An early morning phone call I don't want to take keeps waking me from sleep. I've ignored her call three times this morning. They started at six a.m. and normally I'd be getting up, but I don't have an early lesson today.
“Mom,” I groan into the phone after giving up.
“Oh my,” she gasps. “Kaydence, are you alright?”
“Mom, I'm sleeping. I'm fine.” Rolling to my back, I place my hand over my eyes.
God, I was having a good dream about Chase and if I weren't talking to my mom right now, I'd probably be locking my door to take care of the need between my thighs caused by that dream. What else can this woman ruin for me?
“I haven't spoken to you in a few weeks. I'm worried about you.”
With a snort, I sit up and clench my fist. “Is there something you need?”
“To know you're okay. Are you taking your meds?”
“No! Mom, no! I stopped taking the pills! God, what is wrong with you? I'm not doing this anymore. I'm not going to allow you to self diagnose me! If I feel it's needed, I'll see a trained professional. Not a whack-job mother who poisons her children.”
I don't mean that. I don't have to be so mean, but I'm not over this. My whole life could have been different. And the topping on the cake is I possibly wouldn't be without Chase right now. Years I've been living like this, but the part that hurts most is I found a man that is better than the pills. If it turns out I need the pills, I will willingly accept that, but the past few weeks have really opened my eyes to a lot more than I've ever seen.
With Chase, I was starting to see through the happy haze. It was like the grass was even greener with Chase, and that is true happiness. That is happiness that wasn't forced or faked with the help of drugs I don't need. Now I'm fighting for him and won't give up. Though we were better than we were when I stupidly let him run out on me, we're not perfect. I need our perfect back.
“Mom,” I mutter while I listen to her cry. “I'm sorry.”
“I couldn't lose you or your brother.” She sobs and I roll my eyes.
“You didn't. And you won't. But you could have by doing something this insane. You're my mother and I love you, but I'm not ready to forgive you.”
“Kaydence, please! How have you been sleeping? Have you been having nightmares? How are your thoughts? Dark?”
“Oh god,” I groan and rub my face. “When I need you, I'll reach out.”
“No! No, no, Kaydence, goodness no! You won't! It'll be too late! You have to come home! Come on home where I can keep an eye on you.”
“I have to go. I love you. Maybe I'll see you at Christmas.”
“Kaydence!” she howls in the most agonizing tone and I grit my teeth. “You're killing me!”
“You've been slowly killing me for years,” I hiss and when my heart begins to race I take a moment to calm down. I don't like being mean, but I won't be walked all over anymore. “I'm fine. Finally! My head's not so foggy feeling anymore. God, I lived for years thinking everyone felt like that, mom. How could you do this to me?”
“To protect you.”
Shaking my head, I know I'm never going to get an apology. In her mind, she did it to protect us; she will never see the fault in her actions.
“I have to go. I hope I see you at Uncle Garrison's for Christmas. He said he'd buy your flight. I love you. Bye, mom.” I hang up, not needing to hear she loves me, or that she'll be here for Christmas. It's time my mother takes care of herself and allows me to put my life together the way it should be.
When a text chimes, I huff, almost tossing the phone thinking it's my mom, but then I see his sexy face and name and I sigh while a smile strains over my lips. Chase is the way my life should be.
Chase: Good morning beautiful
Kay: Good morning sexy. When can I see you again?
I bite my lip, waiting for a response and when the tone chimes I quietly squeal in excitement, hoping the answer will be today.
Chase: Right now. Return the favor.
There's a picture of him in bed, no shirt, and at this angle, I'm wondering if there's pants…
Glancing at my door, I giggle while I yank my tank top off then fall back to my pillow.
Kay: When can I see you again in person?
I send a topless picture with my text, even though my hair's messily sprawled across my pillow, and I watch as the response dots roll across the bottom of our messages for a couple minutes. When they stop and I don't get a reply, I frown, slowly sitting up to pull my shirt back on. With one more look at my empty screen, I get out of bed and into the shower.
