by Anna Black
“I know, and I’m sorry, Chase. Madison is strong-willed when she wants to be and weak when she shouldn’t be. Right now, she’s just angry. Trust me, when the anger passes, she’s going to be lonely and realize how much she misses you. Now, I’m no expert, and we’ve talked about this before, but just give her more time. And being with that Hope Gardener didn’t help the situation, fool,” she shot and popped him on the back of his head.
He grabbed the spot she hit. “Mom, I’m not with her. I mean, I am, but it’s not what you think. She’s like the rebound stalker chick. She thinks she’s helping me, but she’s only helping me realize how much more I miss Madi and getting on my damn nerves at the same time.”
“Well, Madison went to Houston. She’s spending some time away. In the meantime, come with me. You need a shave. If she were to come home this moment, she’d never take you back.”
“But I want her to see me like this. To show her how lost I am without her.”
“No, she’d think you’re touched in the head. Come on, follow me to the salon. Let me get you back to normal.”
He hesitated. “Okay,” he finally said.
An hour later, he looked like himself again. “Thanks, Mom, I look like me now.”
“Yes, you do. Now let me give you a word of advice.” Chase raised an eyebrow. “I can’t predict the future, but after so long, it will be okay to move on, son. You’re still young.”
“I know, Mom, but I won’t. I’ll wait for her.”
“Chase, be realistic.”
“I am. I love her. I’ll wait for her to come around. I know she loves me. It was in her kiss, her touch, and the way she smiled at me. That’s what I hold on to in my heart. I didn’t imagine that. And one day, she’ll remember and come back to me.”
“You’re a good man, Chase. A bit dumb, though,” she joked, “but a good man. I wish you two well.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Chase stood and gave Martha a tight hug. “When you talk to her, tell her I love her, and I miss her, and I’ll never give up on us.”
“I will, son.”
“Thank you.” He kissed Martha’s cheek and then went home, but not before driving by Madison’s. He knew her mother said she had gone to Houston, but he went by her place anyway. He walked around to the back of her house and pulled the door handle on her screened-in porch and was happy to find that it was open. He went inside and took a seat and stared out at the lake. He looked down and noticed all the bride magazines that Madison had stacked on the wicker coffee table. He grabbed the one on top and thumbed through the pages.
He looked at some of the posted notes that were on pages of things that Madison liked, and his eyes welled. “I’m sorry, babe, and this wedding is going to happen, I promise. I don’t know what it’s going to take, but I’m going to get you back.” He looked through several more magazines, and by sundown, he headed home. The only thing he had on his mind at that point was getting Madison back.
* * *
When Chase got home, he dialed the cleaning service his family used and set up an appointment for his place. The next morning, his staff was shocked to see him back in the office, looking sharp like he did before.
He met with his assistant, and she brought him up to speed on all the projects that had been delayed during his absence and brought him up to speed on what projects were on time or ahead of schedule. Chase fell right back into the flow of work, and that day did help him to not think of Madison every second of his day. Before he left for the day, he called for his brothers and his father to meet him in the conference room.
“Look, Chase, again, we are sorry and so happy to see you back to work,” Lance said.
Damon spoke next. “Yes, li’l bro—”
Chase cut him off. “Look, there is no need to apologize again, okay? I’ve had enough apologies to last a lifetime. I’ve called this meeting to redeem my winnings. Although I said no to the monies earlier, I’ve changed my mind. Since I’ve lost Madison, I might as well enjoy something. I want every dime that’s due to me. First, though, I want a check for the cost of Madison’s home and the renovations to her spa refunded back to her. You can forward the checks to her or handle it however you want, but after that, I want the remainder of it transferred to my account.”
No one argued.
“So, all is forgiven?” Travis asked.
“Yes. It is what it is, right? She found out, and she left, but I never broke our agreement. I did what I was dared to do. In the process, I fell in love and got my heart broken. This is where I stand now and until she comes back to me, and I want to move on.”
