I Can Explain (Awkward Love 2)

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I groan. It’s like nobody wants me to get off today.

“We can ignore them,” she suggests, a fire in her eyes. “It’s just going to be the hotel letting us know about the room.”

We both lie there, completely still, hoping they go away. Just when I think they have, the knocking starts again.

“Chase, are you in there? It's Josh.”

“Shit.” I mumble, jumping to my feet.

“Josh?” she repeats with a frown. “Who’s Josh?”

I glance back at Alana who’s looking at me, confused. I know the questions it’s going to raise, but I have to be honest with her.

“Josh…is my brother.”Chapter Fifteen

Alana

“Your brother is at your work function? What's he doing here?” I ask, confused.

Chase stands up and buttons up his shirt. He sighs and rubs his forehead, before turning back to me.

“It's a long story,” he mumbles. He glances back at the door, hinting that he doesn’t have time to go into it now. “I’m sorry, Alana. Do you mind…?”

“Sure, of course.” I straighten myself up and then grab my phone. “It’s your room, after all,” I add, walking toward the door.

He half-heartedly tries to stop me but gives up when I leave the room. I brush past Josh without a word. I can immediately see the resemblance between the two of them. Josh is like a younger, more innocent version of his brother. I disappear down the hallway before either of them can say anything.Outside I breathe out and shake my head, trying to work out what is going on. I'm so confused. Why would his brother be here at a work-related event? Is he in the property sector too? Maybe he’s part of the merger? It’s possible, but why wouldn’t Chase have mentioned it? Come to think of it, he’s never mentioned his brother before at all. I guess that's not that unusual, but I still can't help feeling like I'm missing something. I just wish I knew what.I walk a few blocks down from the hotel toward the beach, where I stumble across a funky looking coffee shop. I wander in and order myself a drink, sitting down at one of the tables along the window while I wait. I pull out my phone and try calling Peyton. I’m disappointed when she doesn't answer, and then my insecurities set in. Maybe she’s out with her new friend. I shake off the jealousy refusing to let myself fall into that trap. Besides, I have enough to worry about with Chase.

The waitress brings over my coffee. I smile at her and then glance over at the rowdy group of girls sitting at the table over from mine, wishing they would talk a bit quieter. My head is pounding and they’re making it worse. I know jet lag from a three-hour flight isn't really a thing, but I feel like crap.

What I’d been hoping to do was have a nap before doing whatever it was we had to do tonight, but I guess that's not gonna happen now. It probably wouldn’t have happened without the interruption from Josh either, but still. Unless I go back to the hotel and ask for that other room.

I’m so tempted… I shake my head, thinking about Chase. The way his lips felt on mine when he kissed me, the way he smiled at me when I say something he found cute… I groan.

That's the thing; I don't want another room. I want to sleep in the same room as him. I want to fall asleep in his arms, preferably after he’s sufficiently fucked every part of my body.

“Right. So, Chase is Josh’s brother. He’s like a sexier, naughtier version of Josh.”

My ears prick up. I glance back at the table of girls, hoping I’m subtle enough with my eavesdropping. The blonde at the table laughs at something the redhead just said.

“I know I shouldn’t say that, considering what he did to Casey, but that doesn’t change how sexy he is. Though I am shocked he even showed up here.”

I frown, my heart racing. How do they know Josh and Chase? And why do I feel like I’ve been played?

“I know,” exclaims the brunette next to her. She’s wearing way too much makeup, so when she moves her mouth, it all cracks. “I can't believe that he had the nerve to show up for the wedding. I mean Jesus, have some respect for poor Casey.”

“I heard he brought along some chick, too,” the blonde says, rolling her eyes, “Just to rub salt into the wound, but I guess that's perfect Chase behavior, isn't it?”

I haven’t even finished, but I get up and quickly leave. I know they have no idea who I am, but I’m seconds away from bursting into tears in the middle of a crowded coffee shop. I race back to the hotel and walk up to the reception desk, hoping I look confident enough to pull this off.