Page 36

thirty-five

Chase

The heart of downtown buzzes with activity.

String lights hang between brick buildings, local musicians play on the sidewalk, and a crowd has gathered outside a newly opened storefront called Sage & Salt, half a cozy eatery, half a local consignment filled with local artists’ work and Nashville charm.

The restaurant is warm and rustic with tables made from reclaimed wood with a chalkboard special menu listing local fares with creative names and a curated chaos of artwork. There is a hum of soft guitar music playing that isn’t overpowering, but makes you feel a sense of warmth.

The large front patio is fenced in with painted metal railings, with umbrellas over the tables, and string lights under each shade of the tables. A red ribbon is trailed across the front entrance, waiting to be cut, to announce the grand opening.

I was by the restaurant, talking to the owner’s son, signing a baseball cap, when I saw Skylar coming through the back.

Her hair is curled softly, and she’s wearing a beautiful yellow sundress with brown ankle boots.

She looks radiant as our eyes lock from across the room.

A few feet behind her, Ethan enters. Broad-shouldered and brooding, as if she just put him in his place before they entered.

He scans the room, and upon seeing me, he visibly tightens his jaw.

He moves to the opposite side of the room and shakes hands with one of the owners.

Family, friends, local officials, media figures, and several reporters filled the room. I walked into the place an hour ago and talked to a few reporters, shook hands with the Mayor, and then sampled a few of the snacks they had on hand for everyone who was to be here for the pre-party.

Skylar stops to look at some of the artwork on the wall, and I move to stand beside her, casually, but also intentionally.

“Hey,” I say.

“Hey, yourself. You look nice tonight.” She gives me an up-and-down perusal.

“You look beautiful.” I kiss her cheek. “Did you guys come here together?” I question, tilting my head towards Ethan.

“We did. I asked him if he would give me a ride so he and I could talk. We haven’t spoken since the other night, so I thought I’d let him have some space and time to collect his thoughts now that everything is out in the open.”

“And how did that go?” I ask.

“Well, he says that he feels we disrespected him. He went on a small rant about how he told us to stay away from one another, and I fired back at him for that. After he kind of said his piece, the rest of the ride was pretty silent. He seemed to be pissed off that he was driving me.”

I drape my arm across her shoulders and pull her against me. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. He will get over this. We just have to give him time.”

“What if this is something that he won’t get over? What if I need to find another agent?”

“It’s not going to come to that.” She assures me.

“It’s not going to come to what?” Ethan interjects.

We both turn around and see that Ethan has a beer in one hand and a mini taco in the other.

“Hey man, thanks for setting this up. How’s the food?” I ask.

“It’s good. What are you guys talking about?” he questions, ignoring any pleasantries.

“Actually, we were just talking about you,” Skylar adds.

“Ah, more secrets. I see.” He shakes his head and turns around.

“He needs time. He’s hurt.”

“He’s not separating personal from business. I don’t know if this is something that I can do. I can’t have this affecting my career.” I shake my head.

“Don’t jump to conclusions. Give him a bit of time. Everything will be found eventually. You and he will be okay, and he will eventually realize that we are in a relationship, whether he approves or not.”

A clinking of a glass gets our attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to open the door officially to Sage & Salt. Mr. Chase, will you accompany me to the ribbon cutting?” Mrs. Vargas asks from the front door.

Skylar squeezes my arm, and I give her a quick smile before I walk to the front of the establishment. “It would be my honor,” I whisper to Mrs. Vargas.

She smiles, unlocks the door, and ushers me out onto the patio. There’s a crowd gathered in front. Blocking the sidewalk are news outlets as well as hopeful patrons.

“I would like to thank y’all for showing up today, for supporting the three components of happiness - family, food, and dreams. And I want to especially thank our special guest who is helping us celebrate today.

Mr. Chase Thorne, our very own Tennessee Terror.

Thank you for reminding us that everyone is at home here. ”

Applause erupts. I step forward, a little sheepishly, and hug her.

“And now, Mr. Chase, I would love for you to say whatever you want.” She holds her hand out, and I turn to the crowd.

“Thank you, Mrs. Vargas, for letting me be a part of your journey here at Sage & Salt. The truth is, I wouldn’t be where I am without a community.

Without places like this, I’m just a kid who learned to hit baseballs in the backyard of my best friend’s house.

What matters is showing up. For each other.

For dreams like the Vargas’ her and friendship.

