Haley

“I can hear you thinking from all the way over here.” My head snapped up to find Chase watching me from the driver’s seat of his SUV, his expression worried. “Is something wrong?”

With only six days until Christmas, we were on the way to his grandmother’s holiday open house. When he’d invited me a couple weeks ago, I agreed without hesitation. Now that it was upon us, though, I was uncertain of my role. Was I going as his friend? Date? Girlfriend?

The old me would have evaded the question or even changed the subject. But I didn’t want to be that Haley anymore. I wanted to be comfortable enough with each of my boyfriends to voice my concerns and fears. Now was as good a time as any to prove it.

“I was kind of wondering how I’m supposed to act. I mean, does your gran think we’re together?”

“She’s been referring to you as my girlfriend ever since she met you, and I haven’t corrected that assumption.” His hands gripped the steering wheel. “Is that a problem?”

“What? No, of course not.” I played with the shoulder strap of my seat belt. “I would just hate for you to feel like you’re lying to her.”

He didn’t respond until he pulled into Gran’s driveway and cut the engine. “Haley, look at me.” I turned to him, and as always, he exuded warmth and sincerity. “It’s not a lie. You are my girlfriend. My beautiful, kind, intelligent girlfriend. That’s all that matters.”

I wanted to believe him, but that niggling doubt refused to disappear. “Are you sure about that? You might feel differently if she found out . . .” I didn’t know how to finish that sentence. If she found out your girlfriend is a hussy. If she found out you’re not the traditional guy she always believed you were. And those were the tame responses.

Chase reached across the front seat and cupped my face in his hands. “For tonight, there’s nothing to worry about. We’ll figure out the rest later.”

He said it like there was no question about whether there would be a later to figure out. Not for the first time, I questioned his stance on this whole sharing me indefinitely idea. It was something I needed to discuss with him and the others. Not tonight, though. That was a problem for another day. And now I sounded like Scarlett O’Hara.

“Okay.” I would have to rely on his confidence to boost my own.

He grinned. “Good. Remember, this is supposed to be fun.”

“Fun. Got it.”

After a soft kiss, he moved away. “Stay there.” He jogged around to my side and opened the door. Taking the platter of cookies I’d baked for the party, he helped me step down from the SUV, which was totally unnecessary but sweet, and reached for my hand.

Chase led me up the walkway to his gran’s house, a beautiful Christmas tree taking center stage in the large front window. The house was abuzz with conversation as guests congregated in small groups, snacking on the food, mugs in hand. I spotted Chase’s brother, Kyle, and a girl I assumed was his girlfriend standing close to each other. After briefly saying hello, Chase introduced me to a few people by the door before we ventured farther inside, adding my cookie tray to an impressive array of food.

“Chase, Haley,” Gran called, her cheeks pink, a broad smile overtaking her face. She wrapped her arms around Chase before pulling me into a hug. “Merry Christmas, my dear. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“So am I.”

She steered us over to the fireplace, introducing us to several neighbors then flitting off toward the kitchen. Chase seemed relaxed, easily making conversation as he munched on a cookie. I sipped from a mug of delicious cider, soaking in the decorations and appreciating the love and care Mary had poured into making her home beautiful for the holidays.

Hand-embroidered stockings hung from the mantle, candles were lit throughout her home, and presents rested beneath the tree. The tree wasn’t nearly as tall as ours at the loft, but what it lacked in height, it made up for with fullness, the dense branches covered in an assortment of ornaments that looked mostly handmade. Drawing closer, I noticed a small handprint with “Chase” etched in its clay surface, as well as a reindeer made from popsicle sticks.

“Oh, shit.”

Chase rarely cussed, so I immediately swiveled my head to see what he was looking at. My eyes widened. Not what. Who.

Standing tall above the crowd, Ethan freaking Wright was laughing at something the woman in front of him said. It was the first time I’d seen him look so relaxed and happy since . . . well, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him like that. Who was the woman evoking such a reaction?

