31. Chase
Chase
Concrete by Ben Kessler
I slam the car door harder than necessary and melt into the backseat of my stupidly overpriced Uber.
At this point, I couldn’t care less about the money. I need to get out of here.
What an actual ass.
I can’t believe I stormed out like that but I also can’t believe he’d actually say yes to drinks with Theo…while we were doing what we were doing.
I groan, sinking down into my seat. I just want to bury my head in the sand.
I bet they’re going to be laughing the night away over steak dinners and candlelight, chatting about how ridiculously good looking they both are. Ha-ha, fucking-ha. Get fucked.
My stomach twists. Fantastic. I flop down on the backseat, needing a moment to decompress on the cool leather.
Of course, I have no right to say anything. Jeremiah isn’t mine. He’s not my property nor my boyfriend. We aren’t exclusive. If anything, those reminders just piss me off more.
“Hey buddy, you alright?” The Uber driver asks, checking in the rearview mirror.
I sit up and give him a polite smile. “Yeah, I’m just…” I huff out some air. I run my hands through my hair and take a deep breath, trying to focus on the passing scenery. “You can drop me off right here. I think I’m just going to walk.”
I nod toward the corner store near my place.
“It’s going to charge you for the whole trip.”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” I mutter. I need to get out of this moving vehicle and somehow settle my brain.
The Uber driver follows my request and pulls out at the side of the road. I grab my gym bag, mumble a thank-you, and step out onto the sidewalk. It’s a warm sunny day and if it wasn’t for having to go back to work, this would be the perfect day to play hooky.
I stop into Vortex to pick up a smoothie and wrap before heading back to my apartment. I’m starving. The only thing I’ve had all morning was Jeremiah’s thick—
Godfuckingdammit.
No, I’m not doing that.
Maybe stuffing my face on my living room floor while cuddling with Honey will do me some good.
I freeze mid-step, almost causing a collision behind me. My eyes land on a familiar figure sprawled on the grass of a nearby park… with a bundle of sunflowers that match her yellow sundress.
Is that—Mia?
I march across the street, heading straight for her and try my best to avoid the oncoming traffic.
Mia’s eyes glance up and find me, her face obviously shocked at my incoming presence, but glad, all the same.
“Chase! What are you doing here? I thought you’d be back at the office already.”
“Things change... obviously,” I say, looking down at her setup. She’s got a basket full of what looks like fruit, little bottles of pink sparkling wine and a couple of canvases and paint supplies. “What’s all this?” I smile, dropping to sit beside her.
Mia bites her lip, moving a braid behind her ear nervously. “My attempt at a make-up date.”
My mouth drops open. “Seriously?! Rachel answered?” I don’t wait for a reply, I just bring her in for a huge, tight hug.
She nods, soft laughter slips from her lips. “Yeah, she uh—she said she missed me too. She’s willing to talk it out.” Mia sits back, looking at me with a shy smile.
“That's good, Mia.” I look down at everything she'd brought. "No, that's really good."
“I know you told me to wait for her to come to me, but…” Mia shakes her head, looking at all her items. “She’s too special not to even try.”
My brows pinch, as I tuck a braid behind her ear. “You’re a smart gal, you know that?”
Mia winks. “Same goes for you.”
I roll my eyes. “Okay, I’m going to leave before you change your mind on that.” Her brow arches, but I’m up before she says another word. “I’m wishing you great luck. You’ve got this.” I kiss her hand.
She tilts her head, giving me a lovingly squeeze before I let her go.
We say our goodbyes before I head for my apartment which isn’t too far away.
And somehow, I’ve still got the rest of the whole damn workday to get through. Wonderful.
***
As I make my way back to the office, I dread seeing Jeremiah. Not just because I’m still pissed—which I am—but also because I know the moment I see his stupid, beautiful face, I’ll forget why I was mad in the first place.
I remind myself to keep my head down and beeline it to my desk.
“Hey, Chase!” Bailey waves to me as I enter the front area. “How was pickleball?”
“Fucking fantastic,” I mutter under my breath as I pass her desk. Because sadly, it was. Jeremiah and I had fun together and that’s the worst part of it all.
I make a break for my desk and thankfully don’t lift my eyes to see if Jeremiah is in his office or not.
And thank God, Heather is out with the investors right now showing them around the city, keeping them occupied. Because I just…can’t.
At least this gives me some time to actually catch up on my work.
I choose to spend the last couple hours approving creative assets from the marketing team.
I’m busy clicking approve and editing some minor details on upcoming ad campaigns when a Slack message dings on my computer screen.
Jeremiah - COO : Busy?
I huff out a laugh and exit the message. Not today, Satan.
I keep approving without really looking anymore…then doubling back because wait, that one doesn’t even make sense.
Here he goes, getting into my brain without even trying.
*Blip*
Jeremiah - COO: Why won’t you look at me?
I clench my jaw. Can’t he get the message? I don’t want to.
*Blip*
Another message pops up in the bottom right hand corner of my screen.
Jeremiah - COO: You’re being too hard on me
This could be considered harassment if I really wanted to name it that. Except…the stirring I get in my stomach every time I see his name pop up is telling me it’s something different. Dammit.
I finally look up from my screen but only to flash him the meanest look I’ve ever given anyone.
Jeremiah looks at me from his office chair, biting his little black pen. His eyes widen as he takes in my expression and it shouldn’t make me as happy as it does to see him care so much.
