Page 17 of Chase

“Nah, Arden has it covered and Rhys’ mum is the principal. I’ll make sure your dad doesn’t find out.”

“Thank you, Chase.” She grabs her phone out of her pocket and I assume she is texting her sister. I start the short drive home.

By the time I pull up in my driveway, she’s already asleep. Not wanting to wake her, I go and unlock the back door before going back to the car. Picking her up again, I bury my nose in her hair and let the smell of strawberries and cream ease some of my tension.

I walk her into the house, down the hall and place her on my bed. Pulling the covers up over her, I kiss her forehead again and then move around my room finding clothes to get changed into. I check the time and follow Arden’s order. I check her sugar levels again. 6.3.

Chase:6.3

His reply is instant.

Arden:It’s better, but it should be higher because of the glucose injection. Check again in an hour.

Chase:Thank you.

Arden:No need to thank me, it’s what we do for family.

Chase:We don’t know her. How is she family already?

I know I can be honest with Arden.

Arden:The minute you guys eye fucked in the parking lot we all knew she was going to be family. You don’t let people in. But you did with her. That’s how we knew. When you know, you know. Don’t question it, just go with it.

I let his words sink in.

Chase:When the fuck did you become Yoda?

Arden:Ha Ha. Go and cuddle her, she needs it.

Arden:Everything is sorted. Ally will pick up Millie.

Arden:I’m making Rhys come to the shop with me for supplies and then we will head over.

Arden:Are you at your place? Or hers? Let me know the address if you are at hers.

I’m still baffled at how much Arden really does have this covered. It’s nice to see my best friend act like an adult. Arden is also the type of person to send five messages instead of one. Either that or he will call.

Chase:We are at mine. Mum is working a double and GW is at golf. She doesn’t want to go home. Her dad doesn’t know about the diabetes.

Arden:What the fuck??? How does he not know??

Chase:No idea, but I plan on sticking around to find out.

It’s the first time I have indicated that I’m keeping her.

Arden:Good because she is one of us now. Look after her.

Chase:Will do.

I do exactly as Arden suggests and crawl into bed beside her. She rolls over as if drawn to me in her sleep and cuddles up in my arms. I hold her close and just let us be. Its nice, she fits as if she was made just for me.

In order to not fall asleep I unlock my phone again and start researching diabetes, learning all I can about it. I don’t know what type she is, but I arm myself with all the information I will need to be there for her.

Chapter Seven

Yasmin

I take my time opening my eyes. I can smell Chase everywhere. The events of the afternoon crash into me all at once. I must be in his room. Leaning into his pillow I inhale deeply, allowing his smell to calm me. A small chuckle beside me startles me. I was just busted smelling his pillow. How did I not know he was there?