Chase: A Devil & his Birdie: Havenwood University Book Two

Chapter 9

I PUSH through the doors leading out of the auditorium and start to walk through campus. It might be dark out but plenty of people are milling about for a Monday night. I tighten my coat around myself while walking down the paved paths.

I’m exhausted after one night of dress rehearsals. We have two left before the Winter Showcase and I’m more than ready for it. I’ve reserved tickets for all my friends and hope they come. I made sure to give Evie tickets for both her brothers and hope filled my heart when she promised to get him to the show. I didn’t have to specify between the two, she knew.

Hope’s a funny thing. It’s a healing tonic for a lovesick heart. It can give off the illusion that anything is possible. I do my darndest to cup it in my hands, protect it, and hold it close, but the tiny pieces always seem to slip through my fingers. If I’m going to get through these performances then I’m going to need to really hold onto whatever hope I have left.

I’m performing in two drama club pieces and then singing a song of my choice. A last-ditch effort to either reel him in or set him free. I’m hoping for the first. He either wants me or he doesn’t. He can’t continue to have it both ways.

Saturday night was confusing. He showed me that he’s not willing to let another man near me but not willing to be my man. That he knows I can stand up for myself but wants to fight my battles. I honestly don’t know if I’m coming or going with him.

I woke up Sunday morning and was ready to talk about the fight with Evie. I wasn’t in the best headspace when we got back to our apartment on Saturday and asked her to let me sort things out in my head before we talked.

I had to cross my fingers behind my back when she asked if there was anything else bothering me. I didn’t want to lie to her but I didn’t want to admit to her that I was tempted to cut to make the evening melt away. I only held off because I hate doing it when she’s home and my brother wouldn’t stop Facetiming me until I finally answered.

We agreed to some bestie time over brunch and Max looked like someone kicked his puppy when she changed directions to come over to our two-person table. The poor thing looked devastated when he sat down without her by his side.

I had to hash out the thoughts in my head and the feelings in my heart. I’m conflicted, especially after talking with Davis who has made it crystal clear that he thinks I should take a step away from Chase and quit the games we’ve been playing.

It’s not that simple though, I can’t seem to walk away. If anything I ran right to him when he was recovering in Drew’s room. I felt a tiny shift like we both took a small step toward each other. He fought the man that made me uncomfortable and I showed up to make sure he was okay.

I’ve replayed Saturday night over and over in my head, it’s been on a countless loop and if anyone knows how to decode Chase Wilton, it’s his sister Evie. When I told her that I needed more than longing looks and protective punches, she agreed but also suggested I give him some time.

She spilled the tea and told me that he cares deeply and wants to be with me but is in his own way. He’s self-sabotaging and I know a thing or two about that. It seems to me that he needs to get himself right, but I know that’s easier said than done. The scars I’ve given myself are proof of that.

I see the changes in him and can read between the lines. I don’t need her to reveal her brother’s mental health struggles for me to see them. It’s evident in his leaner appearance, the extra scruff growing along his prominent jaw, and the longer hair on his head. It looks like he’s not taking care of himself. I see the foggy depression clouding his chocolate brown eyes and the dark shadows below them. He’s dealing with some demons and needs to slay them.

If he would wake the heck up he’d see I’d gladly fight with him. Just like he said he knows I can fight my own battles, but wants to be the one to fight them for me. Seems to me that Chase Wilton and I have more in common than either of us really knows.

I need to pick up a reserved book at the library and pull open the heavy wooden door to the historical building. I nearly collide with a tiny girl that’s coming through the other side. Edi is holding her bags and clutching a new phone to her chest when we bump into one another.

“Excuse me, sugar, I didn’t see you there,” I tell her and help to steady her. Her ice-cold glare softens when she recognizes me and she almost smiles.

“Sorry, I had my head down. This stupid thing has been going off nonstop and I was trying to figure out how to get rid of all this crap,” she shows me her new phone and the screen is full of notifications to clear. Just looking at it makes me anxious.

“Want some help? I just need to grab a book and then I’m yours,” I offer and she takes a minute to think about it before agreeing. She doesn’t trust easily and I’m willing to go slow. She means the world to Evie so in turn she’s become important to me too.

After we grab my book for some research I’m doing for the Havenwood Herald app, we find a table to sit at so I can get to work helping her out.

She hands over her phone and goes on to explain that it’s new and she has no idea how to use it. I’m more than happy to help. I go through some basic functions and she picks it up quickly, she’s a real-life genius after all. I move her text app and can’t get over the hundred or so unanswered messages she has.

