“That sounds cool. So, you didn’t go to battles and stuff? Were you like one of those guards who watch live video feeds, making sure bad things don’t happen?”
My eyes were still locked on Chase’s face. There was the barest flicker of something sad in his expression before he blinked, then answered. “Yeah, something like that. But now, I’m looking for a new challenge. And I’m really glad to be back in Pineville. I grew up in town and I’ve realized how much I’ve missed this place, my family, and the friends who stayed.”
Josh’s smile disappeared, replaced with a questioning look as his gaze bounced between me and Chase. I could see my son trying to figure out what Chase meant, but I got it. And I needed the details he’d left out. But now was not the time.
“Uh, sure. Um, nice to meet you.” Josh’s smile returned. “Can I go, Mom?”
“What? Oh, yeah. I’ll see you Sunday night. By dinnertime, okay?” With a quick hug and a goodbye, he took off, and I was alone again in my bedroom with Chase.
His gaze hadn’t wavered from me since Josh left. “Did you want to get into this now, or wait till everything’s moved, split a bottle of wine and….” Since I walked into that procedure room, I hadn’t seen Chase so unsure of himself. Not sure if I should take that as a sign that maybe I didn’t want to know the reason, orreasons, he’d taken off, leaving me heartbroken. I wished I could postpone the truth, but that felt too much like what I’d done in my marriage.
“Alright. Finish moving, then wine and …revisiting the past.” Turning on my heel, I didn’t get far. Chase reached out, snagged my wrist, and gently tugged me up against him. “I promise what I have to tell you isn’t something I’m proud of, but it’s also not something that we, hopefully, can’t overcome, and--”
“There you are. Baz and Ridge are getting antsy and want to know when the pizza’s showing up. Could you show them where you want a few things in the family room?” Addy and then Zoe walked into the room, both sporting big grins on their not so innocent looking faces. “Hi, I’m Zoe, and this is Addison, or Addy. You must be Chase.”
Luckily, I was the only one in the room who heard Chase mumble, “Fuck.” But he quickly recovered and nodded at my friends. “Yes, and I’ll go see if I can help.”
The three of us watched him walk out, all with varying expressions. Mentally preparing myself for their feedback, I crossed my arms. “Okay, don’t hold back. Let it out so we can finish before that rainstorm gets here.”
“He was your first? Oh, my, if he’d been mine, I would have hired a PI or gotten a bloodhound to track him down. Damn, he’s hot,” Zoe dramatically fanned herself.
Addy just rolled her eyes, but nodded in agreement. Of course, Zoe was teasing me on both fronts. I knew she hadn’t said that to make me feel bad, and besides, Zoe and Addy’s husbands were just as…oh, no, don’t go there, Astrid.I had to give myself a full body shake to rid myself of all thoughts that my big brother was remotely considered hot.
Dang it, Chase had scrambled my brain or something. I led my friends out of the room as I played out the conversation withChase in my head, hoping what he had to say to me later turned out to be something I could forgive him for.
During the next few hours, I was no longer sure that I could withstand any more banter with him or his heated and promise-filled looks and not want to jump him after everyone left.
CHAPTER SIX
CHASE
Four frustrating hours later,I turned to my brother after Astrid announced that the moving truck was empty and everyone could go home. The weather had made a dramatic about-face, not unusual for north Idaho, and it had begun not just raining but dumping buckets. A long burst of thunder had rung out not five minutes ago.
“I’m staying.”
“Big surprise. Not really. But I hope you know what you’re doing. I don’t know what’s in your head, not that I did when we were younger, but I’m guessing you’ve been through some shit. And Astrid deserves a guy who’s not gonna take off when things get tough. She has a kid, Chase.” Kane didn’t elaborate further. He didn’t have to.
“Hell, I know we haven’t seen each other in years, but I’m not staying hoping to get lucky with an old flame. She means more to me than that. I appreciate you looking out for her. I do. And yeah, I’ve realized what her having a kid means...” Pausing, Addy and Ridge walked into the room.
“Hey guys, we're heading to O’Malley’s Pub, you in?” Ridge held the door open for his wife and waited for our reply.
Kane remained silent, so I answered. “I’m good. But I’m sure Kane and Chassie will be going, right?”
“Sure, we’ll catch up.” Kane folded his arms. Obviously, he still had more to say.
The couple gone, I said, “Okay, let it out. I’m not sure how long we have before Astrid is finished.”
“I don’t want to let you have it, Chase. You’ve been through a lot, but don’t you think you’re moving at hyper-speed here? Shit, you just got back into town.”
“I’ve been thinking about Astrid for over two decades, then for weeks as I was laid up in that damn hospital bed. She’s it for me, man. I’m not waiting any longer.”
Silence. Then Chase released a long sigh.
“And let me ask you this: how long did it take you to go after Chassie when you realized you wanted to be with her forever?
Throwing up his hands, Kane chuckled. “Alright, touché. We both knew pretty quickly.”
“Exactly. And I know this because while you were tending to the grill last night, Chassie and I had a nice little chat. She told me all about how you two met. How quickly everything played out for you two. And I’m happy for you. I will admit I was surprised to see you settled, especially since you were living that Hollywood lifestyle so long.”
