Loving Chase: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Novel

by Tania De Melo

  Somewhat slighted, I pinch my brow. “Glad I was able to be of assistance.”

  “So why the cabin?”

  I glance at my brother, letting out a breath. “I need tonight to be special. I know she loves the cabin, so it’s the perfect place.”

  “For what?”

  “Chase, seriously, some things need to stay private.”

  “You’re going to tell her you love her, aren’t you?”

  “Who are you going to tell you love?” I let out a groan as Jordan takes a seat beside Chase. He’s the last person I need to hear any of this. “Bro, are you going to tell Velyn you love her?”

  “No, I’m—”

  “Who’s telling Velyn they love her?” Ava asks as she moves in next to Jordan.

  Jordan leans over, kissing her on the cheek. “We think Dylan, but we’re waiting for confirmation.”

  The three of them focus all their attention on me, apparently waiting for the big reveal as I grow more frustrated with this whole conversation.

  “I’m not—”

  “Hey, guys! Why are you all so focused on Dylan?” We all look up to see the girl of the hour standing at the end of the table.

  “Oh, wow, look at the time.”

  “Yep, would you look at that.”

  “Gotta go! I’m going to be late for class.”

  Chase, Jordan, and Ava shoot up from the table and disappear before Velyn can get a response.

  “What was that all about?” she asks.

  I shrug, not wanting to answer either. “Who knows with those three.” I give her a smile taking her hand and pulling her into my lap. “Are you excited for the weekend?”

  Wrapping her arms around my neck, she leans in to leave a kiss on my lips. “Yes, and Joan even gave me the night off. So, if you want to head out after our last class, we can.”

  With a broad smile taking over my mouth, I look to her. “Why wait? I say we ditch the rest of the day and head out now.”

  “You know you’re starting to become a terrible influence on me, Mr. Dandridge.”

  “Peer pressure, babe; don’t fight the inevitable.”

  Velyn lets out a chuckle, sliding from my lap. “Well, no point in sitting around here, let’s go.”

  “Someone’s excited,” I comment as I stand moving in beside her.

  “You have no idea,” she replies, pulling at my hand.

  When I see the smile on her face, just knowing that I had a part in putting it there, makes everything that this night is about, feel that much more right.

  Velyn and I wasted no time. I jumped in my car, and she followed in hers so she could park it at my house instead of leaving it at the school. Pulling up to the front of the house, I get out and wait for her to park.

  “I thought I almost lost you back there.”

  Taking an overnight bag out of her back seat, she then makes her way to me. “That’s because you drive like a crazy person. Slow the heck down.”

  “Are you scolding me?”

  “Yes,” she blurts. “Maniac!”

  I move to meet her halfway, bringing her into my arms. “I promise I’ll slow down.”

  “Thank you.”

  Taking the bag from her, I clasp her hand in mine and lead her to the house. When we walk through the door, we aren’t even two feet into the foyer when my father’s voice rocks the house, alarming both Velyn and me.

  “So, this is how you’ve been wasting your days. I warned you about these ineffectual distractions, Dylan.” My father’s last words come out as he glances at Velyn, then back to me. “You let your guard down to your competition, and now you’re at the bottom of the pool for the internship at the office. I did not raise you to be inferior, so you only have yourself to blame. When you spend your time swimming with bottom feeders, that’s where you will also end up.”

  “Dad!”

  My father steps closer, his face full of rage. “Don’t you ever talk back to me, boy. This ends now.” The boom of his voice carries again throughout the house and echoes off the walls. “You will fix this. You will get back on top, or I will take this all away and show you what it’s really like to be less than even second class.” He looks to Velyn. “And you; you’re no longer welcome in this house.”

  I’m frozen in place. I’ve seen my father angry, but this, this is explosive. I don’t know what to do. I can feel the glare of her eyes burning into my side, and when I look to Velyn, every part of my soul’s ripped from inside me. She’s angry, hurt, and confused, but worst of all, disappointed. I give her no words hoping that she can read the regret in my eyes.

