Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Chase shifted on his feet next to the table, waiting for Hunter to show so they could play poker and eating chips like they were candy. Hunter had had a hell of a week, and Chase didn't know how to get the answers he needed while making sure his brother was alright. First, he'd stayed overnight with a girl at the sale barn, and Chase's stomach was all up in arms over the idea that it was Jewel.
He wasn't jealous, but what if they were getting back together? They made more sense than he and Jewel did.
He rubbed the back of his neck. Fucking hell, he'd not even talked to her. It was ridiculous to jump to conclusions.
No, he needed to talk with Hunter, see if he even knew about his relationship with Jewel and straight up ask if he'd been with Jewel on Monday.
His other brothers' laughter washed over him as Hunter stomped up the front steps, and the door finally banged open.
Parker said, "Finally, you're here!"
Hunter glared and smarted off, which led to Landry making a smartass comment. Hunter swiped a beer, and Chase silently catalogued the signs of his anger mounting. The tightness around his lips. The flaring of his nostrils. The lowering of his eyebrows that wasn't quite a frown but clearly showed his distress.
He'd had to learn the signs early in order to form the correct response to people. He'd read a book in prison that had explained that other people hadn't had to learn these signs but just instinctively knew them.
He didn't quite believe the book. Surely everyone had a mental file labeled How to Read Emotions.
Hunter grumbled and complained as Landry and Parker tried to get him out of his bad mood. They fixed their plates, loading up nachos into heaping piles, although he kept his distance from Hunter.
When Parker remarked on it, Chase said, "Wasn't sure if he'd gotten all the shit off from earlier. A horse had diarrhea all over him."
Landry laughed and snapped his finger. "That's what that smell is!"
Hunter growled again as the guys made fun of him, someone asking what Hunter's problem was.
"You're normally such an even keeled guy," Kendall said.
"I don't have a problem," Hunter said.
Chase rolled his eyes and pushed, trying to get the information he needed. "He's been stomping around the ranch for days, ever since he stayed out all night with a girl on Monday."
"Oh, the plot thickens," Parker said, rubbing his hands together.
Landry grinned. "Did you finally run into Jewel?"
Ah, the million-dollar question that had been plaguing Chase all fucking week. He ground his teeth together and waited.
Hunter's arms went wide as his emotions reached their breaking point. "Why is everyone fucking focused on Jewel coming home?"
Parker shrugged. "We weren't born yesterday, Hunter. We know y'all need to sort things out. Either y'all are going to get back together, you'll have an explosive argument—again—or you'll both be mature adults and be friends. My money's on y'all getting back together, since you've been waiting for her to come home since forever."
Chase's gaze sharpened on his oldest brother. Had he really been single this whole time because he was pining for Jewel? The last remaining fumes of hope that he and Jewel could pick up where they'd left off began to fade on the Texas breeze. He wouldn't step between them again.
Hunter yelled, "What? Fuck you!" And the rest of their brothers diffused the tension with laughter and smartass remarks. Then they all stomped outside through the sliding glass door to the balcony where Nick had set up the poker chips on the outdoor table.
When Chase was left inside with Hunter, he said quietly, "You don't have to take it out on them. That's just the way they are. Like little girls with gossip."
Hunter leaned his hands on the table and closed his eyes, breathing deeply before he replied. "I'm trying not to, Brother, but watch your tone. I'm already on edge, and I don't want to lose it on you too."
Something shifted inside him at Hunter's words, and Chase sighed. It was time to come clean and rip off the Band-Aid. Hunter needed it as much as Chase did, and he couldn't keep analyzing the best way to have this conversation.
He put his plate on the table and strode to the front door, even as his stomach threatened to rebel with nerves. "Well, come on then. Let's get this over with."
Hunter asked, "What the hell are you talking about?"
Chase pushed the front door open, and Hunter followed as Chase stretched his arms and popped his knuckles, shaking out the nerves and trying to control his already racing heart. He hoped this wouldn't change things forever with his brother, but he was so fucking tired of watching and waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"You've been on edge since Tuesday afternoon, but that morning over breakfast, you clearly were on a post-orgasmic high. So either you tell me what went wrong and pissed you off all week or we throw down and get it out of our systems."
