Page 69 of Chase

“Nah I’m all good. I’m going to hang here for a bit and then Ralph will come and get me,” He says as he makes his way out of the kitchen in the direction of the lounge room.

I rinse out my cup and look at my unanswered messages that I sent to Yasmin this morning.

Chase:I hope you managed to get some sleep

Chase:I missed you last night

Chase:Your pillow smells like you. It makes me miss you more

I know she’s seen them; the little tick tells me so. I don’t want to send her a message to tell her I’m leaving. Instead, I head out the back door and sit on the deck. I press call without even thinking.

I don’t expect her to answer. I plan to leave a voicemail. Really, I just want to hear her voice. I’ll take her voicemail message at this point.

Just when I think it’s going to ring out, the line connects.

There’s no sound on the other end.

“Yasmin?” I ask, not sure that she actually answered the call.

“Yeah I’m here,” she whispers.

“Sorry to bother you. I just wanted to call instead of message. I’m going to New Hope for a few days,” I explain.

“Oh... Okay,” she replies. There’s uncertainty in her voice, and it hurts me to hear it. I know she needs the space, but I don’t want her to think that I’m leaving because of what happened yesterday.

“I got asked to come in for a trial at Doc’s Body Shop. They want to offer me an apprenticeship, but they want to make sure that I’m the right fit for the shop,” I explain trying to ease her a little.

“Wow, that’s fantastic. When do you leave?” She asks. Her voice is sad and distant.

“Soon, Arden just dropped off his car. I’ll be back on Friday night.”

“Okay.” She says, her voice distant again.

“I’m not going to stop messaging you Yasmin. Being away from you hurts. But I’m doing this for us. I’m giving you the space you need and I’m setting up our future. I’m not going anywhere. No matter how hard you push,” I say, meaning every single word. I’m not letting her run away.

Well, not letting her run away for long.

“Thank you, Chase,” she says, and I hear her voice break. I know she’s crying.

“I wish I could hold you.” I don’t even think about the words before they leave my mouth.

“I wish you could as well. Be patient with me please.” She sobs.

“Always. I’ll let you know when I get to the hotel. I’m only a phone call away Yasmin. Call me whenever you feel like it.”

“Okay. Drive safe.”

“I will,” I say and hang up the phone. If I stay on there any longer, I won’t be leaving for New Hope. I’ll be banging down her door.

I say my goodbye to Arden and leave, glancing over at her house on my way out of the driveway.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Yasmin

Dad stayed true to his word. He spent Sunday with us, only disappearing to go get groceries.

He cooked dinner, watched movies with us and even asked me questions about my diabetes. I explained that Arden had arranged for the sensor to be put in and how much it has helped me monitor everything.

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