23

I BLINK MY eyes open in an effort to wake myself up.

The soft touch of the pillow behind my head isn't exactly easy to stray away from. I swear I could sleep here for hours if the chance presented itself.

But that isn't all that's keeping me firmly in place. Nope. There's a also the heavy weight of Chase's arm thrown over my waist, hugging me to him.

I should have known he's a cuddler.

I rub at my eyes, trying to get the sleepiness out of my vision, and look over at him.

His mouth is set in a firm line, and his brows are smoothed out in an almost peaceful way. I smile at him.

But that's exactly when the memories of last night resurface.

I think you're my favorite person too, Matthews.

He really said that, hadn't he?

I throw my head back against the pillow, burying a groan.

God, what did it even mean?

I have so many questions on the tip of my tongue, so many answers I want. But I know that I cant get them if I don't expect him to ask me some in turn.

And I have no idea how much I'm willing to share.

I'd never been an open person. Not even with my parents, as amazing as they are.

I chose constantly to let my emotions burrow within me rather than hash them out once in a while.

And the result of that was the bitter person I am now.

Or maybe the not-so bitter person I'm trying to be.

I don't know anymore.

All I do know is that I like the way Chase looks at me. I don't want it to change.

And I'm afraid if at some point I find it in me to tell him everything, it will change.

I release a small sigh, deciding its best to probably get up now.

I slowly take his arm in my hand a gently lift it, carefully sliding out from beneath it. But the second I move, Chase's arm retracts and he only hauls me closer.

Close enough to smell the familiar scent of his lavender detergent, and feel the heat emitting from his body.

I swallow thickly, craning my neck to give him a once over.

He's still sleeping deeply, but where his brows were once smooth they're now creased right in the middle.

Hesitantly, I reach my hand over to smooth his features out, my skin brushing softly against his.

To my horror, his eyes crack open slightly just as I am about to retract my hand and he squints up at me, "Lila?"

I clear my throat, dropping my hand. "Yes?"

"You're...here," he states.

"I would hope so, yes," I reply.

Chase nods absentmindedly then looks down to where his arm is cradling my waist. My shirt has ridden up a little, so his skin is now brushing softly against mine.

"Sorry," he mumbles, but he doesn't remove his arm.

And I don't want him to.

I breathe in deeply as he looks up at me, seeming at a loss for words.

That makes two of us.

I clear my throat quickly and stumble to sitting position, as if breaking from his spell. His arm falls away from my waist and I cringe when I remember I slept in jeans.

Why did I think that was a good idea?

Maybe because sleeping pantless in a bed with Chase Rhodes isn't something I'm exactly used to.

I don't think I ever will be used to it, either.

I roll out of the covers, and land on my feet, wincing slightly.

"I should..." I clear my throat. "I should get home."

Chase sits up as well, running a hand through his hair and all I can think is he had that hand on my hip.

And I liked it there.

Jesus.

He nods, standing too. "Yeah, okay. Uh, I'll just change really quick, and let Maya know," he looks around briefly, then as if he doesn't know what else to say, he leaves.

I blow out a breath, and curse myself inwardly for making this so awkward.

It's not like we actually slept together. No, we were just in the same bed, sleeping. And fully clothed.

So then why does it feel like I got caught doing something I'm not supposed to?

I shift on my feet, feeling like my jeans have been permanently glued onto my body in a way jeans should never be.

I wring my hands out as I make my way to the bathroom, hoping that Chase has an extra toothbrush.

I don't know how people on TV can just casually make out with someone first thing in the morning.

I know I would be half way to the bathroom ready to hurl from their morning breath.

Not that I would be making out with Chase.

Right?

I shake my head, I think that pillow was doing things to my brain.

Definitely just caused a malfunction.

After doing a quick scan of the counter, and coming to the conclusion that Chase does not, in fact, have an extra toothbrush, I resort to brushing my teeth with my finger.

Anything that'll make the awful taste in my mouth go away.

Once I've rinsed I make my way back into his room and notice that he hasn't returned yet.

Dammit.

Do I just...leave?

Or should I wait?

God, I would be so bad at having a one-night stand.

I chew on my bottom lip as I make the decision to exit his room. I mean, I think waiting for him in the kitchen is a little less creepy

than standing beside his bed impatiently.

The door shuts behind me with a soft click, and all that I can hear is the low bickering of Chase and Maya coming from downstairs.

I trail down the stairs, following the voices and stop just beside the counter where I see him and Maya arguing about something.

"Why don't you just take her, then?" Maya snaps at him, and I can see Chase's jaw clench.

"Maya," he mutters. "It'll be five minutes, I swear."

They look at each other for a moment and I glance away, feeling like I definitely should not be listening.

"Fine. Take your girlfriend home," she slides her headphones back on and then looks at me, "I'm sure she'd love to get out of here."

"Well, now definitely," I mutter lowly, but she pauses and gives me a look.

I bite my tongue. I really do not know when to shut up.

Chase suddenly stands beside me, and Maya gives him a look before walking away, the soft thump of her music leaving in her wake.

Chase turns, "I'm sorry, she's..." he shakes his head.

"Upset?" I offer.

He nods solemnly, but doesn't explain further, and I bite my tongue before I can press him for more. "Yeah," he sighs. "C'mon. If we leave now I'm sure we can get you home before your parents find a way to kill me."

