Chapter 4
CHAPTER
FOUR
Chase listened to Bobby talk about the latest gossip as they drove through town.
Chase had to laugh that Bobby still drove the pickup he’d bought in high school.
He had a philosophy: if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
It was also the first thing he had bought with his own money and had fixed it up himself. It was in a sense his pride and joy.
As they passed through downtown, Chase noted nothing had changed about it. It was like it was stuck in time. It was one of the reasons he’d had to leave. Nothing ever happened here. It was always the same thing every day.
They turned at the end of town and went down the familiar dirt drive to his parents’ one-story house.
Again, it hadn’t changed. Same faded white paint, the shingle next to the front window was still hanging crooked.
He had offered to fix it numerous times, but his parents didn’t seem to care or notice it was wrong.
Bobby pulled up behind his dad’s truck, got out, and headed for the side door which led to the kitchen as if he already knew where Chase’s parents would be. Just how many times did he come here? Not that it mattered, Bobby was welcome there, and his folks loved Bobby like a second son.
“Hi, Martha. Hi, Don,” Bobby greeted as he opened the door but didn’t walk in, blocking Chase from entering the house. What was he doing? Why couldn’t he go into his parents’ house?
“Bobby my boy, good to see you. It’s been too long. How are you?” Chase heard his dad ask.
“It’s good to see you both too. Sorry it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been by. Work’s been crazy. This was the first chance I had to come see you.”
“No need for sorry or excuses,” his father said. Chase’s father wasn’t one to hold a grudge. Never had been. He always said life was too short for that. His mother was the same; she said grudges made people sour.
“Well, don’t just stand there. Come inside. I don’t pay my bills to cool the outside,” Chase’s mother scolded. Chase smiled, his mother had said that all of his life when he or Bobby left the door open.
“I hope you don’t mind, I brought company.
” Bobby stepped inside and to the side to allow Chase to walk in.
His parents sat at the dining table, food and coffee already set out.
It was his first time seeing his parents in years.
They looked a bit older and more tired, but he couldn’t be more happy to see them.
His father grinned, and his mother’s face lit up like the Fourth of July seeing him. “Chase darling,” his mother cooed and ran to him, throwing her arms around him. He was close to a foot taller than her, so her arms only went around his waist.
“Chase,” his father greeted next, standing up and thumping him on the back. His father wasn’t overly affectionate, but Chase could see tears glistening in his father’s eyes. He was happy to see them.
“We haven’t seen you in ages,” his mother continued, and from her tone it felt more like a scolding.
He knew he had stayed away. Everyone kept reminding him of that.
It wasn’t because he hadn’t missed everyone, he had.
His career had taken off, and time just got away from him.
“Why didn’t you tell us you were here?” His mother smacked him on the arm and wagged her finger in his face.
Chase just grinned. He’d missed his mom and her fiery personality.
She might be short, but she sure made up for it in attitude.
It used to terrify him as a kid when she would chase him around with a spatula, but going through basic and the yelling, he found himself missing her.
She could give his drill sergeants a run for their money.
“I wanted to surprise you.” And he didn’t want the whole town knowing he was back. Though he was pretty sure in the next few hours, everyone would. People had seen him leave the bar with CJ, and his mom was a big gossiper. By lunch, guaranteed, the whole town would know he was home.
“Well, we’re surprised,” his mother added, though she didn’t look surprised.
He had a sneaky feeling someone had already told her before breakfast, but she was just too happy to see him.
It had been a few years. They had come to visit him about five years back, but he hadn’t found time to visit until now.
“Sit down.” His mother guided him to the dining table.
It looked exactly as it had growing up. Same setting and placemats.
“Would you like something to eat?” she asked, falling into hostess mode.
“No, I’m good, Mom, thanks. I already ate.” CJ had made a hell of a breakfast, and he’d eaten far more than he normally would have, but it had been too good to let it go to waste. Bobby had eaten just as much as he did.
“Oh.” His mother blinked, a questionable look of where in her eyes, but she kept quiet. He was sure she knew but wasn’t going to say anything in front of Bobby. She might be a gossiper, but she could be discreet too. Her eyes shifted to Bobby. “Bobby?”
Bobby had stayed close to the door, allowing them to have their family reunion, but now he came in and sat down at one of the vacant seats next to Chase, which was Bobby’s regular seat growing up. “No, thanks, Martha, I ate at my sister’s. That’s where we just came from.”
