Page 31 of The Save

The knocking started up again, more insistent this time. I dropped the phone back on the receiver and ran for the door. I flicked the dead bolt and turned the handle.Damn it, if that was Garrett I was going to?—

The blood drained from my face.

Chase was out of breath, his sweatshirt sleeves shoved up to his elbows, hair damp and curling at the edges. His mouth parted as his eyes dropped, sliding over my braless torso and bare thighs.

My toes curled against the small patch of linoleum that was our entryway. I couldn’t force myself to move. How was Chase Wilson standing on my doorstep? Why was he here? Where had he gotten my address? The questions jammed my head so full, all I could get out was, “Chase? It’s Saturday.”

He dragged his eyes back up to mine, planting his hands on his hips. “Yeah. Saturday.”

I stared at him, crossing my arms over my chest as the cool morning air brushed over my skin making everything . . . perk up. “I—what—” And then it hit me. Saturday. “Shit,” I hissed.

“There it is.”

I pressed my fingers to my temple. Saturday. Axel had mentioned it last night at Ranchman’s. He’d said his math professor held open office hours during the week but on the second Saturday of the month he was available in the morning and I shouldn’t drink too much because he was hoping I’d be there, and I’d said, “For sure!” Then Axel had scribbled down the time and the room number and I’d shoved it in my purse then promptly forgotten about it becauseChase was walking in with freaking Melody Sanchez.

“What time is it?” I spun in a circle, searching for a clock, but the microwave wasn’t visible from the front door.

“Eight fifteen.”

I spun back to Chase. “Is Axel already there?”

He nodded. “He searched my number in the staff directory. He tried your number and it was busy.”

I groaned. “He woke you up? Wait—why is your personal number listed in the directory?”

“Kind of not the point right now.”

“Right. I—Okay, give me five. I’ll—” I exhaled in a rush, glancing down the street. “I had to park three blocks over last night. I think someone was having a party?—”

“Just put some damn clothes on and get in.” Chase pointed at his truck idling on the curb.

“Okay. Right.” I slammed the door shut and ran to my room. Thankfully, my jeans were draped over the end of my bed. I pulled them on, then strapped on my bra and pulled a crewneck Douglas sweatshirt over my head. I stubbed the same toe on the way to the washroom, brushed my teeth through my watering eyes, and ran out the door.

Chapter

Twelve

The cabof Chase’s truck was warmer than I expected. Or maybe that was just me with sweat beading at my temples and my skin buzzing from the morning chaos and the fact that I hadn’t exactly planned on having a front-row seat to Chase WIlson before washing my face.

I adjusted my seatbelt, trying to place the smell. It was pleasant. Like peppermint gum and something that reminded me of my friend Corie’s grandpa’s garage. Old leather. Dry grass.

I’d never spent time in my own grandpa’s garage, and I doubted it would’ve smelled the same if I had. Corie lived on a farm just outside of town. I went there after school almost every day after my dad passed. I hadn’t thought about that in ages, and it made my eyes sting.

“You okay?” Chase adjusted his grip on the wheel as he pulled onto the main road.

I glanced over, realizing I’d been staring dead-eyed out the windshield. “Oh, yeah. Sorry.” He gave me an odd look, and I turned my head. My breathing started to settle. My heart did not.

Outside, the streets of Calgary blurred past in streaks of neutrals punctuated by bright spring green as new grass and leaves timidly peered out. Plants were smart to be reluctant here. Every year, there was a ninety percent chance we’d get a late frost and a fifty-fifty chance whether we’d get a snowstorm in July.

I blew out a breath, trying to wrap my head around what my mom had said on the phone. And the fact that Chase just saw me in my underwear. I guess it was only fair, considering. “We’re even now.” I folded my hands in my lap.

“Even how?”

“I saw you in your underwear in high school, and now you saw me.” I thought if I acknowledged it, it wouldn’t be as awkward.

“Oh. I wasn’t—I didn’t notice.” Chase’s cheeks reddened, and he swallowed hard.

I couldn’t help it. I snorted. Thankfully, Chase laughed along with me, and the tension evaporated. Before it could get awkward again, I said, “I’m sorry I forgot about this.”

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