Chapter Ten
LYRIC
One Week Later
Chase and I have been texting nonstop this past week, our banter leaving me giddy every time my phone buzzes.
I’ve been dying to see him again, but between my hectic week at the shop and his long hours at work, it just hasn’t happened.
Still, the texts and the occasional phone call have been enough to keep me grinning like an idiot.
We’ve planned another date, and this time I’m ready to let him pick me up from my place. It might only be a road trip and one real date so far, but there are times you just get that feeling about someone, and with Chase, I do.
He’s taking me somewhere, a surprise destination I can’t even begin to guess.
My cell dings suddenly, which sends my heart into a rapid cycle of heavy beats.
Is Chase canceling?
My phone buzzes, and I snatch it up to see a picture coming through.
Without even checking the sender, I swipe it open, and there’s Doughnut, chomping on a carrot while wearing a party hat.
The sight makes me burst out laughing. When I realize it’s from Rip, I’m so giddy I fire back a reply instantly.
Me: He looks like he’s celebrating. I hope he’s having a great time. Happy carrot day, Doughnut! lol
The picture makes me giggle, and the ache that follows is instant. That ridiculous fainting goat—I really do miss him. A trip to see him is long past due.
Rip: The club’s getting ready for some gnarly shit, but Doughnut got into Ellie’s veggie garden. Fucking mutton making a mess. Anyway, I’ll send more pics in a few days. If the goat survives that long, and Ellie doesn’t cook him for destroying her veggies. LOL
I smirk, imagining Rip trying to protect Doughnut from the chaos he created after eating Ellie’s veggies, but I do wonder what Rip meant by the club is getting into some gnarly shit, though.
They seemed like good people, but I did do some googling on what that 1% badge meant that they were all wearing, and I quickly stopped after reading how bad it supposedly makes them.
They really didn’t seem like the type of club to be against the law in that way.
But I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Me: Can’t wait for the pictures! Thanks for keeping me in the loop! <3
Suddenly, the doorbell rings, gaining my attention.
My heart does a flip-flop as I place my cell in my bag.
Inwardly, I berate myself for behaving like a sixteen-year-old girl and walk with my head held high.
I swing open the door, and Chase is there dressed in a suit, as always, and looking edible.
Maybe we should forgo the date?
Stop it, Lyri! Keep your panties on, girl.
“Hey,” I say nonchalantly.
“Hey… you look gorgeous,” he replies.
“So, ahh… come on in. I just have to feed my bird.”
Smooth, Lyri, real smooth.
He steps forward, shutting the door behind him. “You have a pet?”
“Yeah, my father gave him to me for my twenty-fifth… my present to make up for his lack of presence.”
He grimaces before I lead him through the living room out to the sunroom. “Geez, nice try, Dad.”
I scoff. “I know, right? Good thing I love the little dude.”
“Rawrr… little dude,” Polly repeats.
“It talks?” Chase asks in surprise.
“Yeah, he ahh… has quite the vocabulary.”
“Rawrr… fuck off, fuck right off,” Polly screeches loudly.
I roll my eyes as Chase opens his mouth wide in amusement. “See?”
Chase nods as I shove the container of apple in his hands. “Can you put it on the bottom of his tray? I gotta grab something.”
Chase takes the container from me as I race into the kitchen to grab my bag and cell.
“So, what’s his name anyway?”
“Polly…” I call out.
“Cute,” he replies.
“Polly Parton,” I finish.
Chase chuckles under his breath as I step back in the room, his eyes finding mine as he continues to snicker. “Oh, you’re serious? But you’re calling it a him? It’s a boy, but his name is Polly Parton?”
I shrug. “Didn’t know she was a he when I named him.”
“Rawrr… bullshit, bullshit,” Polly screams most inopportunely.
Chase chuckles as he hands a piece of cut-up apple to Polly, who takes it from Chase with his foot and starts to nibble on it, then he swallows it.
My eyes widen when I take in the bowl to see half the apple already gone. My stomach tightens as goose bumps cover my skin. “No. Way!”
Chase looks to the bowl in confusion. “What?”
“Polly’s eating the apple?”
Chase shrugs. “Yeah?” His eyebrows crease in confusion. “Isn’t that what I was meant to do?”
My body slumps as I watch Polly take another piece from Chase and eat it like he’s loving it. “Let me try.” I grab a slice, handing it to Polly, and he stares at me like I’m some sort of idiot.
For the love of God, that parrot will be the end of me.
“Polly, you gotta eat this for me, too, you know?”
“Rawrr… you suck,” he calls out as he leans over, taking a piece directly from Chase’s bowl instead.
