Bad Reputation

by Nicole Edwards

  Not that I won’t. I’m already coming up with ideas, like him wearing panties for an hour. Or maybe a day. The thought of Chase in a pair of lacey panties makes me laugh, which earns me a weird look from him.

  This is going to be fun.

  Not because I think I’ll win per se, although I’d say my chances are pretty good, despite the fact that it looks like Natalie and Mark are having it out right in Chase’s kitchen.

  But, if I do win, I’m going to make sure my month includes the time we’re in Wisconsin. That way, if my mother does happen to show up, I can insist that Chase deal with her. That might be the only way I’ll survive the trip.

  Don’t get me wrong, I love my mother and I know she loves me in her own warped and twisted way. But our relationship is rocky at best. We tend to have arguments every time we’re in the same room together, and I can’t solely blame her for them. When I’m around Betty, I’m always on the defensive. Especially when Chase is there. It doesn’t help that my mother is constantly after me to land a husband who will be able to support me financially. The fact that she knows Chase is a millionaire puts him at the top of her list. According to her, that’s one of the qualifications of a perfect husband. After all, she’s not all there.

  In my defense, however, my mother can be quite brutal when it comes to giving me relationship advice. It doesn’t even matter that my older brother Matt is happily married with six-year-old twin girls. My mother still wants to know when I’m going to settle down and pop out some grandbabies. She doesn’t believe me when I tell her never.

  She also doesn’t believe that my relationship with Chase is completely platonic. She absolutely refuses to believe that a man and woman can simply be friends. After all, it’s never been that way for her, hence the reason she’s had so many relationships. Failed relationships, to boot.

  Then again, most people don’t believe that Chase and I are only friends. It doesn’t help that we hang out all the time, especially at functions like this one. As we are right now. Chase should be mingling with the single ladies, yet he’s right by my side as we watch the train wreck that is Natalie and Mark.

  “Oh, my…” My words are a mere whisper. “Is he going to kiss her?”

  Chase groans.

  I can’t look away as Natalie and Mark go nose-to-nose. Not an easy feat considering how short Natalie is compared to Mark. But there they are, with Deter standing beside them, laughing his ass off.

  “Oh, hell,” Chase groans.

  And then, Bam!

  Natalie kisses Mark right on the mouth.

  “That certainly shut him up,” Chase mumbles.

  Now the only question is whether they’ll make it through the night, much less through the next two weeks.

  Three hours later, I’m ready to call it a night. I haven’t had all that much to drink, but I’m exhausted. I give credit for that to the guy sitting beside me. The one who has been boring me with details of the improvements he’s making on his house. His name’s Zac, without the k. Like Zac Efron. Only, he’s definitely not Zac Efron. Not even close.

  Oh, sure, he’s probably a nice guy, but I don’t have a clue who he is. The most I could get out of him is that he’s related to someone here. Whether his relative is one of the hockey players or one of the bunnies who seemed to have snuck in, I’m not sure. Nor do I really care because I don’t see this conversation leaving this couch.

  “Next I’m going to replace the cabinets and countertops in the kitchen. I’m looking at getting stainless steel appliances, but someone mentioned they think stainless steel is the avocado of our generation and I should stick with black.”

  I stare at him blankly because I really don’t care. I don’t want to be rude, but…another yawn escapes me.

  Quickly looking away, I scan the room for Chase. He’s been talking to some blonde for the past hour while Natalie and Mark make out like teenagers in the corner. Dan has been in a heated debate with the Tornadoes’ goalie, while a handful of the team has taken up a poker game in the kitchen.

  Needless to say, I’m bored out of my mind.

  “What do you think? Black or stainless?”

  I turn my attention back to the kitchen remodeler as I try to come up with something to say.

  “Hey, Cass.”

  I look up to see Chase standing in front of me. I force a smile, darting my eyes over to the guy on my left, then back to Chase.

  “Hey,” I greet him. I’m tempted to introduce the two men, but then I risk hearing the whole kitchen remodel over again and I’m not up for that.