Taking a little too long in the shower, I rush around to get ready for work. As I cross the field, I remember Chase never responded so I fish my phone out of my pocket, wondering if I should call him. He must have responded when I was in the shower, because I have a text waiting from him and I giddily open it before my steps stop short and I almost trip from my unbalanced equilibrium. The pills really screwed me up, but I'm hoping it won't be much longer until my head's not so dizzy. But the text is only a picture, and it's a picture that makes my head spin in a good way. One I wasn't expecting. His chest is still exposed, and this time I'm positive there are no pants. His hard dick is resting on his lower stomach and the cum across his stomach and chest is a good indication he won't stay hard for much longer.
Kay: Can I come see you later?
I don't think I have to make my intentions be known. After that picture, he should realize what I want from him. What I need from him. I watch my phone the entire walk to the ranch, but get no reply. Making sure my volume's up, I try hard to concentrate on work.
It's driving me insane he won't respond, but before I know it, it's almost lunch so I cross the field toward Brandt and Tyler.
“Are Donna and your dad still coming back tomorrow?” I ask Brandt excitedly, because Uncle Garrison has my horse.
“Uh, yeah. I think so.” Brandt nods and gives Tyler a weird look before his eyes are back on me.
“Did you hear if my mom would be here for Christmas?” I cock my eyebrow when he glances at Ty again.
“Donna said your mom's coming.” Brandt nods. “How're you holding up?”
“Fine.” I chuckle because this stuff with my mom is not going to ruin me. I pull my phone out to call Chase. “I know you guys and Chase don't really...get along, but I'm going to see if he has any free time to stop in and hang for a bit, if you guys are okay with it. And if you're not...maybe you can work on the opposite end of the ranch.” I point.
They have to be respectful of me, and vice versa.
“Uh, Kay.” Tyler stares at me before looking at Brandt. “You tell her, man.”
“Have you talked to Chase today?” Brandt shoves his hands in his pockets and stares at the ground.
“Earlier we exchanged good morning texts.” Plus some, but they don't need details. “Why?” I look between them and my stomach starts to spin. “Is everything okay with him?” Pulling up Chase's phone number, my finger hovers over dial.
“Yeah,” Brandt blurts and puts his hands out before I press the button. “That's not it. I mean. We saw him last night at the bar...but he said he was going home to pack. You know where he's goin'?”
“Florida?” I whisper as my heart sinks and I look at my phone. He made it seem like he wasn't going anymore. The deal fell through.
Brandt shrugs. “Don't know. He didn't offer that information. Just said a few times he had to go pack.”
“He wouldn't,” I mutter to myself. I know Chase loves me. He didn't fall out of love with me even after everything I put him through. It may take some time for him to understand what I was dealing with, but I know he loves me.
Walking away from them, I hit dial and get automatic voicemail. My glass heart crashes into my tiled stomach and shatters. He blocked my phone number again? I know that's what happened before because texts would bounce back and my calls would go directly to voicemail. But…we just exchanged extremely provocative pictures. And he texted me first this morning! Hitting dial again, I get voicemail.
“Come on,” I whisper and pull up Disposable Ink's phone number and press send.
“Thank you for calling Disposable Ink. We're unavailable, but if you leave a message, you'll get a call back,” Tommy's voice says before the beep.
I hang up and load their website on my phone before clicking the make appointment now button, but get an error. Phone call to Chase. Make appointment now button. Call the shop again. The same thing repeats. If I haven't been missing so much work trying to detox from a drug I didn't need, I would leave the ranch right now and head to his house. I'm not beneath begging. He's worth me on my knees, begging him to understand we belong together. As pathetic as I may come across, Chase is worth it.
As soon as the last lesson of the day is over, I bolt to my house and snatch Tyler's keys from the table. Without going into detail, I told him I need his car as soon as I was done with work. He sensed something was wrong, but he didn't push, thankfully. So now I'm trying to mind the speed limit and get to town, but it feels like this fifteen-mile drive is hundreds.
Parking at the tattoo shop, I dart to the back door. It's locked. When they're open, this door isn't locked. Running around front, I attempt to open the door, but it's locked and my eyes land on a sign in the window.
