by Twyla Turner
Day didn’t say anything. She just turned away from him and looked at the wall instead. She knew that she was being unreasonable. But she’d just had the shittiest several hours imaginable. First the argument with Rhys that confirmed he was cheating on her. Then finding out her mother had had a heart attack. The exhausting and worry-filled flight overseas. Relief that her mother was going to make it. And now this. She just couldn’t take one more fucking emotion or her head would explode.
Plus, he looked good enough to eat. If she looked at him a second longer, she’d jump off the edge of the bed and into his arms. Before she’d turned away from him, she’d gobbled up his every feature.
As always, Chase’s green-flecked light brown eyes pierced her soul. His sandy blond locks were short on the sides with a little length on top. Just enough to run her fingers through. He was thirty now, so the faint lines beginning around his eyes and mouth made him look even sexier. Like most men in their thirties, he’d filled out a little more as well. He was a six-foot-three wall of muscles. He’d lost all signs of the boyishness he used to have. He was all man now…and she was in hell. Actual hell.
“I’ll just go to the waiting room.” Chase said quietly and quickly walked out.
“Daylen Marie Daniels! That was incredibly rude. I know I raised you better than that.” Pat said as she tried to push herself up on the bed.
“Mom, don’t strain yourself.” Day said shamefacedly.
“You two are best friends no matter what. Nothing should change that. You got married too, ya know.” Pat scolded.
“But he married the girl that made my life a living hell growing up!” Day railed. “That was lower than low. He knows how I feel about her. Which is why I think he did it on purpose to hurt me.”
“You both need to work this out. You all have been too good of friends to keep this up. You know better than anyone that that boy doesn’t have anyone left in this world. I know you both have hurt each other, but your bond is deeper than just romantic. Which is why I had Sandra call you both. I knew you’d both come. It’s time to get over this impasse.” Pat preached.
“But mom!” Day pout.
“Don’t but mom me! You need each other. You always have. Now give me my food. I’m starving over here.” Pat grumbled.
~~~
Chase nervously cracked his knuckles as he sat in the waiting room. He’d known that Day was coming, but he had no idea that she’d be quite as angry as she was. When he’d walked through the door and saw her sitting there, he’d wanted to drop the tray of food and wrap her up in his arms.
She looked as gorgeous as ever. Her full curvy body, round face, and plump rosy cheeks; all gift wrapped in caramel coating, was enough to make him forget that he had a life somewhere else. With someone else.
Day’s hair was cut in a long bob, with side-swept bangs that sexily covered one eye. Like Jessica Rabbit. And for the first time that he’d ever seen, it was dyed with butterscotch highlights.
As far as age went, she looked exactly the same at twenty-nine as she did at twenty-two. The only difference was that she had a confidence and self-assurance about her, that she hadn’t had before.
From the first moment he’d looked at her, Chase wanted her so badly, he could taste it. But the overriding feeling that he felt was an all-consuming love. Seeing her again made him realized that he desperately missed her. His best friend. But she wanted nothing to do with him. He was in hell. Actual hell.
Several hours and several magazines later, Day finally walked out of Pat’s room. She looked exhausted like she’d fall over if a good stiff wind blew by. She grudgingly looked at him and sighed.
“My mom is pretty tired and the nurses are kicking us out,” She said wearily. “She said that you have a rental car and can take me to the house.” Day gritted out as if she hated to ask.
“Yeah, I’d be glad to. Let me just say goodbye really quick.” Chase stood up and stretched his stiff limbs.
He saw Day’s eyes glance at the skin that peeked out from under his t-shirt as he stretched his back. She quickly looked away and bit her lip. Chase smiled slightly. At least I know she’s still attracted to me.
Chase strode past Day and into Pat’s room. He smiled warmly at the older woman, and then leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.
“Have a good night, Mrs. D. See ya tomorrow,” Chase said.
“See ya tomorrow, Chase.” Pat said and then whispered her next words. “And good luck.” She winked at him.
