26. Chase
Chase
Stand So Close by Pretty Jane
“Big day for you, huh?” Ryan leans against the bathroom doorframe, eyeing me from head to toe as I fix my hair in the mirror.
“Mhm.”
I straighten my tie, second-guessing it for the tenth time. Should I even wear one? It felt like a solid choice last night, but now…
“And how do you feel about that after spending a glorious, romantic weekend with your boss?” He teases, making kissy faces.
I scowl, brushing past him into the hallway. “It wasn’t romantic. We just worked.”
“Oh yeah? You always bring Honey along to your work meetings?” he calls after me, amused.
“He likes her. He wanted to spend time with her—it wasn’t my idea.” I huff, grabbing my bag. “We’re just friends.”
“Do friends usually want to take a ride into pound town?” Ryan laughs, flopping onto the couch like he has no care in the world.
“Ryan, could you just—” I scrunch at the air, in a way that I’d want to grab his face shut. “Could you just mind your own business?”
His smile fades just slightly. “Woah, sorry that I care.”
I pause mid-step, the guilt creeping in. I’ve been super defensive lately. Dammit. It’s really not his fault…
“Shit, sorry, Ry. I’ve just been…”
Stressed? Confused? Falling for a man for the first time who insists he just wants to remain friends?
“Unlaid.” Ryan nods solemnly, as if solving the mystery.
“What?” I sigh. Here we go.
“Un-sexed.” He raises his eyebrows like I’m the dumb one for not understanding. “When’s the last time you got dicked down and dirty?”
My cheeks burn. “Considering I’ve never been dicked down… Uh…” I exhale sadly. “Yeah. It’s been a while.” I scratch the back of my neck.
“Exactly. You’re backed up with all this pent-up energy. You’ve got to let it out, man. Why not call that girl—uh…” He snaps his fingers, scanning the room like her name is hidden in the walls.
“Katie,” I mutter. I think that was her name.
He snaps triumphantly. “Yeah, her! Call her up. Get her in, get her out. Clear your mind, find your zen, bam—you’re you again.”
I grab my keys and sling my laptop bag over my shoulder. “I am me.”
“No, you’re not.” Ryan’s voice softens a little. “Dude, I’ve never seen you like this. Don’t you miss drinking all night? Staying up too late? When was the last time you got a little crazy?”
I shift, uncomfortably. I haven’t had a drink since karaoke night, and that’s… not like me. But the thing is, I don’t miss it.
When I hang out with Jeremiah, drinking feels irrelevant. He gives me a high I can’t explain. Like I don’t need anything else.
And lately—with Jeremiah in the picture—I’ve started… wanting more. For myself. Even more than before. I’ve always been ambitious but…it’s like he kicks it into overdrive or something. I want to show him what I’m made out of.
I want him to be proud of me.
I’ve been sleeping earlier. Eating better. I’m working out more. Heck, I’m even swearing less. I’m not just trying to be liked. I’m trying to like myself.
I glance at my watch. I still need to pick up our coffees and high-tail it to the office. Jeremiah insisted on ordering take-out breakfast this morning, so we compromised—he’s handling breakfast delivery while I’m on coffee duty.
“Listen, I’ve gotta run, but I promise I’ll hang out with you soon, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just make sure you get laid before we hang out again. I’m sick of dealing with Horny–McCrankypants.” He laughs, flicking on the TV.
“Dude, how about you get laid?”
“I would—if you’d stop cock-blocking me from Mia.”
I bark out a laugh. “Oh, yeah. There’s no fucking way.”
“You can’t keep her all to yourself, Chase. That’s selfish!”
“It’s been three years, man. If she wanted you, she would’ve by now. Bye!” I toss him a wave and step out the door.
***
“There’s absolutely no way.” Mia laughs into the phone. I can hear her walking the city streets just like me.
“That’s what I told him. But he’s still hung up on you,” I sigh, turning the corner.
“Well, he’s shit outta luck, I’m afraid,” Mia mutters.
“Still radio silence from Rachel?”
“Nothing. I really messed up, Chay.” Her voice softens, heartbreak laces in every word. In the three years I’ve known Mia, I’ve never seen her so struck by someone.
“No, you didn’t. There’s way worse things you could’ve done. If you ask me, she’s being a little hard on you. Losing points in my book day by day.”
“Oh yeah? And what happens when she’s out of points?”
“No Twilight marathon and she’s not invited to sushi dates.”
“Damn. When you lay down the hammer, you lay it down hard.”
“Yup.”
She pauses, then asks, “And you? How was this weekend with Hottie Boss Man?”
I glance both ways before crossing the street. “I don’t even know what I don’t know anymore. I’m more confused now than ever.”
“Oh? Was there…advancement?” She giggles.
I frown. “I wouldn’t be able to tell you even if there was.”
“Ooh, hot and secretive. I actually like the sound of that.”
