“I sure am.”
Chase led the way to the house and as he opened the door Brooke appeared just as he suspected she would. She shifted from one foot to the other, crossing her arms over her chest and staring them down. Her gray eyes, darker than his, scanned Rebecca from top to bottom and back again, finally stopping on her face.
“I see you touched up the lipstick smear. Can’t say the same for you,” Brooke said, eyeing him. He swiped his mouth, leaving behind a slight streak of pale pink gloss across the back of his hand.
“You’re just jealous,” Chase said.
“Of you?” Brooke scoffed. “Definitely not.”
Rebecca held her hand out to Brooke. “Hi, I’m…”
“I know who you are,” Brooke said, cutting her off.
“Which one of me do you know?” Rebecca asked, not skipping a beat. “There’s Bex Shepard, Hollywood’s It Girl. Bex Shepard, Hollywood’s It Girl gone bad. Rebecca Shepard, the girl who grew up in a trailer park. Or Rebecca… who is a little bit of all of them?”
Brooke’s lips pursed, eyes narrowed, and she placed her hand on her hip which only made her look that much more intimidating, but Rebecca didn’t as much as flinch.
A tiny smile, one that barely constituted as one, curved the edge of Brooke’s lips. “I like you,” she said, and Rebecca smiled while Chase let out a sigh of relief.
“Good,” Rebecca said. “Because from what Chase has told me, I feel like I know you already, and I like you, too.”
“So, big brother, you’ve been talking about me? I hope all good things.”
“Just that you’re a manipulative brat who doesn’t know how to keep her nose out of everyone’s business.”
Rebecca shot him a glance, but he just smiled. Brooke shrugged. “Well, it’s not like he’s lying.” Chase grabbed her by the head, pretending to give her a noogie, and she clocked him hard in the gut. “Get off of me, you stink!” Brooke’s nose wrinkled as she gave him another shove.
“It’s the smell of a real man.”
“A real man who fell into a bonfire,” Brooke countered.
“Actually was a bonfire. That’s why I’m here. Came to take a shower.”
“Layla beat you to it.”
Chase’s head fell back. It was the one downfall of living in a house with two sisters and only one bathroom. He never seemed to get to use it when he needed it.
“Calm down. She’s been in there for a while. She should be out soon.”
“Great, so she’s using all the hot water.”
“Probably.”
“Why are you all dressed up anyway?” Chase asked. Not that it was unusual for Brooke to be all decked out. She was donning a pair of jeans that Chase knew cost her two-week’s pay, and a pair of red shoes that gave her a good four inches making her just shy of his own height. Her sheer black shirt with white polka dots buttoned at the wrists and she wore a black tank top beneath it.
Brooke had always dressed nice despite their family’s financial situation. Fashion was something she adored. Chase thought Brooke would leave Red Maple Falls behind and go make a name for herself in the fashion industry, but when it came time to apply for college, they couldn’t afford the application fees.
They all had to make sacrifices to survive, but without fashion, Brooke never found her niche. She was smarter than anyone he knew, yet she was still waiting tables at Calhoun’s, the local bar. Not that Red Maple Falls had a whole lot of opportunities, and she made a good wage, it just killed him to see her give up her dreams because they simply couldn’t afford to help her make them happen.
“Layla and I are going to trivia night at the brewery like we do every Thursday.”
“Trivia night? That sounds like fun,” Rebecca said.
“You guys should come. We can always use some extra brain power on our team, especially since Ivy can’t make it tonight.”
Chase thought of a million other things he’d rather do to Rebecca then spend their night surrounded by half the town, but the way she smiled when Brooke mentioned it, he couldn’t deny her.
“You want to go?” he asked even though he already knew the answer.
“I’ve been so cooped up in that house. It would be nice to spend a night out and get to experience what it’s like to live here. I just worry that…” Her words trailed off, but without her finishing her thought, he knew exactly what was going through her mind.
“You might get a few people who ask for your autograph, but other than that, they’ll treat you like one of us,” Chase assured her.
