“I understand,” Avery said, as she nodded her head. “I am just glad that you are smiling and coming into the Lizzie I always knew was hiding somewhere deep down inside of you. I still think Chase is a little too intense and you may want to be careful, but I will support you,” Avery finished, with an encouraging smile.
“Thanks, I just hope that I am not being misled. I mean, I really like Chase and I believe that he cares for me too; even though we haven’t known one another that long. But, I think we could be good for each other. All I know is that I don’t want to get hurt again.”
“You have to stop thinking so negatively, Lizzie,” Avery said, as she exhaled a loud breath. Bouncing off of the bed, she stood in front of me. “You have been through more than most people could ever imagine and I really do see why you have been so guarded and afraid to let other people in. But, you don’t have to be like that anymore. I wish you could see this,” Avery shouted, as she threw her hands into the air.
I was taken aback by her outburst and I couldn’t help but just sit and watch her. Continuing, Avery paced the room with animated features. “Come on, Lizzie, you have to see what is right in front of you. We both have an opportunity to be who we want to be. Do what we want. Live our dreams. You need to stop living like the thirteen-year-old girl who hates her parents. Forget them and that old life. Give in to happiness. Allow all of the bad in your life to just fade away.”
Just fade away. That phrase hit home with me. Even after three years of being away from my parents and creating a new persona for Lizzie, I was still allowing anger and hurt to define who I was and what I would become. At what point would I stop being a victim? Lizzie and Chase were so right. I needed to just let everything from my past fade away and embrace the life I was in control of.
Stopping Avery as she opened her mouth to shout at me again, I stood and placed my hands on her shoulders. I watched as Avery’s eyes grew wide. I almost laughed to myself. She probably thought I was going to hit her for yelling at me, but I wasn’t angry. At least not anymore.
“Stop Avery. You are right. Chase is right. I am done feeling sorry for myself and being a victim of my parent’s hate. I am going to be the Lizzie I should have become three years ago.”
“Seriously? Just like that?” Avery asked slowly. Each word spoken was dripping with confusion and a touch of disbelief.
“Yes. Everything you and Chase have said has finally settled in my heart and mind. I want to be happy. I want to live, not just exist,” I said, as happy tears danced down my cheeks.
Pulling me in close, Avery hugged me. I needed her comfort and love since she was all I had ever had in my life. Now, I had Chase, too. Or at least, I may have Chase. I wasn’t sure the direction of where my relationship with him was going, but I knew that for once in my life I was excited to put my heart in someone else's hands and just be Lizzie.
CHAPTER 15
Chase
“You did what?” Jax asked, as he handed me another beer.
We were sitting outside of one of our local hangout spots, Jake’s Bar and Karaoke, and drinking a few beers after work. I had begged Jim to let me have an extra shift, but he wouldn’t budge. After my night with Lizzie, I just wanted to be around her every day. I knew it made me sound weak, but I didn’t care.
Laughing, I put my beer down and clapped my hands. “I bought a new SUV and took her out to my favorite spot,” I said, as I relived that moment in my mind. Everything about it was perfect. I left out the part about me making her wet and scream my name, some things needed to stay between me and Lizzie.
I had never had a perfect moment in my life. At least, not until I met Lizzie. I didn’t think those kinds of emotions actually existed. That they were just written for romantic movies and cheesy novels.
“You know you are crazy, right?” Jax laughed, as he took a swig of his beer. “Buying a new car? Taking a girl out on a date? I don’t know you anymore,” he kidded. “I mean, I know you have the money, tons of it since you never spend anything on yourself, but making two big life decisions in one day is a pretty big step.”
“Look, I haven’t felt anything other than anger or boredom in a very, very long time. Being around Lizzie makes me feel like I am alive again. It’s like I can breathe.”
“Wow, you have it bad,” Jax said, as he eyed me. “So, what about her hot friend? Avery is her name,” he said, like he didn’t already know her name.
“I don’t know. I just know they are best friends and Avery knows about Lizzie’s past,” I wasn’t about to reveal Lizzie’s secret. Sure, Jax was my friend, but Lizzie’s secret wasn’t mine to tell. I understood how important it was to find someone to share a secret with. I wasn’t going to betray her.
“Maybe help me get a date with Avery or something?” Jax asked, as he watched me carefully.
“We will see,” I replied.
“So, what is your next step, lover boy,” Jax asked, as he playfully punched my arm.
“I am going to make sure Lizzie is always safe,” I said sternly.
And I meant what I said. My first step would be to get her a phone. Next, I would make sure she knew she could ask me for anything she wanted, because all I wanted to do now that she was in my life was to make her happy. I would do anything to make that happen. Anything.
CHAPTER 16
Chase and I spent the weekend laying in his bed and watching old comedies from the 90’s. Ordering a pizza and room service, we didn’t leave the room once between Friday evening and Sunday evening. I had spent the majority of our time nestled onto his chest as his hands were placed firmly around my waist. Running his hands through my hair, Chase looked so calm and content. I wished he would always look like that. Without thinking, he placed a soft kiss on top of my head and a smile washed over him. I was sure he wasn’t even aware of the action or the smile that still remained on his face. But, I saw it. I felt the world move as those lips parted just for me.
“I would love to visit there sometime,” I said, as I pointed to the screen.
“Where?” Chase asked, suddenly curious.
“Venice, Italy. Doesn’t it look beautiful?”