Page 23 of Mayhem

“Let’s go. Why do you need to change?”

“I kind of sat on that mess.” I point toward the bag. “It was on the couch where I used to sleep.”

He strips his shirt off, opening the passenger door to lay it on the seat.

I can’t help but check Chase out. As much as I hate to admit it, the dude looks amazing with his shirt off. As Chase turns, I glance away.

“Let’s go. I need to drop you off at school, then I’ll look into this.”

I jump in the passenger side. Once he rounds the front and climbs in the driver’s side, he says, “Stick close to Nate. This guy is braver than we thought.”

“I can take care of myself,” I tell him as he starts to drive.

“I know you can, but it would make me feel better. Besides, who’s to say that I don’t want you to stay close to Nate to protect him.”

“I’m telling him you said that.”

He shrugs. “Maybe it would knock some sense into him finally.”

“What’s that mean?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing. Never mind. Go run inside and change.”

I gaze out the window and realize we are back at the house.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to throw this stuff in the washer. Do you want a shirt or something?” I ask, taking a quick peek at his chest again.

“I have one in here. Go before you’re late.”

I rush inside, stripping my pants at the washer and throwing it inside with his shirt. Then I go to the bathroom, washing my hands thoroughly with soap. I head back to my room, grabbing a second pair of pants from my bag. I bend over to slip them on when I hear a sharp intake of breath.

I startle, covering myself before turning to see who is there.

Chase stands in the door, shirtless still. His chest is rising and falling rapidly as his eyes take in my body. Then he pivots, almost as if he just realized he shouldn’t be looking at me.

“What are you doing in here?” I demand.

“I thought I had a spare shirt, but I didn’t. The door was open. I thought you had already changed.”

“Nope.” I pull on my pants quickly. “You can look now.”

He turns slowly before making his way to the dresser.

“Wait. Is this your room?”

“I keep some clothes in here,” he says noncommittally as he pulls out a shirt and puts it on. “Let’s get going.”

We head out of the room and the house side by side and jump back into his car. The ride to school is silent. Chase keeps looking at me out of the corner of his eye and every time I take a quick peek his way, he smirks. The tension between us palpable.

I open the car door. “Thanks for the ride.”

As I move to jump out, Chase touches my arm. Making me freeze.

“Remember, stick close to Nate.”

I nod and slide out of the car and head inside.

Today, the stares are even worse. It seems like showing up to school with Chase is more newsworthy than simply having a conversation with his brother.

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