Chase stepped away and gave Pat a secret grin. Day walked past him and leaned over to kiss her mother’s forehead.
“Get some rest, mom. I love you,” she said emotionally.
“I love you too, baby.”
Chase grabbed Day’s suitcases to wheel them out for her. She looked as if she was going to stop him but then decided to keep her mouth shut. They remained silent on the elevator ride down and as they walked out to the parking lot.
They got in Chase’s rental and as he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street, Day continued to remain tight-lipped. Chase had no idea how to get her to open up to him, so he started with the obvious.
“Are you ever going to talk to me?” He asked.
“When did you get in?” Day asked. Chase wasn’t sure where her line of questioning may lead, but he’d run with it.
“A few hours before you did,” he answered.
“Where are you staying?” Day inquired further.
“Uh…your mom said I could stay at the house.” Chase hesitated, unsure of her reaction.
“Do you really think that’s such a good idea?” Day grumbled.
“I can check into a hotel if that would make you feel more comfortable.” Chase capitulated, willing to do whatever it took to get her to warm back up to him. He needed his best friend back.
“No, it’s fine. If my mom said you could, I’m not gonna go against her wishes.” Day gave in reluctantly.
“Thanks, Day.” Chase glanced over at her.
“Don’t thank me, thank my mom.” Day said, informing him in no uncertain terms that she’d prefer it if he dropped off the face of the planet.
Chase decided to keep quiet the rest of the ride to the Daniels’ house. He didn’t want to die in a car accident. From losing control of the car, after getting smacked upside the head by an angry woman.
A few minutes later, he pulled up in the driveway. Chase looked over at his father’s house and shook his head sadly. The place looked like a dilapidated shack next to Pat’s well-kept house. It was obvious that nothing had changed there. Chase thanked his lucky stars that because of a few people, least of which was sitting next to him, had given him the strength to fight for his life. Or he’d be right where his father was.
They got out of the car and they both looked at their treehouse, sitting eerily in the night between their two houses. The memories of shared secrets, pain, and laughter hit them both hard. Day turned away first and walked towards the trunk for her luggage.
“Don’t worry about your bags. I got it, Day.” Chase offered sweetly.
“Thanks.”
Day took out the house key that she still had on her London key ring. She walked up the front steps and Chase followed closely behind with her suitcases. Day flipped on some lights after they walked inside. Chase looked around and everything was pretty much how it had looked before though everything felt so much smaller. Or maybe he had gotten bigger.
“I’ll take your bags up. I’m sure you're pretty beat from traveling so far.” Chase said considerately.
“Yeah.” Day said quietly.
Chase hefted the heavy bags, wondering why she’d brought so much as he walked up the stairs. Once he reached her room, he froze in place. Pat hadn’t changed one square inch of the room. Memories of their first time together rushed Chase’s mind, as did the blood to his shaft.
“Thank you. I think I’ve g-got it from here.” Day tried to say coldly from behind his back, but Chase heard the tremble in her vo
ice.
Chase knew that she was thinking of the same things he was. But he wasn’t going to poke the sleeping dragon. It was glaringly obvious that she had years of pent up anger inside of her and he wasn’t so sure he wanted to unleash it. Instead, he quickly placed the luggage next to her frilly white bed and headed towards the door.
“Good night, Day,” Chase said before closing the door behind him.
Chapter 9
Day released a huge swoosh of air from her lungs the moment the door closed. Memories of their first time together flooded her thoughts, as did the moisture that pooled at the apex of her thighs. For some reason unknown to her, it had been so erotic to see the man standing in her virginal room as he remembered the boy he once was, making love for the first time to the girl she used to be. If she hadn’t of dismissed him, she surely would’ve been tempted to ask for a repeat of eleven years ago.
Day huffed out an angry breath. “Shit this sucks,” she grumbled under her breath.
