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“It’s going to be okay, Chayse. They just need to process.”
“It doesn’t feel that way, Landon. Can you get me out of here.”
“Of course.” Landon tugs me to my car and takes me home. He curls up on the couch with me as I silently cry and watch ridiculous reality trash tv. Why does it feel like I lost them before I even made a decision what to do?
Chapter Twenty-One
Cash
ThatridehomewithPenny after the baseball game and Chayse dropping the bomb about moving was fucking rough. My baby girl cried the whole way home and didn’t calm down until we were snuggled on the couch with all of her favorite stuffies, blankets, and all the junk food she could want.
I can’t blame it all on Chayse, because I brought the interview up, but that was not the way I was planning on Penny finding out that Chayse might leave. It broke my heart watching my daughter cling to Chayse and ask who her mother was going to be now. I knew she was getting attached and loved Chayse, but I thought we had more time before I needed to break this news to her.
Thankfully, the next morning when she woke up, she was in a much better mood. When I asked if she wanted to talk about it anymore, she said no and went on eating and getting ready for the babysitter to come over.
Working on Chayse's house was the last place I wanted to be today, so I texted Reid and told him I was going to work from home on the bid for the potential client I met with yesterday. He tried calling me, but I ignored it. I’m sure Landon filled him in on what happened at the game yesterday. He knew something was up when we left early, but I didn’t elaborate when he texted to check in last night.
I’m halfway through the bid when the back door in the kitchen opens and my best friend walks in. I give him a raised brow as I cross my arms over my chest, and he just holds up a bag of take out.
“I thought you and Pen could use some lunch. I figured you’d get sucked into working on the bid and lose track of time.” I stand and stretch and realize it’s already after noon.
“Thanks, man. You were right. I could’ve sworn I was only sitting there for a few hours, not half the damn day.”
“I know you and figured it wouldn’t hurt to come pull your head out of work. Besides, your brush off last night was more telling then just answering my question and letting me know what the fuck happened between you and Chayse at the game yesterday. Why the hell was my princess crying when you left and Landon all about dragged Chayse to his car?”
“I figured you’d call Landon and already have a play by play.” I give him a dirty look. I know it’s a low blow, but it also feels like he spends more time with Landon than he does with me anymore. And I know that makes me sound like an ass because I’ve been with Chayse which is why he’s been hanging out with Reid, but I don’t care right now. I’m pissed and spoiling for a fight, and Reid has always been able to handle my bullshit.
“Fuck you. I texted all of you to see what the fuck happened and got about the same answer from Landon as I did from you. I didn’t even get a response from Chayse and she wasn’t home when I got there this morning.”
“Where the hell was she, then? She doesn’t have to work today.”
“How the fuck am I supposed to know. She’s your girlfriend!”
“Maybe for now, but I don’t see that lasting much longer.”
“And why the hell not? What did you do?”
I’m truly pissed now. I make my way around the island and shove my best friend. He doesn’t back down, but in turn shoves me back. I grab him by the shirt and push him into the cabinets.
“Why the fuck do you think I did something, huh? Couldn’t be anything Chayse did, sure.”
“Because you’re the jackass that pushed her away and fought what was going on between you two from the get go. Sorry if I thought maybe you got scared and fucked it up in some weird self preservation move.”
“Fuck you. She’s going to a job interview at Children’s Hospital which is over three hours away. She’s leaving on Sunday and doing a week’s worth of job shadowing. She won’t be here for Penny’s birthday. Pen overheard us talking about it. We tried explaining what was going on and Penny lost it. She broke down and asked who her mother was going to be if Chayse left.”
“Fuck, man. That’s rough. Isn’t this the job interview for the place that she originally turned down? Landon didn’t think she was very interested in it. I wonder what made her change her mind and take this interview.”
Guilt creeps through me as I grab the back of my neck. I can’t look at Reid because he would know that I had something to do with it.
“What is that look for?”
“What look?”
He looks at me incredulously. “The one on your face right now.” He waves a finger towards my face. “You look guilty as hell.”
“Ugh, I may have told Chayse she should take the interview. That she would be great for the job, and she shouldn’t pass an opportunity like that up. And then kept pushing and reassuring her that it would be a good idea.”
“For fucks sake. Are you a moron?”