“Son, I’m truly sorry,” his dad said.
“Dad, I’m good. My focus now is just on giving her time. I busted my brain on things I could do to win her back, and I can’t do anything but give her time to realize how much she loves me and wants to be with me.”
Lance jumped in. “Are you sure? Because we all know about this thing you got with Hope. What’s up with that?”
“Hope and I are nothing, and as soon as I leave here, she’ll know it too. I don’t love her. Hell, I don’t even like her, and why I allowed her to come within five feet lets me know that the breakup with Madison put me in a very bad place, but I’m ready to move on, and Hope will get this news tonight, I promise you.”
“Do you plan to go back to the way you were?” Damon inquired.
“What does it matter, Damon? I mean, seriously? When I was playing the field, I was honest, and I didn’t hurt a soul. I didn’t front. I was free to move around, go as I pleased. You guys were the ones who didn’t like my lifestyle. So, what’d you do? You dangle this proposition in my face, allowing me to fall in love and get my fucking heart broken. I destroyed the only relationship that ever meant anything to me, and broke Madison’s heart in the process.” He struggled to keep his cool. “So, does it truly matter, Damon? Huh?” He felt his eyes burn, and he didn’t want to cry in front of them. “Just please take care of those two things and give me the rest of my winnings.” He stormed out.
He hurried to his car, upset, hurt, and confused. He missed Madison so much. He just wanted her back. He didn’t give a shit about the money, about Hope, or even his position at the business anymore. He just wanted her, but what could he do? There was absolutely nothing he could do at that point.
Please, Madison, he prayed, unable to hold back his tears. Please, baby, come back to me. I love you; I love you; I love you, baby. I’ve never loved anyone, but I love you.
He dried his eyes, got himself together, and headed to Hope’s parents’ place for dinner.
There, they greeted him with smiles and hugs. He sat at the table in silence picking at his food, ignoring the uppity, fake conversations that went on. All Hope’s family talked about was money and business.
“So, Chase, what do you think?” her father asked.
He hadn’t been listening. He swallowed hard and asked. “About what, sir?”
“Another dealership in Longview. I mean, that would make lot twelve, and since you and Hope are going to marry soon, I think you should consider taking over as the GM and relocating to that area to start fresh and new.”
His eyes bucked. There were no marriage plans. And what would make Mr. Gardener think he’d leave his family’s company to work for him?
He cleared his throat. “Well, sir. I have a solid position at my family’s company, and the thought of leaving Tyler has never entered my mind.”
“Well, Hope told us about the little feud you guys have going on, so I thought a change of scenery would do you some good. And my baby girl is not getting any younger. You’ve been the topic of my angel’s life since when? The seventh grade?”
Chase had had enough. It was time to set the record straight and be done with Hope Gardener. He dropped his fork and stood. “No disrespect, Mr. Gardener, but I would never consider relocating or leaving my family’s business. Ever. As far as any personal issues going on in my family right now, they’re none of anyone’s business
. We had a hiccup like most families do from time to time, but we are fine. There is no feud, so whatever you heard about me and mine, forget it. My family and I are just fine.
“I was foolish to make promises to Hope about us one day getting married. Although I’ve been a topic in your home since junior high, she hasn’t been a topic or even a thought in mine.” He turned to her. “Hope, you are a gorgeous woman, and any man would be lucky to have you, but I don’t love you. I don’t want you, and I will never marry you.” He looked back at Mr. Gardener. “Sir, I’m sorry, but Hope knows where we stand. She’s known it for a long time. I was hurt by the woman I love, and Hope pretended to be a friend to aid me through my tough time, but she was only up to the same old tricks. Mrs. Gardener, I’m sorry. I know you and my mom are friends, but I don’t want to be with your daughter. I’m in love with Madison Atkins-Morgan, and that’s who I’ll marry one day.”
