Page 36 of Chase

“I’m not sure why you haven’t flunked out of my class yet. That’s the only thing you need. Baby wipes clean everything,” he says walking away shaking his head.

“You’d miss me if I wasn’t here,” Arden yells back. He places his arms around both Yasmin and I and walks us over to the 2002 Ford Falcon we are doing a service on.

Chapter Thirteen

Yasmin

We fell into a routine this week both at school and at home. On the nights that Mumma Nat worked, we all hung out here. Julia even came over one night to have dinner and watch a movie with us. It was nice just being with everyone. Every morning, Chase and I take Daisy for a walk. Until bedtime, it’s the only alone time we get.

Ally is the only person who knows about it. I love all of Chase’s friends. I just like having this thing that is just ours.

I’m home alone at the moment, getting ready for the boys’ birthday party. Millie is already over at Chase’s house with Julia. They were excited for a sleep over and Julia was relieved she wouldn’t have to be home during the party.

Last night we all went to dinner so that Millie and Julia could celebrate Chase and Arden’s birthday. This morning Millie even made them pancakes for breakfast. She made me pancakes on my eighteenth birthday as well. It was the only thing I got besides a six-pack of beer from Smalls and a horrible hangover.

I miss Smalls. We’ve messaged through the week; I still miss talking to him. I unlock my phone, six p.m. Ally won’t be here for another 30 minutes. Plenty of time for a quick call to my bestie. Just as I think the call is going to ring out, he answers.

“Shorty, What’s up?”

“Hey Smalls. Just getting ready for Chase and Arden’s birthday party. I missed you.”

“I miss you too. Are you wearing the purple dress?” He knows me well.

“Of course I am; it has pockets,” I say as I shove my hand in my pocket and look in the mirror. My dress is a purple skater dress that sits mid thigh and hugs my chest before flaring out at the hips. I feel pretty and girlie in this dress. Smalls chuckles.

“How was dinner last night?” He asks. I can hear muffled voices and then a door closes, and it’s quiet.

“It was good. Ally came with a plus one. That pissed Rhys off. It was kind of amusing.”

“Doesn’t Rhys have a girlfriend?”

“Yeah, but I have a feeling it’s Ally that he really likes. Ashley is just a beard.”

“You do know that a beard is only used if he’s gay right?”

“Oh, shut up! You know what I mean.”

“What makes you think he likes her?”

“Last weekend he walked in on her mid romp. He threw the guy out of the house with his pants around is ankles. Ally yelled at him, said a girl has needs, she has an itch and the guy was scratching it. That just annoyed Rhys even more. He ignored her for most of the day. But I saw him looking at her.”

Smalls lets out a long laugh. “Wow. I think I need to meet Ally. She sounds like my type of girl.”

“Smalls…”

“I know I know. She’s your friend. I wouldn’t do that to you. But I do look forward to meeting her.”

“Have you heard from Amelie?’ I ask. I know he’s still upset by her being forced to leave. Even if nothing was ever going to happen between them.

“Yeah, she has a lot going on over there. Lot’s of attention from the opposite sex.”

“Are you okay?”

“I will be. We were never going to be able to be together. I just miss her being here. I lost both my favourite girls at once.”

“I know it’s hard. I’m sorry we had to leave. Dad’s still MIA. I need to talk to him about what Chase’s mum told me last weekend. I just haven’t seen him, and I don’t want to do it on the phone.”

“That’s understandable. Maybe have Chase on standby. You know what your Dad is like. He will need some time to cool off and it’ll be best if you and Millie aren’t there.”

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