Loving Chase: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Novel

by Tania De Melo

  I continue to walk ahead as he remains behind—thank goodness. But then he speaks. “You know if you’re just using him to get with me, you really don’t have to go through all that trouble; I’ve been known to lower my standards a time or two.”

  What. A. Jackass.

  I can’t control it. The anger fires through me, and when I turn to see him standing there with a smug look, I refuse to hold back. I leap at him, my eyes wide with fury as his eyes change from those holding humor to ones filled with the realization that he may

  have pushed me too far. But as my feet start to lift off the ground, it’s like I’m plucked from mid-air and suspended. When I look around, I see only the pavement and the well-toned shoulders of a large mass. The mass turns, and when I lift my head, that’s when I see Chase standing there in front of me seemingly lost in the scene before him.

  “Dyl, man, even I know that was too far. Let up already.” I know the voice, it’s the minion, Jake, Jeff—what did Chase say his name was—Jordan, that’s it.

  “Can you please put me down, Jordan,” I request in my sweetest voice.

  “That depends, are you going to try and kill Dylan?”

  “Yes.”

  Jordan lets out a laugh. “Then sorry, no can do, little one.”

  I let out a rush of air, arching up to look at Chase once again, and from here he seems to be mildly amused. He moves toward me, stopping behind us and looks to Jordan. “I’ll make sure she behaves. You just keep my brother at a safe distance

  and from opening his mouth again before we’re out of sight.”

  I feel the grip on my legs release, and soon I’m on my feet. I inhale deeply, gaining my composure then without looking back, I start to walk

  away. I can hear Dylan begin to say something, but he’s quickly quieted by Jordan advising against it.

  Chase comes up beside me. “Want some company?”

  I keep my focus straight ahead. “You have class.”

  “It’s okay there’s no lecture today, it’s more of a study period,” he replies.

  I look to him. “What do you know about building a sub?”

  “Boat or sandwich?”

  I let out a chuckle. “Sandwich, smartass.”

  Chase snickers. “Nothing, but I’ve been told I learn quickly.”

  I nod and pick up the pace. “Good, then follow me.”

  Chapter 5

  Dylan

  “Dylan, I have no idea what’s up with you and that broad, but man you have to let it go. I mean, I know we can be douchey, but even we have a limit.”

  I let out a growl. “She gets under my skin, and I don’t like her hanging out with Chase.”

  “She’s harmless. Well, aside from the fact that she wants to run you down with a semi, throw it in reverse, then do it again. But other than that, she’s not so bad. I mean, props to your little brother for nailing an older hottie.”

  “I thought you said she was a light seven.”

  “We were basing that on looks alone. But after seeing her in action, she’s most definitely a ten. Hell, I’m thinking of bumping her up to a twelve just because of the way she was about to jump you—I’m pretty sure she has balls of steel.”

  “Yeah, well, balls of steel or not, I don't like it, and I’m going to put a stop to that whole thing. Chase needs someone to look out for him. When it comes to women, he doesn’t have the best sense.” I glance over to Jordan, and he has that look, the one that says, ‘ah, now I see.’ “What?”

  The laugh that pours from his mouth is deep and slow. “Man, you’re jealous.”

  “Have you lost your mind? What’s wrong with you? Dylan Dandridge doesn’t get jealous. Hell, I don’t even care enough most times ever to be jealous. I’m not jealous. Never. It would never happen.”

  Jordan’s laugh booms. “That–that right there. That sliver of hesitation in your voice and the realization of defeat in your eyes. That there is all the confirmation anyone would need to know you’re jealous. There’s no denying it, brother, you’re jealous. And right now, I don’t know whether to tell you I’m here for you or to document this shit because it’s real, man, like stop the presses real.”

  “Listen, asshat, I’m not jealous.” I’m starting to get angry, and I don’t ever get mad with Jord because he’s too much of an idiot to get mad at, but this-this is making me angry.