Hope looked furious. “You asshole!” she yelled. “You are the stupidest man on this planet. You’d leave me for that fat bitch? That’s why you’re lonely now because she left you. Yes, let’s be real, Chase Storm. Your brothers put a wager on that hog for you to even go anywhere near her, and when that pig learned the truth, she left you!” she spat with venom.
“Hope,” her dad said, holding up a hand signaling her to stop.
“No, Daddy, I need to tell this second-rate Negro about himself. Don’t nobody want you, Chase Storm. You are used goods, and you’d be lucky to marry me. If you walk out now, you will be alone forever. I’m the best woman for you. Madison is a miserable rhino who only wishes she could be me. She has since we were kids. I’m the one who has loved you forever. Walk out that door, and you’re done,” she threatened.
Chase managed to muster up a smile. “Good night, Mr. and Mrs. Gardener.” He headed for the door.
Hope yelled profanities and threats behind him, but he didn’t stop. He got in his car and sighed. He felt better but still not good.
When he got home, his mind went into overdrive, thinking how he’d go to Houston and bring Madison home. He’d have to work on Mrs. Atkins to find out her location, but he had to get his woman.
Chapter Twenty-six
Madison drove with her stomach in knots. Traffic was crazy, and she thought she’d never make it to Tyler. By the time she pulled into her driveway, it was after eleven. She wanted more than anything to go to Chase but decided to wait until the next day. She went into her house. She had missed her space. She had missed her bed. And she had missed her man.
She grabbed her cell phone and unblocked him. She hadn’t wanted to see his calls or texts, but now she wanted him—all of him—and she couldn’t wait to see him. She would go early before he left for work. If Hope was there, oh well, who cared?
Her alarm sounded off at six, and she hopped up like a Pop-Tart, showered, and dressed. Then she drove to Chase’s place, anxious and excited, and she couldn’t wait to see his face, kiss his lips, and wrap her arms around his neck. She was so happy to see that he hadn’t left yet.
Taking a deep breath, she got out and went to his door. She had a key, but using it after they had broken up would probably get her shot, so she rang the bell.
After a couple of moments, he opened it. “Baby,” he said. He looked shocked to see her.
She smiled. “Hi. Can I—”
“Sure, sure. Come on.” He stepped aside to allow her to enter. “I know I should have called first.”
“No, Madison, you never have to call. You are welcome here at any time.”
“Where’s Hope?”
“Home, I assume. Why would I know where Hope is?”
“Come on, Chase. I know you two are together.”
He moved closer to her, got so close she could smell the mint on his breath. “I’m not with her. I’ve missed you so much, Madison. Please tell me you’re here for us.”
“Yes, I—” His tongue was down her throat before she could say any more.
“I love you, baby,” he whispered between kisses. He held her so close, and she felt her heartbeat beating to the rhythm of his.
She moaned from his kisses. She had missed him. Truly missed him. “I love you too,” she breathed into his mouth.
He broke from their kiss. “I want you back. Madison, I love you. Please take me back. I messed up big time. I own up to that. I started out on the wrong foot, but I fell in love with you. Please?” he said. His eyes watered, and the sight pierced her heart.
“Chase, I’m not second rate, or a charity case, or so undesirable that nobody wants me.”
“Baby, I know,” he cried.
“No, Chase, listen to me. Seriously. I have to say this before we can move forward. What y’all did was foul. You fucked with my self-esteem and my mind for a moment and had me second-guessing myself, and that was so unfair to do that. The way I found out devastated me, Chase. That’s why I left. That news was like a gut punch or a kick in the damn head, and it was so embarrassing, Chase. I mean, people pointing and laughing and whispering behind my back was humiliating.”
He stepped back and rubbed his head. He let out a sigh and took a seat on the little bench in his foyer. “Madison, you have every right to be mad, pissed, angry. . . . Whatever you want to label it. I never told you that your emotions, or how you felt about what went down were irrelevant, and trust me, I totally understood your reaction to something like that. All I’ve been doing since you’ve been away is praying for you to focus on us and our time and everything that we have built during the time we were together.
