He doubles over at the waist, trying to hold himself up against the wall.”You… little… bitch,” he croaks out while he struggles to get up. “Oh and by the way asshole Caleb isn’t my kid, he’s my brother. Not that it matters anyways. I’m pretty you’d have to have sex in the first place to have a kid of your own.” I turn the other way down the hall quickly forgetting my need for the bathroom, I just need to get out of this place.
“Is there a problem here?” I look over and notice Chase standing at the end of the hall, his green eyes flashing with anger. There’s a drop dead gorgeous girl standing beside him with her hands wrapped tightly around his waist. Slutty nurse number two of the night.
I straighten out my skirt with trembling fingers and look over at Gage who’s still trying to hold himself up against the wall and now staring back at me with his mouth hanging wide open. Probably realizing what a jackass he is. “Nope he just can’t keep his hands to himself. I can handle myself though, thanks.” I brush past Chase, whose scowling down at Gage.
“Leah wait up,” he grabs my shoulder, twisting my body around to his. “Are you okay, did that fucker hurt you?” He questions me between gritted teeth. “You’re shaking.” I reach up and push his hands off my shoulders. “I’m fine. I’m just ready to leave now. I need to find Ally.”
“I can take you Leah. I need to make sure you get home safely. Let me just grab my keys from Mark.”
“No Chase that’s okay,” I look over his shoulder at the blonde who was wrapped around his waist. She certainly does not look happy about Chase not paying her any attention. He can obviously move on pretty quickly when he had seemed to pretty interested in me. That’s why you can’t trust guys. “Go. Have fun. I’ll see you later.” I find Ally who’s sitting on Skylars lap and has changed over to some kind of card game.
“Hey L! Didn’t you get something to drink?” She motions to my empty hands.
“No I’m not thirsty anymore. Do you mind if I borrow Skys keys? I’m ready to go home.”
She raises her eyebrows at me and moves to stand up. “Already? What happened Leah?” She asks, knowing me so well, going into instant protect Leah mode.
“Nothing Ally we’ll talk about it tomorrow but I’m just ready to get out of here.”
She whispers something into Skylars ear and reaches into his pocket, grabbing his keys out. “Here you go,” she says as she drops them into my hand. “We’ll catch a ride with Cassie or someone.”
“’Kay call me if you can’t find one. I can come back to get you no matter what time it is,” I lean over and kiss her on the cheek.
“See ya Leah. Be careful.”
I drive back to the apartment brushing the stray tears aside as they flow down my cheeks. I really wasn’t expecting something like that from Gage, he always seemed to be the perfect gentleman whenever we were together. I know from way too much experience how alcohol can change and effect people though. But it’s never an excuse.
After paying Clarissa who was a little surprised to see me home so early, I toss on a pair of pajama pants and an old sweatshirt, throwing Allys ‘sexy’ costume into the hamper and pulling my hair into a ponytail. A lot of good that did me. Caleb took a late nap this afternoon so of course he is wired and bouncing off the wall, which is a good thing in case Ally does need a ride. I flop down onto the couch and flip the TV on scrolling through the channels and find a Disney movie for us to watch.
I stroke Calebs hair as he curls up onto my lap covering us with his favorite blanket he drags everywhere. I think back to the party and Chase. He was so ready to come to my rescue, he looked ready to rip Gage apart. But who was that girl with him? The way she was wrapped around his waist caused a burst of jealousy to come through wishing I was in her spot. I shake my head at my thoughts. No I told Chase I didn’t want to date, he has the right to see whoever he wants.
I wake up to the sound of my cell phone going off. I must have drifted off to sleep as I glance over at the clock and see that it’s just after eleven. Caleb is still wide awake watching the next movie that had come on. Of course he’s awake that child has the weirdest sleeping habits. “Mommy, mommy,” he pushes on my head. “Phone.”
“’ello?” I mumble into the phone, reclosing my eyes. “Oh Leah did I wake you up?” I hear Ally ask and I pop my eyes open. “No Al, just resting a bit. Did you guys need a ride?”