  She turns slowly, and without a sound, leaves me standing there. It takes only a moment before I realize I may have just let her walk out of my life, and that’s when I turn to follow her.

  “You take another step, and there will be a price to pay far greater than a lost internship.”

  When I look to my father, I know his words are not just idle threats; he’d have no reservations about throwing his own flesh and blood out in the street.

  “Dylan, get upstairs, and that will be the last interaction you have with that girl. See, this is what happens when I give you just a little control over your life, you go and lower your standards.”

  He knows his words are making me angry, and also knows that I’m dying to let it out. But I won’t, and my father knows that too. Like he said, he’s in control now and I have no way of standing up for myself without losing everything.

  Chapter 18

  Velyn

  I’m going to be sick. It’s all playing back over and over like a bad song on repeat, making my head spin. Why didn’t Dylan say anything?

  Reaching my car, I search my purse, pulling out my keys and fumble with them in my hands, trying to find the car key through the blur clouding my vision. I’m not sure when the tears started; if it was in there or on the way out, but they’re here and flooding my eyes, making it difficult to do anything.

  God, I’m such an idiot. How could I let this happen? I knew it. I knew he’d never change, yet I still opened myself up and let him in, which only got me here falling apart in that vile man’s driveway.

  Finally, finding the key, I unlock the car door and jump inside the driver’s seat. I don’t even know how I’m going to drive right now, but I can’t stay here. I take a few deep breaths, then start up the car and drive away.

  Where do I go? I don’t want to go home, not yet. I can’t deal with my father on top of all this; I just can’t. There’s only one other place that will provide the distraction I need—work.

  The drive to the diner gives me some time to get myself together, well as best as I possibly can; this clawing pain in my chest seems to be digging deeper with each breath I take. Thankfully, when I get inside, the place is fairly empty with only two younger guys sitting in a booth by the windows. I make it through the front, but just before I can sneak in back, Joan spots me.

  “Vel, I thought I told you it was okay to take the night off?”

  It’s pointless to try and hide it, so I look up to her as she makes her way over to me, and I know the moment she notices because her shoulders fall.

  She takes me into her arms. “Sweet child,

  what happened to you?”

  I bring my hands to my face and try to explain, but nothing comes out. Joan moves to my side, still keeping one arm around me and starts to walk me to the back. “Come, we’ll get you some tea, and we can talk.”

  When we get in back, she doesn’t have to say anything to Stu; just a quick nod from Joan and he moves past us and through the doors to watch over the counter.

  Joan sits me in a chair. “Sit here. I’m going to make you that tea, then you’re going to tell me what happened.”

  She heads through the doors to the front, then not even moments later, is back with two mugs in her hand. Pulling up a chair, she takes a seat in front of me, handing me a cup. “Okay, talk, because I know you didn’t come here to work.”

  I sit up, and
as I let out a trembled breath, the full force of all the pain inside comes out. The tears flooding my face burn. “He just stood there.” My words come out in a stutter. “His father insulted me. Insulted who I was as a person, and he just stood there.”

  Joan lets out a sigh. “Where was this?”

  I let out another breath slowly through my lips. “At Dylan’s house. We stopped there before heading to the cabin to grab Dylan’s stuff and drop off my car. When we went inside, his Dad was right there. I’ve never seen such venom inside anyone. That man’s horrible, Joan.”

  She reaches over, rubbing my shoulder. “Velyn, if you noticed that within just seconds, imagine what that boy’s seen his whole life.”

  I look to her with my brows pinched. “Are you saying how Dylan reacted is okay? That letting his father speak to me like that was nothing to be upset about?”

  “No, but it may explain why he didn’t react at all. Velyn, I know right now you’re hurt, and you blame him because you need someone to lay blame on. But before you go condemning that boy, you need to put yourself in his shoes.”

  “I can’t believe you’re making excuses for him.”

