Chase & Chloe

by Simone Elise

  "Watching Chloe," Marc said, making my head snap up.

  Chloe was down near the river doing yoga. She must have found the gym because she had one of the mats from in there and she was moving slowly from pose to pose. How did she make it look so easy? And did she not know that posing with your ass in the air like that would do crazy things to the man you were dating?

  "Is she that flexible in bed?" Marc muttered with complete and utter wonder. He groaned when my arm went out and whacked him in the stomach. If he knew what was good for him, he would stop bloody wondering.

  "She must be." Archie moved uncomfortably. "Darn, I need to get laid."

  "Then maybe you should head into town," I grumbled, but my eyes were on Chloe as she moved positions.

  "So, did you and her work things out last night? Didn't find her in my bed this morning," Marc said, but I knew he wasn't the only one interested.

  "We did." And they weren't going to find out the details.

  "So, do you have a girlfriend, Chase?" Oliver mocked from the couch with a grin I could easily wipe from his face with one punch.

  "We're dating. Yes," I gritted out.

  "SO she is THAT flexible," Oliver laughed and the boys joined in.

  "You can all shut up."

  "Have you ever had a girlfriend?" Declan dropped down into one of the arm chairs. "I've never met any of the girls you dated. Sure I've met the ones you sleep with, but they are usually club girls."

  "Chase doesn't date." Marc turned to look at me smugly. "And he has never been faithful to a girl either." Why did he seem to be counting on me screwing this up?

  "Well, this is different." I wasn't going to screw this up, whether Marc wanted me to or not.

  "So different that you are going to tell mom?" Dan crossed his arms and kept his eyes on Chloe. "She makes that look too easy."

  We all agreed on that.

  We never told mom we were in a relationship, even though not one of us had been in one, except the girls. Admitting you're in a relationship to mom, you might as well tell her you were getting married. Considering my plans, I knew my answer. "Yes, I will tell mom."

  "Now you are lying to us," Marc scoffed. "No way are you telling mom."

  "It won't last," Declan said. "No way. I doubt it will even last the week. As soon as the club girls roll in, you will be moving on."

  "Or before." Marc added.

  "Good, because once Chase is finished with her, she can move on to one of us." Oliver and his black eye mocked me. Maybe he needed another one.

  "You will never have her, Oliver." I took the high road, controlling my temper. I had already given him one black eye; you would think he had learned his lesson.

  "Yeah," Marc said, "Because it will be me. Not you."

  Were they trying to get under my skin on purpose? They all had no faith in me, but they should know by now, when I want something, I didn’t stop until I got it. I wasn't letting go of Chloe and if they really thought I would, they were stupid.

  Chloe's Point of View

  I dropped on my back, inhaling the smell of the river and fresh trees. God, it was refreshing. So much nicer to inhale than the smelly gym I was used to. I closed my eyes and went to control my breathing, slowing it down. My arm was aching from taking my weight.

  Maybe painkillers wouldn't be such a bad idea? I wanted to scoff. What was I thinking? I never took painkillers, except that night, the night of the accident. The memories flooded back to me in a rush, and I think I was going to be sick. The images of blood; the feeling of the knife cutting into my skin.

  A shadow came over me and I opened my eyes.

  Chase. Why did he look so frustrated?

  "Hey, you done?"

  I sat up, nodding my head. He offered a hand to me, and I slipped mine in his big one. He was so strong he pulled me off the ground with such force that I went crashing into his chest.

  "Sorry," he said, steadying me, with other hand going to my hip.

  "It's okay." I looked up at him, his expression so serious, as if someone had pissed him. Frowning, I couldn't stop myself from asking. "Is everything okay?" Had I done something to upset him? I couldn't tell.

  "Just my brothers; they are being immature." Chase looked over his shoulder, glaring at the windows. He looked back at me. "I have to go out soon."

  “Okay."

  "You're coming. Marc and Declan are taking you to the university to enroll you."