When I turned back to Chase, his face had lost all its color. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea he would be here. He should have mentioned it.”

“Chase, it’s okay. Don’t worry about me.”

“Are you sure? I know things are still strained between you two.”

Before I had a chance to respond, he tugged me to his side and rested an arm at my waist. Startled, it took me a few seconds to realize Gran was headed our direction with Ethan and the mystery woman in tow. Upon closer inspection, I noticed she was at least a decade older than Ethan and was wearing a sparkly diamond ring. His aunt?

Gran, smiling like she’d just presented us with a pony, said, “Look who’s in town. Isn’t this a wonderful surprise?”

Chase squeezed my hip before stretching his other hand toward Ethan. “Hey, man, why didn’t you tell me you were back?”

“I changed my ticket at the last minute.” His gaze flitted to me then away. “Figured I’d probably run into you here, anyway.”

“Julie, have you met Chase’s lovely girlfriend, Haley?” Gran’s introduction ended with a wink, making me blush. I avoided looking at Ethan, half-wondering if he would make a snarky comment about my title. It wouldn’t be the first time.

“Wow, Haley. I’ve heard so much about you, it’s hard to believe we’ve never met.”

I tried to hide my surprise. It was odd to think of Ethan talking to his aunt about me. I assumed he’d never bothered mentioning me to her since we’d never had a reason to meet. The same thought never crossed my mind in regards to Chase and his grandmother, and I wondered why that was. Maybe because Chase was such an open person while Ethan was . . . not?

Julie looked between me and Chase. “I didn’t realize you two . . .” Her gaze shot to Ethan, and her expression mimicked a light bulb switching on. “Ohhh.”

I stiffened as an awkward silence fell over the group. She was obviously drawing incorrect conclusions about why Ethan left the team. Not that I hadn’t played a role. She could blame me, if she wanted. It was a heck of a lot easier than explaining the truth.

“Julie,” Gran finally said. “Let’s get you a mug of apple cider. I know it’s your favorite, and it turned out extra cinnamony this year.”

“I’ve been looking forward to it all day.” Ethan’s aunt gave me another curious glance. “It was nice to meet you, Haley. Chase . . .” She moved forward to give him a hug. “Don’t be such a stranger. I miss seeing your handsome face around the house.”

“I won’t.” It might have been my imagination, but I could have sworn his cheeks reddened. Did he have a crush on Ethan’s aunt at some point? It wouldn’t be surprising. She was an attractive woman, and not so much older that he wouldn’t have noticed.

Once Gran and Julie disappeared into the kitchen, Ethan turned to the two of us, hands in his pockets. “That wasn’t at all awkward.”

I knew not to be fooled by his casual stance; that sharp tongue of his could reappear at any moment. “I’m pretty sure your aunt thinks it was my fault you moved to Miami.”

He quirked a brow, as if to say, wasn’t it? “You’re probably right. She never quite bought the lame excuse I gave her for my decision to leave.”

“What’s going on with your suspension?” Chase asked, smoothly changing the subject. “Have you heard anything yet?”

“I had a meeting with Patrick yesterday.”

“And?” Chase’s hopeful expression told me all I needed to know about his and Ethan’s relationship. It may have been damaged, but it wasn’t beyond repair. He was clearly pulling for his friend.

“I didn’t get fired.” Ethan said it like it was barely good news, but Chase gave him a relieved smile anyway.

“That’s great!”

“Yeah, congratulations,” I piped up, genuinely happy for him.

“Thanks. I’m on indefinite probation, though. According to Kenneth James, I’m not a team player and can’t be trusted. I’m determined to prove him wrong, but I have a feeling it will take a while.”

I thought of the demanding regional director for the D.C. office and wasn’t surprised by his rather harsh assessment of Ethan’s character. If Patrick hadn’t interceded, Ethan probably wouldn’t have been given this second chance.