Hunter snorted. "Violence never solved anything. Don't you remember Ma telling us that?"
Chase grinned, nerves changing to anticipation coursing through his veins as he widened his feet on the soft lawn. "Ma didn't go to prison. Violence solves plenty."
He only hoped it ended like some of his prison fights—with his opponent becoming a dear friend. He didn't want to lose his brother.
Hunter paused and frowned. "I didn't go to prison either, Chase."
Chase's stomach twisted again. Of course, his perfect oldest brother didn't go to prison. That was why Jewel should be with him instead of Chase. They had history, and Hunter was simply the best man among the two of them.
"I know," Chase said past the lump in his throat. "But you need to tell me what upset you all week."
Hunter scowled. "I'm not upset."
"Bullshit. Was it Jewel you were with Monday night?"
Hunter's hands fisted at his sides and his eyes flashed. "Why does everyone assume I'm getting back together with Jewel? She fucking ripped my heart out."
Chase winced, not looking forward to the confrontation that they both needed, even if Hunter didn't realize it yet. Chase made a come-hither motion with his hand, and Hunter stepped onto the grass to circle him.
"Is that why you're so pissy? Because everyone's reminding you of that heartbreak?"
"Not everyone," Hunter said. "At the moment, it's just you pissing me off."
Chase chuckled mirthlessly, needing to get him into motion and past talking. It was time to come clean.
"It's not the first time, Brother. When Jewel didn't answer my call Monday night, I figured it was because she was with you and y'all are getting back together. Figured she wouldn't want anything to do with a convict like me. I guess I'll just keep jerking off to the memories. But tell me… is she as good of a lay now as she was back then?"
Hunter froze, and Chase swallowed hard. He hated talking like this, egging his brother on like he'd done in prison with all those who'd tried to bully their way around. It was a learned behavior, but it always got results there. Hopefully, it'd serve him well here too. He verbally and emotionally poked and prodded at the bear, waiting for the attack.
"What did you say?" Hunter asked, his tone low and dangerous. But Chase couldn't back down now. He had to get this all out in the open before it drove the wedge in his soul into a chasm that he couldn't fix.
Chase paused, frowning as the tone clicked in his brain. His internal files said Hunter was surprised, confirming his suspicions.
"You—didn't know? I thought she told you that Sunday after church at Christmas. You broke up because she was cheating on you."
Hunter blinked in surprise. "I—thought she was cheating on me with Kevin. But you? My brother?"
Chase shrugged uncomfortably but didn't look away. "If it helps, she was my first. Not sure why she came back for seconds and thirds, but man, the way she begged for more has been on repeat in my brain for years. That low moan she let out when she came still makes my spine tingle."
"Fuck," Hunter said, lunging at him. Chase shifted low, catching Hunter's stomach on his shoulder and thrusting up to knock him off balance.
The grass scratched and tore at his skin as he rolled, trying to escape the onslaught of Hunter's fists raining down on him. His legs burned with searing pain, but Chase refused to give up.
Fists flew, and Chase went into that soft space deep inside, turning off his brain and just fighting by instinct in this brutal dance of survival. Blood dripped from Chase's nose and lip, mixing with the dirt and sweat on his face, but he didn't care.
A sharp jolt of pain shot through his spine, but he pushed through it, unleashing a flurry of punches that caught Hunter off guard. With a roar of determination, Chase fought on, refusing to let this be his last stand. Victory loomed within reach, giving him a glimmer of hope that this fight would not be Chase's last.
"You slept with Jewel," Hunter's words echoed in his brain, pulling him into the present and reminding him he wasn't in prison anymore. Reminding him that he deserved this beating and more.
Chase eased up, groaning under Hunter's renewed vigor. "I know. Hit me harder, pussy," Chase taunted.
Hunter pinned him and demanded, "Just fucking apologize. This is shit, Chase."
"No! I won't apologize, because nothing I do can ever make this right," Chase screamed up at him, the pain in his chest adding to the pain in his body. "Fucking hit me harder!"
Hunter reared back, and Chase closed his eyes, welcoming the pain. He deserved it for betraying his brother, for making the stupid mistake that had sent him to prison and ruining not just his life, but possibly Jewel's too. Ruining the future they could've had together.
