“You look like a lovesick, paranoid puppy, dying for attention but too scared to jump on your owner’s lap.” She wiggles her eyebrows at her sick, albeit dead-on, analogy. I wouldn’t mind jumping on Chase’s lap, but I’m no longer welcome there.
We hurry outside and Chase keeps trying to corner me, but I dodge him at every opportunity. I’m not ready for this conversation. My excuses are getting thinner and more ridiculous each time he corners me.
Oh, I have to set up the tables (all the tables are already set up). I have to prepare my speech. I have to start addressing thank you notes. I have to pee. Filter, wherever you are, you can come back now.
After a day of stress and busywork, my brother and Chase went back to Hunter and Kenzie’s house for the night. She and I are staying in my parents’ house since tradition states the bride and groom can’t see each other before the wedding.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” I turn to Kenzie, sitting beside me in a king-sized bed in my childhood bedroom.
I wish the rules were the same for the best man and the maid of honor not being able to see one another. I’m not ready to deal with him again. Frankly, I doubt I ever will be ready.
“My feet are toasty warm, thanks for asking.” She wiggles her maroon-painted toes and sips her champagne. What a life. “Are you ready to see Chase tomorrow looking all handsome in a blue tux?”
“Who?” I study my nails, ensuring the sparkly, pale pink design hasn’t chipped.
“Chase,” she repeats, believing I didn’t hear her and I’m not acting dense.
“Who?” Realization dawns and she smacks my bare leg. “Enough about me and Chase. We’re irrelevant. Tomorrow is all about you marrying the love of your life. I don’t know why you’re settling for my brother, but to each her own.”
“I have one last thing to say and then we can change the subject.” She takes a deep breath and I brace myself, letting her talk this time, even though I know I won’t like it. “You’re still in love with Chase and I’m sure, from what Hunter tells me, that he feels the same way about you. You’re both here and you have the opportunity to hash things out. Just be together already and spare yourselves the heartache.”
Kenzie means well, but it’s still more complicated than that. I’m about to start my final year of med school. I’m swamped already and things will only get busier. I plan to apply to every hospital in Philly after I graduate, but I can’t tell anyone that and risk jinxing it.
“More champagne?” I fill both of our glasses without waiting for her to respond and down mine as fast as I filled it.
She kept to her promise, not bringing up the Chase issue again, and we spend the rest of the night reminiscing about our childhood. We can’t sleep because we’re too excited and jittery and I think when we finally quiet down and go to bed it’s after two thirty in the morning.
As I crawl under the covers and before I lose my nerve, I send off a quick text to Chase.
Hailey: We need to talk. Meet me tomorrow before the ceremony.
I fell asleep before I got a response and Marry You by Bruno Mars wakes me up despite feeling like I fell asleep five minutes ago. Call it sleep deprivation, but from the minute my eyes open, my emotions run wild.
In reality, I know it’s just because my best friend of my entire life is getting married. It’s surreal. I jump out of bed and throw on my maid of honor robe to prepare for the day. Digging the velvet box out of my top drawer, I walk next door to where the bride-to-be is sleeping. It’s the same box I found when digging through her parents’ things all those weeks ago.
I knock on the door and crack it open. My best friend is sitting up in bed, tears streaming down her face. “Kenz, what’s wrong?” I join her on the bed, looking for any outward ailments.
“Today should be the happiest day of my life and yet I can’t be happy because my parents aren’t here. My dad isn’t here to walk me down the aisle. My mom isn’t here to wipe away my tears. It’s just… harder than I thought it would be.” I grab her a tissue, tears of my own welling in my eyes.
“That’s why I brought you this.” I hand her the velvet box, watching more tears fall as she sees the sapphire necklace. “They may not be physically here today, but they’re still here, watching you. Your mom would want you to wear that and when I found it in one of your old boxes I knew what I had to do. Plus, it doubles as something blue.”
She throws her arms around me, crushing me with her hug. “Thank you, Hails.”