He should care.
*Blip*
Jeremiah - COO: Come into my office.
Me: No.
Jeremiah - COO: It’s about work.
Me: That’s what they ALL say…
Emphasis on the ‘all’ meaning Theo. Ugh, my blood boils all over again just thinking about him.
“Hey!” Todd's voice cuts into my thoughts as he pops up over my desk, folding his arms on my partition.
I quickly exit out of my slack messages and look up at my visitor.
“Hey, what’s up?” I sigh, leaning back in my desk chair.
“I was brainstorming and had an idea. What do you think about bringing the investors to karaoke on Thursday night?”
I narrow my eyes. I’m not particularly excited about hanging out with Theo off the clock. And the fact Jeremiah is the COO, he’ll have to be there too.
“Nah, I doubt they’d be into that.” I shake my head, looking back at my computer.
“What do you mean?” Todd leans on my desk, forcing me to sit back. “Isn’t that what we’re all about? Making fun memories and experiences?”
Damn. He’s got me there.
“Yeah, I guess…” I mutter.
“Cool. Cool.” Todd nods, glancing over his shoulder. “And could you also, I don’t know…invite Bailey?”
I blink slowly. “Todd. Is that why you want to go to karaoke?”
“No, no. I just thought she’d want the invite, you know? I’m being nice.”
“So why don’t you invite her?”
Todd frowns. “She’d accept the invite from literally anyone else.”
I bite back a laugh.
“Yeah, I can do that.” I sigh, having pity on him.
Todd lets out a sharp gasp, then quickly clears his throat and straightens his tie.
I take this moment to look past his shoulder to sneak a glance of Jeremiah. Only, I’m surprised to see him not at his desk.
All of a sudden, a hand comes resting down on Todd’s shoulder, stopping his mini freak-out.
“Hey, Todd. What’s going on over here?” Jeremiah’s smooth voice caresses my ears. It brings me back to what we were doing this morning in the shower. Fuck, I hate how good he sounded when he was pressed up against me. Rocking his hip slowly—
No, Chase. Down, boy.
This was exactly what I was afraid of.
Jeremiah locks eyes with me for a beat, then forces his attention back to Todd.
“Oh, I was just talking to Chase about this really great idea.” Todd wiggles his eyebrows at me, tilting his head towards Jeremiah.
“Is that right?” Jeremiah turns back to me. “Actually, I was wanting to speak with you, Chase, so that’s perfect timing.”
I squint and point at my computer screen. “You know, I’m actually really busy here with work so I better—”
Todd's eyes nearly pop out of his head as he silently curses at me.
“This will only take a moment of your time.” Jeremiah smiles softly.
I swallow deeply. “Fine.” I push out from my desk and roll my eyes at Todd, seeing how excited he is that I’m going.
If only he knew.
My brows furrow the moment I realize he’s not guiding us back to his office.
“Where are you taking me?” I whisper at him.
“Somewhere a little more private,” he says over his shoulder.
Rounding the corner, he leads us up the stairwell and to another floor. This floor is quiet, mostly full of accountants, typing away at their desks. I follow him until we get to a sealed off office space with solid walls, unlike on our floor with all glass.
He ushers me inside. Everything in the room is draped in cloth, like it’s been abandoned. I take it in for a moment before turning back, arms folding tightly across my chest.
“So? What’d you want to say?”
“I…” Jeremiah bites his lower lip. “I don’t want you to be mad at me.”
I drop my shoulders, feeling a wave of guilt. “I don’t either. I just…this is new for me and I actually give a fuck about you,” I scratch my brow, feeling insecure all of a sudden. “I’m not just…a hook-up. Or at least, I don’t want to be.” I blow out a heavy breath. “Not with you.”
His brows pinch together, eyes searching my face. “You’re not just a hook-up to me. But…” He looks down at his feet. “I’ve never been…involved with anyone before. I don’t know the do’s and don’ts–”
The corner of my lip twitches. “Well, for starters, you don’t agree to go out on dates with other people while you’re involved with someone else.”
Jeremiah takes in a huge breath. “Don’t you see that it’s not a date?”
My smile drops. “Okay, you’re clearly not getting it so I don’t know why we’re still talking—” I go to leave out the door but Jeremiah cuts me off, stepping in the way.
“No, wait. Stop.” His hands softly rest on my chest. Swallowing harshly, his eyes connect with mine. “I only want to be with you,” he confesses softly.
My breath hitches.
But the moment barely lands before he adds, “But you have to trust me—”
My eyes snap back to his. “Like you trust me?”
Jeremiah hesitates, then drops his hands and straightens.
“Oh wow,” I mutter, the weight of it settling in.
“Come on,” he says, exhaling. “What am I supposed to do here? I’m your boss. This is new. I can’t just… trust that you’re serious and risk everything.”
“Risk can be worth it.”
“Not when it ruins everything.”
The silence between us tightens.
Then he steps in again, closer this time, his hand sliding to the back of my neck, pulling me in. His forehead rests against mine.
“That came out wrong,” he murmurs. “Shit. I’m really fucking this up—”
A knock on the door snaps me out of whatever this is. I open the door to see a colleague I barely recognize, blinking at the scene like he walked into a soap opera.
That’s all I need to bolt.
I slip past them both before Jeremiah can say another word—because if he does, I might actually stop.