“Oh…” Her eyes lit in understanding, and Chase felt his neck grow hot. His mother wasn’t born yesterday. She had had sex at least once in her life. There was no other reason for him to be eating breakfast at CJ’s house. “Speaking of, how is she?” his mom asked, reclaiming her seat at the table.
“She’s good. Staying busy.”
“I haven't seen her in ages. We should have you all for dinner. Just like old times.” Chase groaned and covered it up with a cough when everyone looked questionably at him. Was his mother purposely being obtuse, or did she not realize the danger of them all eating together? Sure, they had done it growing up, but that was before he’d slept with CJ and taken her virginity.
He was honored by such a gift, but he felt bad to have done that to his friend.
He had broken so many bro codes last night.
“She’ll love that,” Bobby responded, not seeming to sense Chase’s distress.
“Oh, I just made a batch of blueberry muffins; will you bring her some?” his mom questioned, hopping up from her seat and going into the kitchen. Now that she mentioned it, Chase could smell them. He’d been so distracted up until now, he hadn’t noticed.
“You might want to make some extra, otherwise there might not be any for her to eat.” Bobby chucked, meeting his mom in the middle to claim the basket full of muffins. Way more than one person could eat.
“Cheeky rascal.” His mom giggled. “You never change.” She shook her head, but there was no heat in her words.
“No, ma’am,” he replied without a hint of remorse.
Bobby like everything else here hadn’t changed, but Bobby was one thing Chase never wanted to.
He was a good friend and a hard worker. He was loyal and protective.
He was all in all the best. The guilt of betraying him sat heavy like lead in Chase’s gut.
“Well, I hate to go, but I have to get to work,” Bobby said, heading for the door.
“Alright, how about dinner on Friday?” his mother suggested.
“Sounds good to me. I’ll check with CJ.”
“Alright, bye, dear.” His mother waved him goodbye.
“Bye, Martha, bye, Don.” Bobby waved at them. He added with a warning finger, “See you, Chase. We need to catch up.”
“We will for sure.” Chase had missed his friend and wanted to spend time with him before he had to go back. He didn’t know when he’d come back again.
“Such a sweet boy,” his mother cooed after Bobby left. “Him and his sister. She’s turned into such a lady. Well, I don’t have to tell you; you saw her.”
“I did,” Chase confirmed evenly. At this point all his mother did was suspect something between him and CJ. He was not going to fuel that suspicion.
“She’s grown into a beauty. You know, all the boys just fawn over her, but I know she’s waiting for someone special,” his mother commented matter of fact as she sat back down in her seat.
“Mom,” he said in a chiding tone. He knew what she was doing now, and it wasn’t happening. His mother was notorious for her matchmaking. Chase was not going to fall victim to it. He liked CJ, but he lived in a different state, and she was Bobby’s sister. Why was his mother forgetting that fact?
“What? You could do worse.”
“She’s Bobby’s sister.” By definition, she should not be an option for his future girlfriend. Not that he was even considering her.
“So?” She blinked, not seeming to see the issue when in fact it was a huge issue.
“I don’t have an interest in CJ like that,” he insisted, making it clear he was done with this conversation.
“Uh huh…” Oh yeah, his mother suspected something.
It was probably why she had brought CJ up to begin with.
The dinner idea. She was in matchmaker mode.
He couldn’t have that. He liked CJ as a person, but he had grown up with her.
They were practically siblings, though he couldn’t seem to muster up those old feelings at the moment.
All he could see was the woman she was now and the last look she’d given him when he’d said nothing could come of them and how heartbroken she was.
“Dad,” he whined. When in doubt, go to his father. They had been married for thirty years. If anyone knew how to rein her in, it was his dad.
“Martha, let him be. He just got here.”
“You’re right, dear.” His mother patted his father’s hand. Chase didn’t believe for a second that this conversation was completely over, but he would at least get a reprieve from it.
“So how long are you in town for?” His father asked when they were alone.
“I don’t know, Dad. A few weeks, I’m thinking.
If that’s alright,” he added, since he had sprung himself on his parents.
For all he knew, he didn’t have a room anymore, and they had turned it into storage or something.
He could stay with Bobby he supposed, if he had to.
Though he didn’t know what Bobby’s living situation was either.
Bobby hadn’t told him if he had his own place or was still with his folks.
“Of course, it is,” his mother assured him. “You can stay as long as you like. We left your room just the way you left it.” Leave it to his mom to always be ready for guests. Always the gracious hostess.
“Thanks, Mom.” Chase could already feel himself relaxing more than he had in weeks. After the great sleep last night, he knew this was the break he’d needed. It was good to be home.