Page 60 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

ROSE

“Hardly.”

There’s no hardly about it.

Chase is signing.

My heart is beating wildly inside my chest as I just stare at him, unable to wrap my mind around the fact that Chase is sitting here next to me.

Signing.

“I told you, Mom. Chase was signing in school today. He made some mistakes, but I could still understand him.”

I shift my attention from Kyle to Chase, who just shrugs noncommittally as if it’s not a big deal. “Kyle invited me, the least I could do was try and learn a few signs so he can also understand me.”

“I promised him I’ll teach him more,” Kyle chimes in, clearly excited by the prospect. “But it was so cool, Mom. Everybody loved Teddy and Shadow.”

I force out a smile. “That’s good, Ky. Why don’t you go and brush your teeth? It’s getting late, and there is school tomorrow.”

Kyle purses his lips, clearly unhappy. “But we didn’t finish watching this episode!”

I give him a pointed look. “Teeth. Then if you’re good, you can finish watching it before bed.”

“Okay,” Kyle sighs dramatically as he pushes to his feet.

I watch him as he makes his way to the bathroom, with Teddy at his feet, my mind still reeling from what just happened.

Chase.

Signing.

When did that happen? How did it happen?

A finger sneaks under my chin, and I turn around to face Chase. His face is serious, those hazel eyes that can read me so easily, focused on mine. “Hey, is everything okay?”

“I…” My tongue darts out over my lips as I shake my head. “You learned sign.”

Chase chuckles softly, “You already said that, sweetheart. Why do I have a feeling like that’s a bad thing?”

“No, it’s…”

Dammit. I’m messing this up on all levels, but it never crossed my mind, not for a second, that Chase would do something like that.

“It’s a good thing.” Cupping his face, I pull him down and press my lips against his. “You’re an amazing man, Chase Williams.”

“You’re aware that I just know a few things? ASL is way harder than you two make it seem, and don’t even let me start on speaking and signing at the same time?—”

Once again, I kiss him, stopping him from finishing that sentence. “You’re an amazing man, Chase. It’s not often that people meet Kyle on his territory so that they can communicate with him in his language. Hell, even John never took time to learn ASL.”

Chase presses his lips in a tight line, his eyes growing dark at the mention of my ex. “He’s an asshole.”

“He is,” I hum in agreement, my head tilting slightly as I skim my fingers over his scars. “But he isn’t important anymore.”

We don’t need him anymore. He isn’t in our lives, at least not constantly. Both Kyle and I are happy. My boy’s thriving. There’s something freeing about that thought.

“Chase, I—” My tongue swipes out to slide over my lower lip, but before I can finish, Kyle yells, “Okay, I’m done!” We pull apart just as he appears in the doorway. “Can we finish the cartoon now?”

I give Chase an apologetic look before turning to Kyle. “Okay, but just one episode.”

“Yes!” He runs toward us, squeezing in between the two of us as he grabs the remote and starts the show.

For a while, we just watch the cartoon in silence.

Or, well, he watches it. I, for the life of me, can’t tell you what is playing on TV because I can feel Chase’s gaze on me.

I glance toward him, giving him a warning look, but he just smirks, his fingers tracing slow circles on the inside of my wrist that are sending shivers through my body.

I’m so transfixed by his touch; it takes me a moment to register Kyle’s watching us. “Chase?”

The man in question reluctantly shifts his gaze from me to my son. “Yes?”

“Are you going to marry my mom?”

I let out a strangled sound at the innocently asked question. Even always cool and collected Chase is thrown off guard, all the while Kyle watches him expectantly, as if he didn’t just drop a bomb.

“Kyle, what are you talking about?”

Kyle’s brows pull together as he sits up to face us.

“I’m not a baby; you can tell me. Dad will marry Lucy, and she’s living in our old house.

Chase is here with us. Does that mean you two will get married?

Besides, I saw you guys kissing, and you’re touching like all the time now.

” Those eyes that have seen way more than they should have turn to Chase.

“So are you? I wouldn’t mind it, you know.

I like you, Chase. And that means Shadow will live with us, too, so I get two dogs, not just one. ”

“Kyle…”

I place my hand over his, but no words come out. What am I supposed to tell him? Chase and I never defined our relationship. We just are. One day at a time. One moment at a time. One step at a time.

I look at Chase, but his attention is fixed on my son, his face serious as he signs slowly.

“I don’t know if we’ll get married, it’s not something that we’ve talked about, but I really like your mom.”

Kyle’s head tilts to the side as he thinks over his answer, his gaze darting to me as he nods, all serious. “Mom’s the best.”

