Emma's POV “I literally thought it was gonna be farther than this.” Casey's apartment was about ten minutes from mine. We walked the whole distance in silence. I was too nervous to bring something up, but I doubt that was the same thing for her. “I'm sorry in advance for whatever you're gonna be seeing in there.” She said, and I chuckled a bit. Casey was effortlessly funny. “You can still turn back now, I'm serious.” “No, Casey. I wanna spend the day with you.” I confirmed. I expected her to take out her keys and unlock, but she went straight for the door knob instead. “Here goes…” “Hi Emma.” I heard the last voice I expected to hear, the very last voice. “Why didn't you tell me?” I asked Casey. “I literally just met you. How do y'all know each other?” I asked again. I had so many questions, but I was gonna be taking it one after the other. “I'm sorry, Emma. I've gotta explain, please come in.” She said, “Your house doesn't even have as many colors as you mad
Emma's POV “I literally thought it was gonna be farther than this.” Casey's apartment was about ten minutes from mine. We walked the whole distance in silence. I was too nervous to bring something up, but I doubt that was the same thing for her. “I'm sorry in advance for whatever you're gonna be seeing in there.” She said, and I chuckled a bit. Casey was effortlessly funny. “You can still turn back now, I'm serious.” “No, Casey. I wanna spend the day with you.” I confirmed. I expected her to take out her keys and unlock, but she went straight for the door knob instead. “Here goes…” “Hi Emma.” I heard the last voice I expected to hear, the very last voice. “Why didn't you tell me?” I asked Casey. “I literally just met you. How do y'all know each other?” I asked again. I had so many questions, but I was gonna be taking it one after the other. “I'm sorry, Emma. I've gotta explain, please come in.” She said, “Your house doesn't even have as many colors as you mad
Chase’s POV “How are you today?” Kayla asked me. We were gonna be taking the same classes for a semester. “Good, thank you.” I answered “You're really still gonna be the cold, standoffish bug I met a week ago?” She asked, hands on her hips. Kayla's fashion sense is what I'd consider lazy, but she was a really pretty lady. “Just maybe because you're a nasty person?” I retorted. “Come on, that was over three months ago.” I said. “And you're revolutionized since then?” I asked her, sarcastically. “Yeah, actually. Kevin is no more the miserable cunt he was then, mission accomplished.” She was beginning to irritate the fuck outta me. I was emotionally finished, exhausted. “The fact that we both major in biochemistry doesn't mean you have to talk to me.” I replied. “I dont care about you, seriously, and I cannot be bother to give half a fuck about your brother. I seriously do not hold anything against you two, I just wanna be left the fuck alone.” I said. “Its h
Chase's POV “Doughnuts do not always fix stuff.”Kayla said after sinking her pretty white teeth into a fat chocolate glazed ball. “They help you feel better.” I replied to her. “I got them on my way back yesterday, felt bad I left you out there like that, figured it was the best thing to apologize with.” I rapped. I've ever really been too expressive with my emotions, being with Emma taught me that. Seeing Emma in every girl was holding me back from wanting to be with, or even talk to one. “You've gotta realize that not every girl is that way.” Kayla said, looking into the box of three untouched doughnuts, and about six that she'd bitten into, “There's no point to anything if you think me to be her.” “That's not it.” I denied, I didn't believe it, and I knew she didn't either, “I'm sorry.” I've had to apologize to many fucking times over the past few weeks,, I didn't even know if I could do any right. “You don't have to be.” Kayla said, really looking at me for the f
Emma's POV “That was a really dumb move you pulled yesterday.” I said to Casey, as she dropped into the seat next to me, late as usual. “I admit.” She concurred. “Kevin and I talked about it yesterday, and he said he was half scared you were gonna bring the wrong person.” I laughed at the memory of it. “I was extra careful.” Casey bragged, “plus your friend said she was gonna be bothering you with video calls. All I had to do was look for a new girl, holding her phone up in a certain way, I even got screenshots” She laughed. “Really?!” I asked, shocked. I haven't talked to Lily since then. She said she was gonna call me, but I guess the time difference and her schedule was messing her up. “I really be making the worst choices in picking friends.” I murmured to myself. “That means I'm staying?” She asked, excited. “Just don't pull stupid shit on me like that, ever, again.” I warned. “It's the last of the last.” Casey said solemnly, offering me her pinky. We cross
Chase's POV “What did you do that for?” I asked Kayla as she retreated from me. I hated that my dick was responding to her against its own better judgment. “Really, Chase, what's the worst that could happen?” She asked again. “I don't know, maybe that?” I asked sarcastically. “Yes, and it has happened already. So please stop letting everything seem weird for the both of us.” Kayla left me to face my erring dick and went on her way. I hoped she wasn't gonna tell the sleazy monkeys with her why I stayed back. The girl was a dare-devil, one who clearly didn't understand the concept of boundaries. “Booze helps.” Kayla heavily lashed eye reconnected with mine as I took a seat at their table. “Why's he cold?” A girl to her right asked her. I wondered if she wanted me to hear or she just didnt know how to go lower. Kayla looked away and snubbed her. She looked at me a couple more times and I saw that I had almost begun to make her feel uneasy and uncomfortable, cause