“Edi, you may want to take a look, you wouldn’t want to miss something important. Want me to show you how to pin some of your contacts so you can access your messages easily?”

“I do check my messages, I just don’t give a shit about his. If I didn’t have to keep him on as a tutoring student, I’d block his ass,” she grumbles and looks away from her phone when I tap on the text app, and low and behold, Hunter Pendejo Wilton is the only contact she has with unchecked messages. All one hundred of ‘em.

“You two still at each other’s throats?” I ask with a chuckle and she sucks her teeth in a tsk.

“He’s fucking annoying.” I swear her cheeks are pink but it could just be because it’s warm in here.

“Come now, he isn’t that bad, is he?” I poke at her and she rolls her eyes. I swear, this girl has the longest natural lashes I’ve ever seen.

“He’s literally the fucking worst. I’m trying to unload him to another tutor before I have to text him to schedule this week.”

“Any takers? I can’t imagine it would be hard to get another tutor to take him on.”

“It’s his coach, he told the tutoring center he wants him to have consistency and not to change anything. Pinche jocks.”

“Well if you need help wranglin’ him, I’m sure Evie will help ya keep him in line,” I tell her and she smiles hearing Evie’s name. Her phone buzzes in my hand and sure enough, Hunter Pendejo Wilton is texting her. I hold it out for her to see and she leans over to take a look at the latest notification.

HUNTER PENDEJO WILTON:

This shit is getting fucking old.

She’s grinning like the Cheshire cat at her phone and shakes her head when it buzzes not even a minute later. She angles it so I can take a better look and I’m outright laughing at this poor boy.

It’s clear as day that Hunt isn’t holding back when it comes to Edison. I can outright imagine him tapping on his keyboard and taking his anger out on those multiple exclamation points with a scowl on his face.

HUNTER PENDEJO WILTON:

Goddamit, answer me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Not yet, cabron,” she says in a lighter tone. For a second there, I thought she was gonna give in and text him back and break the unchecked message streak she has going on to put him outta his misery. Instead, she just keeps it on her locked screen.

“You’re enjoyin’ this, aren’t ya?” I ask her and have to bite my tongue from mentioning that this is her and Hunt’s form of hot and heavy foreplay.

“It’s the one true joy I have in my life,” she deadpans.

I have to say, I’m more than pleased when she asks me to add my number to her contacts and she pins it to her favorite contacts along with Evie and Amy who runs the shelter. There are a few other names I don’t recognize but it’s not my place to pry.

“Don’t go telling him about this,” she says as we get up to leave.

“I won’t, cross my heart and all,” I gesture over my chest but she’s narrowing her near black eyes on me.

“Same goes for your man.”

“My who?”

“Aren’t you with the brother?”

“No, he and I aren’t much of anythin’ so don’t you worry your pretty head about that. Your secret is safe with me.”

“I’m not really up to date on what’s going on here anyway. I just got back last week,” she looks uncomfortable talking about it and I don’t press her. I know from Evie that she’s been fighting for her life in more ways than one since the night of the attack.

She looks good though. She’s gained some weight and looks well-rested. I know Evie would love nothing more than for her to walk into our apartment and make herself at home. It’s been slow to get Edi to warm up to the idea but we’re both willing to keep at it.

“It’s gettin’ late, are you headed out? Want to come back with me, Evie will be happy as a clam to see ya,” I offer with a smile to see if she bites.

As emotionally taxing as my childhood was, I always had a roof over my head, a warm bed to sleep in, clean clothes to wear, water to wash up with, and food to eat. Things I never thought about ever going a moment without are things that Edi has to seek out every day. It breaks my heart for her, especially knowing we have a third bedroom with her name on it when she’s ready. But it doesn’t seem like today’s that day.

“Yeah, I better get to the shelter before they close the doors. Thanks for uh, helping me, you know, with the phone and shit,” she offers as we walk out onto campus. We split off and I make my way down the paved paths to my apartment.

I feel a warmth spread through me from head to toe as I walk back. It must be him. It’s late and as much of a presence as campus security has been since Evie’s attack, I feel safer with him nearby. I don’t turn around. I don’t scan his usual hiding spots. I know he’s there. I know he’ll stand behind the big oak tree on the side of the building by the woods.

Twenty minutes later, I peek out the window and see him in the shadows I toy with keeping the light on just a little bit longer. If I do, I know he’ll stay and be close. Which is as close as he seems to get.