by Ruby Madden
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Chase avoided, like always.
“Of course you don’t. And you know what? I don’t have time to explain it to you. I have to go to class.” Daylen shoved past him and opened the door. She looked back at him with sad eyes. “Have a great day, Dear.” She parted, in a tone dripping with sarcasm.
~~~
Day’s first class of the day wasn’t really a class at all. It was ensemble study for the symphony orchestra. And because of her debate with Chase…she was late.
Daylen ran into the music conservatory. She tried to grab the heavy door to the auditorium, to ease it shut. But her momentum plus her cumbersome instrument got in her way and she nearly fell as the door slammed shut. Day cringed as the sound echoed loudly throughout the cavernous room. So much for a quiet entrance.
The room had been filled with the disjointed cacophony of several instruments being tuned when Day’s clumsy entrance was unfortunately heard over the loud din. All heads turned towards her, as she made her way down to the stage. She held her head down, wanting to die of mortification. She quickly walked up the steps to the right of the stage to head to the chairs designated for the cello section, as the tuning of instruments resumed.
Day avoided eye contact with everyone, especially the conductor. She quickly laid her cello case down and unzipped the top. She pulled out her cello, awkwardly rolled up the padded case and shoved it under her chair. She released the stand at the bottom of her instrument and placed the cello between her legs. She took a peek up at the conductor standing in front of the group of musicians. Her eyes collided with the dark eyes of a gorgeous and distinguished looking man.
He looked to be in his mid to late thirties. He was tall, about as tall as Chase. His frame wasn’t as muscular, but she could tell that he was still very fit and built. He wore charcoal slacks with a lighter gray sweater and black dress shoes. His dark wavy hair was slightly longer on top and brushed back, in a sophisticated style. His dark eyebrows were thick over his hooded eyes, his nose straight, and lips firm. The only thing to break up his clean-cut air was the dusting of facial hair on his jaw. The stubble was darker around his mouth like it was supposed to be just a goatee, but he’d forgotten to shave this angular jawline.
Somehow the look on his face as he stared at her appeared irritated, amused, and curious all at the same time. Day had no idea how he pulled that off, but she quickly looked away. He cleared his throat and everyone sat up in attention. Backs straight, heads up, shoulders back. Their posture…perfect.
Day watched as he looked at his watch on his wrist and slowly paced in front of the orchestra. He walked stage right and then moved stage left towards where Daylen sat.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Rhys Spencer-Hamilton.” He began in a cultured, panty-melting British accent. All of the girls and a couple of the guys choked on moans of delight. “But you can call me Rhys. There’s no need to be overly formal.” He paused before continuing his introduction.
Day took that moment to find Amy a couple of rows back. Amy was already looking at her and her eyes widened, she bit her lip, and she fanned herself in reaction to their hot new conductor.
“I’ll be your guest conductor for the semester.” He continued to walk back and forth in front of them. All eyes moved with him. “For this semester, we’ll be preparing for the spring musical, which will be Les Misérables,” he informed them as the students murmured happily. “I will be working closely with all of you. Whether as a whole, one-on-one, or in sections.” Rhys stopped and turned, and headed back towards the cello and bass section. “Now. I’m a relatively easy-going conductor, but I will work you hard to get the best out of you. And…I am bloody serious about time. Do not come late.” He emphasized and looked directly at Day as he walked over and stopped in front of her.
Day peeked out from under her lashes and dark bangs. Rhys looked directly at her with an irritated scowl across his brow. Day realized that his eyes weren’t dark at all. They were a deep cobalt blue. They were intense and made her shrink in her seat.
“Do not come late again or I will lock you out. Understood?” He said quietly to Daylen.
She nodded quickly and looked away from his penetrating stare. She felt him stare at her for a few seconds longer. Then he finally walked away and she expelled a huge relieved breath.
Rhys passed out the sheet music for the timeless and tragic Broadway hit. Once everyone was ready, they went to work.
~~~
“Can you believe how hot our new guest conductor is?” Amy practically squealed with delight once they walked out of the conservatory.
“Oh yes! Soooo hot!” Daylen rolled her eyes. “My name is Rhys Spencer-Hamilton, but you can call me Rhys.” Day affected a terrible British accent in an equally awful deep voice.
“Whatever, Day.” Amy shoved her shoulder as they walked. “I’ll take a bite outta his Reese’s Pieces any day.” Amy wiggled her brows and they both burst out into a fit of giggles.
“Yeah, right. You have Jake and you love him to death.” Day grinned at her.
“True.” Amy sighed wistfully.
“And so what if he’s hot. I have Chase, and Rhys now officially hates me, because I was late for our first practice. It was an amazing way to impress the conductor on day one.” Day shook her head in frustration.
“And you’re never late. What happened? Overslept?” Amy asked as they head to the student center for lunch.
“No. I kinda got into it with Chase. He was just coming in from last night when I was leaving.” Daylen admitted sadly.
“What the hell?! What is he doing?” Amy asked, incredulous.
“I honestly don’t know. And he won’t talk about it.” Day shrugged.
“Do you think he’s…?” Amy left the question hanging though Day knew what she was getting at.
