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sixteen

Skylar

I’m falling for Chase Thorne, and we are doing everything that we can to avoid whatever we’re trying not to become.

Knowing someone so well makes it difficult. When you’re attracted to someone. And when you know that, it’s probably the wrong thing to do — get involved with your brother’s best friend.

Many times, we’ve nearly crossed the line, and a few times we actually did, all to play a part. But those have been my favorite moments as of late.

The touch of his lips on mine. The delicious way he tasted, being enveloped in his scent, and being pressed against him.

I’m spellbound. I’ve known Chase for as long as I can remember.

And even though I was always around, it took until we had space and time away from one another’s lives for either of us to really take notice.

A single obstacle, however, dampens the possibility of anything truly happening between Chase and me.

My brother.

He has emphatically warned everyone within earshot to stay at least ten feet away from me. However, he’s also asked Chase to check in on me occasionally when he couldn’t, which could be a foreshadowing of what the future could hold.

Dare I say that Ethan is unknowingly setting the scene for the two of us to be pulled together, bringing us closer together?

By going to the gym and a few early morning classes, I’ve made a few friends here in Nashville.

And thanks to them, I’m heading out for the night.

I also mentioned to Chase that I was going out with friends, where I would go, and exactly when I would be there.

And may have encouraged him to come out.

Packed and loud, the bar throbbed with music and conversation.

It’s been a while since I’ve been out like I am tonight, laughing with friends, with a drink cool against my fingertips as I lean against the high-top table.

I know Chase is here. I saw him walk in with one of his friends, someone who I don’t recognize.

He kept his distance, but every time I looked up and searched for him, our eyes would instantly lock.

When I asked him earlier if he wanted to come out with me, he said that he would love to, but he didn’t want to invade my night and make it about him.

However, he confirmed he would be there just to see me.

So, as my night has gone on, I’ve almost forgotten that Chase was here, hovering at the edge of the group.

I’m standing at our table, my finger wrapped around the straw from my drink, spinning it in the amber liquid, when a tall, broad, and too confident of a man comes up to our table. There is something about him that puts me on alert.

“I’ve never seen you ladies here before. What’s your names?” he slurs.

“My name is Monica, and this is Skylar. What’s your name?” Monica responds nicely, but with a hint of annoyance.

“I’m Derek. What are you ladies drinking? May I fill your cups?”

“No, thank you. We buy our own drinks, but thank you for offering, Derek.” I say, hinting that he should leave.

He just smiles, then looks to Monica as she finishes her drink and puts it down, as if my answer didn’t go for both of us.

Monica shakes her head and offers him a smile. “Sorry, Derek, listen. We’re just here to let loose after a long day. We both have boyfriends, and we really just want to hang out with one another.”

“I don’t see any boyfriends with you.” He fakes looking around the bar.

“We’re good. Thanks, though.” I reply, ignoring his comment.

I grab Monica’s hand and we weave through part of the crowd and head toward the dance floor.

As I turned toward Monica, I felt a hand brushing my arm.

I look behind me and stiffen, glancing toward my friend, who was oblivious to Derek dancing behind me.

I look up, and my eyes are searching for Chase.

I don’t see him, and that worries me. As much as I wish he had hung out with us, I am grateful that he is here. Just where is he?

I turn around, about to tell off Derek, when I look behind him and see Chase with his jaw tight. I look down and see his hands balled into a fist and his knuckles white.

“Hey,” Chase yells over the music, his tone calm, despite the swarm of fury in his eyes.

He steps around Derek, and in front of me, putting space between me and Derek, his broad shoulders blocking me from Derek’s view.

“I believe she said that she was good and wanted to just hang out with her friend.”

Derek snorts, holding up his hands. “Relax, man. Just having some fun and conversation.”

Chase’s voice doesn’t waver. “Yeah, well, that fun is over now.”

Derek mutters something under his breath and backs away slowly, but not before looking over Chase’s shoulder and shooting me a pointed look, as if I led him on.

Once Derek’s form disappeared, Chase turned to me and smiled. “You okay?”

I cross my arms over my chest, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but also full of gratitude that he was here tonight.

“We’re good. Thank you, mister, but we could have handled it.” Monica pipes in.

Chase looks at her and offers her a polite smile. “No doubt that you guys could have handled him, but I don’t think he was getting the message.”

“Hold up. I know you!” Monica leans over my shoulder. “Why do I know you?”

Chase shrugs and pulls his baseball cap down lower, covering his eyes.

“I swear, I know you from somewhere.” Monica slurs. “Sky, do you know this guy? How come I know him?”

I stifle a laugh, look at Chase, and he shrugs. “He’s a friend of my brother’s,” I say, wishing that I could add a different label to him.

“Hey, brother’s friend. Are you single? You’re really cute,” Monica questions.

“Kind of. But I’ve got my eyes set on someone. What about you?” he grins while asking.

“No. I have many boyfriends. But Skylar here likes someone, but apparently, they can’t be together. How close of a friend are you and her brother? Are you the guy she likes?” She swings her head toward me. “Is he the guy that you like? This is the guy you like? Wait a minute!”

Oh boy. I need to get Monica away from Chase before she tells him all my secrets. But is the fact that I am hot for Chase Thorne that big of a secret?

We’ve kissed. We’ve hung out. I’ve been spending a lot of my free time with him.