6. Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Chase

I watched from the front porch of my place as Bo made a left into the driveway of Carmichael’s place and then climbed out. Here we were, two days later, and he was taking her out. I shouldn’t be fit to be tied, but I was.

And I had no right to be.

Everyone knew that. Hell, I knew it. But it didn’t matter. It still bothered me immensely that he was taking her out and I refused to examine why that was.

I frowned as he walked up to her door and knocked, his hat in his hands as if he was some kind of good ‘ol boy. We all knew the reputation he had, and it wasn’t a good one.

“Look, I’m not one for spyin’, son, but this look doesn’t suit you. Why not go out as well?”

“You mean watch them?” I asked my dad, looking over at him as he sat down.

“Damn it, Chase, don’t be stupid. Anyone with a pair of eyes, or hell, a pair of ears, can tell that you both still have feelings for each other. That it’s not doing either of you a lick of good to let this shit slide and fight it.”

“We don’t, Dad.”

“Right. Sure. Keep telling yourself that, Chase, and you might start to actually believe it while the rest of us around here will live in the real world and watch you two knuckleheads wait it out.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his graying hair. When did my dad get older on me?

“Dad,” I started, but he waved me off.

“Chase, you aren’t a young kid anymore. And I ain’t like your mother. We both know that the woman getting into that car is the one that got away for you. And that’s fine. But you’re getting a second chance, son, don’t be stupid about it.”

“Dad, my feelings for Belinda died a long time ago. Probably the night she took my heart and stomped on it, then upped and left as if there was nothing to think about.”

“Chase,” he started, sighing again. “You’re a smart kid, always were. But sometimes that brain just didn’t process things the way they should. Listen to an old man. Not everything is as it seems. Not everything is cut and dry. And not everything is black and white.

“Sometimes things happen in life, and you can’t quite figure it out, but you have to accept it. You have to move on. You can’t keep the bad stuff around and let it bring you down.”

“Does this look like I’m down?”

I grinned as my dad rolled his eyes. I knew what he meant, but he was also wrong. I had no feelings for that woman anymore. I couldn’t.

I couldn’t let her sad eyes tear me up.

And I couldn’t see the marks on her body and did not want to fight some asshole.

And I couldn’t walk by her and not see that smile that I did years ago.

God, I longed to see that look on her face. The last few days, seeing that almost haunted look cloud her eyes and the half smile that she had been dawning, tore at my heart almost as much as her leaving did.

But I knew I had to keep my distance. I just had too. There was no other way around it. Because I did not trust this woman not to break my heart in two again.

I had to warn Bo. That was the excuse I gave myself as I left my father sitting on the porch, grabbed the keys to my truck, and tore out of my parent’s driveway.

It’s the mantra I kept repeating when I hauled ass to the one location, I knew he would take her.

It’s the saying that was utmost in my head as I slammed on my brakes next to his truck.

And as I stood just outside the door to the local bar and pub, I had to take a deep breath and recite it.

“Just tell him she will hurt him. Get in and get out. That simple, Chase,” I muttered, then yanked the door open.

I was ready to stalk across the makeshift dance floor, park it right next to Bo, and let him know, in no uncertain terms, the kind of woman that Belinda Carmichael really was. I hadn’t expressed half of my pain and heartache to him ten years ago. So, he couldn’t possibly grasp the viper she really was.

However, the sight before me stopped me in my tracks.

Bo had his arms around her, slow dancing to some country song. In fact, the more I paid attention, the more I remember it being our song.

‘Hard Candy Christmas’ from Dolly Parton was the first song we danced to, the first song we kissed, and the first song that was playing when she told me she loved me. That damn song was our song, and it was downright wrong for them to be dancing to it.

“Bo,” I muttered, heading to the couple. Both looked up in surprise, and I almost relished it. But it was the look in Belinda’s eyes that stopped my tongue from uttering anything else.

She didn’t want to be dancing with him, not to this song. The look in those eyes spoke volumes. And it was a look only someone who knew her would understand.

“What’s up, Chase?”

“Your truck, it looked like it was leaking something.”

“Shit. I’ll be right back B, you’ll be okay?”

“Yeah, just gonna sit down and enjoy my drink. Take your time. I’m sure Chase will keep an eye on me.”

“Thanks.” With that, he ran out the door and I led Belinda back to the table.

“Leaking, huh?”

“Had to think fast, B. I came here with a purpose in mind, but the look on your face had me sidestepping.”

I watched as she took a sip of her drink and nodded.

“I love the song, but it’s never felt right to be with anyone else other than you. Usually when it’s on the radio, I’ll skip right over it because it brings up memories of us.”

“Why didn’t you tell him no?” I asked.

“I wanted to make tonight nice, is that so bad?”

It shouldn’t be. It really shouldn’t fucking be. She had a right to be with anyone. I couldn’t deny her. I mean, after all, she’s the one who left me.

So, it’s with a shock that the words came out of my mouth before I could stop them. “It is, because it’s not me.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates and her mouth was open in shock.

Yeah, sweetheart, I’m just as surprised as you because I was not supposed to have feelings anymore.

“You heard me, B.”

What the actual fuck? Again?

“I think I misheard you. Look, Chase, I’m too old for games, and I know that’s what this is. I’m going to call Fred to give me a ride home. Will you let Bo know I’m sorry?”

With that, she laid some money on the table and walked out the door, leaving me there for a few moments with my dick hanging out.

I never got that expression till just now.

But before I could process that, I turned right on my booted heel and marched right after her, grabbing her upper arm to spin her around.

“What the hell, Chase?”

“Our song,” was all I muttered before I pinned her against the door of my truck and pressed my lips against hers.

They were as soft as I remembered.

And her kisses still did things to me.

My heart was pounding as I cupped her cheek, sliding my fingers into her hair and deepening the kiss.

This was only fanning the flame I knew I shouldn’t be messing with.

But hell, if I wanted this to end, it was not going to happen with the way she was kissing me back so passionately.