Loving Chase: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Novel

by Tania De Melo

  I look up to Connie from the table in her kitchen. It’s pretty much the same spot I’ve been for the past few weeks. It’s safe here—I feel safe here.

  “I can’t.”

  She moves in closer to the edge of the table. “Why?” I stand in frustration and walk out of the kitchen, but Connie follows me. “Do not walk away, Dylan. You answer me—why?”

  I turn and look into her eyes. “Because they all leave, so what’s the point. My mom, Sarah, even Chase.”

  “Mi hijo, she needs you.”

  I shake my head in refusal. “I can’t. Connie, I can’t risk losing her.”

  “Mi amor, you lose her anyway if you do not go to her.”

  It’s starting again—the anxiety, and with the anxiety come the tears. I just want it to stop, but it never goes entirely away. Neither does the guilt. This is all my fault. If I had just stood up to my father, none of this would’ve happened. Velyn would be in my arms, not in that hospital bed, and Chase would be alive.

  I move past Connie and grab my coat and keys, then lean in and kiss her on the cheek. “I need some air.”

  “Dylan—”

  I walk away before she can finish. I already know what she wants, but I can’t do it. Not like this.

  It’s midnight, and I’ve been driving around for hours. I’ve been doing that a lot lately, always gravitating to the same spot. The spot where it all happened. Sometimes I pull to the side and close my eyes, hoping to see him there, but nothing. He’s never there.

  It’s raining out—it hasn’t rained since that night. If it had only been a day later, he would still be here.

  The surge of emotion takes over, and my head falls to the steering wheel as the tears rush out, flooding my eyes and cheeks.

  “Why Chase; he didn’t deserve this, not him? Dammit, answer me. You’ve taken everything from me why him too?” I shout through my strained voice, but it doesn’t matter because there are no answers, none that I’ll ever understand anyway.

  I lift my head and lay back in the driver’s seat just watching the stream of rain come down on the window. I wait a moment longer than just like every other night, I wipe my tears and start up the car to head back to Connie’s. Just as I’m about to head off, my phone rings—it’s Jordan. He calls every day like clockwork, and every day I ignore the call. But this time, just as I go to hit ignore, there’s also a tap at my passenger’s side window.

  “Dylan, I know you’re in there I saw the light from your phone when I called. Let me in, I’m getting soaked out here.”

  Groaning, I unlock the door and he jumps in. “What are you doing here, Jordan?”

  He shuts the door, shaking off his wet hair then turns to me. “The better question is, why in the hell are you being an asshole?”

  “Listen, you have no idea—”

  He cuts me off. “No, you listen. We all lost Chase. He was your brother, I get it, but we all loved him, Dyl. We’re all feeling the loss.”

  The sobs break through. “He’s never coming back, Jord. He’s gone. My baby brother’s gone.”

  My head once again falls forward, and Jordan rests his hand on my shoulder. “Dylan, let us help you through this, man. Don’t shut us out.”

  “I don’t think anyone can help me. Nothing’s going to stop this pain.”

  Jordan lets out a sigh. “You’re probably right, but with time and having people who care about you in your life, it will get better.”

  I lift my head looking to him. “He was all I had, Jord.”

  “No, he wasn’t. I’m here, remember me, your best friend? Sure, when you do stupid shit, I might be pissed and not talk to you for a bit, but I’ll always be here when you need me. But you also have Velyn—Dylan she’s worried about you.”

  “I can’t be around her right now.”

  “Why?”

  I look to Jordan. “Because I won’t be able to stand the look on her face when she realizes it’s all because of me that he's gone.”

  “Dylan, what the hell are you talking about? Chase dying has nothing to do with you. It was an accident; one no one could have prevented.”

  “You’re wrong. If I had just stood up to my father, they would never have been on this road that night. Velyn wouldn’t be hurting right now, and Chase would be here…with me.”

  Jordan lets out a breath. “Dylan, none of that was your fault. You know better than anyone that standing up to your father would have got you nowhere.”

