by Twyla Turner
“I thought so,” Day said knowingly.
“Hmm…” Rhys hummed noncommittally.
The time flew by way too quickly for Daylen’s tastes and she found herself seated in the center of Catherine’s great room. Her guests sat in a semi-circle around Day or stood in the back of the room. Catherine and Rhys sat front and center, next to each other.
The deep cut of her red dress, exposed Day’s ample cleavage and the neck of the cello angled towards her left shoulder, directed the eye there. Her thick creamy thighs were spread wide. The material of her dress hiked up and fell just enough between her legs to cover her secrets. While her cello hid the rest. Day watched as the men looked at her appreciatively and the women raised their heads high to look down their noses at her. The room fell silent as she raised her bow to the strings. And Day realized that she controlled to the room. The climate. Rhys was right. She felt sexy and confident. She no longer wanted to hide. She was just as much a part of the performance as was her cello.
Day bit down on her plump lip and drew the bow across the strings. She closed her eyes and let the vibrations take her to another place. As the pace of the piece picked up speed, so did the pulsating in her clit from the reverberations of the cello. She released her bottom lip and her mouth popped opened. Her heart rate picked up and her breath came in small pants. The muscles in her thighs tightened around the cello and her face scrunched up. Again a slow climax burst through her at the crescendo, but this time in a room full of strangers.
The tempo of the piece slowed and Day played herself down from her high. Her head swayed in time to the music she created. She dragged the bow across the strings one final time, ending the song. The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Her chest rose and fell harshly as she finally opened her eyes.
Rhys grinned proudly. Knowingly. Catherine looked at her, delight sparkling in her gray eyes. The other women in the room looked at her with varying degrees of reluctant approval to pure hatred. The men looked as if they’d be willing to devour her whole. Many had crossed their legs or folded their hands in their laps, during her performance.
Finally, Rhys and Catherine started the applause, and everyone followed. Eventually they all stood, giving Day a standing ovation. She stood and took a bow, a shy smile gracing her full lips. Old habits, die hard.
Catherine turned to Rhys to speak. Day just made out what she said as the applause died down.
“She is quite sensational, dear. I must spread the word. You better hold onto this one, Rhys.” Catherine advised.
“I intend to.”
Vows
Chapter 4
January 2006
Chase wiped the champagne out of his eyes as he smiled at the cameras. He’d just led Chicago to a big win in the NFC Championship game. They’d clinched the title and he was going to the Superbowl for the first time. The entire team was overjoyed, some still spraying each other with champagne with Chase caught in the crossfire.
“You guys were trailing far behind Carolina in the first half, but you all came out like a completely different team in the second. What was said during halftime that turned it around for you?” A reporter asked, shoving a mic towards his mouth.
“At that point, we didn’t have anything to lose. Coach told us to go out and play with heart. And we did, so it all just came together.” Chase answered.
“What will you do to prepare for the Superbowl?” Another reporter asked.
“We’ll study whichever team wins the AFC Championship and continue to play with heart. That’s all we can do.” Chase said distractedly. As his teammates came up and jumped on his back, quickly ending the interview.
Chase untangled himself from the limbs of his teammates/family and headed to the showers to wash off the grime and champagne. When he was finished, he quickly got dressed for the press conference. From the moment they’d won the game till he got home to his high-rise condo, everything went by in a blur.
The moment he walked through the door, the quiet finally caught up with him. He’d skipped the festivities that the guys had planned. They were all going out to a club, but Chase wasn’t interested. And since he’d opted out, now he was completely alone. He’d been with a few women over the past couple of years though nothing serious. Definitely not serious enough to have someone to come home to, to celebrate with. His professional career may be where he finally wanted it to be, but without someone to share it with. It all seemed so empty.