“Yeah sorry L. By the time we started asking around everyone was too far gone to be driving. I figured I’d try and catch you early. Is Caleb still up, if he’s sleeping we can find someone else or walk.”
“Of course not. Calebs still up. I did kind of kidnap Skylars car. I’ll be there in about 15 minutes.”
“Kay Leah. Thanks sweetie.” I hear her giggling with Skylar in the background as I hang up and slip on a pair of flats and search for Skylars keys. “Come on buddy, we need to go pick up Auntie Al real quick. Ready for a short road trip?” He nods his head at me and trails his blanket along with us in his little footie pajamas. I think I’ll make him wear those until he’s at least 15, there just too adorable. I’m totally going to be one of those parents with embarrassing pictures showing them off to all of his girlfriends.
I can hear people shuffling around the hallway and whispering to each other as I open the door to walk out to the car. I turn around and almost run into Chases back as I look up.
“Oh sorry,” I mumble. I realize that Chase has his back turned to me and has the blonde from the party pushed up against his apartment door. “’xcuse me. I didn’t mean…” I trail off. Chase rubs his hand threw his hair and shuts his eyes for a moment, shaking his head slightly. “Sorry Leah. What are you doing out again, you need help with something?”
“Uh no just going to grab Ally.” I try to push Caleb along but his feet seem to be glued to the spot while he stares up at his idol.
“She should have caught me at the party, I could have brought her home.” The blond who has now lost Chases attention, rolls her eyes at him and huffs out a breath. “Chase,” she whines, “think we can move this inside?”
He looks back at her like he suddenly realized she was there again. “Just give me a minute Ashley,” he pulls out his keys and lets her in closing the door behind her. He leans down to Calebs level. “Hey dude you being a little bit of a night owl?” Caleb who clearly doesn’t understand what Chase means giggles at him and makes weird little hoo hoo noises which I’m assuming is his owl noise. Chase straightens back up and looks down at me again, concerned etched across his face. “You sure your okay Leah? What happened with that guy back there?”
“Nothing. That was Gage from the other night. He was trying to get a little feely with me but I took care of him.”
He gives me a small smirk, “Yeah I noticed that by the way he was clutching his balls. I even felt a little sorry for him.” He pauses and looks back down at with me with a frown. “Sometimes it’s okay for other people to take of you though Leah, I’d do that if you let me.”
I glare back at him, feeling anger rise up in my chest. “Well obviously I can do it myself, I don’t need anyone else. Now why don’t you get back to your DATE?” I throw back at him. “I need to go. Allys waiting for me.”
By the time I come back from picking up a stumbling Ally and Skylar, I note that Chases jeep isn’t where its normally parked in its front row parking spot. I glance over at his door when we head back in and don’t see a light peeking out from under the door. I feel a pang of guilt for the way I talked to him earlier. He was just trying to look out for me and I just pushed him away like I do most people. The anger seemed to be more from the jealousy I was feeling about him having a date.
It wasn’t his fault I had not so subtly told him I wasn’t interested in a romantic relationship with him. He had the right to date anyone he wanted and of course Ashley was gorgeous with long tan legs, blonde hair, and boobs that every guy would drool over, I could see why Chase was out with her. They looked like a perfect couple with Chases athletic build mi
xed in with a bit of bad boy and his emerald green eyes that sparkled.
I just needed to concentrate on school and work, guys could and would be put on the back burner until then. Maybe I could get put into the Guinness book of world records for being the oldest virgin ever.
Chapter 14
Chase
Of course Leah seemed pissed about me showing up with another girl or maybe she was just pissed about that dude Gage. It’s hard to read her sometimes and normally I understand girls pretty well growing up with so many of them.
After Leah left I slowly made my way back into the apartment to deal with Ashley. She insisted on coming back to my apartment with me and after the cold shoulder from Leah at the party, I figured why not. A quickie with Ash and then I’ll take her home. But after seeing Leah in all her fierceness and how sexy she looked with her short skirt and boobs nicely pushed up in that corset thing, I couldn’t think of anything but her.