I dab the corner of my eyes, nodding. “Let’s go get you married.”
We start pampering her, getting our hair and make-up done, putting on our dresses, and taking a million and one pictures before the ceremony even starts.
“I’ll be right back.” I have something I need to take care of.
I high tail it down the steps, looking for one person in particular. We spot each other at the same time, our eyes meeting as our connection directs us to one another.
I tilt my head, hoping he’ll follow me. People are milling about the kitchen and backyard already, but I need somewhere private for us to talk. I take him to the den, which is barren and I pray no one follows us.
“I was surprised to hear from you.” His voice glides over me like silk and goosebumps pebble on my skin from our proximity alone. “You look gorgeous, Red.” Of course Kenzie had to put me in a red bridesmaid dress. It’s maroon, but still.
“Look, Chase, I don’t want things to be awkward between us. Today is about Hunter and Mackenzie, not us.” He’s still staring at me with a lazy grin and bedroom eyes.
“Why would things be awkward? We’re only at a wedding, which is kind of our thing.” We crash one wedding and it becomes our thing. “And you’re in another red dress.” He eyes me up and down with a lascivious grin. I can’t decide if I want to wipe the cocky look off his face or kiss him.
I’ll admit Kenzie was right about him looking devilishly handsome in his navy tux. It’s not even fair how good he looks in it.
“Promise me you won’t make things weird.” He laughs, and it awakens parts of me that have been mostly dormant since he and I split.
“I promise, but you should also know, I’m going to fight for you. I’m done being apart from you and I’m done chasing you, Red. It’s time you get caught.” He backs away, rubbing a hand over his chin as he ogles me. “Oh, I do have one question though. Did you bring a date?”
“No.” Landon wasn’t an option anymore since he’s graduated and moved on, starting that job in New York. Even if I had another option, I wouldn’t have brought him, anyway.
“Good, neither did I.” With that he leaves me alone, reeling in his revelation.
He’s going to fight for me? Kenzie was right. He still loves me. I hope that means he’ll wait for me a little longer.
◊◊◊
The ceremony was beautiful, and I only cried through ninety percent of it. Chase is not living up to his end of the bargain because he was making eyes at me through the entire service. Just because he told me he would fight for me didn’t mean he had to start today. How can I focus on my best friend and making today special for her when he has me all horned up from his look alone?
All I know is, he better not embarrass me again here like he did at the last wedding we attended together. Although, I would enjoy another rendition of karaoke from him.
“Okay, everyone, gather around. It’s time for the speeches. Will the maid of honor join me?” The DJ gestures to me and hands over the microphone into my waiting hand.
“Hi, everyone. I’m Hailey, though you should all know who I am since I’ve practically been Kenzie’s sister since we could crawl. Most people may not know we met because our parents were best friends, and even though your mom and dad aren’t here today, I know they’d be so proud of you.
“Mackenzie and Hunter’s romance has been quite the whirlwind, and I was unfortunate enough to fall privy to the entirety of it on both sides.” They laugh politely, and I take in how in love t
hey are, gazing at each other with starry eyes.
“I’ve been lucky my parents forced this annoying little girl into my life because without her, I wouldn’t have a best friend and now a sister. I’m sorry I couldn’t have a cooler brother for you to marry, but I’m glad you’re settling for him.”
More polite laughter ensues and I see Chase, smiling and shaking his head at my jokes. “In all seriousness, Hunter and I have been lucky to have the most amazing role models when it comes to love. I’ve never met two people more in love than my parents, but Hunter and Kenzie fall close behind them. Seeing you two together, I know you weren’t just put in my life to be my best friend, but you were put here to find your soulmate, and Hunter found his better half.
“I love you both to pieces and you make me believe in love. You make me believe in hope and that we all have a chance to find happiness. I aspire to find a love like the two of you have found.” My eyes meet Chase’s once more. “Congratulations.”
