Page 49 of Chase

“Holy shit,” I say around my mouthful of mash potato.

“Did everyone behave?” GW asks us.

“Ralph only had to send Ashley home. Ally and Yasmin got a little drunk and Arden got very drunk. But at least he made it to his bed this time,” Chase says.

“Good on you, you deserved to have some fun,” GW directs at me. “Ralph needs a bonus. That girl is trouble.”

“Agreed,” Chase and I say together. We need to talk about the whole Rhys and Ashley thing. There must be something we can do to help him. It’s not fair.

Once we’ve finished eating, Chase sends me back to bed to read while he cleans up.

He soon comes in and moves me so that I’m resting on his chest. I go to turn the Kindle off, but he stops me.

“Keep reading.” He picks up his phone and starts texting someone.

“I’m almost finished. Messaging Mum?” I ask, concerned that Nat still isn’t back.

“I just want to check in. I know she will be fine. Just want to make sure.” He kisses my head and then starts scrolling on his phone while I read. I could get used to this. The comfort and safety I feel while in his arms makes me smile.

“Arden says the girls are forcing him to watch High School Musical,” Chase says when I finally finish my book.

“As if they had to force him. His obsession with Gabriella is way over the top. He probably offered.”

Chase laughs. “You’re most likely right. He’ll be happy he has an excuse to watch it again.”

“Did you get to talk to Rhys last night? How is he?”

“We spoke briefly. The whole situation is fucked up. I feel like a shitty friend because like he said, I never asked him why he was with Ashley. I know I couldn’t stop it, but I could have supported him a little more.”

“You weren’t to know. I wasn’t expecting Rhys to answer. Honestly, I thought he hated me.”

“I don’t think he hated you. He was cautious. He knows we don’t let people in. You came in like a cyclone and knocked us all over.”

“It’s because I’m delightful right?” I ask.

“Yeah, we’ll go with that,” Chase says sarcastically. I smack his chest playfully.

“What is Rhys going to do?”

“I don’t know, but we will be there to support him in whatever way we can. We’ll find a way to get him out of it.”

“You know he and Ally like each other, right?”

“I didn’t until last night. Actually, I think I did. I just didn’t want to see it. I don’t want either of them to get hurt.”

“You have to let them make their own choices. You and Arden can’t force him to stay away.”

“We can while he is still with Ashley. Ally deserves to be more than the ‘other’ girl.”

“She does. Promise you’ll keep an open mind about it IF it comes up later?” I really want both Ally and Rhys to be happy. We just need to figure out a way for them to be happy together.”

“I’ll try.”

“That’s all I’m asking. I don’t want to go home,” I say my voice wavering. Chase has done a good job distracting me. I just can’t help thinking about Dad and what he said.

“You don’t have to. You can stay here as long as you want.” He lifts my chin and looks into my eyes before kissing me, making me temporarily forget all about Dad.

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