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
“Chase,” I quietly whimper and fumble to get my phone out of my pocket. Getting voicemail immediately, I cover my mouth and spin in a circle. Landing my eyes on Willies, I dart across the street.
“Kaydence! I almost ran you over!” Mrs. Nelson hollers out her window when I run in front of her car.
“I'm sorry!” I blurt before bursting into Willies.
My eyes scan the bar not once but twice. There aren't many people in here, and unless he's in the back, he's not here. Going to the counter, I stop in front of a woman I've never seen behind the bar.
“Is Chase here?” I ask, trying to calm my panting.
“Chase ain't here, sugar. What can I get ya?”
“Do you know where he is?” I glance at the other guy that I notice, but I've never talked to him. Chase doesn't like that guy.
“No.” She chuckles. “But he ain't here. He got the hell out of this town. You want a drink?”
“No. Thank you.” Sulking, I turn around and dial Chase's number with shaking fingers.
Direct to voicemail.
Kay: Please, please just call me. You don't understand how sorry I am. You can't leave.
Pressing send, I get into my brother's car and stare at the dark shop. After so many failed attempts at guessing Tyler's social media account password so I can check Chase's profile, I lock him out and let out a groan.
“No!” screams from my mouth and I hit the steering wheel. “No! No! No! Dammit!”
Headed back to the ranch, I try to clear my head but I can't. It's full of so much confusion right now, I almost wish I had my fake happiness again.
My knuckles quietly knock at Jo's back door and when Brandt opens it, I huff.
“Nice to see you too.” He chuckles, pushing a knife with peanut butter on it into his mouth.
“Is Jo home?” Brandt is one of the last people I want to talk about this with. This is partially his fault and even just seeing him right now pisses me off.
“She's at the salon. I was getting the kids ready for bed.”
I glance around him, thinking maybe seeing the kids will brighten my night, but I'm feeling too anxious and just want to get on social media to stalk Chase.
“Thanks.” I hurry down the deck steps and he calls out for me, but I don't stop. “Jo?” I call out after cracking the garage door that leads into the house.
“Yeah?” she calls back and the tone of her voice makes me hurry inside and to the salon. “Jo!” I blurt finding her crying in one of the chairs with her feet curled under her. “What's wrong?” I yell at her because she's sobbing.
“Brandt ate all the peanut butter.” She holds up the empty jar, wiping at her face.
“Brandt…ate all the peanut butter?” I repeat in shock.
“I love peanut butter!” she cries, dragging her finger around the inside but only ending up with smudges.
“Jo.” I kneel at her side and gently place my hands on her leg. “Are you okay?”
“Hormones,” she bawls, dropping her head.
“Oh, Jo.” Standing, I wrap my arms around her and she cries into my chest. I awkwardly hold her while she's curled in the chair, crying away, but after almost ten minutes, I'm losing patience. “Hey, Jo, do you have a social media account?”
“Yeah.” She sniffles and wipes her nose on one of the kid's blankets that's over her shoulder. I grimace and she glances at her tissue. “I was rocking Braxton to sleep and when I realized the peanut butter jar was empty, I broke down. I put him in his crib, but forgot the blanket, I guess.” She looks at it again before using it to wipe away the tears.
“You sure everything's okay?” I gently touch her hair.
“I don't know why I let that man near me anymore,” she viciously snarls and my eyes go wide.
Jo and Brandt are having marital problems! This will devastate the kids.
“All we do is screw like fucking bunnies! I cannot keep having children, Kaydence. Look at me! I'm crying over peanut butter and I really want to go home and fuck the shit out of that farm boy but—”
“Jo!” I blurt before bursting into giggles but it doesn't take long for my giggles to turn into tears.
We're a mess on this ranch lately, but the thought that I'll never have what Jo and Brandt have is heartbreaking. I don't want their exact life, I just want that love they have. And I want it from Chase.
“What the hell's wrong with you? You pregnant too?” she asks, approaching and pulling me into a hug but she smells like peanut butter and I can't help but laugh through my tears.
“I'm not pregnant,” I assure, trying to collect myself. Inhaling a deep breath, I stand up straight, but when I look at the sympathy all over her face, I break down again. “He left, Jo.”
