CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Madison

I was trying to keep my cool, but inside I was freaking out. Apparently, when the branch at the airport upgraded me, they forgot to transfer the insurance. As of now, they claimed I had no insurance on the car, and I was responsible for the damage. As I stood there, waiting for the clerk to pull up my records and track down the insurance forms, I listened to Chase and the guy behind me chat.

He really did know everyone.

“I don't see anything on your receipt about insurance,” the clerk said.

I stared down at the young man dressed in a shirt that was too tight and a tie that was too big for his body.

“I did buy insurance. They upgraded me,” I repeated for what felt like the tenth time.

The young man nodded. “I understand that, but you did not have rental insurance on the car you wrecked.”

I growled in frustration. “Listen, I know you have no control over any of this. So, let's get done what we need to so I can get out of here today. I will deal with your corporate office.”

He nodded and suddenly looked alarmed. “Yes, ma'am. We have an adjustor who will be out today to look at the car. He’ll give us an idea of what the damage is. Someone will call you within forty-eight hours.”

“Fine.”

“Uh, did you need another car while you’re in town?”

Chase and I both said no, in unison.

The poor boy looked as if he’d peed his pants.

“Sorry, but no thank you. I don't feel comfortable doing business with your company any longer.”

The kid nodded. Chase put a hand on the small of my back and steered me out of the cramped office.

“Well, that's a clusterfuck isn't it?” the tow truck driver who’d been introduced as Bob said.

I laughed. “That's one word for it.”

“I gotta get going. Good to see you, Chase, and glad to see you're doing so well after everything.”

Chase shook his hand and thanked him.

We climbed into his truck. I considered asking him what everything was but thought better of it. He was real prickly about the past. I wasn't up for another tense conversation. Especially after dealing with the car situation.

We drove to Liza's house in silence. I was stewing on my own problems, and I could feel he was tense.

“Hi, guys!” she greeted in her usual cheery fashion. “Oh, you guys do not look happy. What happened?”

I quickly unloaded my burden on her. She shook her head and made various noises as I told my tale.

“I'm so sorry, dear. What a scam! I hope you get it figured out,” she said in a soothing tone. “I know what will make you feel better—food!”

I laughed. “Food always makes me feel better.”

We headed into the kitchen, and the smell of bacon made my stomach growl. Bacon was always the best medicine.

“BLTs,” she announced.

“Oh my goodness, it smells delicious,” I exclaimed.

“Let me get out the fixings, and you can all make your own,” she instructed. “I have some fries baking.” She looked at me. “I have to watch my girlish figure. If I'm going to eat bacon, I made a deal I would bake the fries instead of frying them.”

I laughed. “Sounds like a good deal to me.”

We dished up, and, as we took our seats at the table, Jayden came in.

“Sorry, I'm late,” he said, looking at Chase and then back at the spread on the kitchen counter.

It was a bit of a strange look, but I quickly dismissed it.

“You're lucky you came in when you did,” Chase said. “These two were going to finish off that bacon.”

“Hey!” I said, laughing.

The four of us sat at the table, chatting and laughing and having a really good time. I loved to see Chase with his family. He was a good man. He was kind and clearly loved his aunt a great deal. She loved him as well. The bond between Jayden and Chase was more one of brothers than cousins.

I wanted to stay here in Colorado, but part of me knew it would be silly to pick up my life and move across the country for a man I just met. Who did that? I'd known him a week. What if it turned out we didn't actually like each other? What if the sex got old and boring, and he tossed me to the side?

“I ran into Danny today,” Jayden said, looking at Chase.

Chase froze, his sandwich midway to his mouth. The atmosphere was no longer warm and inviting in the room. It had turned icy cold and silent.

I looked from Chase to Jayden to Liza. None of them said a word. The looks on their faces were a combination of disgust and anger. I felt like a complete outsider. Clearly, this Danny person was persona non-grata. Danny boy may be exactly who I needed to talk to if I ever wanted to learn the truth about Chase. These three people certainly didn't like him, which seemed odd to me considering everyone seemed to like this family.

“What did he say?” Chase asked through gritted teeth.

“Not a damn thing. He knew I would beat his ass if he even looked at me,” Jayden spat out.

“Jayden,” Liza scolded her son for his language.

He defiantly looked at his mother. Chase looked between them and somehow, without words managed to solve their argument. She said nothing more on the subject. I got the feeling she almost wished her son would have beat the ass of this Danny person. Her face, normally jolly, was tense and had a look of supreme irritation.

