8. Chase
Chase
Reputation by Stephen Dawes
“You owe me so much for this,” Mia mutters through clenched teeth as she twirls her straw in her mojito.
“I already agreed to sushi, and I’m buying your drinks. I don’t know what else you want.” I nudge her on the shoulder with mine.
Honestly, she’s kind of right to be annoyed with me. She not only ditched her cozy Friday night in watching Love Island, but because it was so last minute, only a couple of others were able to make it out to this staff outing “tradition”.
Bailey… our new receptionist who has been eyeing me since we got here. And Todd, our financial manager who’s been eyeing her.
There’s no karaoke tonight, so the bar is filled with the older regulars who are here every night.
Honestly, I would’ve bailed on it too, if it wasn’t for it being my idea. And Jeremiah seems to be a no-show so it looks like it never even mattered.
“How much do you all want to bet the new boss drives a Jeep Wrangler?” Todd shrugs, lifting his light lager to his lips.
I scoff. “He’s so not a Jeep guy.” Not like I would know anything at all, but Jeremiah doesn’t seem like the off-roading type.
Mia laughs at my answer, scooting into my arm that’s stretched out on the booth ledge. From where I’m sitting, I can make out all the important areas. The bar, the stage where they hold open-mic nights or karaoke, and the door.
My eyes keep flickering to the entrance every time someone walks in, and I mentally scold myself for being so pathetic.
Who cares if he’s 38 minutes late? Who even cares if he even comes at all? Not me. Not I.
Nah, I have way more important things to worry about.
“What do you think, Chay?” Mia looks up at me and slips her straw into her mouth.
I think it over, taking in all the little to no details I actually know about him.
“Well, he seems…refined. Fast but not reckless. Sophisticated but still knows what’s trendy.
” I narrow my eyes and stare down at my half-empty pint of Rolling Rock.
I imagine his black button up that he was wearing at the office today.
Navy tie done up just right. “I’m going to guess…
Audi.” I breathe out deeply, leaning back into the booth. That’s enough looking into that.
“Ou, that’s a good one.” Bailey smiles at me from across the table, nodding in agreement.
Todd nods beside her. “Hey, Bailey. Guess you can’t guess what I drive.” Todd flashes a smile at her.
Bailey looks beside herself but entertains him nonetheless. I bring my beer to my mouth thankful for distraction. Everyone at the table goes into their own conversation and I take that moment to get my head together.
Suddenly, the bar door swings open. I quickly look over but notice a young couple striding in.
Lips pressed, I settle back in my seat.
“You okay?” Mia asks, concern written all over her face.
“Yeah, why?” I chuckle lightly, shrugging it off.
She narrows her eyes at me. “You dragged me out of my bed for this, and you’ve barely told me why it was so important.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. Just thought it’d be a more lively night than this.” I laugh, scratching the back of my neck. “I was in the mood for something…fun, I guess.” My eyes glance back at the empty door. “Plus, what’s more fun than hanging out with me?”
When I return my gaze back to Mia, I see she’s staring at the door like I am.
Thankfully, she doesn’t press further since I’d have no idea what to tell her. She instead follows up with, “I wasn’t going to be alone, you know.”
My brows furrow. “What do you mean?”
She gives me a cheeky smile as she drinks more of her beverage. “I had a date.”
“Mia Annalise Hough, what are you talking about?” I ask, tugging her drink away and placing it on the table.
She laughs. “That’s not my middle name. Wait, or my last name.” She chuckles, nudging me on the shoulder. “And, I’m talking about how I ditched my date tonight to hang out with you.”
“I have so many questions.” I blink. “Firstly, you’re seeing someone? Secondly, he better not take my position in your life as your favorite man.”
“Seeing as ‘he’ is actually a ‘she’, that title will remain yours. However, she’s climbing the importance scale pretty quickly so you better still watch out.” She winks.
My heart melts. “Miaaaa.” I sing, wrapping my arms around her and holding her tight. “This is huge news. I want to know everything. Why didn’t you just bring her here tonight?”