We toast and then it’s time for the best man speech. His hand grazes mine in a way I know is deliberate. The electricity between us never ceases to amaze me.
“Hey everyone, I’m Chase, formerly known as Hunter’s better half but now Mackenzie has that covered.” Everyone, myself included, laughs at his opening line.
“Growing up, I never thought Hunter would end up with someone as beautiful and classy as Mackenzie. I don’t know how he bribed you into marrying him, but I may need some tips.” He winks at me and my cheeks are probably as red as my dress.
“No one deserves love more than you do. I know it’s been a rocky road getting to this point, but no love is easy. No love is worth it if it’s not worth fighting for. They say love is patient for a reason, and even if it takes years, I’d never doubt it’s worth the wait. You two make it look easy, but believing in the faith and strength of your love is the hardest thing a person can do.” Though he’s toasting the happy couple, his eyes never leave mine.
“Let’s all raise a glass to the happy couple. I wish you all the happiness in the world and I hope you can share your wisdom with some of us less fortunate folk. Cheers.” He sips his champagne, his blue eyes all but searing through me.
With a shaky hand, I lift my glass, allowing the burn of the alcohol to numb me. If he’s going to fight for me with words as pretty as he is, I don’t stand a chance.
29
Chase
“Can I have this dance?” I offer my hand to Hailey as the DJ plays a slow song. Her cheeks flush as she nods and stands, placing her hand in mine.
Her body is flush against mine. That little red dress hugs her in all the right places, shows her phenomenal cleavage, and is short enough to have caused me a permanent half-chub all freaking day. She piled her hair on top of her head and her exposed neck tempting me to nip and kiss the tender skin.
“Do you want to go somewhere private?” Words I was never expecting her to say, but I’m so glad she said them. With an emphatic nod, I allow her to lead the way.
We climb the stairs and soon enough I’m in her childhood bedroom. Light purple walls surround us and a large white vanity sits on the far opposite wall. The room is in disarray from hours of getting ready for the wedding today.
I look around the space. “So, this is your room, huh? Where all the teenage hormones ran wild and the magic happened for the first time?” Turning back around, my jaw drops. Her dress is laid across the chair in the corner and she’s standing in front of me in lacy black lingerie.
“No magic has ever happened in here before. Also, I would’ve worn red lingerie, but I didn’t plan on this.” She crosses the room and leaps into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist.
The contact makes me groan and from the moment our lips connect, everything snaps back into focus. The world is brighter, my mood lightens, and everything feels right again. We haven’t been together for years and yet it feels like just yesterday.
I walk over to the bed and allow her body to slide down mine, placing her on the mattress. She sits on her knees, kissing me with a passion hotter than the center of the Earth. I’m painfully hard and craving her sweetness.
I inhale her scent, the lavender shampoo I missed so ridiculously. “Being with you, Hails… everything is easy and right. Everything falls into place. You make me so calm.”
“That’s just my lavender shampoo. It has calming properties.” She shrugs and giggles, lightening the moment while also avoiding any heavy emotions, but I don’t let her off that easy.
“No, Red, it’s just you.” My mouth finds hers again and I groan into her.
My hands explore her body while her nimble fingers undo the buttons on my shirt. She pushes the shirt over my shoulders and the contact of her skin on mine almost has me erupting in my pants. God, I missed her.
I kiss down her neck, moving to the swell of her breasts. Reaching around, I undo the clasp, freeing her perfect, perky breasts. I take the right one in my palm and feast on her left one. When she’s writhing against me, I switch, giving her other breast the same amount of attention.
When it’s too much to bear, I push her onto her back and kick off my tuxedo pants before climbing on the bed to join her. I slide my palms up her legs until I reach her panties. Slow and teasingly, I drag the lace material over her hips and down, throwing them off the bed. I’m taking my time with her tonight. I don’t care if we miss the rest of the reception.
