The Line Between(31)

Chase swallowed his food, and turned to me. “I didn’t think it would be considered romantic. I figured girls only liked the fancy expensive restaurants when going on a date.”

“Good thing we’re not on a date,” I replied with a giggle.

“Damn, that hurts.” He feigned hurt, and then threw me a playful wink telling me he was kidding.

I slapped his arm, and took a bite of my fries. “I can’t imagine you go on dates. From what Grady told me you’re quite the playboy.”

He chuckled, and the sound somehow helped me relax a little.

“Don’t believe everything my brother tells you. He has a flare for being over dramatic, and tends to exaggerate where I’m concerned.”

My brows rose in skepticism. “So you’re saying he’s lying?”

Chase thought about it for a long minute, and then replied, “No.”

I laughed, and threw my napkin at him. “I thought so. I guess it’s part of the territory though, right? Being the star football player and all.”

Chase sighed, and looked pensive. “People expect it of me, you know? Sometimes it’s easier to live the image people give you, rather than pretending.”

His answer surprised me, and I caught the wistfulness of his tone. “Don’t you get tired of it though? Don’t you want to meet someone and settle down?”

Chase turned his gaze, and stared at a couple across the field who were dancing like no one was watching. “It’s better than getting hurt. And besides, I don’t want to be tied down any time soon. I like my freedom.” He grinned widely, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. That was such a guy thing to say.

“What about you?” He asked. “Why’s a pretty little thing like you single?”

The way he asked me made it sound like the idea really confused him. Like me being single was unfathomable. My thoughts immediately drifted to Dane, and I wished they hadn’t. I’d been doing well not thinking about him, and had enjoyed the reprieve after what happened on Saturday night in my bedroom. I hadn’t told Jade about that, and I wasn’t sure I ever would. I was too embarrassed, and not because it was Dane, but because I liked it, and there was no way I’d be able to keep those feelings from Jade.

“My life is…complicated.” I sighed. “I’m not really interested in dating right now. I have enough on my plate with school, and trying to figure out my major.”

Chase’s cool green eyes regarded me, and I found myself hoping he didn’t take any offense to what I’d said. We both knew this wasn’t a real date, and that he only offered because he felt bad about hitting me in the head with his football.

“So there’s nothing going on between you and Dane then?”

My eyes widened with shock. I hadn’t expected that.

“Nothing, I mean we can’t stand each other. Why?”

Chase pursed his lips. “I saw the way he was looking at you at the coffee shop, so I was curious.”

Instead of replying, I took a bite of my burger, and looked away. I was starting to feel uncomfortable. Chase placed his hand on my knee, and squeezed, making me jerk my head back towards him.

“I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable,” he said quietly, reading my thoughts. “It’s just that, well, I like you, Kennedy, and I want to make sure I wouldn’t be stepping on anyone’s toes if we were to become friends.”

I swallowed my food, and thought about how to respond. My head was stuck on the ‘I like you’ part, but also on the insinuation that Dane would be pissed if Chase and I were friends. Or possibly more. So I chose honesty.

“Dane and I have a bit of an ugly past, but there’s never been, nor will there ever be, anything romantic. I doubt we can even make to friends. He hates me too much.”

Chase’s brows puckered, but much to my relief he didn’t say anything more. Instead, he gathered up our empty food wrappers, and hopped from his truck to throw them away.

With his back to me, I had the chance to get a good look at him. It made perfect sense why the girls swooned over his classic, clean cut looks. He was dressed in designer jeans that looked like they’d made to fit his legs. The denim hugged his thighs and his butt, and only made his gait look sexier. His navy blue shirt remained untucked, with the first few buttons open, and his sleeves rolled up. His blond hair was stylishly messy, and he had light stubble covering his strong jaw. So why wasn’t I salivating at the sight of him? Why wasn’t my belly swarming with excited butterflies because this gorgeous guy had taken me out to dinner? Even if it was an apology.