“Oh no. I want to be sure about her before I introduce her to THE Chase Rutherford.” She shakes her head, picking her drink back up.
My nose scrunches. “Oh, you’re not sure if I’ll like her?”
“I’m not sure if she’ll like you. You’re a lot to handle.” Mia teases. I remove my arm from behind her, acting offended even though I know she’s right.
“She’s not wrong. You are a lot to handle.” Todd pipes up from down the table.
“Watch it, Todd,” I say, snatching Mia’s straw from her drink. I dip it in, sealing the liquid inside with my finger, then flick it toward Todd, sending a small stream of her drink flying his way.
“Hey!” he shouts, jerking back to dodge the splash.
“Hey, that’s my drink!” Mia bats at me.
Soon, the whole table is laughing while I continue to cause havoc.
Breaking through the laughter and chatter, I hear an awkward cough to my left.
“Hey.” It’s as though the music in the bar dims out, as his smooth, warm voice steals all of our attention.
My head swings around, and everything goes still.
There he is. Standing there next to where I’m sitting with his hands in his pockets.
My brain short-circuits while I take in his non-work clothes.
He’s wearing a simple black crewneck sweater, sleeves scrunched up on his forearms with a white t-shirt poking out the collar.
So simple yet…I feel my heart speed up erratically.
He actually came.
I look over at my table mates who all stare at him speechless too. My jaw clenches. We’re all acting like starstruck imbeciles.
I clear my throat, sitting up in my seat. “Hey—hi…uh, you made it.”
“Yeah, sorry I’m late. I…” He scratches the back of his neck. “I wasn't sure if I was going to come.”
His honesty shocks me. I guess I can understand. He didn’t seem all that thrilled to come out when I suggested the idea to him in his office. I wonder what made him decide to go for it.
“Well, I’m glad you did. It’ll be nice to officially meet you,” Mia says sweetly beside me.
She extends her hand in front of my chest. Jeremiah reaches out to shake her hand.
“I’m not on the executive team, but I’d like to think there would be no social presence without me.
” She winks, pulling her hand back. “I’m Mia. ”
Jeremiah gives her a polite smile and nod as his eyes glance over at mine, for only a second.
“That’s Todd over there. I’m sure you’ve met him since he’s a part of the exec. squad.” Mia sighs.
“Oh, Jeremiah and I? Practically best buds.” Todd grins widely. I roll my eyes at his sucking up. I’ve seen them talk maybe twice.
Jeremiah nods firmly. “Hey. It’s nice to see everyone.” He looks around, scanning the bar.
“It’s a big bar, but trust me, it feels small when it gets packed.” I smile.
Jeremiah bites his bottom lip as he continues to look around. “Seems like a cool place.”
The silence at the table is loud enough to hear over the music. I feel like we’re all just staring at him. It’s weird.
Before I fully question what I’m doing, I jump up out of the booth. “Well, how about we get you something to drink for starters,” I say, patting him on his chest. My hand is met with a firm touch.
Damn, his chest is rock hard.
“Yeah, sure.” He shrugs nonchalantly, before following my lead to the bar.
“Hey, Calvin.” I up-nod at the Bartender. “Two sprites, please.”
“How’d you–” Jeremiah begins to question. His eyes give me a once-over. I feel my heart pulse faster under his stare.
“Sprite’s your favorite.” I shrug. Immediately, I wish I could bite off my own tongue.
What the actual fuck? Why would I tell him that?
My mouth apparently has a mind of its own because before I know it, I’m rambling.
“I just…I saw you once heading in from lunch, and you were carrying a can. It was random. I wasn’t looking out for you or anything.
You were just coming in the same time I happened to be looking outside—”
“Two sprites.” Calvin slid over our drinks, thankfully stopping me from royally embarrassing myself even more.
I swear, in the corner of my eye, I can see the corner of Jeremiah’s lip perk up as though he was amused by my word vomit. But as soon as it flickers, it’s gone.
“You can just add it to my tab,” I say. Calvin nods his head at me before walking off to tend to the other folks at the other end of the bar.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Jeremiah frowns, reaching for his drink in my hand.