  Jordan must realize I’m about to lose it on him because he takes a step back. “Bro, I’m playing with you.” He pauses, taking a moment to look me over then continues. “All kidding aside, Dyl. We’ve never held back, and I’m not about to now because you might kick my ass. I’m only keeping it real when I say that broad has done some number on you.”

  “No, she hasn’t. She’s done a number on my brother and I know how that ends. I’m just looking out for him,” I reply.

  Jordan throws up his hands. “If you say so. But ten years from now, when you wake up next to her in bed, remember who told you so.”

  “You’re an idiot.”

  He lets out a laugh. “Maybe, but I’m on point with this and deep down in that abyss of denial, you know I am.”

  I straighten my shoulders and puff out my chest, letting out a slight growl. “What I know is that this conversation has taken up too much of my time—party at my place tonight. Get a hold of that red-head for me and make sure she’s there.”

  “I thought you said she was forgettable after the last time?”

  I look to Jordan. “She was, I’ve just decided to give her another chance to redeem herself.”

  “If you say so. I’ll put the word out. Catch you later, Dyl.”

  Jordan heads off and I make my way to my next class. He’s wrong, and I’m going to prove it. There’s no way I’m jealous of Chase and Velyn. That would have to mean that I’m remotely interested in her, and let’s face it, she has nothing I could be interested in.

  “Where’s my brown belt, Dyl?” Chase comes into the living room a little overdressed for a night of staying locked in his room studying.

  “Why are you all dressed up?” I look up to him from the couch, bringing my first beer of the night to my lips as I wait for him to answer. Okay, the second beer, but I was nursing the first one, so really it doesn’t count.

  My brother looks to me, letting out a groan. “If I tell you, do you promise not to make a huge deal about it?”

  “I promise, as long as you’re not going to say that what you’re doing involves her.”

  Chase lets out a breath. “Dylan, I have no other friends, of course I’m going out with Velyn. I’m meeting her at the diner, and then I’m going to show her that new gallery downtown.”

  “She’s too old for you, Chase.”

  “Maybe if I was dating her, but I’m not. We’re friends, and she’s not too old to be my friend. Stop being such a dick about it.”

  I set my bottle on the table and stand from the couch. Walking over to my brother, I stop just in front of him. “Sorry, Chase, but I’m going to have to say no. You’re not going anywhere tonight with Velyn Adler, or anytime soon for that matter. I’m putting a stop to this blossoming friendship of yours here and now.”

  “Yeah, okay,” Chase scoffs. “I’ll go out wherever and whenever I want to with Velyn Adler, which might I add; I’m very impressed that you actually took the time even to learn her last name.” He shakes his head. “Dylan, you can’t tell me what to do. For one, I’m seventeen and two…you’re not my parent.”

  I offer him a smug smile. “Oh, see now that’s where you’re wrong. With your mother abandoning you and our father away from the homefront, I’m the head of this household and your legal guardian until you turn eighteen. So, with that said, come back to me in another eight months and we can discuss this at that time, until then, back to your room.”

  Chase looks to me, his expression a mix of bewilderment, realization that I’m right, and anger now knowing that he can’t do anything about it.

  “You’re a dick.”

&nbs
p; “Now–now, Chase, is that any way to speak to your elders?”

  “Only the ones that I have little to no respect for,” he replies with a flip of his middle finger.

  “I know you’re angry with me, and that’s fine. I’m doing this for your own good,” I reply.

  “Bullshit. Dylan, you’re doing this for your own self-asserting satisfaction. You know as well as I do, the only reason you’re pulling the guardian card is that you’re pissed Velyn won’t give you the time of day. It kills you that she won’t give in to your Dylan Dandridge charm like all the others. Do you know why that is, Dylan? Because she has something you’re yet to understand, and that none of your other so-called girlfriends know anything about—class,” he finishes and turns to leave.