I snort, "Trust me, they won't kill you."

"No?" He raises a brow, that playful grin replacing his earlier frown.

"Nope. I'm afraid they've succumb to your "charm"," I put air-quotes on the last word.

He smirks, "Don't be mad because I have some."

"Oh my God, I think I just saw your head get a little bit bigger," I mock a gasp.

"Funny," he replies.

"Why, thank you," I do small bow.

"Alright, let's go, Matthews," he rolls his eyes, but I smile at his own smile.

"Wait!"

My head turns at the sound of a small voice, and I see Grace running down the stairs in a purple night gown, clutching a stuffed...hammer?

"Don't leave," she whines, nearing us.

"Why are you awake?" Chase mutters from beside me.

She gives him a sour look, "Why are you awake?"

I hold back a laugh. Grace is one of those kids that doesn't have to say any sort of bodily waste to be funny. She just is.

Though I don't think she means to be.

"Gracie," Chase mumbles. "Lila's gotta go home."

I smack Chase's head, "Lila doesn't need to do anything."

He stares at me, "You're the one who said you should leave!"

"Well what else was I supposed to say? I slept in the same bed as you in jeans!" I throw my hand up. "You shouldn't expect much else."

"You slept in jeans?" His brows furrow.

"Thank you for noticing, only took you seven hours," I grumble.

"Well I'm sorry if I wasn't looking at your legs for seven hours," he retorts.

"So only the other seventeen?"

His cheeks redden and he shakes his head quickly, "What? No. No. I mean, not that you're legs aren't good to look at, I'm sure they're great. They are. For other people? No. That sounded bad too. I'm sorry. But I just—"

A laugh bursts out of me, and I clutch my stomach, "I'm messing with you. You can stop talking about my legs now. Relax."

He only blushes harder. "I hate you."

"No you don't," I sing.

"Why are you looking at her legs?" Grace says confusedly, her brows furrowed in a way that reminds me of Chase.

"I wasn't!" He exclaims. "You know what? Gracie if I let you come with us will you pretend you didn't hear this entire conversation?"

Grace taps her chin, then grins. "Yes!"

"Alright," he breathes a sigh and I struggle to contain my laughter.

"Get your shoes on, then we're out. I'll go tell Maya."

"Can Lila help me with my shoes?" She asks excitedly.

Chase looks over at me and smiles, "I don't know. Can she?"

I roll my eyes, grabbing Grace's hand. "She can."

Grace begins pulling me forward, towards her room and I follow diligently.

She drops my hand to open her door and looks at me expectantly. I gasp, "Wow. Your room is great."

Immediately she smiles as I take in the one hundred stuffed animals and tools displayed everywhere. "Where'd you get all of these?" I laugh.

She sets her hammer down, "Chase got them for me," she smiles. "Every time he went to visit Grandma, he would bring one back. Sometimes two."

I smile at that. I've never seen a brother as dedicated as he is.

"Every time?" I say.

She nods, "Every time. Even when I don't ask for one."

She grabs her shoes, placing them on as I come to understanding that Chase would probably do anything for these girls.

He would do anything for the people he cares about.

And I can only wonder who didn't do the same thing for him.

Was it his mom? Or...his dad? Chase has never mentioned him, so I don't exactly know.

But I want to.

I want to everything about Chase. Because somewhere along the way I stopped pretending.

And although the idea of letting myself open up to someone terrifies me, I would rather it be Chase than anyone else.

"Got it!" Grace hollers, tugging me back outside where we find Chase waiting by the door, Maya right behind him.

I raise a brow at him in question.

"I guess everyone's coming?" I say, playing with the end of my braid.

He nods, then opens the front door, bowing to Grace. "After you, milady."

She giggles at him and he smiles in return, then does the exact same toward Maya, although more exaggeratedly.

Maya only shakes her head at him, but you can't miss the way her lips tilt up a little bit.

I guess they worked something out.

Chase suddenly grabs my hand, and presses a lingering kiss onto my knuckles, "And you, of course."

The touch of his lips sends goosebumps traveling up my arms, and I smile in hopes to cover my flaming cheeks.

Once we've all loaded into the car, Grace announces and I'm buckling my seatbelt, "I have a good one!"

Maya groans whilst Chase says, "Shoot."

"Okay," she claps her hands together. "did you know that narwhals tusks show their old habitat life?"

She grins at me through the mirror and I do my best to grin back.

"I did not know that," Chase whistles, "But once again, thank you to our very own walking Google for informing us."

Grace gives him a toothy grin and I open my mouth to say something when Chase's phone rings.

He glances down at it but frowns and tucks it away.

It rings again.

And again.

"Chase," I urge. "go ahead."

He gives me an apologetic look before placing it to his ear.

I turn to tell Grace something, but Chase interjects. "Slow down, for fuck's sake. Where the hell are you?"

Grace's eyes widen and she covers her ears with the palms of her hands.

"Okay," Chase growls. "Okay. Fine."

Then he hangs up the phone, leaving the car silent.

I swallow, turning to look at him, "Chase?"

My voice is breathy in a worried way. A worried way I've grown quite used to around Chase.

He huffs out a breath, pressing his hands to his eyes.

"That was my mom."