A smile spread wide across her face. “Then I’m in.”
***
Chase headed to get ready for the shower, hesitantly leaving her behind with Brooke. Both Bex and Brooke found joy in making Chase squirm.
Bex took a seat at the table and glanced over to Brooke. Her jeans were designer, Bex could tell by the stitching, and the red shoes were a nice pop of color. She had a great sense of style, which was something Bex could appreciate.
“I’m sure he’s warned you about me,” Brooke said, grabbing two wine glasses from the cabinet. “For some reason he thinks I need to come with a disclaimer, but I swear I don’t bite.”
“He said some nice things, too.”
“Shocking.” She placed the two glasses on the table and grabbed a bottle of white wine from the fridge. “It’s not anything fancy, but it gets the job done.”
“Works for me.”
Brooke filled the two glasses and handed one to Bex. “Also, probably not a good idea to have wine before going to a brewery, but you seem like a girl who can handle her own.”
“Why? Because the tabloids say I can?” Bex asked, feeling shame for the first time since she’d arrived. She didn’t want Brooke to judge her based on what the tabloids said about her.
“No,” Brooke said matter-of-factly. “Though, I will say that if those pictures weren’t photo-shopped, I seriously hate you.”
Bex should’ve been embarrassed that her naked body was out in the world for anyone to see, but she wasn’t angry with Brooke. If anything, she was thoroughly amused by her blatant honesty.
Bex took a sip of her wine. “No Photoshop. It’s called eating nothing but salads for the past eight years, working out two to three hours a day, and basically always being hungry.”
Brooke’s mouth parted but she froze, snapping it shut. Bex wondered if anything rendered Brooke silent. “No wonder you rear-ended that car. You must’ve been faint from hunger.”
“I could probably use that in my defense,” Bex said before taking a sip of wine.
“Definitely. Lawyers can spin anything, even if you are guilty.” Her eyebrow lifted, and while Bex assumed many people would presume Brooke was judging her, she didn’t feel that way at all. Brooke was just curious for the truth. Another thing Bex could respect.
“It was an accident. I took my eyes off the road for one second and… Well, I’m sure you know the rest.”
“That must suck,” Brooke said. “Every mistake you make being documented and speculated by complete strangers. I know if I was in your shoes, I’d look like a beast.”
“It’s definitely one of the biggest downfalls of being a celebrity.”
“I think I’d be able to manage if I got to wear half the designers you have. That red Versace dress with the high slit that you wore to the Oscars this year was absolutely stunning. Was it custom?”
“It was. When I saw it for the first time, I knew it was perfect. Probably my favorite dress I’ve ever worn.”
Brooke’s eyes sparkled with awe. “I hate you.”
“Brooke, I hope you’re being kind to our guest,” a woman with dark brown hair and the prettiest eyes Bex had ever seen said. They were different than Chase’s and Brooke’s, more blue than gray, almost glasslike in appearance. A gorgeous contrast against her dark hair and fair complexion.
Her damp hair was parted off center. She held her hand out to Bex and smiled. “I’m Layla, it’s nice to meet
you.”
Bex stood from the table and shook Layla’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Chase has told me a lot about you.”
“I don’t know whether to be scared or flattered,” she said, a smile edging the corner of her mouth.
“He’s lucky to have you,” Bex said then looked at Brooke. “Both of you. I didn’t have any siblings growing up, and I never thought much about it, but listening to Chase talk about your family makes me wish I had a brother or a sister.”
“Then he’s been holding back,” Brooke said.
Layla laughed. “With everything in life, it has its perks, but it also has its downfalls.”
“But neither of you would trade it for anything in the world, I’m sure.”
Layla and Brooke glanced at each other, and Brooke shrugged. “Probably not.” Brooke tapped her chin. “Though, I would have more closet space.”
Layla rolled her eyes and turned to the coffee pot. “I see you two are drinking wine. Is it safe to say you won’t want a cup of coffee?”