The feeling was disappointing since he’d worked so hard to get his life back in order. After Day left, or more accurately after he pushed her away, his life had spiraled out of control. He grimly liked to call that period of his life ‘the dark days.’ His drinking had reached an all-time high. He fought with his teammates, instead of working with them. And he nearly got kicked off of the team and pro-organization altogether when he’d wrapped his sports car around a pole.
It was his coach and Pat Daniels that brought him out of the darkness he’d created. His coach was able to keep the accident under wraps from the media. For that, Chase was indebted to him.
“Son, this isn’t something that I normally do. The only way most people learn from their mistakes is to pay for them. Though I feel that you’ve suffered enough. I know about your mom, so I know it can’t be easy walking around with that kind of guilt and sorrow weighing you down. But son, I highly doubt that your mama would be very proud of the man you’ve become.” Coach sighed heavily and then looked Chase straight in the eye. “I’m giving you a second chance. Now you owe me, so I expect you to pay up.”
“Yes, sir.” Chase bowed his head as they walked out of the police station, after his coach paid his bail.
That had been the easier conversation. The one he’d had with Pat over the phone was a lot harder to swallow.
“Chase, sweetie…I’m gonna give it to you straight. You need to stop walking around like you’ve got some chip on your shoulder. What happened with you mother was tragic, no doubt. But I know that that woman did all that she could for you. She was the one that kept you outta jail after you beat up your dad. She knew that you had a bright future ahead of you and now you’re screwing that all up. And as for my daughter, you pushed her away like trash. She was there for you when most wouldn’t have been. Now, I don’t know if it’s too late, but if you want her back, you need to fight to make your life better. Stop all that drinking and find a therapist or Jesus or something.” Pat railed on.
“Yes, ma’am,” was all Chase could get out before she continued.
“You father is over here with a house that’s falling down around his ears. He only leaves to get booze. No one comes to see him and he doesn’t go to see anyone else. He is literally without a single soul on this earth. Don’t end up like that. I want better for you.” She finally finished.
Chase’s throat constricted and tears stung his eyes. “I’ll do better, Mrs. D. I promise,” he said huskily.
After that, he’d emptied out every ounce of alcohol he had in his condo and made the decision to join AA. He finally talked about losing his mother, unloading all his baggage to his support group. He even went to visit his father. His father was still too out of it to mend their relationship, but Chase forgave him anyway. That alone lifted a huge weight off his shoulders. He apologized to his coach and teammates, to which they all shocked him by embracing him as their brother.
It had been an eye-opening year and a half. At twenty-five, he felt battered and bruised. Even though, he thought he was better for all that he’d went through. Now that nearly everything had finally fallen into place, Chase was starting to finally feel the part that was missing. Companionship. Someone to share his failures and triumphs. Love. Daylen.
Chase hadn’t tried to contact Day since she left. He always picked up his phone but was never ready to make the call. It had been the longest they had ever gone without speaking. Even after their first break up, they’d talked often. But he wanted to make sure that he was ready to be in a relationshi
p with someone again. That he wouldn’t fall off the wagon. That he had matured and grown as a man, before he took that step once more.
He hoped that he hadn’t taken too long. Chase took a deep fortifying breath and pulled out his cellphone before plopping down on the couch. Pat had given him Day’s number with the strict instructions not to call her unless he was ready to step up and be a man. Chase expelled a nervous breath and flipped open his phone. He pulled up Day’s number in his contacts and squeezed his eyes shut as he pressed send. His heart jumped into his throat at the sound of Day’s voice across the line. It sounded like she was down the street, instead of a world away.
“Hello,” she said groggily.
“Day…shit! I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to what time it was there.” Chase apologized.
“Chase?” Day asked in shock, her sleepy voice clearing a little.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Uh…hold on just a sec.” Day said as Chase heard her shuffling around on the other side of the world. “Okay, so…how’s it going?”
“I’m doing really good. How are you?” Chase asked and put a hand on his chest, trying to calm his speeding heart rate.
“I’m great!” Day said brightly.
“So, I’m not sure if you know, but we’re going to the Superbowl!” He exclaimed excitedly.
