Page 19 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ROSE

I blink my eyes open slowly, a soft groan ripping out of my lungs as my view comes into focus, and I just stare at the white ceiling of my bedroom. My body feels sluggish, my limbs aching like a truck ran over me.

My mouth is dry, and it’s like something’s stuck in my throat, tickling me.

I lift my hand and rub it over my face. My skin feels sticky under my fingertips, my shirt clinging to my body as I shift on the bed.

The soft throbbing behind my temples is persistent, and the bright light peeking through the windows doesn’t help with my headache.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. God, I hate being sick.

“I’m the one taking care of people, not the other way around.”

Something flashed in those hazel eyes, there and gone in a heartbeat, his jaw clenching. “Not tonight.”

My heart starts racing faster as the memories of last night rush back.

Spending the morning planting flowers with Kyle. Feeling the first of the body aches and tremors by the time lunch rolled around. Lying down just for a moment while Kyle watched TV, only to fall asleep until Chase appeared in my house.

“Shh, I’ve gotcha, sweetheart.”

His gentle words. The feel of those calloused fingertips as he brushed a strand of my hair out of my face.

The feel of his strong body as he helped me to the bathroom.

The way those hazel eyes bore into mine as he helped me take a shower, so the fever rocking my body would go down. How he carried me back to my bed.

I can feel my cheeks warm from the memories. The memory of those calloused fingers skimming over my skin. A shudder goes through my body, and this time it doesn’t have anything to do with the cold.

When was the last time somebody took care of me? I can’t remember; that’s how long it’s been.

Not tonight.

I bite the inside of my cheek, blinking the memories away as my bedroom comes into focus. The light was shining through the curtains. Although I still don’t feel at one hundred percent, I feel much better than yesterday, which is goo?—

Wait. My brows pull together as it dawns on me. Light?

I push upright, the covers falling into my lap. A sharp pain spreads through my skull, and I have to close my eyes for a second to fight through it.

My heart is beating wildly inside my chest as I, once again, open my eyes.

I mean, it can’t be that late since the house is so quiet, can it?

Kyle doesn’t have a tendency to sleep in. No, that kid is up and about with the first rays of sunshine, even before he started school.

Glancing toward my nightstand, I reach for my phone, only I don’t find it.

Shit.

It’s probably in the living room where I left it yesterday.

Running my fingers through my hair, I push to my feet and slowly get up.

The living room is empty, and the blanket I was wrapped in last night was folded nicely and put on the back of the couch.

I bite the inside of my cheek as I stare at it for a second longer.

I wasn’t the one who put it that way. Unsure what to make of it, I start to turn around so I can check in on Kyle when I hear soft voices coming from the kitchen.

My stomach sinks with unease.

Was somebody here?

I pad barefoot down the hallway, just in time to hear Kyle’s soft giggles. Some of my worry eases as I come to the doorway and stop in my tracks.

Kyle is sitting on the kitchen counter, still in his PJs, eating a piece of bacon. Or more like teasing poor Shadow, who’s sitting in front of him, waiting to be fed.

And then there is Chase.

Cooking breakfast.

In my kitchen.

My lips part as I stare at the two of them as they interact.

Chase’s head is tilted just so slightly to his right as he listens to Kyle chatter away, and every so often, he lifts his gaze from the pan where he’s making eggs.

He’s still dressed in the same shirt and jeans from last night, the material rumpled from sleep.

Did he stay the night?

Kyle’s the first one who sees me, his lips spreading into a wide smile. “Mom! You’re awake.”

“Morning.”

Chase’s head snaps up at Kyle’s words. Our eyes meet, and I can feel my heart do a little flip inside my chest. Those dark eyes watching me intently, suddenly making me aware that it’s broad daylight, and I’m standing in the doorway of my kitchen in just an oversized shirt and nothing else.

The shirt that he put on me last night. Color rises up my cheeks, my throat feeling dry under his watchful gaze.

My fingers curl around the hem of my shirt, tugging it lower, and he doesn’t miss the movement.

Some days it seems like that man doesn’t miss anything.

“I—” I swallow hard, but before I can try and break the silence building between us, a small body connects with mine as Kyle’s arms wrap around my middle.

I run my fingers through his unruly hair. Kyle’s eyes meet mine, some of that uncertainty from last night still visible on his face as he pulls back. Are you okay?

“ I’m feeling better, don’t worry, ” I say softly, shifting my attention between the two of them. “What’s going on here?”

C— Protect is making breakfast. Kyle frowns as he glances at Chase. He’s not very good at it.

I blink, unsure if I’ve understood the sign correctly.

It’s funny how I was the one who started learning ASL so I could teach Kyle to communicate, but now, he knows it way better than I do.

Still, I’m pretty sure he made a sign for the letter C before he crossed his forearms over his chest, palms flat as he extended them toward me. I repeat the movement. Protect?

Kyle shakes his head and does it again, definitely adding the C at the beginning.