“Fuck,” she huffs and pulls me into a hug that I have to bend over for because she's so short. “I know.”
“How do you know?” I pull back and find napkins to clean my face.
“He kept saying he was going home to pack yesterday. Did you try to talk to him, Kay?”
“Yes,” I squeak, nodding my head as my face contorts while I try to fight back tears. “We were talking this morning. He sent me a pic of…him, and then he blocked my number again.” Hiding my face, I plop into a chair.
“Christ, if you're crying, I'm going to start again.” She sighs and wraps her arms around my head, pulling me against her boobs.
“I'm sorry.” I try to stop and when I lift my head, I push a smile on my face.
“Kaydence.” She laughs at me. “Stop smiling. There's nothing to smile about right now. We're out of peanut butter. Chase is a fucking idiot—”
“He's not.” I chuckle and swipe at my cheeks. “I hurt him.”
“Yeah.” She nods.
“I was wondering if I could use your social media to stalk him?” I whisper like someone else can hear me.
“Let's set his page on fire!”
Laughing, I stand. “Let's go find you some peanut butter.” I take her hand and start walking to my house.
The only thing we find at my place is peanut butter. Chase hasn't put any updates on his page. The shop page is 'under construction'. And after some digging to find Tommy, Felder, or Grant, all their pages are blocked unless you're a friend. Jo sent Felder a message he hasn't responded to, but then she pointed out something that made both of us want to sign off for the night. Jo insisted Felder looks familiar and it only took a minute for me to agree he looks like someone else we know. We stared at his profile picture, going through everyone we mutually know until we figured out who he looks like…or who looks like him. Kinlee and Bo's son. There're rumors about their son, but I didn't think much of it. I don't know their life story. It's all been hush-hush and I would never go digging. Jo knows more than I do and once I mentioned Little Bobby, she didn't want to say much else about it.
Chase could possibly shed some light on this strange, hopefully untrue discovery, but he's gone. He left me. Us. This whole town. And that leaves me crying into my pillow so my brother doesn't hear me until I fall asleep.
When I wake up late Sunday morning, I immediately reach for my phone. Nothing from Chase. I nervously hit dial on his number and get voicemail like the other fifteen times I've tried to call him.
Kay: I'm sorry Chase. I've said it multiple times and I know words are fleeting but if you don't give me the chance to prove it, how will you know it's not worth it? I'm worth it.
I mumble the words out loud and get out of the bed. Eventually I'll figure out where he went, and I'll figure out a way to talk to him. I may be stupid for thinking this isn't over. But I'd rather be stupid for thinking it isn't, than for thinking it is.
The ranch is quiet today. It's Christmas Eve. It's my favorite holiday but this is the first year I haven't been excited for it. All my gifts are wrapped. My house is decorated and glows bright in the night. But I can't enjoy any of it knowing Chase hates me. I spend the evening around a bonfire at the Hart's with my family and friends. Everyone's happy and with their spouse or significant other and their children. Even my mom arrived to town today with her longtime friend. I'm not alone. Far from it. But I feel vacant. My happiness is in Florida probably on a beach with another woman this Christmas Eve. The feeling makes my stomach twist and I get to my feet, stumbling a little.
“Whoa, Kay, you alright?” Brandt grabs my arm.
“I think I drank too much,” I mutter, holding my stomach. The three beers I drank aren't what's making me feel like this. The thought that the only man I've loved easily picked up and left, and is ghosting me, makes me feel worse than withdrawing from the medication did.
“Let's get you home, it's getting late and Santa will be here soon.” He grins over at Jo who's cradling their littlest.
My adorable house is unwelcoming. And when I walk inside to the obvious sounds that my brother didn't return alone, I grit my teeth. Marching right out the back door, I start to run. It's dark and the farther I run into the woods, the darker it gets, but I keep running until I can hear the stream. Slowing my stomping steps, I take my phone out of my pocket and scroll through my pictures.