  “Chase, believe what you want, but that doesn’t change anything. What I say goes; you’re not going anywhere tonight.”

  “Screw you, Dylan.”

  The bedroom door slams shut, and that’s when Connie walks into the room, landing me with one of her stares.

  “What?” Her expression goes from unimpressed to almost deadly as the word leaves my mouth. At four-foot-eleven, she’s not much of a threat to me, but from the look on her face now, I find myself searching for an escape plan. “Sorry, Connie, that came out wrong.”

  “For your sake, I hope so. Now, tell me why you are giving that poor boy a hard time about his new friend?”

  I let out a breath. “I just don’t like her, Connie. There’s something off about her.”

  “I think she’s a lovely girl,” she adds.

  “You’ve met her?”

  Connie nods. “I have. I stopped into the diner the other day to grab some lunch.”

  “Ah, so you were checking her out?”

  “I was. You two are my boys, and I will look out for both of you until the day I die, but I do it with an open mind. She’s a good girl, Dylan and a good friend to your brother. Nothing like those others that would pretend to befriend him just to get closer to you.”

  I let out a dry chuckle. “Yeah, I wouldn’t be so sure…they all want to get with me.”

  “Oh, Dylan. Why is it so hard to believe that a girl like Velyn would have no other intentions than just to be friends with your brother?”

  “Connie, you just said it...a girl like Velyn. Like I’ve told him many times, they’re all the same and only want one thing from us.”

  Connie lets out a breath. “My poor boy, not all women are alike. There are some good ones out there.”

  “Only one, and that’s you. Connie, they broke that mold after you were made.”

  She looks to me. “I don’t know if I should feel honored you hold me in such high

  regard, or sad that you don’t believe a woman would genuinely want to spend time with you or Chase. Trust me, mi amor, they are out there.”

  “Doubtful.”

  “Very well, but I have learned a thing or two over the years from raising you and Chase. If he really wants to have a friendship with this girl, he will. You trying to stop it is only going to make him that much more persistent. Dylan, let him be. You know the boy has a hard time making friends.”

  I shake my head, not even taking time to consider. “I’ve made my decision, and it’s no.”

  Connie looks up to me. “I’ll never know why your father gave you guardianship over that boy while he’s not here. Chase has better judgment and more common sense than you and your father put together. But then again, who am I to say anything.”

  I look to the older woman standing in front of me. “You think I’m wrong?”

  “Yes, but you already know you are.”

  Connie heads out, leaving me there alone to wonder if I’m being a little hard on Chase. I let out a breath and fall to the couch, but then a knock sounds from the front entrance. I walk through the foyer to the door, and when I open it, another angered, less than impressed woman stands before me, and this one may actually want to kill me.

  She wastes no time starting in. “You! I barely know you and spend next to no time with you in my presence, yet you manage to make me utterly miserable. I can honestly admit that I’m this close to hating you, and I don’t hate anyone,” she lets out with a gesture of her forefinger and thumb pinched close together.

  “Why are you here, Vicky?” I know that’s not her name, but I can’t help and chuckle at how easily frustrated she gets with me when I say it.

  “Well, Daryl, if you must know, I’m here to pick up my friend and take him away from this hell you’re trying to confine him to.”

  “And what makes you think that he’s being held here against his will? Maybe he doesn’t want to see you. Did you ever think that?” I ask.

  She takes a step closer; our noses would be almost touching if she were just a few inches taller.

  “I was at the diner finishing up my shift when he called me almost in tears, Dylan. He thinks I’m going to stop being his friend because of you. He’s upset. You may think this is all fun and games, and you truly may not care for me, but like it or not, I’m your brothers’ friend—one of the only ones he has. I don’t know if you realize this or not, but you’re being an ass, and all at your brother’s expense. He’s a good kid. Stop making him pay for your insecurities.”

  I look down at her. “I’m not insecure.”