“No, I actually don’t. He was so torn up about the one time he did cheat, that I don’t think he would. And I probably foolishly believed him when he said he didn’t. But he is drowning himself in booze more often than he should. And I’m so afraid that he’s going to ruin his career and end up like his dad or something.” Day voiced her worst fear.
“He won’t, Day. He’ll get it together, I’m sure.” Amy soothed.
Daylen wasn’t so sure anymore.
Chapter 22
Chase didn’t know what to do. He knew he was losing her. He knew he was spiraling out of control, but he couldn’t get a grip on it. He was so angry all of the time. He continually blamed himself for not being there to protect his mother from his father. He blamed his father for driving her to do it. And he blamed his mom for being too weak.
For a while, when the grief and anger bubbled up to the point of choking him, Chase would just turn to Day. He’d made love to her till he couldn’t see straight. But that couldn’t last when he’d had to leave again to finish school, spring semester of his last year. During that time, he’d turned to booze to forget. He’d drink himself into oblivion. It was a bad habit he had created and was finding it hard to break.
Chase had thought that when he graduated and moved to the city with Day, that he’d be able to slow down on the drinking. That he’d be able to relieve his grief through her once more. But every time he looked at her, he saw pity in her eyes. She looked at him like he was broken. He couldn’t stand it.
He was even fucking up on the field. His coaches and teammates had given him space because they knew what happened though Chase could tell that they were getting fed up with him. They had drafted a world class athlete and a Heisman Trophy winner. Not a washed up drunken, fumbling klutz. He’d be lucky if they didn’t send him packing the next season. Sometimes he hoped for it. Chase wanted to get as far away as he could from the memories of his mom and dad, and shitty home life. He stayed for Day.
No matter what, she was still the best thing that had ever happened to him. She was the only reason he even attempted t
o get out bed in the mornings and try. He wanted to provide her with a great life and give her all of the things she’s ever wanted.
To make it up to her for staying out all night, Chase decided to make Day dinner. To celebrate the first day of her last semester. He hoped that it would smooth things over. He called up her mom to get the recipe for her famous beef stew. He knew Day hadn’t had it for a while and it was both their favorite and perfect for the cold weather.
By the time Day got home, Chase had the table set for two with a couple of candles in the middle. And he’d cleaned up the colossal mess he had made in the kitchen. Daylen’s eyes went from wary to surprised, as she walked through the door.
“Hey, Pretty Day. How was your first day of classes?” Chase asked. His charming sideways smile spread across his lips.
“It was good. We have a new conductor and he’s gonna be working with us on Les Miz for the spring musical.” Daylen explained.
“Hmm…looks like your mom and I will have a show to go see in the spring.” Chase grinned at her.
Chase watched as the tension she held in her shoulders, eased away and she relaxed. He knew he’d made the right choice, making dinner for her and trying to spend some alone time with her. Instead of going out drinking. Chicago’s season had ended in disappointment and he’d been drinking almost daily ever since.
Chase walked slowly towards Daylen and reached for her cello case. He slid the strap off of her shoulder and leaned the case against the wall. He drew her into his arms, hugging her to his body tightly. He pulled back just a little and brushed her hair back from her face. She was still the most beautiful person he knew. He knew she was bothered by the weight she had put on, but Chase didn’t care. She’d always be his Pretty Day, no matter what size she was.
Chase lowered his lips to hers, placing soft kisses to her full pink lips. He moved from her mouth to her plump cheeks. He kissed every feature, as a way of saying ‘I’m sorry.’ Chase made his way back to her lips and kissed her deeply, his tonguing stroking lazily against hers. It had been a while since they’d made love and their hunger for each other quickly kicked in.
Chase pushed Daylen’s coat to the floor. He ripped her hooded sweatshirt up and over her head. He quickly stripped off her jeans and panties and lifted her off of her feet. Day wrapped her thick legs around his waist as he walked her over to the kitchen island.
As he kissed her and reached down to stroke her slick pussy, Daylen maneuvered around his hand to his gray sweat pants. She pushed them down his hips, along with his boxers and released his throbbing erection. Chase pulled her closer to the edge of the counter and drove into her heat without hesitation.
Daylen’s head fell back on a loud cry. Chase wrapped one arm around her hips and ass as leverage to pump into her with long hard strokes. His other hand went to her tank and bra straps. He pulled them down to release her beautiful heavy breasts. Chase’s mouth latched onto a turgid nipple, his tongue swirling around the tight dark bud. Day caressed her hands over his short buzzed hair and gripped his head to her breast.
Chase released her nipple with a gasp. He pulled back so that he could look down at their connected bodies. He watched as his cock plunged into her greedy slit. He stroked his left hand down her soft belly, past her mound, to her hard slick clit. He slowed his thrusts into deep, steady lunges as his thumb strummed Day’s clit.
Day’s hands slapped the countertop. She slid her hands to the edge and gripped the ledge tightly. Chase watched as her eyes glazed over and she bit her plump bottom lip between perfect, white teeth. He felt her pussy contract firmly around him and her back bowed. He stroked in again and circled her clit gently and witnessed her come apart.