“Hey Ash, mind if I take you home now?” I ask after closing the door behind me and hunting her down, which she just so happened to find her way to the middle of my bed. Damn Leah must have some weird voodoo shit going on with me cause Ashley is looking fucking hot but my dick is not interested.
A shocked look crosses her perfect features and then quickly passes, “Oh you wanna go back to my place then, that’s fine.” She scootches off the bed and tries to wrap her arms around my neck but I lightly shove her away. “No that’s not it Ash. There’s kind of this girl I’m interested in and I just don’t think this should happen.” I motion between the two of us and chew on my lip, waiting for one of the famous Ashley tantrums that I remember all too well.
“That girl in the hall right? I knew it, I could totally feel the tension between you guys. So what’s the problem, you don’t want to deal with having a girlfriend that has a kid?”
Wow not the reaction I was expecting at all. Her tone is actually……understanding? Maybe Ash has changed since we broke up.
“No that’s not it at all. Calebs awesome and you know I love kids, I kinda have to. Leahs the problem. I think she wants to be with me but she says she doesn’t need to date, too much going on. I don’t know if that’s her nice way of letting me down or what.”
She nods her head in reply, scooping up her purse and heading back towards my front door. “She’s totally into you Chase, believe me I know that look in her eyes, I had it for you too. So you either just pissed her off by being seen with me or you made her so jealous she realizes she just needs to be with you now no matter what.”
Well I guess taking Ashley out did help me a little bit. Gave me a woman’s perspective on the whole situation. Plus she’s being really cool about it.
“I’m ready to go home then Chase. You can call me if you need any more help in the girl department. I promise it won’t be awkward at all.”
I lean over and give her a quick peck on her cheek. “Thanks Ash, I appreciate it.”
After taking Ashley home I head back to the apartment and hope maybe I’ll run into Leah again but no such luck. I’m sure she probably has Caleb tucked in bed now so I don’t want to bother and I head home.
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So Leah is definitely avoiding me since the party. I can totally tell, she’s so cute in how she thinks she’s getting away with it too. That’s okay I’ll give her a little bit of space. Maybe she just needs to figure things out in her head, what she really feels.
Me and the guys were playing another gig at a bar a little on the outside of town. It was nice that I was able to earn my money this way while in school but I was definitely looking forward to graduation. I wouldn’t miss playing in some of these bars.
I was setting up some equipment when Mark came up to me, slinging an arm around my shoulder. The guy had a permanent smile plastered on his face ever since he started dating Remy. She was a pretty cool chic but she wasn’t Leah. “So dude gotten anywhere with Leah?” I shake my head at him and pull out my guitar. The guys have been hounding with me questions about Leah and how I’m gonna win her over ever since I started talking about her. Teddy thinks I need to just screw her to get her out of my system and then I’ll be good. The wisdom of Teddy. Obviously with all of the relationships he’s not had, I don’t think I’ll be taking his advice anytime soon.
“Well Remy says Leahs been all depressing around work and she thinks it’s all because of you. Of course she won’t say anything but Remys convinced. I think you need to make the first move buddy.”
“Since when did we start acting like a bunch of girls Mark and gossiping about our love lives? I think I can figure it out bud, thanks.” Mark backs up with his hands held out in front of him in defense, a grin still plastered on that smug face. “Alright, alright. Just trying to help.”
I was starting to wonder if my judgment had been off on Ashley changing much since we broke up. She had given me some good advice about Leah but she kept dropping by the apartment lately for little things like she thought she lost an earring and she dropped off some cookies thanking me for taking her to the party. I’m sure if Leah noticed her it definitely wasn’t helping me out.
I pulled into the apartment complex, tired after our performance and ready to drop into bed. I was really looking forward to the upcoming holiday break, no school, no gigs and getting spoiled by mom. Nothing better than that.