I don't have enough pictures of us together! Why didn't I take more pictures with him? The horrible thoughts in my head make me sit on the rock bed at the stream before my dizziness makes me fall. How many other pictures of women does he have on his phone? How many other women did he play like he did me? I sent him a topless picture with my face in it yesterday! How many other women are doing the same?
None. God, I don't want to believe it's a possibility. I know Chase loves me. He wouldn't do that!
Dialing his number, there's no surprise when I get voicemail.
I clear my throat to leave a voicemail. “I'm not going to give up until you tell me to. And even then, I'll probably keep trying. I love you, Chase. Don't ignore me.” A shaky breath exhales from me and I drop my face to my hand. “Don't ignore us.” I hang up and almost throw my phone as horrible visions of Chase with another woman invade my head.
In no hurry to get back to my house where Tyler's screwing some girl, I lay back and stare up at the man in the moon, wondering if he's laughing at me too, until I fall asleep.
Cold and sore, I blink my eyes open and sunshine burns my retinas. Quickly shielding my eyes, I sit up and look around. I fell asleep by the creek. Good God, I'm so sore. Slowly getting up, I make the walk back to my house and check my phone. There's nothing from Chase, but there is a text from an unknown number.
Unknown: Hey your friend Jo hit me up online. She gave me your number so I figured I'd text to let you know Chase isn't dead or anything. He's in town. I just saw him at the tattoo shop. I'm not sure if he's avoiding you, but maybe you should give him a break so he can make up his mind. Merry Christmas. Oh, it's Felder btw.
We've had a long enough break. Taking off in a run, I waste no time getting Tyler's keys and jumping into his car.
Kay: Borrowed the car for orange juice. BRB
My brother doesn't need the truth yet. The truth is he screwed things up for me pretty badly, and I screwed them up worse.
I speed toward town hoping to catch Chase at his apartment. His phone still goes right to voicemail and the panic I'm going to miss him makes me press harder on the gas. I've never felt all these emotions at once before. I'm not sure if it's because nothing's been worth it, or if the pills stopped them. But I'm angry, so angry I'm shaking. And I'm scared. Scared to death he won't give me the chance I deserve. Lastly, I'm incredibly sad. The heartache I've felt these past few weeks has brought on so many emotions, but this suffocating feeling is new.
As I approach the bend on the dirt road I fly up on someone's rear end and quickly slam on my brakes. They don't move over so I can pass, so I swerve left and floor it. I'm about to pass them and get around the bend when a big black pickup truck is heading straight for me.
Letting out a scream, I jerk the wheel and clip the front bumper of the pickup with my brother's car and the windshield pops, shattering glass everywhere while I spin out of control, finally coming to a stop in the ditch with all airbags deployed.
My adrenaline has my blood pumping and I start climbing out the broken window before hands grab me. He's screaming but I can only hear a ringing in my ears and my vision's too foggy to see. Once I'm out of the totaled car, I fall to my ass and start to cry. I don't think I'm crying about the car, or the accident.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Hands grip my arms and my vision starts to defog at the voice. “I could have killed you. Fuck, Kay, what the fuck? Are you hurt?”
I blink a few times until I'm certain it's Chase I'm looking at. Seeing it's him, I jump up and throw my arms around him, tackling him to the dirt.
“You two okay?” another voice asks and Chase pulls me to my feet. I look back at the man I was trying to pass and suddenly feel terrible I could have killed him. “I didn't pull over to let you pass 'cause I saw the truck comin'. You didn't though.” He spits.
“I'm so sorry.” And my tears start again. “I'm sorry, Chase,” I cry, looking back him.
His arms wrap tight around me and he curses. “You're okay. It's fine.” I'm in that hold that feels like he never wants to let go. “We're okay, man,” I hear him tell the other driver. “Thank you.” There's a slight tremble in his body as he holds me.
“Gotta be careful on these curves. You sure you're okay, young lady?”
I nod into Chase's chest. “Thank you. I'm sorry. I'm okay.” I sniffle and wipe at my nose. I don't pull away because I don't want him to ever let me go again.
When the other car drives away, he pushes me back and looks down at me, eyebrows pushed together. “You could've killed yourself, Kaydence,” he whispers, then swipes something off my face. “Your nose is bleeding.”