“Ha! He’s never taken fruit from anyone before, Chase. He must like you.”
Chase leans in, running his hand down Polly’s green and yellow feathers. “I think he’s pretty cool, too. This also means I’m going to have to come over more to feed Polly his fruit. No excuses now, you guys need me.”
I let out a laugh. “Oh, do we now?”
“Rawrr… fucking oath.”
“Geez, now he sounds like an Aussie. Did you teach him to swear like this?”
I snort out a laugh. “No. That delight goes to my younger brother, Clef. He thought it would be fun to teach him to swear, and he added in some Australian words and other languages as well. God only knows why, ’cause now I am stuck with it.”
“Well, Polly, I’m a fan.” Chase hands Polly the last of his apple, and he eats it with no hassle. I’ve been trying for three years to get Polly to eat his fruit.
Do you think I could get him to even go near it? Not on your life.
In walks Hallmark, and bam, first go.
Typical.
Chase glances at his watch, then at me. “We should get going if we’re going to make it on time.”
I take the now-empty bowl from Chase with an exaggerated exhale and place it on the counter.
Polly’s staring at Chase like he’s watching his best friend.
“Okay, let’s go.”
He nods. “Bye, Polly.”
My heart!
“Rawrr… cya, cya.”
I raise my brow at the connection Chase and Polly already seem to have.
Chase grabs my hand, walking with me toward the front door, when his gaze shifts to me. “What?” he asks.
“Just you. You’re an enigma,” I reply honestly.
He straightens his shoulders, opening the door for me. “I’ll take that. C’mon, Starlight, we don’t wanna miss it.” I duck under his arm, heading outside as he follows behind, then closes my door. His hand rests on my hip in a show of ownership.
I like it.
I look out and notice an expensive black car—I don’t really know what kind.
I’m not up on all that, but I know it’s state-of-the-art.
We walk to it, and I move quickly to the door.
Chase pounces, and we grab the handle at the same time, but my hand is on the metal just that little bit quicker, so I open my own door with a loud laugh.
Chase grumbles as I throw my hands in the air. “Yes!”
Even still, he moves to usher me in, his hand firmly on my back.
“Let it go, Hallmark.” I raise my brow, letting him know I’ve won this round.
He chuckles, lifting his hand. “One-all. But I am going to win, Lyri,” he says, then continues walking, shaking his head as he goes.
I laugh to myself as Chase shifts into the driver’s side while I take in the feel of the leather seats. Now, this is comfort. The dashboard is like something better suited to a sci-fi movie than an automobile.
I sink into the seat, feeling completely out of my depth.
He reaches over to grab my hand. “I got you, Starlight.”
Just a little bit of support from him goes a long way, so I sit taller, relaxing, feeling more at ease. He starts the engine, but I can barely even hear it. The radio turns on instantly, and I love that it’s on the ’80s rock channel.
We drive for a little while. My eyes take in the city streets of LA as my foot taps along to the power ballads playing tonight. I find myself lost in the music, in the endless melodies as I stare out the window, quietly singing along.
“You have such a sweet voice. Why don’t you do something with it?”
My body tenses as I remember where I am, who I’m with. I was so relaxed I forgot I was singing, and Chase can hear me. I turn to him, my face stern. “I already told you. I don’t sing.”
He doesn’t push as he drives, pulling the car into a place called LEVEL. I don’t really know what it is, but I’ve heard of it before somewhere in passing.
The valet talks to Chase while I walk around to his side of the car. I’m still in the dark right now about what we’re doing. Maybe this is another restaurant?
“Thank you.” Chase offers the valet a tip.
Then he reaches out for my hand, so I give it to him, feeling that all-too-familiar spark.
I don’t want the tension over my non-singing to become an issue again. So, I cuddle into his side as he walks me toward the elevator. “Can you tell me yet what we are doing?”
He waggles his brows suggestively. “Strip club.”
I gasp, jerking my head back. “Seriously?”
“You should see your face…” He laughs. “No, c’mon. Trust me, Lyri.”
We step inside the elevator, and he presses the button for the fourth floor.
My mind wanders over all the possible scenarios waiting for me when those doors open.
The elevator dings, and when the doors spread wide, it’s a rooftop with a giant movie screen.
I inwardly bounce around like a schoolgirl but keep my cool on the outside as I take in Chase’s gorgeous face.
“An outdoor cinema?”
He bobs his head. “The movie is set to begin after the sun sets. I thought it might be something you’d like?”
“This is totally something I’d like.”
He interlocks our fingers, and we walk over to the counter to grab some popcorn and blankets. Once we’re all geared up, we make our way to the back row into a loveseat for two.