“Chase.” Kyle grins, which draws the attention of the man standing at the stove.

His brows pull together. “Chase what?”

I’m still trying to process the fact that Kyle gave Chase a sign name when he quickly adds in sign, so only I can understand him. Don’t tell him I said that. He’s trying really hard.

Of course, Chase doesn’t miss that. But instead of being annoyed, he seems almost amused. “Are you snitching on me in sign language so I can’t understand?”

“He said you were making breakfast,” I explain easily, switching to SimCom and giving Kyle a pointed look.

“That was the idea, at least.”

Just then, I smell something burning.

Chase curses under his breath and turns to the stove, flipping the scrambled eggs only to find the bottom side totally fried.

I bite the inside of my cheek as Chase mutters more curses under his breath.

Kyle nudges me with his elbow once again.

See? This is the second time it’s happened.

Chase sighs and turns off the burner before turning around. “You’re officially out of eggs.”

“Don’t worry, we still have bacon.” Kyle looks at the counter, where I guess the bacon was, only there is just an empty plate. “Shadow!” Kyle chastises and props his arms on his hips. “Did you eat my bacon?”

The dog runs her tongue over her mouth, her eyes blinking innocently.

I chuckle softly, the sound turning into a cough. Kyle turns to me, that worry back on his face. Are you really okay?

“I will be fine. It’s just a little cough. I already feel much better than I did yesterday. C’mon, you can have cereal today.”

I pull out the bowl from the cupboard and pour him some milk before grabbing his favorite cereal and putting it on the table.

“Mom! Cereal goes in first,” Kyle protests.

“It doesn’t matter what goes first. The cereal will taste the same either way.” I let out a sigh. It’s the same old discussion we always have when it comes to his cereal.

“No, it’s not. Tell her, Chase. He knows how to do it right.”

“Oh, and how do you know that?” I cross my arms over my chest and raise a brow at him, which earns me a sheepish grin. Kyle quickly shoves a big spoonful of cereal into his mouth, some of the milk sliding down his chin. It’s his way of trying to get out of having to explain himself.

“I might have fed him cereal for dinner last night,” Chase interjects. “As we established, I’m not the best cook, but I can do a mean cereal.”

“That’s because you don’t cook cereal , silly!” Kyle laughs, and there is so much joy on his face, I feel a deep ache inside my chest.

When was the last time my boy smiled like that?

With a man present in the house on top of that?

He was always anxious and on edge when John was around, and he rarely laughed because he could see John flinch every time he did it.

But not today. For some reason, Kyle feels happy and safe around Chase of all people.

The corner of my mouth tips upward as I watch him eat, Shadow sitting by his chair and looking at him pleadingly, but he just shakes his head. “Mine. You can have your dog food later.”

Biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing, I shift my gaze to Chase, only to find him already watching me.

The scruff on his cheeks seems darker this morning, as do the circles under his eyes.

Is it because he spent the night sleeping on the couch, or is there something else keeping him awake at night?

“Thank you for taking care of him. Of me. I’m genuinely not sure how I would have done it without you. First Becky, now me.” I shake my head. “This flu is no joke. Hopefully you won’t catch it.”

Chase rubs at the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “I told you, I have tough skin. I can’t remember the last time I was sick. Besides, it’s not a big deal.”

“Maybe to you.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, a soft chuckle escaping me as I place my hand on his. “I have a feeling you keep saving me.”

In the blink of an eye, Chase’s whole face turns serious. The walls he has around himself are back in place, higher than ever. Any warmth that was reflected in his irises is completely gone, and all that’s left is a cold, emotionless man.

His lips press in a tight line, the muscle in his jaw twitching as he glares at me and pulls his hand back. “I’m nobody’s savior.”

His cold voice sends an icy chill running down my spine, making goosebumps rise on my arms.

“Chase, I think she’s?—”

Kyle’s words die on his lips as the man in question spins on his heels and marches out of the room. Shadow glances at me before her gaze darts to Chase’s retreating back. With a sigh that sounds way too human, she stands and runs after her owner.

Kyle’s smile falls as he turns to me. “Did I say something wrong?”

My heart breaks for my little boy and the worry on his face. His heart is way too big, way too sensitive.

I cup his cheek, rubbing at the soft skin. “No, baby. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

I did. I’m not quite sure what about my words set him off, but something clearly did. I’ve never seen somebody pull back so quickly.

I’m nobody’s savior.

A knot forms in my throat as his words ring in my head. There were demons playing in his eyes.

What happened to you, Chase?

Blinking, I find Kyle watching me. Then why did he leave without saying goodbye?

I swallow down the lump in my throat and force out a smile. “Chase is just busy, buddy.”

His gaze darts out the window, where we can see Chase walking away as fast as he can, Shadow at his heels.

“I guess,” Kyle mutters softly, but I don’t think he believes me. I can’t say I blame him.