One hour. That’s how long I had to watch them together. The hardest part for me was she looked so happy, like her old self. It’s been killing me to see her so sad and lost this past month, but seeing her happy again, at the hands of another man, is so much fucking worse.
CHAPTER FIVE
Angel
A little over a week has passed since I had coffee with Riley. We ended up exchanging numbers that afternoon. He’s been calling and texting me every day since. I like him, but he’s a little full of himself. He’s still sitting with me in class and at lunch. Just like Chase used to. The thing is, he’s not Chase. He doesn’t make me feel the things Chase did.
It’s still early days, so I’m not giving up on him just yet. I’m taking things slowly though. I’ll never again give myself to a man so easily, like I did with Chase. Next time I want to be one hundred percent sure that’s what I want; that he’s worth it. I don’t need a repeat of last time.
I’m still avoiding Chase every chance I get. I’m proud of myself for resisting the urge to look his way when he’s around. It’s still hard, but with time I’m sure it’ll get easier.
As Riley and I make our way out of class, he drapes his arm around my shoulder. The more time we spend together, the more comfortable he seems to become with me. We haven’t even kissed properly yet. He pecks me hello and goodbye, that’s it. I’m not fussed though. I’m actually kind of glad. I’m not ready for anything too serious right now.
“Are you free Friday night?” he asks as we walk down the hall to our next class. “I was thinking maybe we could go on a real date. Out to dinner and maybe a movie. How does that sound?”
Before I get a chance to answer, Chase storms past us, knocking his shoulder into Riley’s in the process. Riley stumbles forward, taking me with him.
“Watch where you’re going next time Daniel’s,” he calls out to Chase’s retreating back.
“Go fuck yourself, Benson,” Chase responds while giving him the finger over his shoulder. Riley lets go of me and stalks towards Chase. Oh shit. He walks up behind him and pushes him in the back. Chase spins around.
“You did not just fucking do that,” he says through gritted teeth as he throws his bag down. It all happens so quickly. There’s no time to react. I stand there in shock as Chase barges towards Riley, tackling him to the ground, landing on top of him with a thud.
My knees turn to jelly as Chase raises his fist and brings it down to connect with Riley’s face. Is it wrong that I’m more concerned about Chase getting hurt, than I am about Riley? Shit. I’ve never actually watched a real fight before. I hope this is the first and the last time too. I don’t like it—at all.
Thankfully, a few guys rush over and pull Chase off Riley. “You’ll fucking keep,” Chase spits out as he bends down and retrieves his bag and walks away.
I look down at Riley, still laying on the floor. He wipes the blood from his lips as he stands. He looks angry and a little embarrassed. “Are you okay?” I ask as I walk towards him.
Riley doesn’t answer me. He just stares down the hall after Chase. I don’t like the look on his face. It’s scary.
Eventually he turns his attention back on me. “I’m gonna go and clean up. I’ll meet you in class.” That’s all he says before walking away. I’m dumbfounded.
••••
Chase
I can’t believe I lost my cool. I must admit it’s been building ever since that day I saw them together at the coffee shop. I’d been hoping it was just a one-time thing, but that’s obviously not the case. He’s been sniffing around her every chance he gets. I’ve always disliked that fucker, but now I detest him.
When he put his arm around her as they walked out of class, I nearly fucking lost it. I can’t stand to see his hands on her. When I heard him ask her out on a date, I couldn’t control what I was feeling. Panic, jealousy and pure fucking rage.
Bumping into him was a dick move, I know. My body just seemed to react on its own accord. I’m losing her. It’s all my doing because I’m the one who walked away in the first place, but fuck me if it isn’t hard to watch it happen.
Once I pick up my bag off the floor, I walk straight out of the building and head to my bike. I’m fucking out of here. If I stay I may do something I’ll regret. I need to get my emotions in check if I’m going to be around those two.
••••
Pops is working out back in the garage when I arrive home. As soon as he hears my bike pull up he comes out. “Hey Pops,” I say as he walks towards me.