  "It's the middle of term and I can't transfer, so they aren't going to take me, plus I can't use my name if I'm going to stay off the police radar." Was he stupid? What was he thinking? I couldn't just go back to university like nothing happened.

  Chase let go of my hip and reached into his back pocket, pulling something out and handing it to me.

  I took my hand from his and took it, opening the passport. Ivy McKenzie. How did he even get this picture? It was my actual passport picture. It looked so real, even I was surprised.

  "Got you transcripts and a driver's license so you can go back. I've already got you an appointment with the Dean this morning."

  I looked up at him, not impressed. "Why can't I just not go back?" Joe had forced me to go back to university because it was expected of me.

  "Because I'm not letting you waste that smart mind of yours." He pulled me in. "So no complaining?"

  I wanted to complain. I wanted to tell him how much I didn't need a degree, but I didn't. I chewed my bottom lip and nodded.

  "Not how I wanted you to get my last name, but," he kissed the top of my head. "I'm glad you got it."

  "I'm still a Miss. People are going to think I'm your sister." I pushed him away and started to hold up the mat.

  "Maybe babe," his hands were on my hips dragging me back, "You should check it again?"

  I pushed his hands off my hips and picked up the mat, which he took from me. He gave me a look, as if to tell me to look again.

  Fine.

  I opened up the passport and my mouth slowly dropped.

  Mrs.

  "When did you organize this?" I managed to string a sentence together.

  "Months ago." He shrugged like it wasn't a big deal, when it was.

  "You and I weren't even together then." I looked up at him. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. "In fact, before last night, you and I weren't even a couple." I had to keep the facts straight. I had to keep my brain working and not let my heart melt at that one word, Mrs.

  "It's not a big deal." Chase looked at me as I panicked. "Calm down, babe. It's just a fake passport and transcripts." He walked towards me. "Come on, we need to get going, and I'm guessing you want to change."

  He was acting like everything was fine, like he hadn't just made me his pretend wife. God! Why did my heart have to flutter at that! It didn't change the facts though; you don't trust men with anything, especially not your heart. Still, I couldn't lie and say Chase didn't have a piece of my heart, because he did. I just wasn't letting him get the whole thing.

  We walked up the balcony steps, and I made a point to stay ahead of him. The last thing I needed was to feel his hands on me. I swore my common sense disappeared as soon as that man touched me.

  I walked inside, where the boys looked extremely guilty. Why did I get the feeling Chase and I just had an audience? Did they know about the passport?

  I gasped. "Oh my God, what happened to your eye?" I was across the room in a flash until I was standing in front of Oliver. It was an ugly purple and his pupil was blood red.

  "Nothing." Oliver looked over my shoulder. "How was your yoga?"

  "Nah, no way, don’t change the subject. Did you get into a fight last night?" I knew the boys had a temper, but I never seen one of them hurt each other. "Did you go out after we got back?"

  "Something like that," Oliver lied to me.

  "I know you’re lying, McKenzie." I narrowed my eyes at him. "And if you won't tell me, fine. I'll ask someone else who w
ouldn't dare lie to me." I flung my eyes on Chase as he stood at the door, his expression unreadable. "What happened to Oliver? Isn't it your job to make sure shit like this doesn't happen?"

  Chase took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. "Oliver has a big mouth and gets himself into trouble."

  "I don't fully understand the workings of the club, but I know the President's job is to make sure nothing happens to his members so where were you when this happened?"

  Marc, Archie, Dan and Declan laughed, and I didn't understand what was so funny.

  "In fact, why aren't any of the rest of you injured?" I looked around at them. "Or did you let Oliver get beaten up without jumping in to stop it?"

  "Oliver can take care of himself, Chloe." Chase was looking pissed off.

  I don't know why he was pissed off. He wasn't the one with a black eye. "You're not the one who has been used as a punching bag," I scoffed at him. I knew exactly what it felt like to be punched in the eye and have blurry vision.

  "Ace," Oliver's hands were on my hips and his mouth at my ear. "I'm fine. It's a black eye. Not the end of the world."

