Page 69 of Degrees of Innocence
“Yes, my illicit criminal activities,” he says, rubbing his chin, watching me intently. “First things first, Baby, I need to know what Matt means to you.”
“Do you really want to hear this now?” I ask, taking another sip of my water.
His face is grave and his eyes are dark. “Baby, I need to know, and I want to hear it from you, Katarina.”
“Chase, he’s just a very close friend, well at least he was. We met when we started at the university and had a lot in common. We took many of the same classes and he was working his way through school, too. We became great friends and were rarely home so it made sense to reduce our rent and share an apartment. We lived together for quite a few years.”
His eyes are hooded and controlled and it’s hard for me to determine what he’s thinking.
“Chase, I never slept with him if that’s what you’re wondering. He was just my dearest friend. We went out to dinner one night and out of the blue, he proposed to me in front of a whole restaurant full of people. I had no idea he had those kinds of feelings for me and it caught me completely by surprise. I have never felt anything for Matt except the deepest of friendship. I tried to explain that to him, but he asked me to move out and I lost one of my dearest friends.”
“That’s why you were staying with Jenny?” he asks.
“Yes, I wanted to respect his wishes. I just took my personal belongings and moved in with her until I could find a place to rent. He has not been in contact with me since that night. We used to share the same phone plan, but I got my own contract shortly after I moved out and he didn’t have my new number. I had just checked into the hotel when Jenny called to let me know that he had called her and sounded suicidal. I assumed he called Jenny because I just recently changed service and he didn’t have my new phone number.”
“Baby, apparently Matt and Mark were in quite a long-term relationship. Matt told me that the relationship was quiet and that he just couldn’t bring himself to let his parents and employer know. He decided that he would break it off with Mark and decided to ask his best friend to marry him. He said he was admittedly a little messed up emotionally over the entire situation, but that he never thought Mark would take it this hard.”
“I never knew he was in a relationship with anyone, much less Mark.” My head is fuzzy and my eyes are weighted with the effects of medication. Chase pulls me into his arms and holds me tightly.
“I didn’t think you were in a relationship with him after what you told me about your past experiences, but I wasn’t sure if maybe he wasn’t the person that it just didn’t work out with,” he says.
“No, nothing like that, Chase,” I say.
“I flew your mother in when you were admitted, and she had just left for the cafeteria before you woke up. She’s been by your side all night and will be relieved that you’re awake. I’ll go find her while you rest a little and let her know that you’ve rejoined us,” he says, pushing the hair out of my eyes and kissing my lips gently.
I wake to conversation and smile at the sight of my mom bustling around the hospital room, chatting with the nurse. “Mom…” She starts as she realizes I am awake. “Oh, Katie, Sweetheart, I was so worried about you when you wouldn’t wake up. They said everyone has different reactions to anesthesia, and with your concussion you needed the rest, but it just felt like you were asleep forever,” she says, pulling me into her arms.
“Can I get some water, Mom?” I say, still so thirsty.
“Here you go, Sweetie,” she says, putting the ice-chilled water to my chapped lips.
“So you met Chase,” I say, still not fully understanding how he managed to get ahold of my mom and fly her in.
“He called me from the ambulance to let me know that they were taking you to the hospital and that you would be going into surgery upon arrival. He had arranged to have a driver at my house to pick me up and take me to the airport and then he flew me in one of his corporate jets to be here with you. He had everything organized before he even called me and I barely had time to grab a few necessities. My goodness, he’s an intense young man,” she says smiling.
I can only imagine what he put her and the rest of the team through. “You have absolutely no idea, Mom,” I say, smiling at the thought.
“He also told me he cares very deeply for you. I am pretty sure moms are supposed to be the last to know when their daughters get into a serious relationship,” she says, scolding me with one of her looks.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Mom. I was actually going to give you a call and then so much happened. Jenny called me about Matt and I just left. I’m not sure how to explain my relationship with Chase. He comes with a lot of baggage that to be very honest with you I’m not even sure if I understand right now,” I explain, trying to keep my emotions in check and tears at bay.
“Where is he, by the way?” I ask.
“I sent him home for a shower and a change of clothes, but I’m sure he won’t be gone long. He’s going to pick up a few of your personal items while he’s there. The man has been worried sick about you and hasn’t left your side since it happened. He carried you out of the house because it was soaked in gasoline and rode in the ambulance with you to the hospital. I shudder to think what could have happened if they hadn’t gotten to you in time. Your friend Matt told the police that Mark was aiming at your heart and if he hadn’t been shot he probably would have succeeded,” she says.
“I didn’t know that, Mom. Chase just told me that he was healing and then would be behind bars for a long time.”
“Chase’s security team shot him before he could hurt you worse. The one they call Jay,” she says.
I sigh at all the grief I have put that man through over the past couple of weeks and vow not to give him such a hard time in the future.
“Chase hasn’t stopped badgering the doctors and nurses with questions since I arrived. I seriously think your nurse is about ready to throw him out on his ears. She wasn’t going to let Jenny stay because of the immediate family rule, but Chase intervened and she finally conceded. He refused to leave you and slept in the chair all night. Sweetie, he really seems to care for you,” she says.
“I know, Mom, but things are really messed up right now. I just need time to sort everything out,” I say.
“Sweetie, what is it? It’s clear he absolutely adores you. You don’t feel the same?” she asks.
“Mom, it’s not that, it’s complicated. I do care about him. In fact, I’m pretty sure I am in love with the man, but…”