She walked over to her bags to grab something to put on after she took a shower. Unfortunately, she realized in her haste to pack her bags, she’d only grabbed her usual nightwear. It was her habit to buy men’s pajama sets. She’d wear the tops and Rhys would wear the bottoms. Of course when she’d packed she didn’t think that the pajama shirt would be a problem since she didn’t know she’d be sharing a house with her best friend/ex-lover. Now she wished she’d packed something with a little more coverage.
Day made her way into her old bathroom. She figured she’d just avoid running into Chase while she was in her pajamas. She hopped in the shower and tried to let the hot water relax her tense muscles, but it didn’t seem to work. Once she gave up on relaxing, she got out and lotioned up her arms and legs. She shrugged on the oversized pajama shirt and buttoned it up. Out of habit, Day didn’t even think to put panties on, since she never wore them to bed anymore. It was easier access that way for her husband. When he decided to have sex with her, that is. It had been weeks since they’d made love, which was how she knew he was cheating. Rhys had always had a healthy sexual appetite, so if he wasn’t getting it from Day, he had to be getting it somewhere.
Day’s main worry was why she didn’t seem to care as much as she should. She should be devastated and crying in a corner somewhere. That can’t be a good sign. She thought as she tiptoed back to her room.
She had no idea where Chase was. She assumed he was in the spare bedroom, where he always stayed when he was there overnight.
A few minutes later as she laid in bed and tried to relax enough to sleep, Day heard his footsteps go into the bathroom. A few seconds later, she heard the shower turn on. She frowned and rolled her eyes at herself when images of water running down his muscular naked body danced in her head. So much for sleeping.
Day heard him leave the bathroom after a while, but that didn’t stop the X-rated movie, starring Daylen and Chase’s greatest hits, from playing on a constant loop in her mind. She spent the next hour or so tossing and turning in her childhood bed. Finally, she gave up and threw back the covers. She wondered if her mom had stashed some cookies in the cupboard, so that she could self-soothe herself on milk and cookies.
Day crept to her door, opened it, and peeked her head out. The coast was clear, so she tiptoed down the stairs. She turned the corner into the kitchen and let out a girlie screech at the sight of Chase sitting at the kitchen table. He jumped at her scream as Day clutched at her chest, trying to calm her erratic heartbeat.
“You scared the shit outta me!” Day exclaimed breathlessly.
“Sorry,” Chase apologized.
He apparently had trouble sleeping as well and had the same idea as her. He sat with a glass of milk and some chocolate chip cookies in front of him. Day also noticed that he’d forgone a shirt to go with his gray sweats. His skin was tan and smooth and stretched over corded muscles. Every muscle in his body was honed for a purpose, considering his profession. But they sure did make a girl salivate.
Day realized too late, that while she was eyeing up the male perfection in front of her. He too was looking her up and down. His eyes focused on her shapely bare legs, peeking out from under her nightshirt. So much for avoiding him.
“Don’t you have a game to play or something?!” Day snapped in frustration.
“Yes, but they know that Pat is like a mother to me. So they’re letting me sit this one out.” Chase informed her, the deep timbre of his voice vibrating through her body.
“Why are you really here, Chase? You could’ve just called to check up on her. You didn’t have to come.” Day pressed. She walked over to the cabinet to grab a glass and then headed to the fridge for the milk.
“I have every right to be here, Day. Your mom is nearly as important to me as she is to you. But no, she isn’t the only reason I came. I’m here to see you. To get our friendship back.” Chase turned in his chair to look at her.
“You can’t get that back. Besides, friendships end all the time.” Day sniffed as she poured milk into her glass.
“Then why are you still wearing the bracelets?” Chase looked down at her wrist.
Day looked down as well. The ID bracelet and white leather bracelet he had made were worn and scuffed, but still there.
“It’s something that I don’t even think about. They’ve just become a part of me.” Day tried to shrug nonchalantly.
“Like I haven’t?” Chase said insightfully.
