Chase suggested that we all go out for dinner. Aunt Jennifer eagerly agreed, happy she didn't have to cook. And happy that we wouldn't try to cook and make another mess. We headed to Olive Garden to fine the place packed with people, but that didn't spoil Chase's mood. He suggested we walk around until they called us. Aunt Jennifer decided to say, since she was tired, but Chase took my hand and led me out. I couldn't help but notice some people glancing at us and smiling, almost as if we had a secret they knew about.
Chase just winked at me and pulled me closer, as if showing off.
"You are so full of yourself," I laughed.
"How? I'm merely showing the world that I'm with the most amazing girl in the world," He said, proudly.
"Please, Chase, stop! I'm not that amazing," I insisted. He was making me blush harder and harder with each comment he made, and I felt like he was giving me way more complements than I deserved.
"Never!" He said dramatically.
I rolled my eyes, but smiled. He was just too much sometimes.
We strolled around the strip mall where the Olive Garden was located and watched the cars pass by.
"Do you want to play that game where you see how many cars you can get of a certain color?" I asked Chase, immediately feeling childish.
But Chase smiled and laughed. "Sure. What color will it be for you?"
"Silver," I smiled.
"Then I shall be red," He said, helping me sit on the curb, yet protecting me from the busy streets.
We watched the cars go by, counting and laughing.
"Red," Chase said.
"Silver," I smiled.
"Hey, kids! Our tables ready," Aunt Jennifer called, motioning to us. Chase grabbed my hand and pulled me up and we followed her into the restaurant.
Chase let me slide into the booth first and then followed, holding my hand under the table. Aunt Jennifer smiled as she looked at her menu, pretending she didn't notice. After we had ordered our food, aunt Jennifer asked us about school
"What are you guys going to do about school? I mean, you can't exactly go to any of the schools here without the cops finding out," she said as she sipped her water.
Huh. I had never thought of that…
"We'll figure out something," Chase said confidently, giving my hand a squeeze.
"Maybe we could try online schooling," I suggested, remember when I had to finish a course last summer.
Chase smiled at me. "That's a great idea."
Aunt Jennifer nodded. "Well, then, it's settled."
The waiter came to bring us our food. Chase had ordered spaghetti and offered me the last meatball with a smile.
"We are not doing Lady and the Tramp," I laughed.
"Why not? We're in an Italian restaurant, we're a couple, you're a beautiful lady and I'm just a lowly tramp," he smiled.
Aunt Jennifer pretended to gag in the corner. Chase stuck his tongue out at her and she laughed.
"I'm sorry! I guess I just forget what couples were like," she paused. "Their gross."
Chase smirked and kissed my cheek, making Aunt Jennifer gag.
When we got home, Aunt Jennifer retired to her bedroom and Chase pulled me into his.
I felt nervous as he took my hand and led me down the hall. What was coming? I could feel my heart beat faster, but tried to slow my breathing, reminding myself that this was Chase. He would never do anything to hurt me.
He sat me down on his bed, and then sheepishly got out a piece of paper.
"I wrote you a poem," He smiled.
"First a chef, now a poet?" I laughed. But Chase already looked nervous, so I smiled encouragingly.
"Okay, here it goes," He cleared his throat. "It's called Runaway Love."
I sat quietly and listened.
During the night
When the moon is so bright
I can hardly breathe
Because you aren't here with me
To watch the sunrise
Tell me what you see
Do you wish to be free?
Free from the pain
Protected from the rain
And safe, here, with me
I wish we could stay
But we must runaway
Do you understand?
I promise I won't let go of your hand
No matter what the price we pay
It feels too good to be true
Do you feel it, too?
Can you see the stars
From where you are?
I'm glad I'm here with you
I don't ever want to say goodbye
So I'll start with saying, "Hi,"
Just you and me
In our own love story
I never have to ask why
Chase looked up, with tears in his eyes. I walked over with my own tears and kissed him, holding his face in my hands.
"I loved it," I choked. "And I love you."
Chase held me tight and we didn't say anything. He just held me for a while. "I meant every word of it," he said.
"I know you did," I told him while he continued to hold me, rocking us back and forth. I felt the urge to say it. To ask him. But I couldn't! Not now! Not with this perfect moment.
"What mistake?" I blurted out. I winced. Me and my big mouth.
Chase opened his eyes and looked at me.
"What are you talking about?"
I took a deep breath. I couldn't back out now.
"I heard you talking to your aunt this morning about a mistake you made. And about something you did that I don't know about," I said, my voice slightly shaking.
Chase let go of me, took a step back, and stared at me, not saying a word. I didn't say anything either.
"Oh," he said.
I waited for more, but he was quiet.
"Well?" I prompted.
Chase looked away. "I don't want to talk about it."
I raised my eyebrows. "What?"
He narrowed his eyes. "I said I don't want to talk about it."
"I'm your girlfriend! And your best friend," I folded my arms across my chest. "Tell me."
"Please," He begged, his eyes softening. "I don't want to talk about it."