“Ignore him. Stay away from him. He isn't worth your trouble,” Chase said in a low voice. “Don't give him the time of day. He doesn't have anything to say to you, and you don't have anything to say to him.”

“Bullshit!” Jayden shot back.

Liza pounded her palm on the table. “Knock it off you two. You may be grown men, but I will beat both your asses if you don't cool your jets. You will not talk like that at my table. I don't want to hear that boy's name mentioned again. Do you hear me?” she said, glaring at Chase and Jayden, wagging her finger at each of them.

I almost choked on the fry I had put in my mouth. The woman was so sweet and gentle. To hear her talk like that shocked the hell out of me. I guess when you raised boys, a firm hand was necessary. She was not a woman I would want to mess with.

“He deserves a lot more than a good ass beating,” Jayden mumbled.

“Jayden Hopkins! That is enough! You are at my table, and you will not get into all of this right here. We have a guest,” she said in a loud, commanding tone. “I will not ask you again. You can take your sandwich and leave if you don't mind your manners.”

All three of them looked at me. I had no idea what to say or do. I stared at Chase. I had known there was more to the man than what I had learned so far. His family was keeping his secret close to the vest as well, which made me a little nervous.

“Drop it, Jayden. This is not the time or place to talk about him. Leave it alone.” Chase glared at his cousin.

Jayden was only a year younger than Chase, but it was clear to see he respected and maybe even admired Chase. He glared back before nodding his head and conceding defeat.

“Fine, but—”

Liza shot him a look that had me moving away from her.

“Who's Danny?” I asked, a little afraid to stir the pot, but what did they always say about the curious cat. Meow.

They all looked at me before quickly looking at Chase and then at their plates. Obviously, nobody was going to tell me.

Okay.

“You don't want to know,” Chase shot out.

“Obviously, I do want to know, which is why I asked,” I responded in a tight voice. I could be as fierce as the rest of them.

Chase leveled his gaze at me. “It's really none of your business.”

I felt as if he had slapped me. I glared back at him. I would not embarrass myself in front of my host, but the moment we were alone, I would let him know how rude and obnoxious he had been.

I was no longer hungry and didn't appear anyone else was either. Jayden's declaration had ruined the vibe.

I looked at Chase. “I think I'm ready to go now.”

I knew my anger was only ratcheting up the tension in the room. I didn't care. Chase had pissed me off, and I wanted to talk to him but not with an audience. I had enough respect for him not to embarrass him in front of his family.

“I'll clean up,” Liza said, standing and taking her plate to the counter.

“I can help,” I volunteered.

“No, no!” Liza said, back to her hostess role. “There are only a few dishes. You are a guest in my home. You don't need to do anything.”

Chase and Jayden held their seats. Since I wasn't needed in the kitchen, I didn't see the need to stick around.

“Ready?” I asked in a voice that may have been a little too syrupy sweet given the current tone in the kitchen.

“Yes.”

He stood, exchanged another look with Jayden before making his way to Liza and giving her a hug.

“Sorry,” I heard him murmur.

“It's okay, dear. I know, it's hard.”

I watched the two hug and knew there was more to this story. I was intrigued and a little concerned. I walked into the living room, giving them a moment of privacy, already feeling as if I had been a voyeur to their personal family business.

“Ready?” Chase asked.

“Yes. Thank you again, Liza. I really appreciate you feeding me all the time. As usual, it was another delicious, filling lunch.”

“Anytime, dear. Make sure you come by and see us before you leave.”

I nodded. “I will.”

Jayden walked into the living room. “Sorry about all that,” he mumbled.

I shrugged. “Don't worry about it. Every family has its skeletons.”

I shouldn't have said it, but I did. I was smarting from Chase's rudeness and wasn't feeling all that nice. Jayden must have known what kind of reaction Chase would have to his little announcement, but he’d said it anyway.

“See ya'.” He waved as we walked out the door.

Chase glared at him but didn't say a word. I had a feeling they would be hashing it all out later.

We walked to his truck in silence. He opened the door for me as usual. I climbed in but didn't speak. I had nothing to say to him. Not yet. I needed to figure out how to ask the question. I had asked several times, but either I wasn't using the right words or he just wasn't getting it.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I'm fine. Are you?”

He didn't answer. It was a rhetorical question. I wasn't expecting an answer, and he knew damn well I wasn't okay. I was pissed.