I slide my hand under my nose and look at it, not giving a damn about the blood. The accident was my fault, but my crazed mental state is his. So I push him. Hard. I give him a shove and stomp my boot, kicking up more dirt.
“You fucking moved?” I shriek at him.
His eyebrows shoot up and he laughs. Laughs!
“I did?” He chuckles. “When?” His hands shove into his pockets.
“The shop is closed down! And your phone has been off for three days! Everyone on the ranch said you moved to Florida! You said that fell through! I thought that meant you were staying, Chase!” I swipe at my nose again before spitting grit from my mouth then scowl at him. “What did I do to make you hate me?” My screaming's died down, and now I'm just sad.
“I don't fucking hate you! I texted you, Kaydence. I went to Vegas. Where my fucking sister and her family lives.” He shakes his head.
“The last text I got from you was a picture of your dick!”
He bites his lip before smirking and I could shove him again and at the same time devour that mouth.
“I forgot my phone here and it drove me nuts. I was supposed to go for a week, but I had no way to contact you and the second I realized that, I knew I was coming back sooner. So I booked the first flight home…and it was on Christmas fucking day. Here I am, and I swung by my place to grab my phone, but it's dead or I would have called. Instead I raced to the ranch, while you seem to be racing away from it.”
“I was trying to catch you at your house,” I mutter, the pain in my nose starting to throb.
“The shop's closed until after the holidays because we're doing some renovating. Instead of dumping money into a house in Florida, I'll dump it into my shop. I wanted to stay in Vegas with my sister and the kids longer, and I tried to enjoy myself, but I couldn't. Not having contact with you fucking sucked. And I couldn't stand thinking you'd move on before I could get my head out of my ass. Fuck.” His hands go to the top of his head. “I... Shit, Kay, I could never hate you.”
“I didn't get a text message explaining you were leaving, Chase. Not that you have to explain yourself to me, but I thought…we were going to be okay.” Glancing back at the car, where my phone is, my face falls. I totaled my brother's car on Christmas day. “Oh my god,” I whisper before looking at him, trying to not start crying again, trying not to be upset, but it's so hard to hold it back. “I love you, Chase. Happiness is a choice, and I choose you. I don't want to be without you.”
He shakes his head in frustration. “I never fucking stopped loving you, Kaydence. I'm so goddamned sorry for all of this shit. I shouldn't have left you like that, but my head wasn't right yet. I had my mind made up before I left, but I just needed some more time, and I had already told my sister I'd come for Christmas. I feel like a dick leaving Vegas like I did, but I don't know your phone number and you don't have damn social media. I couldn't get ahold of you and I panicked.” His jaw clenches, the muscles twitching in his neck before he moves toward me. “My head's right now, doll.” He grips my hand and pulls me against him. “I'm never letting you go again,” he murmurs before crashing his lips to mine.
I grab on and hold him like I'm dangling over a cliff. Love's cliff is steep, and scary, but Chase is the only one I'd be willing to climb it with.
Pulling back, I look into his deep brown eyes. “We'll never be right in the head, but that's why we're perfect together. Sweet and salty. Brooding and flighty. Crazy and crazier.” I smile.
“You may be crazy, but so am I.” He winks before looking over my shoulder. “On a scale of one to ten, how pissed is your brother gonna be?” He chuckles lightly, shaking his head. “Jesus, I could have killed you, Kay.”
“Oh my god,” I murmur and drop my face to his chest. “I'm so sorry, Chase. I'll pay for the damages to your truck. I was...out of my mind. I was racing to town! I had to know why you left like that, and I've been going insane. I'm so sorry.”
“I'm not fuckin' worried about my truck, doll.” He presses his lips to my forehead. “That thing's a beast. But that car's not drivable anymore. Come on, I'll get ya home and we can call a wrecker to come take it in.”
“My brother is going to kill me,” I whisper while he walks me to his truck. He picks me up and puts me in before looking at the car rolled in the ditch and shakes his head. When he gets in, I slide over and put my head on his shoulder. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Kaydence.” His hand grips my thigh. “Tyler's going to be happy you're okay. Cars are replaceable.”