“Truth, the raw truth is, I’d have never approached a plus-sized woman. No, I would have never chosen you out of a crowd. I was shallow as hell and not focused on looking for a wife or anyone to spend the rest of my life with back then. To be honest with you, Madison, I’m glad I wouldn’t have chosen you before the bet because you would have been just another notch in my belt, another bed buddy, and I wouldn’t ever have tried to get to know you or even hear you. Truth, all the times that we were introduced, I never noticed you because I was on some other shit, Madison. But that is not who I am today. I’m a changed man, and I owe it to you, and, in an odd way, my brothers, for seeing something in you that I may have never noticed in a lifetime on my own.
“What my brothers and I did and what I agreed to was foul, Madison. Yes, it was low but as wrong as it was, it brought us together, and I found the love of my life. No matter how we got to today, this is where we are, baby, and I love you, I adore you, and I still want to marry you. None of that has changed. I’ve been miserable without you, Madison.
“Please, don’t just throw everything we have now away. You know me. When I’m with you, I’m the man I’m supposed to be. You bring out the best in me, Madison. Please tell me you’re here to work it out.”
She looked him in the eye. “Yes, Chase, that is exactly why I’m here. I wanna work it out. I’m here right now, because I want you, Chase. I love you, and I missed you so much, and I don’t care where we started anymore. I just want what we have right here and now. Where we are now is the only thing that matters to me, baby, and I do forgive you, Chase, and your family for what y’all did. I don’t give a shit about the wager, the money. All I want is you. All I need is to be with you.”
“Madison, baby, please be sure. My heart can’t take you walking out on me again. You have to be truly over it and honestly forgive me, because I don’t want this to be an argument next month, next year, or when you’re on the delivery table wailing in pain while you’re giving birth.”
She giggled. “I’m so for real, Chase. I love you, and all is forgiven. I was so sad and lonely without you.”
He stood, walked over to her, and gently kissed her again.
“Thank you, Madison, for forgiving me and coming back to me. I was so scared that I had lost you forever, and I didn’t know how I was going to make it for the rest of my life without you.”
“Well, I’m here to stay, and I’ll never leave you again, Chase. Just don’t do
anything crazy to drive me away.”
“I promise I won’t,” he said and kissed her.
She pulled away. “And Hope Gardener—is she an issue?”
He laughed. “After the scene at her folk’s house last night, I can promise you that she will never be an issue for us ever again.”
“What? What happened?” she inquired.
“Later, baby, I just want to reunite with you. We can talk about Hope later. She isn’t important. Reconnecting with you is all I want to do right now.”
They moved to the living room and on the sectional, they reacquainted themselves with each other. She moaned, he groaned, she shook, and he smiled. He could still make her tremble.
“Chase, baby. Oh, Chase,” she moaned when she climaxed a second time. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” she sang.
“You like that, baby? Does that feel good?” he breathed into her soft spot.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes. Chase, oh, baby, I’ve missed your tongue, baby. That feels so good,” she moaned in pleasure. Chase licked and sucked and used his fingers to penetrate her opening until he made her come. “Oh my God, Chase, baby, oh my God, baby. I’m there, I’m there, baby. I’m coming for you,” she uttered.
He kissed her inner thigh and came up with his erection in his hand. He stroked himself, while she regained her composure. “Turn over and let me slide in from behind,” he demanded.
She turned over on her stomach and pushed her ass up in the air. He slid in easily. No condom, no barrier, and the familiar feeling of his rod had Madison squirming and singing his name. She closed her eyes and visions of her wedding, lovemaking, and having his babies invaded her mind. Those thoughts made her happy, and she couldn’t wait to start a new life with Chase. He was the one, and she was happy to be right there with him.
“Ooooh, baby, do me. You know what I like. You know what I like, Daddy.” She pushed back, meeting his thrusts, and he pumped harder and faster.
“Aaaaaah, baby, aaaaaah,” he roared. “I love you, I love you, I love you. Madison, be my wife. Be my wife,” he moaned.