Starting at her ankle, I leave wet kisses up each of her calves and thighs, enjoying the sighs and moans escaping her pretty, pouty mouth. Her eyes are closed and her teeth sink into her plump red lip. She’s a temptress and she doesn’t even know it.
I’m avoiding her sweet spot on purpose, causing her to tilt her hips to get my attention. “Chase,” she’s begging. I’m going to lose it.
I comply, dragging my tongue through her wet folds as she bucks against my mouth. With her continued begging, I suction my mouth to her clit. I’m afraid her screams will alert the entire reception to what we’re doing.
I look up at her. Her body is flushed and covered in a sheen of sweat. Her muscles are tight as she prepares for an explosive release.
“Oh, fuck, don’t stop, babe.” Her cries and hearing her call me babe spurs me on. I latch onto her, unrelenting. Nails scratch at my hair and back as she looks for something, anything to take hold of.
A feral scream erupts from her throat, a sound I didn’t even know she was capable of making. She’s so beautiful as she lays there, limp and exposed after letting me have my wicked way with her pretty pussy.
I lay down beside her, my hand grazing over her side. I’m pleased when my touch causes goosebumps to pebble a trail following my fingertips. A lazy smile is on her lips and her jade eyes are still closed. As they flicker open, she looks over me from head to toe.
“You still have your boxers on.” I knew if I took them off I’d be too tempted to fuck her, and I wanted to cherish her.
She crawls down the bed and tugs on my Calvin Klein’s, pulling the briefs down my legs. My erection springs free, thick and purple and desperate for attention.
She grips my cock and I shudder. Her touch is too sweet. She leans over and I know where this is going. I have to stop her, even though it kills me.
“Baby, if you do that, I’m going to cum the moment your tongue touches the tip. You’re too good and I need to fuck you once before heading back out there.” With a look of determination, I can tell she’s tempted to still suck me, but she doesn’t.
Instead, she climbs up my legs, straddling my hips, and hovering over my erection. “Do you have a condom?”
We didn’t use them before, except for the first time, anyway, which means she is probably assuming I’ve been with someone else since. “I haven’t been with anyone since we’ve been together… oh, unless… never mind. I might have one—”
“You haven’t been with anyone?” She looks confused for a moment before her green eyes light up as hope takes over. She’s so damn beautiful when
she’s happy. “I haven’t either.”
She takes that as her cue, lining us up. I should’ve put on a condom because the minute her pussy sheaths me, I’m ready to explode. Her slow strokes are too much to bear and yet I need so much more of her.
My jaw is starting to hurt from clenching it and I want to take over, but I can tell she’s enjoying herself. Her head is tipped back in ecstasy, her eyes pinched shut as she bounces on my cock. Her hands cup her breasts and the sight is a wet freaking dream.
“Baby, I can’t hold out much longer when you look like that.” Her eyes pop open and a fire simmers in her gaze.
“Fuck me, Chase.” I grip onto her hips and go to town. I pound into her tight core, chasing a release we both desperately need. Her pussy is squeezing me and I know she’s as close as I am.
“Touch yourself. Help me out, Red, I don’t have enough hands.” With a tentative hand, she reaches between her folds, rubbing her clit in tight little circles.
A rush of heat hits my dick and the wetness has me exploding. We’re moaning in sync, my deep timbre melting with her breathy cadence.
She collapses onto my chest, keeping our most intimate parts still connected. I rub my hand over her back methodically and every sigh she makes shoots straight to my dripping cock.
Rolling off of me, she runs to the adjoining bathroom to get towels. “You look gorgeous.” And she does. Her hair stayed mostly intact, but she has this post-sex glow lighting her skin.
She smirks. “I look thoroughly fucked.”
“That’s how I want you to look.” She tosses me the towel and we clean up before getting dressed. I hope she doesn’t regret that because I haven’t had one regret about a single day I’ve spent with her.
“I have a confession to make,” she says as she hooks the clasp on her bra. “I thought you were with Laila.”
Chasing Red Page 18