  “I’m not, I just want you to think about this with a clear and open mind. I know you, Velyn, and if you make a decision based on the way you feel right now, you’ll regret it.”

  I sit back, looking down at the mug in my hands. “He just stood there, Joan. No matter who it was, my father, Stu...you. No matter how much I love all of you, had any of you spoke to him like that, said those things, I would’ve said something.”

  “You’re probably right, but from what you’ve told me about Dylan, Velyn, I don’t think he had a free-thinking bone in his body until you showed him that he could. His whole life, Dylan has been told how to act and what to think. Imagine if that had happened to you, then imagine if it were all pushed on you by a man with a very skewed sense of reality. Dylan’s father doesn’t think about what’s right and wrong because, to him, that’s irrelevant. The only thing that matters to men like that is what’s best for their life and how they can make it even better. And it’s sad to say, but, Velyn, that’s also what Dylan’s father pushes on his boys.”

  I came here to be consoled, and instead, I’m getting a lecture. “Why does it feel like you’re on his side.”

  Joan brings her fingers to my chin, tilting my head up. “Because I’ve seen how that boy looks at you. Velyn, if he didn’t jump in and defend you, it’s because he couldn’t. Just as his father’s words hurt you, they hurt him and also left him feeling powerless. I don’t know what his father all said, but I do know men like him because my own father was one—controlling and self-serving. When your whole life is spent in fear of a person like that, it may take a moment or two to develop the backbone to finally stand up to them. But what you need to do right now, is trust that Dylan’s a good man and that he’ll do the right thing. Velyn, the pain you’re feeling, don’t blame that on him. He cares for you deeply, and it’s hurting him to know that he had to let you walk out of there. But I promise if you give him a chance, he’ll make it right.”

  Maybe she’s right, and Dylan does feel powerless against his father. But what does that mean for us?

  I look up to Joan. “I don’t want to go home just yet.”

  She nods. “The dinner rush will be starting soon, but I think upfront will be too much for you tonight. I’ll take the front with Celeste when she gets here, and you can stay back with Stu and get the orders ready?”

  “Thanks, Joan.”

  She flashes me one of her warm smiles. “I’m always here for you, sweetheart…whenever you need me.” Taking me into her arms, Joan squeezes me one last time before heading out to relieve Stu of counter duties.

  My cell rings as I make my way to the back office. I don’t have caller I.D., but I don’t need it to know who’s calling. I can’t do this right now with him and definitely not over the phone; I’ll deal with everything at home tonight. Reaching in my purse, I turn off my cell. But of course, not even seconds later the diner phone rings and I can hear Joan answer the call. She doesn’t say anything; just listens, then when she comes out back, her expression is full of concern.

  “Velyn, you need to take this call.”

  I know by her tone she isn’t asking, so without pause, I head to the back and use the office phone. “Hello?”

  “Velyn, Chase is gone,” Dylan lets out, his voice in a panic.

  “What do you mean he’s gone?”

  “He finished early today, and when he got home, my father was still going off on me. As soon as he saw Chase, my dad turned all his anger on him. Velyn, he told him he couldn’t talk to you anymore and that if he disobeyed, my father said he’d pull him from school here and send him to one out of state. Chase just stormed off. I thought he went to his room, but then I heard my car peeling out of the driveway. Vel, he can’t drive.” Dylan lets out a breath. “Look, I know you hate me right now and that I have no right to ask you for any favors, but—”

  “It’s Chase, we know where he’s headed; he’s on his way to me. I’m at the diner. Hopefully, he’ll stop by here before going to my house.”

  “Will you call me when he does?”

  “Yes, just sit tight and don’t go anywhere in case he heads back home,” I advise, but before I can end the call, Joan walks in with Chase under her arm, his eyes filled with tears. “Dylan, he’s here. He just walked in.”

  “I’m coming.”

  That’s the last thing I need right now. “No, Dylan, just stay home. Once we close for the night, I’ll drive him back and have Stu follow me in your car.”