“Yeah, I watched the game, which is why I’m so tired. The games come on late here.” She laughed happily. But that doesn’t matter. Congratulations are in order. I’m so proud of you, Chase!” He could hear the smile in her voice.
“Thanks, Day. I can’t believe you watched the game. I didn’t know if you got it over there.” Chase commented.
“Oh, yeah. I try to watch all of your games. I’m still rooting for you, even across the pond.” Day assured him, to Chase’s relief.
Maybe I still have a chance.
“I didn’t just call to talk about football.” Chase hedged.
“Oh…”
“Um…well, I wanted to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything. For being an alcoholic asshole. For pushing you away. For not trying. For not fighting for you. It was the biggest mistake of my life.” Chase confessed.
“Wow!” Day said softly. “Thank you for saying that, Chase. I really appreciate that. And apology accepted.”
“Yeah, you were the last person I needed to apologize to. It’s step nine.” Chase shrugged though she couldn’t see it.
“Step nine?” She asked confused.
“Of the twelve steps of AA,” Chase explained.
“Oh! Oh my God! That’s amazing, Chase!” Day said with shock. “I’m so happy that you found help. I knew you seemed to be doing better.”
“Yeah, I had to hit rock bottom first. But I’ve grown a lot in the last few years.” Chase admitted.
“I’m so glad you have. I was really worried about you.” Her voice wobbled a bit, or at least he thought he heard it.
“So, enough about me. How is it in London? You’re about to finish graduate school, right?” Chase asked, changing the subject.
“London is great! Different. But I’ve gotten used to it now. And yeah, I’ll be finishing up my masters in May.” Day informed him.
“So will you be heading back to the States and finally audition for the Chicago Symphony?” Chase asked hopefully.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Chase’s finally calm heartbeat, picked back up as it filled with dread.
“Um…not exactly.” Day evaded.
“What will you be doing? When will you be coming back? I-I really miss you.” Chase stuttered, sounding desperate to his own ears.
“I…miss you too, Chase.” Day said quietly as if she was worried someone would hear her. “But I don’t know when I’ll be back. I-I’m g-getting married.” Day stammered out.
Chase’s heart literally exploded at those three words. He squeezed his eyes shut and his head dropped down to his chest. It felt like he’d just gone into cardiac arrest. His throat closed up, his eyes stung, and it felt like he couldn’t breathe. Immediately his mind went to his old go-to problem solver. All he could think about was drowning the hurt in booze. He raised a hand to apply pressure to the bridge of his nose.
“Chase? Are you still there?” He heard Day ask.
“Yeah…I’m here,” Chase said after clearing his throat a few times. “It just came as a shock. I wasn’t expecting to hear that.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blindside you.” Day apologized.
“It’s okay.” No, it’s not. “W-Who is the lucky guy?” Chase miraculously got out.
“R-Rhys.” Day hesitated.
“The conductor guy that you introduced me to?” Chase asked.
“Yeah.”
Chase wanted to strangle himself a thousand times over. His actions nearly two years ago had pushed the love of his life right into the arms of another man. He wished that he could go back to that night as she stood there facing the door with her back to him. As she silently begged him to ask her to stay. He wished that he’d pulled her into his arms, instead of opening the damned door.
“I-I’m so sorry, Chase. I didn’t want to hurt you.” Day said, filling the silence.
“Hey, it’s okay. I couldn’t expect you to sit around waiting for me.” Chase said in an overly cheerful voice. “You deserve to be happy, Pretty Day. You’re a beautiful and talented woman. Any man would be lucky to have you. You are happy?” Chase asked sincerely. If he couldn’t have her, he for damn sure wanted to make sure she was happy.
“Y-Yeah. I am.” Day said, that time he definitely heard the wobble in her voice.
“Well, good luck with everything. And congratulations.” Chase said, wanting nothing more than to get off the phone. He could barely talk past the aching lump in his throat.
