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Chase sighs. "Fine." I can hear the resignation settling in his voice. "If that's what you want."
It isn’t what I want, not really. But it is what needs to happen.
I stand up, feeling the weight of his stare on me, a physical touch that I force myself to ignore. Instead, I focus on gathering my scattered belongings. Then I walk to the door.
"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," he calls out just as I reach the threshold.
"You too, Chase," I reply. Then, I step out into the cold evening air and close the door behind me.
Chapter Four
CHASE
"There he is!"My cousin Jake's voice cuts through the noise as he flags me down from behind the bar. "I was starting to think you had been kidnapped."
I shake my head and chuckle as I push my way through the crowd.
It's New Year's Eve, and I've just arrived at Jake's new bar, the Pitcher's Brew. The place is packed. Even though it's freezing outside, it seems like all of Cooper Hills is here tonight.
"Sorry for running late," I explain as I sit in the bar's last open seat. "I've been a little...preoccupied today."
Jake gives a sympathetic frown and slides me a glass of water. "Molly still not talking to you?"
I shake of my head. "Nope. I'll be fine, though."
It's the biggest lie of the century.
Ever since Molly left my cabin, I've been a complete mess. I've tried calling, texting, and emailing her, but she hasn't answered.I know she feels like what we did crossed a line, but I don't. I can find a new physical therapist.
All I want is her.
These past few weeks of getting to know her have only confirmed what I knew to be true. My girl is perfect. She's smart, funny, and kind. I love the way she looks when she laughs, with her nose scrunching up and her eyes sparkling. I love the way she gets excited about science and talks a mile a minute when she's passionate about something.
But most of all, I just love being around her.
At first, I considered flying down to Florida to see her at her parent's house. I figured I could talk some sense into her if I saw her in person. Or even kidnap her and bring her back to Cooper Hills with me if I had to. But I didn't have anyone to watch Lola on such short notice.
So, instead, I've been driving past Molly's house every day, waiting for her to get back. That's where I was earlier. She said she would be back on New Year's Eve. Her flight landed hours ago. And I'm starting to worry about where she might be.
Jake's voice snaps me out my thoughts.
"Well, a night out on New Year's Eve is the perfect way to take your mind off of things," Jake says with a grin. "Speaking of which, there are some people I want you to meet. Luke, Nora, this is my cousin Chase I was telling you about."
He nods to the cozy-looking couple sitting beside me at the counter.
My eyes widen in recognition as I take in the man's strong build and confident smile. It's Luke Scott, the famous pitcher for theLos Angeles Tigers. Beside him sits a very pregnant woman with a giant ring on her finger, who I'm assuming is his wife. Her hand rests protectively on her belly, and she smiles warmly at me.
"Nice to meet you, Chase," Luke says, offering a hand for me to shake. "Heard a lot about you from Jake here."
"Nice to meet you, too.," I reply as I shake his hand. "That was one hell of a season you had this year."
Luke's face lights up. "Thanks, man. We worked hard for it."
Jake nods at my glass. "So now that we've all been introduced, ready for something stronger than water?"
"Whiskey," I say, the word coming out as a low growl.
He chuckles. "You got it." Then he turns to Luke and Nora. "Anything else for you two?"