  “Chase stood up to him,” I let out in a whisper.

  Jordan sits back in the seat, and the car remains quiet until he speaks again. “Dylan, I don’t know how to fix this for you or make it better. But I do know that this guilt-filled, downward spiral you’re on isn’t how. Look, if you don’t want to talk to me, that’s fine, I’ll still always be here. But Velyn, man, talk to her. You may not think you need her, but she’s dying inside, and the only person that can fix that is you.”

  He leaves me with one last pat on the shoulder, then steps out of the car.

  What would I say to her— ‘sorry I ruined everything good in our lives?’ Probably not. I throw the car into drive and speed away.

  The last thing Velyn needs in her life is me.

  I haven’t been back to the house in weeks; not since the night of the accident. I don’t know if it’s because I’m afraid of the memories that it holds or

  that I don’t want to see my father—who knows it may be a little of both.

  When I look up to the massive structure in front of me, it’s somehow lost its grandness. Now it just seems obnoxiously over the top. Everything about this place is meant to convey dominance and show the extent of my father's power. But as I sit here staring at this building, I see the truth. I see the insecurity of a man I once believed had all the answers—I was wrong.

  The house is masked in darkness; all the lights are off—all of them except the one shining through the office window.

  He’s home.

  You can’t run forever, Dylan!

  Taking in a deep breath, I slide out of my car then make my way into the house. When I step inside, it’s quiet. I don’t think the house has ever been this quiet, or maybe it has and I never noticed it before.

  “So, you’ve decided to come home?” I search for where his voice is coming from, and then he steps into the sliver of light shining through the window overhead.

  Confident, I answer, “I figured it was time.”

  “So, then you’ve come to your senses?”

  My reply once again doesn’t waver. “You can say that.”

  “I knew you would. You’re predictable, Dylan. That’s at least one thing I can count on with you. Tell me though, son; what makes you think that I would be willing to take you back? After all, you left this whole mess with Chase for me to clean up.”

  The anger rushes through me at the mention of my brother. Mess with Chase? It was his son. Let it go, Dylan, he’s pushing buttons.

  I look to him as he moves in. A man poised to take control once again—I’ll give him what he wants ...for now.

  “I was wrong; I see that now. I won’t make that mistake again,” I say.

  “And the girl—that’s done. Her kind doesn't belong in our world, Dylan. If she doesn’t bring you down, she’ll take it all from you, or at least try. Women like her are only good for one thing, and I think now she may be of no use to you for that either.”

  Pure instinct has me wanting to lunge at him and tear him limb from limb, but I can’t. “You don’t ever have to worry about her. She’s out of my life.”

  He nods. I can’t see his face all that well, but I’m assuming it’s holding a smirk of victory. “Well, then welcome home, son.”

  Chapter 22

  Velyn

  3 Months Later

  It’s been quite the long haul, but I was finally able to come home today. It’s different not coming back to the apartment, but then again, that never really felt like home either. Not because it wasn’t big or beautifull
y decorated like our old house was, but because there I felt like I was alone. Sure, I had my father, but he was never really there. However, I think this place will be different.

  Dad still has a few more months in rehab, but he’s doing great—one hundred and thirty-two days sober. I’m so proud of him, but better than that, he’s proud of himself.

  Since I’m out of the hospital now, I'll only be able to see him once a week, but we can talk every day. I’m just happy I have him back. I’ve been to group meetings for family, and they tell us not to get discouraged because there will be tough times. I know there will be, but I also have faith.

  Then there’s Dylan. That’s also been one hundred and thirty-two days and still nothing. I had hoped that when I spoke to Connie and gave her the letter that he would come around but he didn’t. Now that’s the one thing in my life keeping me from moving on. I told him in the letter that I was going to live my best life, but I can’t. Not yet, anyway. Ava keeps telling me that I need to move on. Poor Jordan, he just lowers his head, shaking it in regret. He mentioned that he’s spoken to Dylan; that he saw something there and hoped that maybe he got through to him. I believe he did get through to him. I just think Dylan’s own determination to protect himself is standing in the way.