So come eat, the food is delicious. Come and shop to support local artists, and tell your friends. Let’s make this place a staple.”

The crowd claps and roars in support. I join Mrs. Vargas in cutting the ribbon, then turn to the supporters also inside. My eyes scan for Skylar, who stands beside her brother. I give them both smiles, hoping that Ethan heard my message and my paying homage to him, as small as it may seem.

As much as I enjoyed going to the opening of Sage & Salt and showing my support for the community, I’m happy to be home. With Skylar trailing, I went inside, closing the door. She immediately pulls off her shoes, leaving them by the front door, and follows me to the kitchen.

“I liked their food. They could be onto something, especially being so close to the stadium,” she says.

I drop my keys on the kitchen counter and grab myself a sparkling water from the fridge.

“Yeah, I’d go back and eat there again. Cute little idea that they got going on there.” I reply in a tired tone.

“Agreed. I think Ethan liked your little speech. Just don’t tell him I told you.” She smiles.

“If only he would have talked to me, really talked to me tonight.”

“Come here.” Skylar pulls my sleeve and walks backwards down the hall to the bedroom. She presses her back against the wall just inside the door, and I place my hand on the wall beside her. “Let’s forget about my brother for the night and focus on us.”

My fingertips trail the edge of her dress and lean into her.

She places her hand on my chest and runs her fingertips up to my neck and across my jaw, pulling me to her.

Our lips crash as my hand squeezes her breast. Her arms wrap around my neck, and our kiss deepens.

Her hands move down and around my waist, grabbing my ass and giving me a tight squeeze.

I turn her around and press myself against her body.

Her back arches, pushing her ass into me as I lower the zipper on the back of her dress.

I pull the straps of her dress down, and her dress falls to the floor, puddling at her bare feet.

She’s not wearing a bra, and it doesn’t take much for her panties to tear as I rip them from her silky body.

I kiss the back of her neck while my hand wraps around the front of it, and I slightly pull her away from the wall.

She moans lightly at my assault on her skin, her ass pressing against my straining cock. My hand moves down her body, across her delicious curves and around her front to her pussy. My fingers move between her legs and into her warmth.

Another moan falls from her mouth. I turn her, cup the back of her head, and place my other hand again on her throat and kiss her viciously while her hands move to my belt.

With precision, she undoes my pants, and my cock is bared to her.

She lowers herself to the ground, fists my cock and with her eyes latched onto mine, she licks her lips before slipping the tip of my cock into her soft velvety mouth.

While watching her take all of me, my hand naturally moves to the back of her head. She moves back and forth, squeezing my cock with her hand while her mouth follows.

“Fuck, that feels good.” I groan.

I pull my shirt over my head and hiss in satisfaction through my teeth as she sucks.

I pull her off me, and we move over to the bed.

“I need to be inside you. Now.” I tell her.

She lies on her back, and I turn her onto her side.

With my cock sheathed from the condom in my bedside drawers, I approach her, tightly fisting my cock and place it at her entrance.

Gently, I push inside her, relishing the warmth of her pussy.

I push in and out of her, with my hand pressing down on her side.

I have one leg on the bed and the other on the floor as I move with her, syncing our moans.

I push her onto her stomach and lift her hips and look down. Her ass is perfect as my hands fist the globes, moving her back and forth on my cock. I lean forward and grab her hips, then a moment later, I need to be even closer to her and reach up to her shoulders, while I piston from behind.

“Fuck. I’m not going to last much longer.

I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you, but I’m about to come.

Oh, my God.” I’m out of breath, growling as I pull out of her, and take my cock into my hand and pump myself until come spurts out my sensitive tip onto her back.

I grab a discarded shirt on the floor and wipe off my come on her, then turn her around.

I pull her to the edge of the bed and lower her onto the floor.

With one hand on her inner thigh, I push her open wide and lean in.

I lick her seam, then dig my tongue inside her sweet pussy, flicking my tongue against her.

I bring my finger to her and insert two fingers, hooking them as I finger fuck her.

My tongue finds the sensitive bud, and I add pressure, which elicits a loud moan from her, and her hands fly to my head, pressing me against her.

“Like that.” She moans loudly. “Yes, yes, yes!”

I focus on her pussy and moments later, my fingers are being pulled into her pussy as she comes, her warm channel pulsing on my digits.

I continue licking her pussy until her hand on the back of my head eases and her legs drop to the side. I pull back and lean up, bring my fingers to my lips and suck on my fingers with my eyes locked on hers.