I close my eyes, not wanting to think about what I caused. It won't go away, but right now I want to focus on the fact I'm not dead, and I'm with Chase again.
When we pull up to the ranch, Tyler's outside messing with the Christmas lights with Annie. He looks over his shoulder but I don't move from my seat.
“Stay put for a minute,” Chase says, his gaze following Tyler as he walks toward the truck.
I'm not sure what to expect here, but Tyler giving Chase one of those bro-hugs is definitely not what I predicted. I don't think Tyler's seen me yet, but I want to hear what's being said between the two of them so I quietly crack my door open and strain to hear them.
“Just got back today,” Chase says. “Had some business that needed taken care of.”
“She's gonna be glad to see you. So you didn't move then?” Tyler chuckles.
“Fuck no.” Chase laughs. “I was visiting my sister in Vegas for the holidays. Needed to get my head out of my ass, I guess. Why'd everyone think I moved?”
“You know how word travels 'round here. Glad you got your head out of your ass. She needed to too. I think we all did.” He clears his throat before chuckling. “Fuck did you do to your truck?”
No better time than now to face the music, so I slide out of the passenger seat while Chase tells him. “Small, harmless accident. No one's hurt. That's what matters, right?” He must hear me, because his head turns toward me as I round the front of the truck.
“Kay, what the fuck?” Tyler belts out and I flinch back, not sure why he's already screaming. The look he gives Chase makes me step forward and grab his clenched fist. “Your fucking nose is bleeding! You have blood on your face! Why's her nose bleeding?” he growls at Chase and steps toward him.
“Like I said, small harmless accident.” Chase takes a step back from my brother and over to me.
“You were with her when you got into the accident?” Tyler furrows his brows and wipes at the blood on my face before pulling me into a hug. “You okay?”
“I'm fine. But, Ty, it's not completely harmless,” I mutter and flick my eyes to Chase.
“She was comin' around the corner like a bat outta hell,” Chase says, trying to laugh it off to lighten the seriousness of me wrecking my brother's car. “We hit the curve in the road at the same time and she didn't see my truck. So uh...” He rubs the back of his neck. “Tyler, your car's in the ditch.”
“My fucking car is what?” Tyler screams.
“Go on inside, honey,” I usher Annie toward the house before nudging Tyler for his mouth.
A diesel engine pulls all our attention to the truck headed up the driveway and when Kinlee and Bo jump out with arms full of gifts and a toddler running for the front door, I smile.
“Merry Christmas.” Bo nods to Chase then my red-faced brother.
“What's wrong with him?” Kinlee asks, first seeing my brother then her eyes hit Chase and she squeals, almost dropping the gifts she's carrying when she runs over to him. Her foot connects with his shin. “Where the hell you been?” she yells. “You know you almost broke this poor girl!?” She nods toward me and Chase rubs his shin.
“Chill with the violence!” he groans.
“Chill with the being a dick! God!” She storms toward the house and Bo laughs.
“You alright, Kay?” Bo asks, touching his nose. “Is that blood?”
“Small accident,” I mumble wiping at my nose again. “I'm fine. Merry Christmas.”
Bo nods and looks between my brother, whose face is still beet red but he hasn't said anything, and Chase who keeps glancing from me to Tyler.
When he makes it inside, I grab Tyler's hand. “I totaled your car.”
Before Tyler can scream, Brandt calls out, making his way from the porch. “Chase is back!” His tone sounds like he's already had a couple spiked eggnogs as he makes his way toward us and bro-hugs Chase. “Kay, you're bleeding!”
“I was driving erratically and crashed into Chase's truck, totaling Tyler's car. I'm sorry. I fucking ruined your car. I will pay for it, but will you just fucking let it out already?” I shout at Tyler.
He cocks his eyebrow and the red in his face starts to fade. Bursting into laughter, he looks at Chase. “What the hell did you do to her?”
Chase grins at me, then winks. “Guess I made her fall in love.” He laughs. “Either that, or the accident caused some brain damage.”
I groan and shove past their dude huddle because I could really use some spiked eggnog right now.