“She’s the best,” Chase agrees. “I should have told you. I’m sorry I didn’t. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“Yes. You’re way more fun than Lucy, and you make my mom smile.” Kyle’s face turns serious, his eyes going dark. “Dad never made her smile. I didn’t like seeing her sad all the time.”

Something turns in my stomach at his words. At the realization that no matter how much I tried to shield him from it, I wasn’t successful. And seeing my unhappiness hurt Kyle in return as well.

I place my hand on his, drawing his attention. “I wasn’t sad when you were around. You’re the best thing that has happened to me, Ky. I don’t want you to ever think differently. I love you, and I wouldn’t change you for anything in the world.”

“I love you, too, Mom.” He grins at me, his smile turning sheepish as he glances between the two of us. “If you two won’t get married, can I at least get a baby brother or sister?”

My mouth falls open, heat rising up my neck as my eyes meet Chase’s surprised expression.

“I would be a very good big brother…”

“Kyle Johnathan O’Neil.” I shoot him a warning glare. “I think it’s time for bed now.”

“But Mom! Levi got a baby sister. It’s only fair I get one.”

“You have Shadow and Teddy, and you’re going to bed. Now.”

“You’re no fun.” Still, he gets up and hugs Chase. “Good night, Chase.”

“Night, Kyle.”

I walk after him, my mind still reeling with everything that has just happened, as he slips into his room and climbs into bed. Teddy and Shadow make their way to the dog bed in the corner.

“You good?” I pull the comforter over him and sit down by his side.

“Yes. Today was the best day, Mom.”

“I’m glad.” I brush his hair out of his face. “You sure you’re okay with this? Chase and I?”

“Hmm… I’m sure. I love you, and I love Chase. It’s the bestest.”

“I—” My lips part, his words leaving me completely stunned for a moment. My heart is beating wildly inside my chest as I try to wrap my mind around it. Then again, is it really that surprising? God knows I’m falling for Chase; why would my son be any different?

Kyle’s eyelids grow heavy, so I sit by his side for a little while longer, just watching him sleep until a shadow appears in the doorway.

“He out?” Chase murmurs, leaning against the wall.

“Yeah.” Bending down, I press a kiss against his head before I make my way to the doorway.

“I can’t believe he’s already out.” Chase takes a step back, letting me pass through, his gaze still on my son. “Makes me wish I could do that.”

“It was an exciting day for him, but he usually crashes easily. Even when he was a baby. It was always me who’d stay up making sure that he was still alive.”

Leaving the door ajar, I turn to face Chase. His hand slips around my waist, pulling me closer. “What about you?” He brushes my hair out of my face. “Are you tired?”

I shake my head. “Wide awake.” I graze my teeth over my lower lip, a little bit of uncertainty sneaking in. “Want to keep me company?”

We’ve never been here. In my house. In my bed. It was always me sleeping over at Chase’s place—or stolen moments out on the porch. Then again, up until now, nobody knew there was something going on between us.

“Kyle’s home.”

“That kid can quite literally sleep through an explosion.” I slide my hand over his chest and behind his neck. “Besides, it’s not like he doesn’t know about us, and I’m pretty sure he stole your dog. So if you want to go home, you’ll have to do so alone.”

“Hmm… I guess you’re right.” Those large hands cradle my face. “You sure about this?”

Am I sure about this? Not in the slightest. There’s so much that can go wrong, and yet…

“I’m sure about you,” I whisper.

Rising on the tips of my toes, I press my mouth against his. Chase’s fingers dig into my hips as he lifts me up. I wrap my arms around his neck, my fingers sinking into his hair as we deepen the kiss.

He carries me to my bedroom, closing the door behind us with a resounding thud before lowering me to the ground.

My heart is beating wildly inside my chest as we rip each other’s clothes off until we’re both naked.

Chase pulls me to him, my hard nipples brushing against his firm chest as he lifts me to the bed, his stubble scratching against my neck as he nips at my earlobe, and goosebumps spread over my skin.

“So fucking responsive,” he murmurs against my skin as he peppers kisses down my neck. “Tell me, sweetheart, what exactly did you have in mind?”

A shudder goes through me as his warm breath tickles my skin, his hand sliding down my body.

“I thought I could make good on my promise of a thank you,” I whisper, cheeks pink as my fingers slowly wrap around his hard length.

His fingers glide through my wetness, his thumb brushing over my clit. “You never have to do anything that you don’t want to, Rose.”

“I w-want to.” My voice hitches, fingers clasping around his length as he sinks his fingers inside.