“No, I’m good. If I drink that now I’ll be up all night,” Bex said.
“If Layla could have an IV hooked up to her feeding her coffee all day, she’d be in heaven,” Brooke said.
“Side effect of working night shifts,” she said. She poured herself a cup and walked over to the table, sitting down at one of the open chairs. “So, since Chase is in the shower, should I break out the baby pictures and embarrass him?” Layla asked before taking a sip of her coffee.
“I bet he was a cute baby.”
Layla and Brooke looked at each other, then both broke out into laughter. Layla shook her head and rested her hand on her chest. “I’m sorry.”
“What’s so funny?” Bex asked.
“Chase was an ugly baby,” Brooke said. “And I say that with love.”
“Come on… No baby is ugly.”
Brooke laughed louder. “That is so not true.”
“He really was funny looking. Had a big bald head with a blue vein slicing across his forehead. Luckily as he got older the vein was no longer noticeable, and by the time he hit two he finally started growing some hair.”
“You guys are awful,” Bex said. Their laughs were contagious, and she couldn’t help herself from joining in.
“What’s so funny?” Chase’s voice knocked her back to reality, and she spun to look at him, but she came face to face with his bare chest. His chest glistened still damp from the shower. A drop of water fell from his hair and slid down the hard ripples of his abdomen, disappearing beneath his jeans. His jeans sat low on his hips, his hip bones forming into a sexy V. She swallowed down the desire to reach out and run her hands across each and every ridge.
“Just telling Bex how you were an ugly baby,” Brooke said and Bex forced her eyes away from Chase’s chest.
“Please tell me they didn’t bust out the pictures,” Chase said.
Layla laughed. “Not yet.”
“Good, I still have time to hide them.”
“I’m sure you weren’t an ugly baby,” Bex said, her eyes drifting away from his and scanning his body. “And even if you were, you turned out pretty well.”
A smile tilted his lips and she had to bite her own to suppress the urge to reach out to him.
She assumed Chase was a great guy because he was a firefighter, and that was one of the most selfless jobs imaginable. But now, seeing him interacting with his family, there was no denying how truly great he was.
Every minute she spent with him she fell deeper and deeper for the local fireman. She would have to go back to her life one day soon, but maybe she didn’t have to leave Chase behind.
“Can you two stop eye fu— Ow!” Brooke exclaimed, rubbing her arm and narrowing an annoyed gaze at Layla. “What the heck did you do that for?”
***
Chase shook his head as Brooke glared at Layla across the table. Brooke never did have a filter, despite how hard Layla tried to give her one.
“Watch your mouth,” Layla said then took a sip of her coffee.
“Seriously? I’m twenty-four, not twelve.”
“I don’t care if you’re ninety-two. I didn’t teach you to speak like that.”
Brooke let out a perturbed breath. “Do you see what I have to put up with?” she asked, looking to Bex. “Do you happen to have an extra room in your penthouse?”
Bex laughed. “You would never leave here.”
Chase knew that wasn’t true. Brooke had every intention of leaving until they realized they couldn’t afford for her to go.
Brooke shrugged. “Maybe not, but trust me, it’s tempting at times.”
“We should get going soon,” Layla said. “Chase, you plan on putting a shirt on?”
He cut a look to Bex and watched as her cheeks turned a nice shade of red. “I’m thinking about it.”
“He’s just trying to show off his abs like Bex hasn’t seen a million guys like that.” Chase darted his eyes to Brooke, and if he could stare a hole through her throat to keep her from talking he would. “You do realize she works with actors and models,” Brooke said, looking at him with a victorious glint in her eyes.
One day he was going to give her a dose of her own medicine, and he couldn’t wait.
“No kidding,” he said. “And I’m not trying to show off. I was just coming to make sure you weren’t smearing my good name.”
Which was exactly why he’d taken the fastest shower he’d ever taken in his life. He didn’t trust Brooke to be on her best behavior because Brooke didn’t have a best behavior.