  “You good?” Chase asks me directly, nodding his head in acknowledgment of my new friend, but not making direct eye contact with him.

  “I think my butt rooted to your couch an hour ago.”

  Zac places his hand on my arm to interrupt. “If you’ll excuse me.” He lifts his beer bottle. “I’m going to grab another. Need anything?”

  I shake my head. “No, thanks. I’m good.”

  I wait for Zac to disappear, then glance up at Chase again. He’s smiling.

  “He’s not my type,” I warn him. “So don’t go getting any dumb ideas.”

  “Who, me?” His smile makes me feel better. “You staying the night?”

  “I thought about it. Provided one of your guest rooms is still up for grabs.” He has three; surely one of them is available.

  He instantly shakes his head. “You take my room. I’ll camp on the couch.”

  Lifting my eyebrows, I discreetly glance over at the blonde. “What about your company?”

  “Trust me, she’s not my company.”

  “No?”

  He shakes his head. “In fact, if she doesn’t leave, I’ll probably hide out with you in my bedroom just to protect my virtue.”

  I laugh at that. Like Chase has any virtue left.

  Not meaning to, I look over at the woman again. She’s staring at us, frowning. Before I can say anything more, she’s on her feet, heading our way.

  “Incoming,” I mumble, then pretend to take a sip from my empty wineglass.

  “Hey, you,” she says to Chase, her voice syrupy sweet. “You want to go out by the pool?”

  Chase’s eyes widen as he glances down at me. I know he’s hoping I’ll save him from this one, but really, why would I do that? After the stunt he pulled when Andrew was at my place, he deserves to have to fend this one off himself. And yes, for the record, I have come to his rescue many times.

  “I…uh…” Chase breaks eye contact with me and looks at the woman. “Uh…Mary, this is Cassie. Cassie, this is Mary.”

  I know he’s stalling.

  “Nice to meet you,” I lie, waving them off. “Now you kids run along and have fun.”

  Another yawn breaks free and I can’t stop it. When my jaw pops, I laugh. “You know what?” Getting to my feet, I lock eyes with my best friend. “I think I will take you up on your offer to use your bed. The party appears to be winding down and I’m sure the guest rooms have since been taken.”

  Chase’s eyes narrow. “What about your friend?”

  “He’s not my friend,” I whisper softly. “See you in the morning?” I smile, speaking to them both as though I’m expecting this girl to stay the night.

  Of course, blondie giggles.

  Without waiting for a response, I turn away and head for Chase’s bedroom.

  “Paybacks are a bitch, Desrosiers!” Chase yells from across the room.

  I shoot him a quick smile. “Don’t I know it.”

  Chapter 8

  Chase

  I should have expected Cassie to bail on me. After all, I deserve it.

  That doesn’t mean I won’t pay her back for this somehow.

  “You ready to go out to the pool?” Mary asks cheerfully, her eyes twinkling.

  She’s been trying to get me to go out there for the past hour and truth is, I don’t want to. In fact, I’ve been trying to get away from her for that long as well. There’s one person I blame for her landing in my
lap in the first place. I’d been checking up on Deter and somehow he pawned this one off on me. Since I know he’s around here somewhere, I’m hoping to return the favor and give her back.

  “Let me grab another beer,” I tell her noncommittally.

  “Okay, sure.” She slides her hand under my arm, taking hold.

  “What’s up, Sin?” Deter shouts from his spot at the kitchen table. His eyes are wide and glassy, his speech slurred. He’s way beyond drunk. “Want to play?”

  Several guys have taken up a game of poker and I notice that Deter is no longer wearing a shirt. Apparently, this is of the strip variety. That, or Deter has taken it upon himself to liven things up.

  “I think I’ll pass.” I pause to watch the game for a second, hoping Mary will loosen her grip on my arm.

  She doesn’t.

  “Hey, Chase?”