  My question is, how to get through that?

  I love him. I know I told him that I was going to live my life with or without him, and I will. The thing is, I’m still not ready to give up on Dylan.

  “Okay, so I picked up some groceries for you. If there’s anything else you need that I didn’t get, just let me know,” Joan mentions as she and Stu walk in behind me.

  I look around the apartment, and surprisingly for the size, with all the windows and natural light, it seems quite open.

  I turn to Joan and Stu. “I don't know how I’ll ever repay you for all of this.”

  Joan offers me a smile. “By getting strong and

  healthy again.”

  “I will. It’s all slowly getting back to normal.

  Ava’s taken care of my registration for school for the first term, and with the online classes, I was able not to fall too far behind, so that’s a plus. But I do need to work.”

  “Velyn, you’re doing great, but don’t push it. The doctor said there’s still much healing that needs to be done,” Joan says.

  I nod. “I know, and I won’t do more than I can handle, but I was thinking.”

  Stu lets out a chuckle. “Oh, boy, here we go.”

  I turn, giving him one of my sweetest smiles. “Look, I agree there are still some things that I’m limited in doing, but I can still help out in the kitchen. There’s no reason I can’t work doing the mundane condiment refilling or cutlery wrapping. I can’t stand for too long, but those are all things that I can pull up a stool and still do.”

  Joan looks to Stu then back to me, but I can tell she’s still not convinced. “I don’t know, Velyn. I don’t want to risk you pushing yourself too much.”

  “Please, I promise it won’t be too much. We can start slowly at first. An hour here and an hour there. Joan, I appreciate your concern I truly do, but you and Stu have already gone above and beyond for both my father and me.”

  “We wanted to. You and your father are like family to us,” Stu says.

  I smile. “And that means everything to me. But when my father comes home, I want him to have at least some sense of normalcy, and that’s going to mean us making our own way.”

  Stu looks to Joan, giving her a nod, so she speaks, “We’ve actually spoken with your father, Velyn.” I look to both her and Stu in anticipation, so she continues. “Stu and I are getting up there in age. We can’t keep this up too much longer.”

  “At the most, maybe another five years,” Stu adds in.

  Joan nods in agreement. “Stu’s right, if that.”

  I’m starting to understand. “You don’t have to worry; I’ll have my father and me into another place before you decide to sell.”

  Joan shakes her head. “We’ve already got everything in the works. As I said, it may be sooner than later if all goes to plan.”

  “Oh.”

  Stu steps forward. “Velyn, I don't think you’re understanding. Your father will be taking over.”

  I straighten up, looking to both of them now in confusion. “We don’t have that kind of money, and my father knows nothing about owning and running a restaurant.”

  Joan moves to the couch. “Come, have a seat.” I follow taking a seat opposite her and Stu, then she continues. “When your father’s out of rehab, he’s going to need a job. When we spoke with him, he felt that returning to his old type of employment wasn’t what he wanted anymore. He felt he needed a change.

  “He mentioned that to me as well,” I confirm.

  Stu nods. “Exactly, so we offered him a job at the diner until he got on his feet, then one thing led to another, and it came up that maybe down the road, possibly sooner than later, he could take over.”

  “But we could never afford that.”

  Joan leans in. “Velyn, Stu, and I have spoken with our lawyers and our financial advisor. Between all of us, we’ve come up with a rather comfortable payment plan for your father to buy the diner from us.”

  “The bank won’t ever give him a loan, not with the foreclosure on his record,” I say.

  “That’s why Stu and I will hold the loan and mortgage of the building. Your father will pay us back.”

  My mind is whirling—is this for real. Just as I’m about to ask more, there’s a knock at the door. Walking in with Ava in tow, Jordan bellows in greeting, “Let the party begin; the entertainment is here.”

