I Can Explain (Awkward Love 2)

He breathes heavily, rolling onto his side and wrapping his arms around me. I sigh as he kisses my neck, loving the feel of his hot skin up against mine. I close my eyes and listen to the sound of his heart beating, while he wraps his arms protectively around me. I close my eyes, fighting the urge to fall asleep, until I can't fight any longer.I rouse again, cracking my eyes open. It’s morning, and the knocking on the door starts up again, reminding me that it was the reason I woke up in the first place. I roll over and glance at Chase, as he looks around, wide-eyed and still half asleep. I chuckle, because he looks more confused and disorientated than me.

“Someone’s at the door,” I whisper, sitting up.

He mumbles something under his breath as he climbs out of the bed and reaches for his pants. He throws them on, along with his shirt, quickly buttoning it up.

Yawning, he walks over and opens the door just enough, so that they can't see me still in bed. I listen, ashamed that I need to know what's going on, but not embarrassed enough to actually stop. It's a female voice, but I can't quite make out who it is. Then the talking stops and Chase glances back at me. One look at his face and I know who it is.

“It's Casey,” he says, confirming my fears. “She wants to have a word with me. Would you mind…” He hesitates, so I make it easy for him.

“Sure,” I say, way too brightly.

I get up, taking the sheet with me, and then disappear into the room next door before Chase can say anything else to me. I walk over to the bed and lie down, still wrapped in sheets that smell like him.

My heart pounds, because the guy I'm pretty sure I've falling in love with is in the room next to me, smelling of me whilst talking to his ex-wife. If that’s not messed up, then I don’t know what is.

But I’ve got nothing to worry about, right?Chapter Sixteen

Chase

“So…Can I come in?” Casey asks coyly.

She cocks her head and smiles at me. It’s a look that used to work on me, but it doesn’t anymore. I shrug and step aside, letting her into the room. I close the door and then turn around. I frown at her, not sure why she’s here or what she expects me to say. She stares at me for a long time, before she looks away, like she's embarrassed.

And so she should be.

“Look, I just wanted to thank you,” she says.

“For what?” I ask with a frown.

“For the last night? You were so nice and friendly with everyone…including me. I know that must have been hard,” she says, looking up at me. “I know how much having you here means to Josh. I also know it’s probably the last place you want to be.” She pauses for a moment. “It’s good to see you, Chase. You look happy.”

“I guess I am,” I say.

“Alana seems nice,” she offers.

I nod and smile, my heart racing at the mention of her name. All I can think about is getting back to her and feeling the touch of her lips against mine. I could lock myself away with her for days, and it still wouldn’t be enough.

“She’s pretty special,” I agree.

“If it means anything at all to you, I'm glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy,” Casey whispers.

“Because that lessens your guilt?” I ask. Her face goes red, and I sigh.

I didn’t need to say that.

“I’m not here to make you feel bad, Casey. I really am here for Josh. I didn’t want him standing up there alone on a day that should be celebrated with family...”

I frown, realizing just how much we really need each other for support. We’ve missed out on so much over the past year because of this.

Casey shakes her head, tears filling her eyes.

“I'm sorry, Chase. I shouldn't have come here. I’m the last person you probably want to speak to, which I totally understand. It’s just you were so friendly the other night that I thought we could get past this…” She shakes her head. “I'll see myself out,” she mumbles.

I watch her as she walks over to the door. It never entered my mind to stop her, because she’s right. She is the last person I want to be spending my time with right now. Just as she turns the handle to walk out, she turns back to me.

“One more thing,” she says softly.

“Yes?” I say. I clench my hands into fists in my pockets. She can’t look me in the eyes, so I know where this is going.

“I never did thank you. For not telling Josh the truth about what happened,” she says.