Her walls convulsed around him, her breath exploded from her lungs, and her face scrunched up as she cried out. Chase moved both hands to her wide hips and slammed into her still quivering cleft. Her climax rolled into another and it drew out his. He shouted out his release as his cock pumped his seed into her womb.
Chase leaned his forehead onto her chest as he continued to stroke into Day’s wet warmth, easing himself down from his high. He pulled out and helped her down from the counter. He watched as the evidence of their mutual climaxes, slid down her thick thigh.
“Fuck that’s hot!” Chase exclaimed. It was primal, knowing that he’d marked his territory.
“You’re gross!” Day looked at him like he was crazy.
“No, it’s the caveman in me.” Chase smirked and quirked up an eyebrow. “One day, I’m gonna get you pregnant.” Chase leaned down to kiss her softly.
“Slow your roll there, Tonto.” Day pressed her palms against his chest, leaning away. “We’ve got time. You’re only twenty-three and I’m twenty-two. I think we’ve got a lot more growing up to do first.” Day reasoned.
Chase could read between the lines. And she was saying that he needed to grow up and get his shit together first. He bit down a retort as he watched her walk back to the bathroom to get cleaned up. The night was going well and he didn’t want anything to get in the way of that.
They finally sat down to eat and Daylen moaned in delight at how good the beef stew was. She couldn’t believe that he’d made it. Or that her mom would even give him the recipe.
“Are you sure my mom didn’t come over to cook this while I was at school?” Day asked suspiciously.
“No! I swear. Scout’s honor.” Chase smiled, holding up two fingers in the scout’s symbol.
“You weren’t even a boy scout.” Day gave him a look.
“Okay fine, but I still made it myself. I just followed your mom’s directions. So I’m gonna take your disbelief as a compliment.” Chase chuckled as he got up from the table and walked over to the fridge.
“Definitely! This is delicious, just like her stew. Ya done good.” Day smiled though it faded quickly as she watched Chase grab a beer from the fridge.
When he turned back towards her, she plastered on a fake smile. They continued to eat in relative silence. Her frustration with him not being able to go a night without drinking stilted the flow of conversation. Once he got up for his third beer, Day couldn’t keep silent any longer.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” She asked as he popped the cap.
“Don’t start, Day,” he grumbled as he avoided eye contact.
“One night. Just one night, can you go without drinking? I mean, even one or two drinks a night isn’t that big of a deal. But you don’t do that. You drink until you can’t see straight! Don’t you think that’s a problem, Chase?” Day exclaimed, frustrated that the wonderful night had gone downhill fast.
“I don’t have time for this shit! Get off my back!” Chase snapped.
He stormed out of the kitchen and back towards his mancave. Where he always went when things got heated between them, which was happening more and more frequently.
Daylen collapsed back in her chair. The tears she’d been holding back since she’d woken up and found his side of the bed empty finally spilled over. She folded her arms on the table and laid her head down as sobs wracked her body. She was at a loss.
Chapter 23
“Again!” Rhys shouted at Daylen. She flinched and started from the top.
It was mid-March and the schools senior symphony orchestra was deep into their practices for the musical in late April. Rhys had made his way through the sections. Each section of instruments received personal instructions from the well-known conductor. He had also done one-on-ones with each student. Daylen was one of the last one-on-ones that he’d scheduled.
Day had begun to sweat through her hot pink, vintage Care Bear t-shirt she had decided to wear, during the intense session. She wiped the sweat from under her bangs. She was glad that she’d pulled her hair back in a ponytail. But her bangs and longer tendrils on each side that laid against her temples and cheeks, were now stuck to her face with perspiration. She had no idea what Rhys wanted from her, but every time she started to play, he
’d make her stop and then start over. Her fingertips ached on her left hand and her right arm that the held the bow was trembling.
Things hadn’t gotten better with Chase. In fact, they’d seemed to have gotten progressively worse. Either he didn’t come home till late or the next day. Or he’d shut himself in his mancave. They couldn’t talk without getting into an argument. It was killing Day that she couldn’t reach him, no matter what she did.
If she stayed silent, it felt as if she was enabling him. If she yelled, he acted like she was pressuring him to be perfect. If she tried to have a calm discussion, he argued that she was babying him or psycho-analyzing him. She was at her wits end, and it was affecting her performance at school. And it was obvious that Rhys knew that.
“Stop! Do it again!” Rhys thundered. “Play the piece right or quit wasting my bloody time!” He clapped his hands together in her face.
All the anger and frustration that was bottled up inside of Day bubbled up like hot lava in her throat.
“What the fuck do you want from me?!” She finally screamed.
Day’s chest rose and fell rapidly. Her dark chocolate eyes blazed. And her skin was flushed pink with fury.
“That,” Rhys said with satisfaction.
“What?” Day scowled, not comprehending what he was talking about.
“Passion.” He cocked his head to the side, challenging her. “Fury. Desperation.”
“This is bullshit.” Day hissed as she went to stand. She was done with the session, whether he was or not.
“Daylen, stop.” Rhys touched her arm and heat radiated up her skin. “Do you know why I waited to coach you last? Do you know why I’m being so hard on you?” He asked.