“Are you staying in Miami?” Chase asked.

“I don’t know.” He fidgeted, moving his hands to his back pockets. The uncertainty seemed out of place on someone as confident as Ethan. “What are your thoughts about me coming home? Think I’d be stoned in the town square?” His flippant tone didn’t hide the hope in his question. He was homesick and looking for what—permission? Approval?

Chase glanced at me, and I gave him a slight nod. If he wanted Ethan to move back, I wouldn’t stand in the way. Things would probably always be somewhat awkward between us, but I could handle it. At least I finally knew I was completely over him and what happened. “It’s not the same around here without you,” Chase replied.

“What about the rest of the team? Do you think they’ll object?”

“No, but you should stop by the office sometime and let them tell you that in person.”

Ethan didn’t appear totally convinced. When his gaze swept to me, I inhaled, readying myself for the question I assumed was coming. But instead of asking for my blessing to move home, he apologized.

“I was a jerk in Dallas, and I’m sorry.”

Walking out on him in the middle of lunch immediately sprang to mind. “Didn’t we try this once already?”

He smirked, but it didn’t annoy me like it once would have. It was such an Ethan thing to do—if he was too nice, I would never believe he was being sincere.

“We did, but I screwed it up. Thankfully, I know you have a big heart and am hoping that will benefit me. I’m not sure we can ever be friends again, but I’d like to know we’re not enemies.”

“You were never my enemy. May I ask you something, though?”

“Go for it.”

“What’s different now from last month? Have you truly gotten over your disapproval of my relationships, or are you merely putting on a good face for Chase’s benefit?”

He barked out a laugh. “Wow, you’ve gotten blunt since I left.”

I didn’t respond to that. It was a blunt question, but if we had any hope of moving on, I needed to know he wouldn’t revert to snide comments every time I saw him. His show of friendship was either genuine or it was just that—a show.

He adjusted his glasses before crossing his arms over his chest. Wow, he really couldn’t figure out what to do with his hands tonight. “Here’s the thing. We all know I lost my way for a while. What went down with Jackson was a wakeup call, but having my best friend punch me in the face was an even bigger one. I’m done lashing out. I’m done blaming others for my mistakes. I’m done being an ass just because it comes naturally.”

At that comment, I couldn’t hold back a smile, and neither could Ethan, apparently. “Who you choose to date is none of my business, and I plan to keep any additional thoughts on the matter to myself.”

That was fair. He didn’t need to approve. As long as he didn’t cause any more scenes or give Chase a hard time, I was happy.

“Okay.”

He chuckled. “That’s it? You’re not going to prolong my misery?”

“If you insist, I could probably find a way.”

Chase’s arm finally dropped from my waist. “Why don’t we go check out the dessert table instead?”

“You two go,” Ethan said. “Jules and I need to head out, anyway.”

Chase gave him a hug with a hearty pat on the back. “We should get together while you’re in town.”

Ethan quickly agreed before turning to me with a surprisingly soft smile. “Haley, Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.”

After Ethan walked away, Chase pulled me against him and spoke into my hair. “You okay?”

I tipped my head up to look at him. “I’m wonderful. And you must be happy. You’re getting your best friend back.”

“I don’t think of him as my best friend anymore.”

“Oh? Has Theo replaced him?”

He shook his head. “I wasn’t talking about fudging Theo.”

My mouth opened in exaggerated shock. “Watch your mouth! We’re in your grandmother’s house!”

He pushed my hair over my shoulder before resting his hand there, his thumb brushing my neck. My pulse shot up, and I wondered if he could feel it. “I have a new best friend. You might have heard of her—Miss Jones . . . in the dining room . . . with the sexy stiletto boots.”

I burst out laughing. Only Chase would deliver a cheesy line inspired by a classic board game. “She does sound familiar. Now, are you going to tell me about your crush on Aunt Julie?”