  “Really? Could have fooled me. If you’re not insecure, then why is it that you have such a hate-on for me with absolutely no just cause?”

  “Because I know your type.”

  She takes a step back to be able to look at me. “My type? Let me guess, a gold digger, as you so graciously put it that morning after the party.”

  “Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner! Huh, Chase was right, you are smarter than the others. It would have easily taken them a few minutes to catch onto that, if not gone right over their heads.”

  Velyn holds her stare. “Look, I really don’t care to stand here having a battle of the wits with you. I was always taught to fight fair, and you obviously are not equipped for battle.”

  A snicker rings from behind me. When I turn, I see Connie standing there. “Oh, I like this one. She’s caliente. Where I come from, that’s a woman that no man stands a chance against. She’s a keeper in my books.”

  I shoot Connie a glare, then turn back to Velyn. “Look, Chase is naive, and I know how girls like you work.”

  “There you go again comparing me to the women you like to associate with. Dylan, did it ever occur to you that the reason I have no interest in you and choose only to be friends with your brother, is that you’re too one-dimensional?”

  I pinch my brow in question. “Are you calling me basic?”

  “Ding, ding, ding. And here I thought that would take you far longer than it did,” she mocks.

  Another snicker sounds from behind me, and I turn to glare at Connie once again. “You know you’re supposed to be on my side, right?”

  “Oh no, mi hijo, us women have to ban together and have one another’s backs.”

  I shoot her another scornful look then turn back to Velyn.

  “I like her,” Velyn says with a smile.

  “Apparently, the feeling’s mutual,” I reply, realizing now that I’m outnumbered in my own home.

  “Are you going to keep me out here all day?” she asks.

  “Nope, you’re free to be on your merry way any time your little black heart desires,” I reply. Velyn plants her feet firm and leans up against the door jam. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

  She offers me a forced smile. “Nope. I’m good here for a while. I ate before I came.”

  I let out a growl. “Well, then get comfortable, G.D.”

  I try to shut the door on her, but Connie steps in the way landing a slap to my arm. “Dejar de ser grosero.”

  “Why?” I question.

  “Porque fuiste criado mejor que eso,” Connie replies, the tone in her voice adding that little something extra that means she’s not playing around.

  I nod, then t
urn back to Velyn, who’s just standing there looking inquisitively between myself and Connie. “Let me make one thing clear—I’m not conceding. Connie’s the one making me let you step passed this threshold. It is in no way my decision. If I had my way, I’d leave you out there to rot.”

  Velyn steps past me into the house, looking up to me as she walks by. “Well, then it’s a good thing that I didn’t come here to see you, now isn’t it.”

  First, turning to Connie to say thank you, Velyn then makes her way up the stairs and down the hall to Chase’s room.

  Connie looks up to me with a smirk wide across her face. “Marca mis palabras, te vas a enamorar de esa chica.”

  I look down at the tiny woman before me with a satirical look on my face. “Well, now it’s confirmed—you’ve lost your mind. There’s not a chance in hell that I’d fall in love with her.”

  Nope, never going to happen.

  Chapter 6

  Velyn

  When I reach Chase’s bedroom, there’s a slight sniffle that comes from the other side of the door. Dylan’s such an ass. Why can’t he just let Chase be?

  I knock lightly and when the sniffling stops, I call out, “Hey, Chase, it’s Velyn.”

  There’s no hesitation. I hear a thud followed by a shuffle approaching the door. When it opens, Chase’s eyes are red from crying, but the smile on his face says it’s now going to be okay.

  “How did you get past my brother?” he asks a little worried, but I don’t miss the hint of excitement hidden behind his words.

  “We have Connie to thank for that. I swear she’s like the Dylan whisperer.”

  Chase lets out a laugh. “Was she speaking to him in Spanish?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  He chuckles again. “Yep, gets him every time. When Connie pulls out the Spanish words of wisdom, Dylan knows it’s time to listen up because she’s not messing around anymore.”