  “Velyn—”

  “Dylan, no. I can’t do this with you right now. Please.” Conceding, he offers a quick goodbye, and I end the call. I then turn to where Chase is sitting behind the desk. “What in the hell were you thinking? You don’t even have a license.”

  His tear-stained face turns up to me. “He said you were a bad influence. That I wasn’t allowed to hang around you.”

  I shake my head. My heart’s breaking because Chase is upset, but I’m angry at the same time because he could’ve been hurt. “And you didn’t think that stealing Dylan’s car and driving here would prove him right. Chase, you should’ve known better.”

  “You’re mad.”

  “Damn right I’m mad. Chase, I’ve told you over and over, I’ll always be your friend and that will never change no matter how much time goes by without speaking to one another, “I explain.

  “What about Dylan?” he asks.

  I move in beside him, laying a hand on his shoulder. “He’ll be fine. You scared him leaving like that.”

  He exhales his held breath slowly. “I guess he’s on his way.”

  “No, I told him I would drive you back home when I was done work. But, now that means you’re stuck here, and Joan doesn't like people just sitting around. So, up off that chair, you’re helping me cook tonight.”

  That brings a smile to Chase’s face, but it falls quickly. “Vel, is everything okay with you and my brother?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know. But that’s for us to figure out, and no matter what happens with Dylan and me, remember it won’t affect our friendship.”

  He nods his understanding then moves ahead of me into the kitchen area. “So, where do you want me?”

  I look over to the vegetables. “I’m assuming Connie taught you how to slice as well?”

  He nods. “Yep!”

  “Good, then wash up and start slicing, it’s going to get busy real soon.”

  Chase washes up, grabs a knife and starts with no further direction. Watching him there across the table makes me think of Dylan. I’m still angry and hurt, but the real reason I don’t want to talk or see him just yet is that I’m afraid it may be the last time—that he may realize choosing a life with me will mean he has to give up the only life he knows; a life where everything’s so much easier.

  It’s just after ten by the time we close up f
or the night. “Do you want me to drive your car or Dylan’s?” Stu asks.

  I look over to Dylan’s black Mustang parked beside mine then back to Stu. “You can drive Dylan’s.” Chase hands the keys over to Stu then follows me to my car.

  It’s been raining all evening, letting up just before we closed for the night, but Joan still shouts out a quick ‘take it easy the roads are wet’ before we get in. With everyone ready to go, we head out with Stu following just behind.

  Focused on the road ahead but wanting to break the silence, I ask, “What are you going to tell your dad?”

  “Nothing. He doesn’t allow for excuses; those are only used by the weak,” Chase replies.

  I give him a quick glance. “Is that honestly what he says?”

  “Yep. My father isn’t one to beat around the bush. When he asks a question, he expects an answer. Which I guess isn’t a bad thing, but my father’s also not a very forgiving man when the answer he gets is not the one he wants.”

  I think about that, and his words have me concerned. “Chase, has he ever—”

  “No, he’s never laid a hand on Dylan or me. Our father’s well aware of the impact of his verbal threats, that he’s never had to use force,” he replies.

  I let out a sigh. “Sometimes, words are just as bad if not worse.”

  “I know, but I’ve just learned to shut him out. Remember, I’m living my best life.”

  “But he’s your father, and you still need to listen to him,” I say.

  “Yeah, well, only until I’m eighteen. Unlike Dylan, my father doesn't really care what I do after school. So, I’m free to live my life the way I want. But Dylan doesn’t have that choice, or, at least he doesn't think he does.”

  We come around a bend, and I focus on the road ahead but ask, “What do you mean?”

  “Dylan’s whole life has been a series of Edward Dandridge planned events, all to ensure my brother’s an unstoppable force when it comes time to take over the firm. My father doesn’t do mediocrity, and Dylan’s lived his whole life under that oversight. His life, until you, was no more than a marionette being controlled by a militant puppet master,” Chase explains.