“And you didn’t have to come.”
Our fingers lightly brush as I hand it off to him, and I try to ignore how it makes me feel.
What the hell is going on with me? I think I need to get laid.
Jeremiah’s lips purse. “Well, shall we?” he says, motioning back to the table.
I nod before leading the way.
***
Threading my fingers through my hair, I hope to God I’m not sweating through my white collared shirt.
The only spot empty is at the head of the table. Jeremiah has no choice but to sit right beside me.
Sitting up straight, I try to act as casual as possible even though the heat on my back is scorching.
“So, Jeremiah. How have you been enjoying working in the city?” Bailey asks, leaning her elbow on the table and resting her chin in her hand. She looks at him expectantly, the same way she’d been looking at me before he arrived. I have to resist rolling my eyes.
“City life is fine. I've worked in many cities before and I moved around a lot as a kid, so it’s nothing too different from me.” Jeremiah shrugs, twisting the cup of soda in his hand.
I stare down at the Rolex around his wrist. Fancy pants.
“Ou, like where?” Mia leans in.
Jeremiah’s gaze flickers toward me, then quickly shifts away.
He clears his throat. “Uh, well after my gap year after university I worked in Vancouver for a while. Montreal for a couple of years after that. My favorite was probably Halifax, though. Loved the east coast,” he adds, his voice tinged with something like nostalgia.
Todd raises a brow. “Why’s that?”
Jeremiah looks down at his glass, gripping it tightly. His fingers flex around the rim like he’s trying to ground himself. “I guess…it was nice being around water and the people moved slower compared to around here.”
“So cool. I’ve always wanted to live in a smaller town.” Todd gazes. “Did you grow up in one?” He presses further.
I feel a cold sweat coming on. The air at the table shifts. This time, Jeremiah avoids looking my way. Jaw tight, shoulders stiff.
“Uh…yeah, in a way. I guess I’m from a smaller city.” Jeremiah waves him off. “Not really important.”
Todd sits back in his chair, obviously hurt from the dismissal.
Jeremiah can feel it, too, I can tell. He looks uncomfortable as he shifts in his chair.
“Oakville.” Jeremiah finally admits, his voice softer now. My stomach drops, the weight of the name hanging in the air. “I’m from Oakville.” He shrugs one shoulder, trying to make it seem casual, but there’s a vulnerability in his eyes.
Todd's lips curve into a smile, feeling validated. “Nice.”
“Wait. Oakville?” Bailey cuts in. “Isn’t that where Chase is from?” Bailey asks, pointing over at me.
My eyes drop to my hand in my lap.
This was a mistake.
I lean back, resting my arm along the back of the booth behind Mia's shoulders. I feel the need to steady myself.
“I am from Oakville, yes,” I confirm, suddenly feeling nauseous.
“So, did you two like, know each other?” Bailey narrows her eyes. “Oakville isn’t that big. You must’ve gone to the same school or at least knew of each other.” She glances back and forth between Jeremiah and I.
I lick my lips, trying to relieve my dry mouth. What do I even say to that? I glance quickly at Jeremiah, who still hasn’t budged.
“It was a big school,” I answer. “The chance of him knowing me would be slim.” I chuckle softly, taking a very awkward sip from my glass.
“I remember you,” Jeremiah mutters quietly.
I cough, setting my glass on the table. There’s no way I heard that right.
“Pardon me?” I ask, wiping my mouth off with the back of my hand.
“You heard me.” He turns in his seat to look me directly in the eyes. “I remember…everything.” He bites out.
My heart drops to the bottom pits of my stomach. This can’t be happening. He acted like he didn’t even know who I was. I feel that familiar rush of guilt as so many memories flood through my head.
Why didn’t he say anything?
“Jer…” I breathe out.
He abruptly stands up, glasses shake on the table top, shocking all of us at his sudden urgency.
Lifting his half-empty soda, he mutters, “I’m going to grab a refill,” before turning away.
No one knows what to say as he strides away, leaving us—especially me, speechless.
Suddenly, the music is way too loud.