Emma's POV “I'm sorry I'm behind on time.” Kevin said as he let himself in. I totally forgot to bolt my door, hopefully I don't get a lesson in that someday. “It's fine.” I replied to him. He didn't look as stressed as he sounded over the phone. “How was your day?” I asked, and stood up to get him a glass of water. *Who'd have thought?” He said as I got the water. “Thought what?” I asked him, surprised. “That we would be here, just under a year.” He completed, flashing his pretty white teeth at me. “Kevin, you don't have to be nice about what he did to you.” I finally broached the topic. “ “I'm not being nice.” He explained, “it's just unnecessary.” “No it isn't.” I objected. “I've gotta know what happened. I mean, I don't really want to, but it happened because of me.” I stuttered. “The world doesn't revolve around you, Emma.” He smiled and put a hand on mine on the counter top. “And even if it does, let it. Don't meddle.” “Kevin, things could've gone
Chase's POV “Don't do it.” Kayla said in a singsong voice, coming up from behind me. “Can't remember giving you that power over me.” I replied to her. Her mission was achieved,, I'd been distracted at least, and the swing was safe. “It's what friends are for.” She said proudly. I didn't like the fact that each time I looked at her, I had to be initially arrested by her boobs. “We aren't that yet.” I clarified. “Do you have a problem with me?” Kayla asked. “Please don't even try to make this about yourself.” I dismissed “Forgive me,” she said, “I kinda have to, seeing that you are not interested in whatever this is.” “What is ‘this’?” I asked, looking at her. These girls were all the same thing… “Chase, it'd be inhumane to say you don't see me as anything more than you see every other person.” She explained. I admired her resilience, and her courage. I actually wanted to make her chicken out. I didn't want to hear it, but since she said it, I guess we were
Emma's POV “We are both hurt. I think it's better we realize that and stop shaming the other person. Emma, you're just as damaged as I am.” Chase said. “That's not rocket science, Chase. Isn't this how you leave everyone you've been with?” I asked, “Broken and damaged?” “That's unfair, Em. You keep skipping the fact that there are always two sides to anything.” He replied to me. “You think I did, Chase?” I looked at him in his sinfully sexy blue eyes I still hadn't gotten an antidote to, not even the anger I felt, “All I did was allow you. I made you do all you did to me. In a way, I even enabled you.” “That's untrue, and you know it.” He replied to me. “I've talked about this, over and over. In my head and out of it, and it's still the same conclusion I reach.” I responded to him. “If ‘out of your head’ in any way refers to the bastard up there, I don't think I want to hear it.” I replied to her. “You've gotta get over yourself, Chase.” I said. “There's life
Chase's POV “You're still here, Em. It means you're interested.” I said. “I'm not comfortable here.” She said in a low voice. “I'd be in the garage, meet me there.” I said. “Maybe this is your time to show how low you regard me.” I let go of her hand which I had in mine, doing it both lightly and seductively. I knew I walked with such swagger, such essence that couldn't betray how scared I felt deep inside. Maybe she'd realize that I wasn't worth shit, and just go upstairs to meet her little boyfriend. I sat in my favorite of my dad's lot, the black mustang I saved Emma's ring in. That particular car had so many memories. I wanted to be in. I checked the time on my Patek, it was a few minutes to midnight. The estate gate was gonna be locked by 00:00, and if I couldn't make it out by then, I'd be stuck with Em and that bastard. 23:53, I had begun to get antsy. It'd be really unfortunate if I left, and Em eventually came down. I kept telling myself to calm down and b
Emma's POV “Can I trust you?” I asked Chase. I was mentally drained. Having played the good daughter throughout the anniversary, I wanted to catch my breath. Little did I know I had just been walking straight into Chase’s arms. “You know you can, Em.” He said, enthusiastically. “I'd hold your secret against me, Em. I wouldn't even tell myself.” His eyes mirrored mine, tired, hunger of the soul, and exhaustion. I couldn't believe that it was the same person who acted like I didn't exist last night. “I don't know where I stand with Kevin, really.” I said what I'd forbidden myself to. I made a deal with my mind to never say it. Just so I didn't believe it. The more I said something, the more I was forced to believe. “Start from the point where you left me, Em. I want to know it all.” He said, looking downI hated when Chase had that pensive look on his face. It felt like he was just a slight provocation away from murder. “After us,” I started, my mind was a bit foggy
