Worth the Chase

“Anywho, I took the loans for school and bought a ring. Had this big idea she would say yes and things would magically fall into place. But not only was she sleeping with him, she was pregnant. Claimed they were in love and he was going to leave his wife for her. She told me she never loved me. That I was obsessive and overbearing. Said I had been smothering her our whole relationship.”

My mouth hangs open.

“Careful, Angel. You’re gonna catch flies. I’m not spilling the beans for you to feel sorry for me. My point is, I’m not that naïve boy anymore. I won’t let someone hurt me the way she did. Ever. And I can’t ever imagine you would.”

I can’t believe he told me all that just to make a point. It makes me want to hug him, then find his ex and shank her. We were both wronged by love. The kind that stole your heart, only to rip it apart.

“I’m sorry that happened to you.”

“Ew, don’t get all mushy on me. I don’t want your sympathy. Well…unless it comes with heavy petting—Jesus! When did you get so violent?”

“When you got so sappy. Listen, I wasn’t feeling sorry for you.”

“That’s not nice.”

“Chase, for once, please shut up. I just understand. I know what it’s like to want something and have it taken away. Feel your life go from reality to fantasy. Have choices taken from you. I’ve felt lost for so long, I’m not sure if I’ll ever know what it feels like to know my place.”

“Bridge, you don’t—”

“I do.” I inhale a breath for strength. “We both lost. Our stories may not be the same, but the outcome is. We’ve been so damaged by something that should bring us solace. Peace. I loved a boy who left me. It wasn’t his choice. He would have stayed and fought for me. But I was selfish. And in the end, he died because of it. He took so much of me with him. I’m not sure I’ll ever be enough for someone. And I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fully commit to someone. It’s too late for me—”

Chase cuts me off, silencing me with his lips.

I’ve said too much. Confessed too much. I kiss him back, ashamed of the wetness that mingles as our lips touch.

“You’re enough, Angel. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. And yeah, life fucking sucks. But you can’t blame yourself. We’ve both been dealt a shitty hand.” He pauses to suck on my lower lip. “But with us, I was dealt a full house. If you ask me, I feel like I fucking won.”

Okay, take away his quirkiness, he sure has some words up his sleeve. I pull him to me, deepening our kiss. Pushing him to his back, I climb on top. “You’re going to regret this, Steinberg.”

“Not a chance, Matthews.”

“We’re going to break each other’s hearts. Broken people like us…we don’t ever heal.”

His hand lifts to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Never say never, Angel.” He brushes the rest of my hair away, exposing my hard nipples. Leaning forward, he wraps his mouth around one. “Give us a chance. Let us make our own path.” His tongue swirls around my hard bud, and my head dips back. With a pop, he moves to the other. “We get to write this story. No one else.” God, he’d convince me to fly to Mars, the way he’s teasing my flesh.

“Swallow your pride, Angel. Give in to us.” I moan at the feel of his teeth grazing against me. “Say something. Tell me you’re in.”

Something snaps in my brain. The lights may be low around us, but brightness blares around me. Maybe I am ready to let go. Try life again. I never thought I would feel worthy enough. Wrapped in Chase’s arms, I feel drunk off his touch. Worthy of so much. Capable of giving.

“Screw it. I’m in.”

He pulls his mouth away from my breast. “You’re in? Social media official—”

“Just shut up and kiss me before I decide this is a really bad idea—”

Goddammit, does he kiss me.

And yeah…he proves this is a really good idea.

Chapter 15

Bridget

Two weeks later…

“Oh, goodness. You sure do look like a princess.” My smile is strained as I take in Anna. She insisted on dressing herself for her outing today with her dad—in mismatched princess attire.

“Daddy’s going to love it.”

My brows lift. “I’m sure he will.” My phone buzzes and I peek at my phone to see my cousin’s number.

“Hey Hannah.”

“Hey, just checking in, you got a second?”

I look down at Anna who’s twirling in the mirror. “Yeah, what’s up?”

“Well! I was hoping… you would do me the honor of being my bridesmaid. Please say yes! If you refuse, I may have to tell Levi the wedding’s off.”