  I turn to see the guy Cassie had been sitting with. He’s staring at me expectantly. “Yeah? What’s up?”

  “Have you seen Cassie?”

  Glancing down at Mary, then back to the guy—I have no idea what his name is or who he is for that matter. “She…uh…” I smile as an idea forms. “Have you met Mary yet?”

  Mary giggles. That seems to be her signature move.

  “Mary, meet…” I wait for him.

  “Zac. Without the k. Like Zac Efron.”

  The guy holds out his hand, and in order to reciprocate, Mary has to let go of my arm.

  When she does, I take a step away, then another. “I’ll check back with you later,” I tell her, hoping she’ll take the hint.

  Without waiting for her to say anything more, I make a beeline through the living room and straight for my bedroom. Of course the door is locked, but that doesn’t deter me. I keep one of those key things on the top of the doorframe. It takes a second to get it open, but then I’m inside the darkened room. The only light is coming from the television.

  Sighing, I flip the lock to ensure no one comes in.

  Cassie peers over at me.

  “Why are you on my side of the bed?” I ask her as I move closer, then drop face-first across the bed, forcing Cassie to move her feet.

  “Tonight, this is my side, considering you’re not sleeping here.”

  “I am, too,” I tell her, even though it’s not true. As much as I want to, no good could possibly come from that much temptation. “No way am I going back out there.”

  “This is your party,” she says with a chuckle. “You have no choice.”

  “Sure I do. I’ll let Deter handle it.”

  “And you’ll be lucky if your house is still standing when the sun comes up.”

  “Eh. Small price to pay.” Closing my eyes, I relax on the bed. “When did I get so old that these parties can outlast me?”

  “I was thinking the same thing.” Cassie sighs, then hits the button to mute the television. “Are Natalie and Mark still out there?”

  I shrug, but I doubt Cassie can see it. “No clue.”

  “What about blondie?” she asks.

  “I passed her over to your guy.”

  “He is not my guy.”

  I smile to myself, then turn my head and open my eyes, watching her. “What was wrong with this one? Too short? Too tall? Too old? Too young?”

  “You first,” she counters. “What was wrong with blondie?”

  “Where do I start?” I grumble, then turn my face back into the mattress.

  “That’s my answer, too.”

  I laugh, but the sound is muffled by the bed.

  Why can’t I find a woman who’s as easy to get along with as Cassie? Yes, Cassie would be my first choice, but that’s never going to happen. But I’d be open to finding someone like her. My life would be a hell of a lot easier if I could.

  “Are you really sleeping here?” she asks, nudging my head with her foot.

  “I thought about it. Why?”

  “Just want to know. I won’t sleep in the buff if you do.”

  Jerking my head up, I meet Cassie’s amused gaze. “By all means…” Pushing up with my arms, I shift my feet back to the floor. “Sleep naked for all I care. It won’t bother me one bit.” I don’t think I’ve ever told a bigger lie in my life.

  “Whatever.” She laughs.

  Once I’m standing, I stretch. “Seriously. I have to get back out there. Deter’s wasted and I want to make sure he doesn’t leave. Once I get him knocked out somewhere, I’ll be back.”

  “I’ll be sure to keep my clothes on,” Cassie teases.

  I turn toward the door.

  “And Chase?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “For letting me sleep in your bed.”

  “Anytime, Cass. Anytime.” There’s no other woman I’d rather have there than her.

  As I walk out of the room, I process that thought.

  Granted, I’d much prefer I wasn’t leaving the room, but hey, you can’t get everything you want.

  Cassie

  The instant my eyes open, it takes a second for me to get my bearings. I realize right away that I’m in Chase’s bed. Alone.

  I stretch, loving the feel of his sheets. The guy might be a cheapskate, but thanks to a little harassment by me, he did finally invest in some expensive Egyptian cotton sheets. I do my best not to think about the number of women who have tested them out.

