Chapter 7JASEHoly fucking shit!
Not wanting any of my friends to see me in such a state, I grab my car keys and dart out of the door. My body is still buzzing with left-over adrenaline, and I take the stairs down to the ground floor.
When I run out of the dorm, I hear Hunter call, “Jase, let's talk.”
I only pause long enough to yell, “Later.” When I reach my car, I notice my hands are trembling as I yank the door open.
I keep the thoughts from flooding my mind as I start the engine, and flooring the gas, the tires spin. I’m not even out of the gates when my phone starts to ring. I dig the device out of my pocket and switch it off before throwing it on the backseat.
I don’t know how I manage to drive without causing an accident, but I finally pull up to my grandfather’s house. Switching off the car, my body sinks back against the seat, and I close my eyes.
And then the torture begins. I remember what it felt like to kiss Mila. The devastation I saw on her face knocks the air from my lungs.
God, what have I done?
I’ve ruined our fucking friendship.
There’s a tap against the window, and my eyes fly open. My grandfather opens the door and gives me a questioning look. “Why are you sitting in the car?”
I get out and slam the door shut behind me, and then I lie, “I have a headache.”
His sharp gaze searches over my face, then he mutters, “If you say so. Let’s go inside.”
It’s impossible to lie to my grandfather, and I should’ve known better. I wait until we walk into the living room before I admit, “I’m just dealing with something… ah… unexpected.”
He gestures for me to take a seat behind the chessboard. It’s been our thing since I turned thirteen.
“I take it you need some advice?” he asks as he makes his first move.
I stare at the chess pieces and move a pawn. “Yes, Sir.”
We continue to play in silence while I try to figure out where to start. “There’s a girl.”
Granddad lets out a chuckle. “Isn’t there always?”
The corner of my mouth twitches, and I shake my head. “She’s different.”
“Oh?” He takes one of my pawns. “How so?”
My eyes dart around the luxurious room before they settle on him. “She said she loves me.”
One of his eyebrows rises slightly. “I can’t tell you how many times women have told me they love me. Be careful, Jase. I’m not saying it’s the case, but the girl might love your last name and wealth more.”
“Mila West,” I blurt her name out.
My grandfather’s attention leaves the game, and his eyes settle hard on me. “Her father is a partner, Jase.”
“I know.”
He leans back in the chair, his gaze never leaving my face, and it has me admitting, “I don’t know how I feel about her. We’ve been such good friends, and today it all went to hell.”
My grandfather gets up and goes to pour us both a tumbler of whiskey. He hands me one and sits down again before he asks, “Mind if I tell you a story?”
I lean back against my chair and pay attention because every story he’s ever told me was a lesson.
“While I was married to your grandmother, I fell in love with an amazing woman.”
My lips twitch because I know this tale. It’s about how he met my step-grandmother.
“God, she gave me hell,” he breathes with a tender smile he only gets when he talks about Stephanie. “She fought me at every turn. Even after I divorced Clare, Stephanie still wouldn’t have me.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” I say, leaning my forearms on my knees, “but what does this have to do with Mila and me.”
“Stephanie is the heart of CRC Holdings, Jase. If things had gone wrong between us, it would’ve been a huge risk to the company. She knows every trade secret.”
For him to admit something like that is huge. Warren Reyes is the most powerful man in America, and he took the risk to be with his personal assistant. Stephanie is still with the company, now serving as my father’s PA.
My grandfather raises an eyebrow at me as he takes a sip of his drink. “Now that I have your attention.” He sets the tumbler down on a table. “Is Mila West worth the risk of losing her family’s shares and probably the other members of Indie Ink’s, as well?”
I blink slowly as his question rattles between all the others in my head. “I don’t know. I don’t even know if this thing between us is worth risking our friendship for… or what’s left of it.”
“And you don’t know how you feel about the girl?”
I shake my head. “Of course, I love her like a friend. She’s been a huge part of my life.”