  I twisted in his arms. "Then tell me how you got it." His hands now on my lower back and I caught Chase's expression, which was why I took a step back, out of his reach. "Come on, McKenzie, spit it out."

  "The guy sucker punched me. Didn't see it coming. Not a big deal. Come on, Ace. You should get changed."

  I pursed my lips, sighing. "You aren't going to tell me who did that, are you?"

  "Let's just say I walked into a door." Oliver winked at me with his non-bruised eye.

  "One mean-looking door," I muttered. "Fine, don't tell me, but next time you want to know something, my mouth is shut."

  "Come on, Ace," he wiggled his eyebrows at me, reaching for me. "Don't hold it against me."

  "Don't even try and sweet talk me."

  "But I've got a dare for you," he said sweetly, his arms wrapping around my back and bringing my ear to his mouth. "I dare you to let me help you change."

  I turned, looking him in the eye. "Didn't Chase tell you? We're dating, which means I'll be turning down your dares, especially ones that will piss off your brother." I got out of Oliver's arms and turned to Chase. I knew exactly what he was trying to do, which was piss Chase off. By the expression on Chase's face, it had worked. "I'll be five minutes." I dashed off to get changed.

  I frowned when I heard Marc say 'you're lucky not to have a matching black eye right now' when I ran up the stairs. What did Marc mean by that? I was in the wardrobe changing when it hit me.

  Chase had given Oliver that black eye. I threw my top off in frustration. It was the only explanation that made sense. Why had he done it? Because of last night? Because Oliver had dared me to kiss that man? I groaned. It was my own stupid fault! I shouldn't have done it, and then Oliver wouldn't be walking around with a bruised bloody eye.

  Chase should never hit one of his brothers, especially not over me. If there was another reason for them getting into a fight, fine, but this was stupid and completely my fault. I'd have to say something to Chase so it didn't happen again.

  Didn't he see I wasn't worth it? I pulled off my yoga pants and grabbed a dress. I'd talk to him and make him see it.

  ***

  The Dean was lovely and so welcoming which had me thinking Chase had given them something. She was giving me a years’ worth of credit, even though I only had a few months of study.

  I was already given a timetable for classes and the assignments that were due. It was overwhelming at first, being thrown back in. I knew I could do the work, I just didn't want to. I didn't see the need for a degree.

  I was sitting in the back seat of Marc's car.

  Declan and Marc had spent the day with me - from the meeting with the Dean to the shopping, buying my book list, laptop and a phone. It was fair to say I was all set up for university. Again.

  "Chase said he would meet us out the front?" Marc said, looking at the restaurant.

  "Yeah, an hour ago," Declan grumbled, opening his car door. "Come on, let’s go inside. It's bloody hot out here."

  Declan climbed out of the car.

  "Hey Marc," I said before he got out. "Do you want my number?" I smiled at him.

  His expression darkened. "Always." He handed me his phone and I typed it in, saving it under 'the best female you know.'

  "There. You will have to guess what I saved it under."

  He shook his head and got out of the car, and I followed.

  The restaurant was basically empty as we walked in. The air-conditioning made you freeze for a moment. I shivered.

  Marc froze, and I walked straight into his back. What was his problem?

  “Okay, Marc, you really need to give some warning before just stopping like tha…”I stopped talking after following his line of sight.

  Chase.

  I had told myself over and over, don't bloody trust men. Why did I never listen to myself? Surely, after all this time, I should take my own bloody advice!

  The woman was at Chase's side, pressed against him. That would be harmless, but I saw her hand close to his groin and her other hand running up and down his arm.

  This was what it would be like, seeing Chase with other women. He told me he didn't date. This was why because when it came to women, he just did what felt right. He naturally drew their attention and didn't have to do much to keep it but smile.

  Which was what he was doing now, smiling.

  "Told you it wouldn't last," Declan said to Marc.

  Marc nodded his head and looked down at me with pity.

