public! The stories are one thing, but he takes pictures too.” Aiden groans, rubbing his palms against his eyes. “Who knew there were sluts in the produce section?”

Hunter raises his hand. “I did. Hello, there are bananas and cucumbers in the produce section. Ooomp.” He groans when I elbow him in the ribs. “What, some chicks dig that kinky shit.”

“I’m surrounded by morons. Just when I thought you three were settling down, you go and corrupt Mack.” Henry says shaking his head. “One day one of you will end up on the news. ‘Breaking story at the hospital. Drive-by banana shafting.’” Even with Henry being mostly serious, I can’t hold back my laugh. “Just don’t call me when he goes full Cunter. I’m gettin’ too old for this shit and some things you can’t un-see.”

“Like blowjobs next to the deli specials.” Gray jokes, making Aiden curse under his breath. “Mack is ‘Cunter, the next generation.’ New, but far from improved.”

“I say we pimp him out to strip clubs on the weekends.” Hunter suggests. “Redheads are in season. You think I was popular on the pole, he would make a fortune.”

“Redheads are in season? You talk about him like he’s a handbag.” Rolling my eyes, I slap his arm. Sure, Mack drops those little one-liners like Hunter, but he’s so sweet. It’s hard to picture him going full Cunter in the middle of a supermarket.

“You’re so feisty this morning, Tiger Lily.” Hunter purrs grabbing my arm. Turning in the seat, he pulls me against him. Hunter continues to speak, his breath tickling across my skin. “Don’t worry, you’re my favorite redhead.”

“No sex in the ‘Burban!” Henry shouts, slamming on the brakes to keep from running a red light, making me shift in the seat. “That includes sexual acts of any kind. Sonuvabitch, it’s like handlin’ a daycare.” He bitches to the windshield when the light turns green. “Keep your hands to yourself, children. Fuck me; I’m switchin’ places with the horndog. I’ll gladly stay with the kid and the ladies. Tea parties and dog shit clean-up would be better than your crazy asses talkin’ about Mack’s spunk mixin’ with the produce.”

“Another reason why I’m a proud member of the no veggies club, assholes.” Hunter nods, pulling me against him. “Bacon could never be so easily tainted.”

The minute Henry pulls into the parking lot, the atmosphere in the ‘Burban changes. All joking is gone, it’s game time. Even Hunter’s vibe changes, letting me see how focused the guys are. This is not just fun for them; it’s about making their record the absolute best it can be. It only intensifies walking into the studio.

A guy with spiked blonde hair stands from a rolling chair to greet us. “So, this is the lady behind that voice?” Reaching out, he shakes my hand. “‘Bout time I get to meet the Tiger Lily.”

“Chase,” I reply, a bit uncomfortable being called Tiger Lily by anyone other than Hunter.

“Chase,” He repeats before jerking his chin at the guys. “You’re a nice change from lookin’ at them all day.”

“Get your ass on that mixer and run the track for her Ben.” Hunter barks, coming up behind me. “She’s here to sing with me, not for you to drool over.”

Ben holds his hands up in surrender. “Sure, sure.” Holding the door open, he gestures us inside. “Now I’ve set the box up just like we talked about, Hunter. You two will sing facing each other so we can feel that chemistry.” He says while I take in the space. Two mics set up facing each other, but several feet from each other.

“Wouldn’t it be ideal to sing separately and then blend it together?” I ask. “Clearly, we don’t want our voices echoing off the other’s mic.”

“That’s what these are for.” Ben explains running his hand along some board looking things set up behind the mics. “Absorbers.” He clarifies. “We use these to minimize spill on to the other mic. There won’t be any bounce back.”

“Alright, then let’s do this.” Hunter says, giving a nod through the glass at Aiden, Gray, and Henry. “Grab the cans, Tiger Lily.” He says gesturing to the headphones beside me as he grabs his own.

Ben walks out, closing the door behind him, taking his place in front of the window. Once Hunter and I are set up at our mics, music starts filling my ears through the headphones. Grayson’s riffs are flawless, unmistakable. Aiden’s merciless attack on his kit pounding out a harsh beat mixing with Hunter’s bass line seamlessly.

“Unafraid of what darkness lies inside,

You’ve fought the dragons to get to me.”

He sings meeting my eyes. That raspy voice washes over me, making my heart jump. The room feels like it’s closing in, it’s just us. Even though I know everyone is watching, listening just feet away, I soak up every word. Tears well up in my eyes while I listen to the part of the song he wasn’t ready for me to hear until now.

“
Broken, just existing.

The mask I wear couldn’t hide my heart from you.

It’s been yours from the start, no more resisting.

Holding back from you is wrong, but those words I could say just aren’t enough.

Let me love you with a song.”

Hunter’s voice never falters, singing the words to me, breaking any barrier of doubt left in my mind. He is giving me something so much stronger than just three words: a song. Our song.

Taking a breath, I prepare to sing back to him. To give him my reply as if we were the only two people on Earth. My fingers grip the stool behind me in an attempt to steady myself. All the nerves flutter away knowing that Hunter is giving me more than just an opportunity here; this song is a piece of him that he’s giving to me.

Revelations

Hunter

“
It’s in every note, every word that carries from my heart to yours.”
Chase sings, pouring her damn soul into the words. The words flow from that beautiful mouth of hers, making my hands tremble. The look on her face while I sang was one I’ll never forget. Saying the words wouldn’t have meant half as much as singing them to her did. Singing them with her, I should say. My first ‘I love you’ to Chase will be recorded forever and performed over and over.

“
Can you feel my heart beat baby?

It only beats your name.