“That’s in the past, Chase. We were best friends and now we’re not. End of story.” Day said, grabbing a few cookies and going to lean against the counter, as far away from him as she could get.
“Why are you so pissed at me? It’s not like you didn’t get married too.” Chase argued.
“It’s not that you got married. It’s who you got married too, Chase!” Day’s voice raised in her agitation.
“Jesus, Day! That was years ago. Let that shit go! We were kids. She’s not even the same person she used to be.” Chase lied. “She even apologized for being terrible to you.”
“Oh, please! If I know Whitney Taylor- Oh excuse me, Whitney McCoy.” Day corrected with a disgusted sneer. “I’m sure she probably said it just to get in your good graces.” Day said, hitting the nail dead on the head if the look in his eyes said anything. “And let it go? I still have the scar she left on my fucking face!” Day yelled as she pointed to the scar on her chin. “That bitch has left a scar on me internally and externally. So let it go? I don’t fucking think so.”
Chase stood up quickly, the chair scraping loudly across the floor. He walked towards her and Day leaned back slightly.
“Don’t,” she warned and he stopped a few feet from her.
“What do I have to do to get you to forgive me?” Chase demanded in frustration.
“Nothing.” Day mumbled. “I know you married her to hurt me. So you succeeded. Deal with it.” Day glowered at him.
“What was I supposed to do?! Huh?” Chase asked. “You left me! Moved clear around the world to another country. And then you married that asshole!” His anger finally emerged.
“You had become a raging alcoholic, Chase! Was I supposed to sit by and watch you ruin your life? When no matter how hard I tried to help you, you pushed me away?” Day pushed back.
Chase took a step closer to her. “I turned my life around for you! I wanted to be a better man, for you! Everything I did was for you,” he said as he moved closer still. “And when I called you, to beg for your forgiveness. To ask you to come back. You told me that you were getting married. I couldn’t stay in Chicago, with memories of you everywhere. So when San Diego offered me a spot on their team, I jumped at the chance to get away from your ghost. It was a coincidence that Whitney already lived there and that she just so happened to be the realtor that showed me my house. She was the only person I knew there. It just happened. So, if you want to blame anyone for what happened…blame yourself.” Chase growled, getting into her personal space.
“Screw you, Chase! Coinciden
ce my ass.” Day tried to sidle past him.
Chase placed both hands on the counter on either side of her, bracketing her hips.
“Let me through, Chase.” Day ground out and placed her hands on his bare chest.
She’d meant to push him away, but of their own accord, her fingers splayed over his nearly hairless and smooth pectoral muscles. She felt his heat radiate through her palms. His heart pounded rapidly.
“I know you feel that,” Chase said low in his throat. “The heat. It was there in the hospital room, the moment we saw each other.”
“That wasn’t heat. That was fury.” Day denied. “There’s a difference.”
“Call it what you want, but I know you.” Chase leaned closer, till they were almost nose to nose. “I wouldn’t doubt that you’re drenched and dripping down your inner thighs, even as we speak.” Chase breathed against her lips.
“Fuck you.” Day said though it came out as a breathless whisper, rather than the screech she’d intended.
Embarrassed that she sounded like a wanton and desperate female, she tried to back up her words with physical violence. Day tried to smack his face with her right hand, but he caught it in a tight grip. When that didn’t work, she tried her other hand and it met the same fate.
Chase forced her hands behind her back and held her wrists together with one large hand. He then pushed her feet apart with his foot, making her legs spread wide. Day was helpless to move against his overwhelming strength. The calloused pad of his index finger touched her full lips. Chase slowly dragged it down her lip to her chin. It continued a path down her neck, between her breasts over the shirt, and down her trembling tummy. When he reached the hem of the shirt, his hand reached underneath it to touch the top of her thigh. He stroked up to where her thigh and hip met and found no barrier there. Day saw his eyes widen slightly when he realized she wasn’t wearing any underwear.