  But that was the last thing I wanted.

  "I think I'm going to grab my laptop and head back to the university," I said to them. "Can you unlock the car?"

  "Chloe, I don't want you running away." Marc said it like that was what I was doing.

  "Not running, although you will have to give me the address to get back. I'll catch a cab. So, can you unlock the car?" Suddenly, I realized I did need this degree. I couldn't rely on a man to pay for everything. I had expected Joe to pay my way, and now I had expected the same from Chase.

  I needed to pull myself together.

  I still had a piece of my heart left; apiece that wasn't bleeding in pain right now.

  "Chloe…”Marc started, but Declan took the keys off him.

  "Come on Chloe, I'll help you. God Marc, just let the girl go," Declan grumbled, walking past us and back outside.

  "Thanks Marc." I smiled while walking backwards. "You have my number if you need me."

  He nodded his head, and I quickly turned around and headed back outside.

  So I needed this degree. I also needed to get a job. As for dating Chase? If this was how I felt dating him, my stomach clenching every time he was with another woman and who was I kidding, of course he would be with other women. He was an outlaw biker. He didn't do rules. He didn't do boundaries.

  Which means he couldn't be in a relationship with me, even if he wanted to because I did boundaries and I did follow rules. Most of all, I wasn't an outlaw by choice, I was forced to be on the run.

  But that didn't mean we were forced to be together.

  Chapter 55

  Marc's Point of View

  He was an idiot, completely worthless piece of shit. I was thinking that as I stormed through the restaurant towards him. I watched him take her hand off his thigh, as if he was declining her advances. He hadn't seen me yet. He hadn't seen any of us, but the damage was done. Chloe knew he wasn't trustworthy when it came to women.

  I saw the look in her eye. It was the same look mom would have when she saw dad with another woman. The look of ‘what did I expect?’ But Chloe wasn't like mom. She wasn't going to blindly let Chase sleep around on her. I knew that too by the expression that followed her reaction.

  "You're an idiot," I yelled at him.

  He looked up, confused. Well, he could take that confused look and sh
ove it up his ass.

  "I told you she doesn't trust men, and you just gave her another reason not to."

  "Chloe's here?" Chase got up abruptly.

  "Not anymore," I scoffed, watching him panic, and I turned and walked away, leaving him with the girl who clearly meant more than Chloe. "I hope she was worth it," I yelled over my shoulder.

  Chase’s grip on my arm made me spin around. "What do you mean not anymore?" I had never seen my brother go white, but he was pale right now.

  "Saw you with the brunette and then took off." I nodded my head to the girl who was staring at us. "Might as well go back to her."

  "Chloe saw me with her. She didn't think that I was with her, did she?"

  "From the way she bolted out of here? Yeah, I think she did think you were with her. You're an idiot. Having a chance with Chloe and blowing it with some nobody."

  "I wasn't even with Massie."

  "She was all over you. Did you even think, hey, I'm in a relationship, maybe I shouldn't have this woman all over me?" I looked at him, the complete idiot that he was. "There is a reason you don't do relationships, Chase, and this is one of them."

  Chase's face twisted from shock to determination. "Where did she go?"

  "I don't know." I wasn't telling him. "I wasn't about to give her a lecture."

  "Did she have money?" Chase looked at me, frustrated. "Fuck, Marc! Does she even know where we live?"

  "Of course she does! I told her that." Although how was Chloe going to get a cab now just dawned on me as I didn't give her money. All she had was her laptop and phone.

  "Useless." Chase shouldered me and walked out. He was more pissed with himself than he was with me. I knew that, because I'd be pissed off too if I just messed up a chance with Chloe.

  "No way is she taking you back," I said to his back as he stormed out. "And this time, when she comes to me for help, I won't be turning her down."

  He spun around. "Don't you bloody dare make a move."

  "What, scared she might take up the offer? Because it's clear your dating thing is over."

  "Like hell it is." Chase spun back around and headed for the car. "Declan, where did she go?"