I felt my heart break, but I wasn't giving up. "Whatever it is, I can help! I'm here for you." I walked over and kissed him, hoping to get him relaxed enough to tell his secret. "Please."
He looked like he was about to give in. His eyes became dazed and he kissed me back with his hands on my waist. And just as he was about to spill, Aunt Jennifer walked in.
"Before I go to bed, I just wanted to say—" she trailed off as she looked at us. "Oh! Sorry! I didn't know I was interrupting something," she backed up and started to walk away. "I can tell you tomorrow."
"No!" Chase exclaimed. "You should tell us now."
I sighed. I guess I would find out later.
"Oh, well, I just wanted to tell you that I'm going to be at my studio all day tomorrow, so you have the house…and New York City…all to yourselves," she winked, and then left.
Chase quickly kissed my cheek and then headed for the shower. I sat on the bed, even more nervous about what Chase had to hide. His secret was so big…he couldn't bring himself to tell me. Me, of all people.
I got dressed for bed and got out my journal and wrote. I wrote about running away, the poem, the secret, everything. Chase came back in with his boxers on and no shirt, his hair still wet. He snuck up behind me and kissed my neck. I shivered, not expecting his sudden breath. He smiled and tried to pull me into him.
"Chase," I laughed. "Your getting me wet!"
He shook his head, trying to get water droplets on me.
"Stop! Stop!" I laughed, trying to get away, but he held me close. "Please!"
Chase smiled and kissed me again. "Are you ready for bed?"
I stretched and yawned. "Yep," I kissed him. "Goodnight!" I said and started to walk back to my bedroom.
He grabbed me back. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Back to my room?" I said, puzzled. "Why?"
Chase laughed, as if I already knew, and was just joking, but as I continued to look confused, he stopped laughing and came over to me, slipping his hands around my waist again.
"Don't you want to stay here with me?" he asked, with big puppy dog eyes, while he breathed in my ear.
I shivered for the third time. So tempting, but I was still upset he wasn't telling me his secret. But maybe he would if I stayed…
"Yes, I do," I whispered. "But I can't."
"Please?" he begged, bringing one hand up to my cheek, pleading with me. Man! Why was he doing this! It's hard enough to say no without him begging me…
"Come on," I reasoned. "Not two nights in a row."
"But it's innocent," he argued. "You're here with me. Besides, what if you got another nightmare?"
I smiled up at him, his brown eyes gazing at me, hoping to convince me. "Then I'll come."
"Nothing will happen, I promise," he whispered again. "Unless you want something to."
"Okay, whoa there buddy," I laughed. "Calm down."
"I'm calm," he said with a sexy smile, pulling me so close I could hardly breathe.
"Chase," I said, hoping I sounded firm, but I knew I was slowly melting. "Goodnight."
He did a pouty face and let me go, kissing me before I left. I smiled as I walked back to my room and shut the door, leaning against it, love-struck.
"I think somebody likes me," I whispered to know one in particular. The only thing that would make this moment perfect was knowing his secret. No, the only two things. His secret and having my parents love him as much as I do.
But I knew that wasn't exactly going to happen anytime soon.
I got into bed, remembering Chase's pleading face when he told me he didn't want to talk about what happened. It was killing me, not to know. Why didn't he trust me? I mean, it's not like he killed someone.
Right?
I slept without a single nightmare, almost disappointed because I didn't have an excuse to go see Chase, but when I walked in to his room the next morning, he was sound asleep. The blankets were twisted on the floor and he himself was half way off the bed, still without a shirt. I smiled, and crawled onto the bed. He shifted a little and then was calm again. I stroked his cheek, trying not to stare at his muscular back. I kissed him softly and he moaned a little.
"Morning," I smiled as he opened his eyes.
"Morning," he answered back sleepily. Which, may I add, sounds very sexy.
"Did you sleep good?" I asked, as he sat up next to me. I leaned back as he tried to get up, but he was still so tired he almost fell.
"I would have slept better if you had been with me," he replied. Even after he just woke up, he's still pouring on the charm.
"No you wouldn't have. I kick and move a lot," I laughed. "Trust me. Sometimes I don't even want to sleep with me."
Chase just shrugged pulling me into his bare chest. "I wouldn't mind."
I rolled my eyes. "You are such a perv."
He laughed. "That's why you love me."
"That and many other things," I smiled. "Like, knowing you can tell me anything. Anything at all. Like…oh, I don't know…something about your past."
Chase stopped smiling and looked away. I sighed, mad at myself. Why do I always have to go a ruin a perfect moment.
"Chase, I'm sorry," I said, pulling his face close to mine. "But I love you. And I want to know that you trust me."
"I do! I know I can! It's just," He paused, as if even thinking about this was painful. "I don't want you to hate me."
My eyes widened. "Chase! I would never hate you. Ever!" I kissed him hard. "Nothing could ever make me hate you."
He smiled, staring into my eyes. "That's good to know."
"Now…will you please tell me?" I begged.
Chase looked away and was quiet for a long time.
Then he slowly turned to look at me.
"Okay," he said, taking a deep breath.
"There was a girl."