  Everything else in the room Chase picked out himself. He’s got good taste in furniture, I’ll admit that. Masculine, dark wood pieces that even match. Unlike me, he’s got a television in his bedroom that came in quite handy last night when I watched reruns of Two and a Half Men. The ones with Ashton Kutcher, not Charlie Sheen. I didn’t think I’d like them after Charlie departed the show, but I have to say, Ashton Kutcher as a vulnerable billionaire is mega-hot. However, the bromance he’s got going on with Jon Cryer’s character is a twist I didn’t see coming.

  At some point I must’ve fallen asleep, but I don’t remember turning the TV off. If I had to guess, Chase probably came back in to check on me, which is why the remote is on the nightstand and not hidden somewhere in the blankets.

  Part of me expected Chase to make his way back in here at some point during the night, and based on the way he sounded when I last spoke to him, I really thought he would sleep in here. The fact that he didn’t only proves that the man lives up to his reputation.

  Another part of me expected to wake up to find Natalie in the bed with me. Then again, her absence might possibly mean that she found a bed to crash in with Marky Mark. I’m not sure how I feel about that yet. The two of them have been going round and round for months on end. It’s obvious they’re attracted to each other, but, like Chase, Mark’s not the settling down type and Natalie knows this. Not that she is, but I know she’s not looking for a one-night stand either.

  Maybe her thought process changed sometime between last week and last night. Who knows.

  Forcing myself out of Chase’s warm, comfortable bed, I make my way into the bathroom. It takes a few minutes to get myself presentable. I normally wouldn’t care, but I have no idea what’s waiting for me on the other side of that door. A lot of the guests had taken a cab or called Uber last night, but there were still quite a few hanging around when I headed to bed.

  Figuring I won’t know until I go out there, I give up my stalling tactic and head out into the living room.

  Hmm.

  It looks relatively clean in here. A couple of Solo cups and empty beer bottles on the coffee table, but it’s not a complete mess. The blinds are open and the sun is streaming into the room, which makes it feel rather homey.

  There are no bodies on the couches, so I assume they found one of the guest bedrooms.

  “Good morning.”

  I spin around at the sound of a voice to find Deter sitting at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in his hand.

  “Morning.” Brushing my hair back from my face, I head that way. “I was taking it all in. A little sur
prised the place is still standing.”

  Deter smiles. The man looks like a hockey player to me. For one, I know that his front teeth are fake because he had them knocked out sometime during his early years in the NHL. Plus, he’s got the nose that looks as though it’s been broken a few dozen times. His strawberry blond hair is thick and wavy, but there’s a small patch near his temple that never grew back over the scar there. But even with all of that, Dan Deteron is an attractive man.

  “Would you like some coffee?” he offers.

  He’s kind of sweet, too.

  “I’ll get it, but thanks.” I make my way over to the coffeepot and grab a mug from the cabinet, peering over at Deter. “I assume Chase found a place to crash.”

  He shrugs. “I don’t remember much of what happened last night or who went where. Or even when.”

  I smile, lifting my coffee mug to my lips. “Good night, huh?”

  His smile is genuine. “I’d like to say yes, but again…”

  “You don’t remember,” I supply.

  “Exactly.” He gets to his feet. “However, now that you’re awake and I’ve downed three cups of coffee, maybe you can tell me where my keys are?”

  Turning, I pull open the drawer just beneath the coffeepot. It’s the spot Natalie and I tossed all the keys last night.

  “It figures,” Deter grumbles. “I didn’t bother to look in the kitchen drawers.”

  I lay out all the keys and Deter digs through them until he finds his. “I’ll catch you later, yeah?”

  I nod. “See you around, Deter. Drive careful.”

  With that, Deter heads out and I add a little more coffee to my mug and make my way onto the back patio, grateful to find it’s empty. I’ve been to enough of Chase’s parties to know that it’s possible to find people in some ridiculous spots. One year, after they made it to the second round of the playoffs, the end-of-season party got a little out of hand. One of the rookie defensemen ended up sleeping on the roof. Don’t ask me how he got out there. No one ever found out.