“Now is good,” he chuckled. “Let me just tell Charles.”
Nick took Chase’s place when he walked out of the kitchen.
“You’re leaving? Are you sure you don’t want to hang out here?”
One hundred percent sure. Even not looking at Thomas and Chrissy, knowing they were around holding hands or kissing, was too much.
“I don’t think anyone will notice we’re gone, and it turns out Chase and I went to high school together, so we’ve got some catching up to do. I want to relax tonight. Let me, and don’t worry, okay?”
A knowing look crossed his face. I didn’t have to tell him Chrissy’s presence added a few pounds to the weight I carried on my shoulders.
“Okay. I’m not worried, sis. I trust Chase. I’m just disappointed I won’t hear you sing.”
“Why don’t we all go?” Thomas cut in, his eyes on me even though Chrissy stood in front of him, talking about a movie she wanted to see.
Chase appeared in the doorway, gesturing for me to get moving. I slid off the stool, and crossed the room, meeting him out in the hallway.
“What’s going on?” I asked, when he helped me slip my coat on, then took my hand and led me outside, our pace almost a jog.
“You looked like you want to get out of here. I doubt you want to drag everyone along, so unless I’m wrong, I suggest we don’t wait for the taxi and take your car instead.”
“Yes, please, but you drive.”
He took the keys out of my hand and hopped behind the wheel. My phone rang before we left the driveway. Thomas’s face flashed on the screen. I pressed the red button time and time again until he stopped calling, and he shot me a text instead.
He’s drunk. If something happens to you, I’ll break his hands.
“Should I expect my boss to be slightly pissed off tomorrow?”
I shook my head. “Nick doesn’t mind.”
“I meant Thomas, Nadia. I know what the deal is with you two. That’s why I wanted to get you out of there. You looked ready to throw up when he came into the kitchen with that bimbo.”
“She seems nice,” I said, unconvinced. “Don’t be rude. How do you know about me and Thomas?”
“Ethan’s girlfriend, Sarah, is my sister, and it’s not like Ethan can keep his big mouth shut.”
I rested my forehead on the cool glass. “Thank you.”
He didn’t answer but put his foot down. Fifteen minutes later, we arrived at a small pub on the outskirts of London. Chase parked the car on the street, then led me inside. Karaoke night wasn’t until tomorrow, but we settled for a table in the corner and a few Coronas.
“Care to share? I’m a good listener.”
“Thank you, but all I want is not to think about Thomas.”
He took a swing of the beer. “Yeah, I get that. I know what it’s like to love someone you can’t have.”
“Care to share?” I rested my elbows on the table. “I’m a good listener.”
Chase smiled. The intensity of his gaze burned my cheeks.
“I’m in love with this girl,” he began. “Every day I see her with another guy. It kills me, but there is nothing I can do to win her over. I can’t even try, because that guy is my brother.”
My eyes widened. “You’re in love with his girlfriend?”
“Fucked up, right?”
“Well… yeah. I mean, there’s nothing you can do about the way you feel. Believe me, I know, and that’s the worst part, isn’t it? That you have to sit back and watch because if you decide to be selfish, you’ll hurt people you love.”