“Wrong. That’s the whole fucking problem. I don’t think he’s willing to risk his job for…whatever this is…hell, I don’t even know if he even wants whatever this is, if we were even able to.”
“Uh…Ookay, now I’m confused.”
I chuckle. “You and me both.”
“Well, I’d take all the risk for you, baby,” Mia teases.
“Yeah, yeah. Okay.” I roll my eyes, as I enter the building.
“Morning!” I hear her say to someone on the other end.
“What the hell? How’d you beat me?” I say speeding up my pace and heading to the elevator.
“Catch up, slow-poke.” She laughs. “Oh shit.”
“What?” I ask, pressing our floor.
“It looks like the investors just got here early too. They’re walking towards Jeremiah’s office with Heather,” she whispers quietly.
My eyes go wide. “Already!? The investors are supposed to be here at ten!” I check my watch in disbelief.
“I know. And holy shit–one of them is super hot,” Mia squeals.
“Okay, down girl.”
“No, I mean he's like, really really hot. Like, Jeremiah—hot.”
“There’s only one Jeremiah—”
“Oh, you got it so bad.” She giggles. “Anyways, gotta go–”
“Mia–”
The line cuts out right when the elevator doors open.
I hustle past the front desk, offer quick hellos, and make a beeline for Jeremiah’s office.
My stomach has been a mess ever since yesterday.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to see him again, but I also don’t want him to stonewall me like he did in the kitchen.
Fuck, the kitchen.
I catch a glimpse of Mia at her desk, eyebrows raised in excitement as she looks to Jeremiah’s office.
I give her a quick nod hello before turning towards my destination.
They haven’t noticed me entering yet so I stay at the door of the room to observe before I’m introduced.
Jeremiah, sharp in black on black, stands to greet a tall, bald man in a gray suit.
“David Kemper,” the man says, shaking hands with him.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kemper. Looking forward to discussing WingMate with you.” Jeremiah responds.
Boss Man persona has been activated, I see.
Heather smiles. “And Jeremiah, this is David’s Chief Investment Officer—”
“Holy hell. Jeremiah Blackwood?!” a voice gasps.
My stomach sinks. I know that voice.
That smooth, flirtatious voice.
Judging by his rich golden-brown skin, perfectly trimmed hair, and tailored clothes that shape to his fit frame like silk, I already know exactly who he is.
The one person I didn’t want anywhere near Jeremiah again.
“Theo,” Jeremiah beams.
Before I can even process it, they’re moving toward each other, pulling into a tight embrace that knocks the air clean out of my lungs.
No, no, no.
“Oh, you two know each other?” Heather smiles, watching their interaction.
“High school buddies.” Theo winks, hand clasping Jeremiah’s shoulder. And Jeremiah lets him. Yet again, Jeremiah bows to Theo and it irks me to no end.
I can barely focus because all I can pay attention to is Theo’s hand still resting on him.
I grip the tray of coffee in my hand. Out of everyone in the world, David Kemper's CIO had to be him. Just my fucking luck.
“Theo’s one of my best,” David adds with a chuckle. “He can spot an amazing deal when he sees one, isn’t that right, Theo?” He taps Theo on his shoulder.
Theo flashes an enthusiastic grin to Jeremiah and winks. “Hell yeah, I can.”
Fuck this. Fuck him. Fuck everything.
I consider leaving—say I’m sick, maybe an emergency back at home came up—something so I don’t have to stand here and witness this. I can’t be here. I can’t watch this. It’s…complicated now. I have to get out of here—
“Oh! Chase! I’m so happy you’re here.” Heather waves me in, and just like that, my escape plan vanishes. “Come in and meet David and Theo.”
Jeremiah's eyes immediately lock with mine.
“Rutherford, I presume.” David greets, shaking my free hand.
“Yes, sir.” I return the handshake, smile tight.
My eyes unfortunately slip back to Jeremiah’s over David’s shoulder.
After a beat, Jeremiah looks away. Theo doesn’t. No, Theo stares at me like he’s the most locked in he’s ever been.
My jaw tightens.
“Chase Rutherford?” Theo thankfully drops his embrace on Jeremiah and instead walks over to greet me. “What is this, a high school reunion?” He laughs roughly, bringing me in for a hug too.
It’s stiff but I go along with it. His harsh clap against my back and firm grip around me is not as warm as he’s making it seem.
“Oh, that’s so right. You're from the same area. How did I not put that together?” Heather muses.
“Me and this one actually played on the same football team,” he squeezes my shoulder. “All the way up until senior year. Crazy, right?”
I feel nauseous just thinking about it.
“Well, this week just got interesting,” David cuts in, thankfully interrupting this awkward embrace. “Who says business can’t be fun?”
Heather’s eyes bounce between the three of us, clearly picking up on the tension that has built in the room.
“While these three catch up, let’s go take a tour around the floor. I want to show you some more about the—” Heather's voice trails off as she guides David out of the room.
A moment passes in silence as we watch them venture down the hall.