“Hey Chase. Long time no see.” I turn and see Ally and her boyfriend Skylar that I’ve met a few times weaving through the parking lot. Doesn’t seem like we have much in common, not the type of guy to go out and shoot hoops with or something.
“Yeah well I thought maybe you were avoiding me too.” I shoot her a knowing smile which she returns. “Oh yeah you caught onto that, huh? Leah thinks she’s so sly sometimes. But you’re really not doing her any favors by playing along, if you’re really into her your gonna have to push your way in. She can be so stubborn sometimes.”
“Well I’ll see what I can do. I just need to convince her that dating me is a good idea.”
“Oh it would definitely be a good thing,” she replies with a wink. “You think you could do me a favor though?”
“Of course Al anything.”
“Me and Skylar are going to his families for Thanksgiving. Leah is refusing to go to mine even though she’s always been welcomed as family there, so her and Caleb are staying here. Another example of her stubbornness. You think you could stop by and check in on them. I know it will break you twos vow not to converse with each other but I’m just worried about them being alone on the holiday. It’s so depressing.” I’m sure with Allys bubbly personality, she’s never been depressed in her life.
“Not a problem. If I know it’ll make you breathe a little easier, I guess I can do it.” Ally rolls her eyes at my teasing tone. “Oh yeah I wouldn’t want to put you out or anything Chase. I’m sure she’s probably gonna pop in a frozen dinner for her and my little man when they could have a big home cooked meal with my family. Thanks Chase it means a lot.” I wave at her as we both head into our own apartments and I go to crash into bed with the usual girl running through my dreams.
Chapter 15
Leah
A few weeks went by and I managed to avoid Chase even living right across the hall from him. I learned his class schedule pretty quickly and Remy clued me in on all the band performances through Mark since they were still seeing each other. So I worked my laundry and coming and going around the times I knew he was sure to be gone. I did catch glimpses of him from time to time and had seen Ashley on more than one occasion. I couldn’t see myself being just friends with him and I didn’t want to encourage him.
Classes were going by quickly in the first semester and holiday break was coming up for Thanksgiving. Ally was heading to Skylars parents house for the holidays to meet his family for the first time. Ally was a little nervous about the introductions but she always did well with meeting new people and anyone could tell how madly in love they were with each other.
“You sure you don’t want to head home to my parents house Leah?” Ally asks as she finishes up her packing for the long weekend. Mrs. James had called to invite me to Thanksgiving dinner with the family even though Ally wouldn’t be there but I was looking forward to a peaceful weekend. Well as peaceful as you got with a three year old running around. No school and Ginos would be closed for the next three days since most of their customers were college students and the campus was already pretty deserted.
“Nope I’m good Al. I have our frozen turkey dinner all set. I just have to pop it in the microwave and I’m good.”
Ally huffs out and zips up her suitcase before plopping it on the ground and pulling up on the handle. “Are you trying to make me feel guilty, who wants to eat THAT for dinner EVER?”
I laugh at the horrified expression on her face and pat her arm. “We’ll be fine trust me. I might even clean up the apartment a little. Your room too if you’re lucky.” I look around her room, littered by strewn clothes and old food wrappers and pop cans. Mine is twice as bad as hers and I’m sure that will take me long enough. “Maybe not.”
“’Kay well call me if you change your mind. You know my brothers wouldn’t mind seeing you and my mom would spoil Caleb like usual.”
Ally had been trying to set me up with one of her brothers since the first day I met her. They weren’t bad looking but they were older and had always treated me just like another sister.
“I’ll call your mom if I need to. Now quit worrying about me and have fun with Sky. His family is going to love you just as much as he does.”
Ally gives me a hug and rolls away her leopard print suitcase away, “Kay. I did leave you something special in the fridge though. Me and Sky made extra for you the other night. Bye sweetie.” She waves to me as she heads out the door to meet Sky.
Chasing Leah (Journey Series) Page 9