  Stu stands, walking over to greet the two of them, and Joan leans in, taking my hand. “We’ll talk more about this later, but trust me, it’s all going to work out, sweetheart.”

  I give her a quick smile then the two of us stand to greet Jordan and Ava. Jordan walks over, taking me into a massive hug. “Look at you, standing firmly on two feet and shit.” He then turns to Ava. “Babe, look at her. Next, our little Velyn will want to spread her wings and leave the nest.”

  We let out a laugh, then Stu and Joan say a quick goodbye and scoot out while Ava Jordan and I take a seat.

  “So, are you happy to be home?” Ava asks.

  I nod. “I am. It’s going to take some getting used to, but I’m happy, for the most part.”

  The two of them know what I'm referring to. Both Ava and Jordan have tried to get through to Dylan but nothing. They seem to have given up hope, but I still can’t.

  “He’s different now, Velyn.”

  I look over to Jordan. “What do you mean, different?”

  “I saw him the other day in the administration office. Graduation’s coming up, so I was getting the last of my paperwork in order. Anyway, he’s not even going to grad. Apparently, as soon as classes are done, he’ll be starting up at his father’s firm for a summer placement before law school.”

  “That was always the plan, wasn’t it?” I ask.

  Jordan nods. “It was, but there’s an emptiness in his eyes that was never there before. Velyn, Dylan’s not the same. The guy I saw that day was not the one I grew up with. I love him, but I have no idea how to help him through this. I don’t think anyone can.”

  I let out a breath. I can feel the sting in the back of my eyes. I want to hold the tears back, but I can’t.

  I sit up. “Chase once told me that the real Dylan was buried inside. That it was a front he put on for people, maybe that’s what he’s doing now. Jordan, he never said it, but I know he did; he loved me just like I love him. There’s no way he can just stop that. His feelings are still there, and I’m going to figure out how to make him realize that.”

  Ava takes my hand. “Okay, then Jordan and I will be right there with you.”

  Jordan nods. “I go where she tells me to, so count me in. But first, we eat!”

  At Jordan’s request, we ate pizza. Thankfully they also stayed to help me unpack a few
of the essential boxes and helped set up the kitchen and my bedroom. Okay, well, Jordan did most of the work, but in all fairness, he also ate most of the pizza.

  They left just a little after seven, and still not being used to a full day, I decided to turn in early. I’m getting ready for bed when there’s a knock at the apartment door. Throwing on a housecoat, I slowly make my way over, opening up the door to find Connie standing there.

  “Connie! Hey! This is a nice surprise. Please, come in.” She offers me a smile as I move to the side for her to enter, then I motion her to the sitting area and offer her the seat across from me.

  “So, what brings you by...not that I mind. It’s nice to see you.”

  She offers another smile laying her purse on the couch. “I hear you came home from the hospital, so I want to visit—how do you feel?”

  I smile at her. “Yes, apparently they were getting tired of me.” She lets out a laugh. “But I feel good. Walking and moving around tires me out; I can’t move around like I used to, but with time—”

  She gives a wave of her hand. “You’re a strong girl. You’ll be one hundred percent better in no time.”

  “That’s the plan.” I offer her another smile then watch her as she looks around the apartment. I know she’s stalling because she would’ve got a good look at my accommodations the moment she stepped inside; its literally one room the size of a school bus, but it’s cozy and affordable, and that’s all I need.

  “Your papa; he lives here too?”

  I give her a nod. “Yes...well, not yet. He’s still in rehab for another few months, but then he’ll come here to live as well.”

  She pinches her brow in question. “But so small.”

  I let out a chuckle, not taking offense to her comment. I know it wasn’t meant to be unkind; it was an honest observation. “Yes, but once I’m better I’ll be busy with school and work, and my father will have a job downstairs, so it’s perfect for now. The couch pulls out into a bed.”

  She nods in understanding. “Ah, I see, I see. Well, as long as it’s clean and warm, it’s good.”