Page 6 of Chase

She wipes her hands on the tea towel and looks around the kitchen. “I thought dad was taking me?” I hear the hope in her voice. It kills me.

“Sorry Mills, he got caught up at work. You get me instead.”

Her eyes drop to the ground. Although it’s brief, disappointment flashes cross her face.

“Hey, so I was thinking we could go and get a hot chocolate after your soccer try-out this afternoon and then come home and have a High School Musical marathon. I’ll even make brownies.”

She lifts her head and I catch her wiping away a tear. “Are you sure? I know we still have plenty of unpacking to do.” It breaks my heart. She is just a kid. She shouldn’t have to carry so much of the world on her shoulders. I walk up to her and pull her in for a hug.

“Of course I’m sure. We can even watch the singalong version. I’m sorry Mills.”

“It’s okay. I know you tried; can we maybe do the girlie night on Friday? To sort of celebrate making it through the first week.” She pulls away and walks out of the kitchen.

“It’s a date. Ready to do this?”

“Just give me a sec to grab my bag and then I’ll be ready to go.” She recovers quickly and moves on from the disappointment that Dad caused.

I check Daisy’s food and water before I head out to warm up the car.

The drive to school is short but Millie bops along to the music playing on Wander’s speakers. Smalls installed a kickass sound system in her for me. I love my car even more because I helped restore her. For a while it was great spending time learning from Dad, but then Smalls had no problem taking over and teaching me what I needed to know when Dad started flaking.

I pull into a parking space at the back of the lot, away from people and other cars. I’m the most introverted extrovert you’ll meet. I like being around people when it’s people I like and am comfortable with. Otherwise I don’t like people. Crowds freak me out.

Here goes nothing. When I put Wander in park, Millie turns to me. “Do you mind if I go and catch up with the coach? I want to meet her before this afternoon?”

“Of course, go. I want to read some of my book.”

“Are you still reading the book about the goat?” Millie may not be a reader, but she’ll always listen to me talk about whatever book I’m reading.

“Yep, I’m pretty sure Marshy is about to get goat napped.”

She giggles. “Okay well you can fill me in over hot chocolate this afternoon.”

“Deal.”

She leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek before getting out of the car. She walks across the car park and once I can no longer see her, I take a deep breath and close my eyes. An image of Chase flashes in my mind and I smile.

Here goes nothing.

Chapter Three

Chase

I’m quiet on the drive to school. Rhys had to pick me up because something happened with Arden and he didn’t have time to get me. Usually Arden stays at my house, but last night he decided to go home and I’m glad because otherwise he would’ve been with me this morning when Daisy and Yasmin showed up.

I haven’t been able to get the image of Yasmin out of my head.

Travelling with Rhys is fine. It gives me time to think because he isn’t one for small talk. I gaze out the window and think about her. I was coming back into the house after working out in the garage.

Her adorable Labrador came right up to me waiting for pats. The moment she came around the corner I froze. I continued to pat the dog, but I slowly took her in. She must be new because I’ve never seen her before, but at the same time, she was so familiar.

I close my eyes and lean my head against the car window, imagining her standing there in her Disney princess pjs, looking adorable with messy hair piled on top of her head and an oversize hoodie swallowing her body.

I instantly felt drawn to her. The minute her blue eyes latched on to mine I saw everything.

I saw her hurt and anger, the sadness, and the pain.

Some of the emotions in her eyes are ones I recognise.

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