He hadn’t known what to expect when he first walked into the kitchen, but he was happy to see everyone smiling and laughing.
Brooke gave a sassy flick of her eyes. “Not much good about it.”
His sister was quick; he’d give her that. “I don’t think you would know what good was if it smacked you over the head.”
She pursed her lips, eyes narrowing to two tiny slits, but she’d been giving him that look for her entire life; it didn’t affect him in the least.
Layla let out a loud breath. “And do you see what I have to put up with?” she said to Bex, and Chase walked over to Layla, engulfing her in a hug from behind. He rocked back and forth squeezing tighter.
“You love us,” he said.
She smacked his arm. “Get off of me,” she said through her laughs. “You’re still wet.”
Chase rubbed his wet hair against her cheek before he released his grip and stepped back.
“I’m going to kill you,” she said. “I actually put makeup on tonight.”
Ever since their mom died, Layla worked all the time, so much so that she stopped treating herself to the basic luxuries of life. Once someone who wouldn’t leave the house without a face full of makeup, she now only wore it on special occasions.
“You don’t even need it,” Chase said honestly.
“Then you need to get your eyes checked,” she said. “I look like I haven’t slept in a week.”
“Because you haven’t,” Brooke said matter-of-factly to which Layla couldn’t even attempt to argue.
Layla looked down at her watch. “Okay it’s time to go. I’m assuming these two want to be alone, so they can meet us there.” Layla rinsed her mug and put it next to the coffee pot for later.
“If you decide to have a quickie before leaving, just keep it to your bedroom,” Brooke said. “I’d like to sit on the couch later.”
Rebecca’s cheeks flared up, and Chase reached out to grab Brooke as she moved past him, but years of dodging him had trained her well. She stopped at the doorway and spun back, sticking her tongue out at him before walking away.
She called over her shoulder, “See you there, Bex.”
Layla shook her head as she followed after Brooke. Chase turned to Rebecca and flashed her a smile. “So that was my family, and since you’re still here I’m assuming they didn’t scare you? Or you’re too scared to run?”
“Not at all. They were great.”
/>
“Don’t tell Brooke that. You’ll only make her head bigger, and she already has trouble getting that thing in and out of doors.”
Bex laughed. “I think she’s sweet.”
Chase’s eyes widened, and he tossed his thumb over his shoulder toward the doorway. “We are talking about the same girl, right? Not Layla, Brooke. About yay high.” He held his hand up to just below his nose. “Brown hair, likes fashion.”
“Yup, same girl.”
“What in the world did I miss when I was in the shower? Did she put you under some sort of spell?”
“You really need to give her more credit.”
“Oh, I give her plenty of credit, which is why I’m very confused.”
She stood from the table and ran her fingers up his bare chest. “You’re adorable when you’re confused.”
“Is that right?” he asked, letting her feel her way up to his shoulders. Each touch was like an electric shock to his system. Desire coursed through him at rocket speed and his jeans became uncomfortably tight.
Her hands fell from him just before they met behind his neck, and she stepped back. Her green eyes glowed with a sultry seduction that him practically falling to his knees.
She quirked the edge of her lip, the movement alone making the anticipation of what came next almost too much to handle.
“We should go,” she said.
Whatever he was expecting, it sure as hell wasn’t that. She winked as she walked past, and he grabbed her arm, spinning her back to him. She landed against his chest, her warm hands flattening against his flesh.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, hovering just above her mouth.
She looked at him, mocking pure innocence. “To trivia night. We wouldn’t want to keep your sisters waiting.”
“I spent half my life waiting on them. They damn well can wait.” He dipped his head, capturing her mouth. She tasted like wine—sweet and fruity—an addicting mixture that had him desperate for more.
Her fingers tangled into his hair and pulled him close, the movement sending a rush of carnal need inside him. He picked her up into his arms and placed her on the counter. Her legs locked behind him, and she pulled her head away. “Should we go to your bedroom?” she asked.
Charmed by Chase Page 10