“Thanks, Chase. And good luck at the Superbowl. I really am proud of you.” Day said and then swallowed loudly.
“Thanks, Day,” Chase said thickly. “Goodbye.”
“Bye,” she said softly.
Chase flipped his phone closed and laid his head back against the couch cushions. Once again, best/worst day of his life. He couldn’t understand why he couldn’t have both. Every time something great happened in his career, something awful happened in his personal life. Constant thoughts of how good it would feel to be numb from alcohol swirled through his brain. But instead of getting up and meeting his teammates at the club, which he knew they’d still be there. He picked up his phone and called his sponsor.
Chapter 5
Bright stadium lights lit up the soggy field below from the snow that had finally stopped. Chase’s breath turned into white vapors and floated up as it disappeared in the thirty-five-degree air. He didn’t feel the cold at all as sweat trickled down his temple and spine. They were in the end of the fourth quarter of the most important game of most of their lives. The score was 10 to 7, New England. It was Chicago’s ball and they literally had one last chance to turn it around to win the game.
Chase walked down the line of scrimmage at the forty-five-yard line and bent down behind the center. He glanced to either side of New England’s defensive line and made a snap judgment. He stood back up and shouted to his team.
“Wide right thirty-five,” changing the running play to a passing play.
He returned to the center, bent down once more, and held his hands out ready to catch the ball.
“Twenty-two, forty-three, HIKE!” Chase shouted and the center hiked the ball to him.
Chase quickly took three steps back and looked to his left at the wide receiver and saw that he was completely covered. He quickly looked to the right and launched the ball to his right receiver. He watched as the ball sailed through the air, arching down towards Devin. The defensive back for New England came out of nowhere and leaped in front of Chase’s wide receiver, snatching the ball in mid-air.
Chicago switched from offensive to defensive and ran towards the player. The defensive back ducked, spun, a
nd drove through Chicago as they tried to tackle him. He leaped over the last player that jumped to take him down and ran it back down the field to score a devastating, game-ending touchdown.
Chase slowly closed his eyes and bowed his head in defeat. The New England players that had been on the sidelines rushed the field. All around him the opposing team celebrated their win. The few seconds on the clock running down, along with Chase’s dreams of winning the Superbowl.
Resigned, Chase and his team walked sedately to the locker room after shaking hands with the winning team. A few guys wiped at their damp eyes, feeling the heartbreak of their loss. Their coaches gave them words of encouragement to soothe the sting of defeat. The loss didn’t hurt as badly for Chase, not compared to the loss he’d suffered two weeks prior though he did feel guilt for letting his team down. He had been distracted during the game. He’d tried to block out the heartbreaking defeat in his personal life, during the game. But somehow thoughts of Daylen’s impending marriage to someone else, latched onto his psyche and wouldn’t let go. And his personal life turned into a prophecy for his professional life.
Chase let the hot water in the showers run over his body, as he psyched himself up to do the press conference. Once they were ready; Chase, a few of his teammates, and their head coach made their way to the conference room. Camera lights flashed in their faces, the reporters documenting their melancholy faces.
The questions started flying once they were seated. Of course, they were the same asinine questions sports reporters usually asked the losing team. And as usual, they responded with one-word answers or even silence. One question was brought up that Chase had only discussed with his coach but decided it was time to go public.
“Chase, after today your contract is up with Chicago. Do you have any plans to stay or are you going to find another home?” One reporter asked.
Chase hesitated for a moment, his mind going to Day. Then he looked at the reporter and answered honestly. “Well…I’ve been considering it for some time. And I talked with Coach about it. And yes, I decided two weeks ago that I will be leaving Chicago.” Chase informed them as the room burst into chatter. More reporters began to ask questions, but Chase interrupted them. “As of right now, I’m not sure where I’m going. But you’ll all know as soon as I do. Thank you.” Chase said and got up before more questions could be thrown at him.