Tears threatened and burned, but the blow he expected never came. Hunter rolled away, and they both laid on their backs, panting and staring at the stars above.
His jaw ached, his ribs were probably broken, and yet, he was still here, still tormented by shoulda, woulda, couldas.
"You slept with Jewel," Hunter said, the finality in his tone making Chase wince and swallow hard.
"Yeah," he said, his voice rough.
"And you tried to call her this week?"
This time he just nodded, unable to speak past the disappointment. "She hasn't answered my calls or texts. Clearly, she wants nothing to do with me. Probably still wants you."
Hunter finally broke the silence, saying, "What the hell happened?"
Chase's voice was deep and rough, the emotions bubbling to the surface. "The summer she graduated… I was hauling hay and needed to use the bathroom. I stopped at the sale barn, and when I came out, there she was…"
He trailed off, not sure how much detail Hunter wanted. Instead of giving more information, he paused, wanting to ask the biggest question of all. Hunter might forgive him someday, but Chase wasn't going to ask for something he didn't deserve.
Landry opened the front door, asking, "Uh, what are y'all doing?"
Hunter waved a hand. "Star gazing. Andromeda is beautiful tonight, don't you think?"
Landry snorted. "Whatever, we're going to start without you." The door shut behind him, and they laid in silence for a few more minutes.
Eventually, Hunter rolled to standing, groaning the entire way, before offering a hand to Chase. When he took it, some of the tightness around his chest eased, and Hunter slapped him on the back in the classic bro gesture of good will.
"We good?" Hunter asked.
Chase shrugged, watching his oldest brother for any sign that he didn't mean exactly what he said. His shoulders rose to his ears as he replied, "That's up to you."
Hunter looked up at the stars and put his hands in his pockets. "You're my brother. Of course I forgive you. It hurts like hell to find out now, but back then, I was already hurting from Jewel bringing that Kevin dude home while we were still dating. What's one more guy thrown in the mix?"
Chase frowned, not trusting the forgiveness as real. "Except I'm not just one more guy. I'm your brother."
Hunter sighed. "I know, but bros before hos and all that." Chase snorted and shook his head wincing as he rubbed his jaw.
"A word of warning though," Hunter continued. "If you're smart, you won't contact her. I haven't because I don't need that drama in my life, and neither do you."
Chase looked at him, trying to see more than what the faint light would allow. "How do you know you've moved on from her, then?"
What he really wanted to ask was if his brother was still in love with her, but the words just wouldn't come.
"Good point. I guess I do need to talk to her about how things ended, and now about you."
Chase winced and rubbed the back of his neck. "Same. I need to talk to her about that too."
Hunter's tone was sad as he said, "Don't fall for her tricks, Chase. Find someone who'll be faithful. You deserve someone better, someone who'll love you."
A sense of finality filled him as he shook his head and kicked a rock off the sidewalk. "I'm the bottom of the barrel, Hunter. A convict. Love's not really in the stars right now and maybe never will be."
A flare of hope shot through the sky in a flash of light as Hunter replied, "Maybe not tonight, but someday you'll find a special someone. We both will. Just don't settle for less than love, okay?"
Chase snorted. "This from the man who was just trying to get me laid at the Electric Cowboy two weeks ago?"
Hunter laughed and slapped him on the back again before grabbing his shoulders and pulling him down the sidewalk to the front door. "Yeah, yeah. If you're just looking to get laid, then by all means, call Jewel. Just don't give her your heart. I don't want to see you go through the heartache I did, alright? I kinda love you and shit."
Chase grinned and playfully punched Hunter in the stomach. "I love you too, Brother."
Hunter grunted and pushed him away, making them both laugh.
In the back of his mind, Chase wondered if Hunter was right. Perhaps he had built Jewel into this paragon of sexiness in his head because she'd been his first. Either way, his gut told him he couldn't fully move on until he settled the score with her.
A part of him was still that hopeful sixteen-year-old boy with grand plans of a future with her at his side. He needed to talk to her in order to bury that piece of his childish hopes.
He shut the front door behind him and grabbed his nachos. She was joining Gemma and Henry's vet practice, and he knew she'd show up at the ranch eventually to do her job. Perhaps by then, he'd have the right words to say.