Against All Odds - Angel's Story(29)

“Okay,” she whispers as her shoulders slump and she looks down at the ground. I hate how she’s finding it hard to look at me. I can tell she doesn’t really want me here, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt. I can’t really blame her though, after the way I’ve treated her.

There’s no way I could just leave her. Not yet anyway. She may not think so, but being alone right now is the last thing she needs.





CHAPTER EIGHT

Angel



As soon as we’re inside, I head for the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?” I ask. I’m in two minds about him being here. I’m glad he cares enough to want to stay, but on the other hand, I desperately want to be alone. I’ve been trying so hard to hold my emotions at bay. I’m not sure how much longer I can do it. It’s like a volcano building inside me, ready to erupt any minute.

“Sure. If it means I get to stay longer then I’ll have a coffee,” he says with a cheeky smirk. It makes me smile. I’ve missed the playful banter we used to share.

I pull the jug out of the cupboard and make my way to the sink so I can fill the coffee machine. My wrist is still tender from my fall earlier, so once the jug is full of water, the weight sends a shooting pain up my arm. “Shit,” I say, dropping the jug into the sink.

“Jesus, sweet-cheeks,” Chase says as he quickly comes over to me. “Give me a look at that,” he says reaching for my hand. “Is it sore?”

“I think I sprained it when I…uh fell.” For some reason I feel embarrassed. God, I’m not ready to talk about any of this right now. I just want to put it out of my mind.

Chase gently takes hold of my wrist. I look up at him and watch as he studies my hand. He’s frowning as he looks over it. I’ve missed being near him. Just like the first day I met him I’m overcome by his handsome features.

He speaks, snapping me out of my trance. “It’s not swollen, so I don’t think it’s broken.”

“It isn’t broken,” I assure him. “Look I can move it. It’s just tender.”

“Do you want me to take you to the hospital to get an X-ray, just in case?”

“No. That’s not necessary.” He looks up at me. I hold his stare, silently letting him know I’m not going to see a doctor. He goes to say something, but then changes his mind. His gaze moves back down to my wrist. He gently turns my hand over. My palm is all grazed and covered in dry blood from where I hit the pavement, trying to flee Riley.

“Do you have something I can clean this up with?” he asks.

“Yeah, in the medicine cabinet in my bathroom. You don’t have to do it though. I can fix myself up when you leave.”

He reaches over me and picks up the jug out of the sink. “Let me fill this for you first.” I smile to myself as I step out of the way. He obviously wants to take care of me, so I’m going to let him. I’ve missed the nice Chase, so much.

Once he pours the water into the coffee machine and turns it on, I lead him to the main bathroom. Thankfully, I have first aid supplies in both bathrooms for when my parents or brother stay over. The last thing I want to do is take him to the en-suite in my bedroom. I know he wouldn’t try anything, but I’m not comfortable having him in my bedroom right now, if ever.

“Sit,” he orders, pointing to the toilet. I do as he says. After rifling through the cabinet and getting what he needs, he lines it all up on the basin. He wets a clean cloth before coming over and kneeling in front of me, wiping over the grazed part of my hand. His touch is so gentle. After the roughness I experienced at the hands of Riley tonight, Chase’s gentleness brings tears to my eyes. I fight them back down though. I need to keep it together.

“This is going to sting,” he says as he pours some Betadine onto a cotton ball.

When I look down at what he’s doing, I notice his knuckles are banged up too. Although I hate to see that he’s hurt, I look up at him and smile, as gratitude for what he did for me tonight fills my heart. I hate to think where I’d be now if he hadn’t come along when he did.

He looks up, finding me smiling. “What?” he asks.

“Nothing.” I shrug. “I’m just grateful for everything you did for me tonight.”

“Don’t sweat it,” he says as a small smile plays out on his gorgeous face. “I’m sorry it happened and I’m glad I got there when I did…” I see pain etched on his face as I presume it’s from the events of tonight. “I’ll always be here for you if you need me, sweet-cheeks.” I feel my lips slightly curl again at his nickname for me.