Chase's POV “What did you do that for?!” Emma yelled after landing me a slap to the cheek. “I already said I wasn't gonna let you go.” I replied stubbornly. “Chase, my arm is hurting.” She cried, referring to the arm I'd been holding. I felt like a nasty person. Maybe it was the universe providing answers to the question I'd asked so many times, “Am I not good enough for her?” Well, I now knew I was too violent, too relentless, too impulsive, I rarely rethought my decisions, I bent everything to my will, things had to suit me, always. And those were all the things Emma stood against. “Emma, I'm a damaged guy, and I know it's really not your job to fix me. I'm a sorry project who should've belonged to my late mom and my dad who's now a happily remarried man. I get it. No one wants a project. But this is me swearing that I'd never hurt you, Em. I've learned. I do better for myself these days.” I said, frantically. Emma was rubbing her arm where I grabbed her, a sorry rem
Chase's POV. “It's not good that I'm too close to you, Chase.” Emma cried. Her eyes were already tearing up, and her face wet. Her rosy cheeks were beginning to peek from beneath the light make-up. “Why, Emma?” I asked her, letting my mouth say all the things my heart felt. “Am I so bad?” I asked. “I never said anything like that.” She answered. “So what is it?” I asked, exhausted. “Why do you want to be away from me so bad? Why do you treat me with such a long spoon? You can't deny missing me, Em. I see it in your eyes. What is holding you back?” I dared reach for her trembling hands, and she didn't pull away. It was a good thing. “Chase, I just still find it so hard to process. I'd rather think about things that hurt me, than process the whole thing. The past year has been the most tumultuous part of my life yet. I'm so fucking drained, I just need peace.” She said, “And you think that description doesn't fit me.”I asked, against my better reasoning. I then remi
Chase’s POV“I didn't think you'd be here.” She said,“I could say the same.” I replied to her Emma was the last person I thought who'd want to catch a break from the ceremony.She was at the center of it all, and really did well at her job of role playing a perfect daughter.“It's too much.” She replied with a low voice.“What is?” I asked, clearing my throat. “The atmosphere.” She explained, kicking the grass in her stilettos. Her legs looked like they must've been hurting. “Here.”I gave way for her to sit on her favorite swing. I could never take that away from her. “Thank you.” Emma was being her generic self, the side that she showed everyone else. Shy and contained. But I didn't like that. I liked that Emma I fell for, headlong. “It's nothing to Chase’s POV “I didn't think you'd be here.” She said, “I could say the same.” I replied to her Emma was the last person I thought who'd want to catch a break from the ceremony. She was at the center of it all, and really
Chase's POV I wished I could remain busy throughout the day. A time to rest meant a time to think. I was under the same roof as Emma, like I'd been wanting, but we were yet so far apart. The flowers were an ill thought decision, but I had to do something. Being in the same house with Emma for over three days was beginning to mess with my mental health. “You shouldn't have done that.” I said to myself. If only Emma had kept it a family thing and didn't have that one over, things would have been a lot easier. I intentionally left a note out of the flower delivery, but I knew she recognised the sender, irregardless. Before I knew it,my 5:30 alarm went off, and I had to throw on my tux as fast as I could. It'd be great if my dad and Linda got down to a full audience waiting for them. It was a really big deal for my dad, so big he had made arrangements for his helicopter to pick them both at ten o'clock. Linda was wearing a slick floor length satin dress in emerald green, paired
Emma's POVI decided to see my mom before the dinner. I didn't care if it was right or wrong, but I'd barely seen her all through the day and I was dying to know how she was holding up. Maybe an escape for myself was the other motive, but primarily, I wanted to know how she was doing. “Hey mom.” I said, pushing her door open. It almost felt like it was her wedding all over again. Mark was going all out. And I didn't know why it had to be that big for a guest list of just sixteen people. “This is a lot.” I smiled. “It is.” I saw the woman beneath all the makeup, hair glam, and accessories. She was still just my mom. “Can I have a moment with my daughter please?” She referred to everyone else in the room who wasn't me, and they, by my rough headcount, were about eight. “We can spare only about half an hour.” A kind lady who looked like she was in her thirties said, She had an outrageous makeup done. While it looked good, edgy, classy on her, I hope that wasn't gonna be my
Emma's POV. “You were gonna go in.” He said, looking away. “I was.” I replied, unshifting. He no longer had the courage to stare me down, and I no longer had the will to leave, “MIT looks good on you.” He said. “Thank you.” I smiled, “I could say the same for you.” “I see you've made new friends, well old ones,but you know…” He said. I chuckled within myself. Who'd have known that I could make the bad boy Chase unsure about me? “Yeah, I had no choice.” I murmured. “Uhm, how are you?” I asked, just out of courtesy, I told myself. I thought being brave and bold was gonna make me indestructible by him, but I was beginning to come off as antagonistic, and I didn't like it. Deep down, in the corners of my heart I hoped Kevin would never see, Chase occupied it. I wanted for him to close the distance between us like he'd once done. To treat me like his own. I was getting a little teary, so I dug my freshly manicured nail into my palm, I wasn't gonna cry, I could not.