Chase moved his things in first. After a few very long conversations, Chase agreed to stay in our new home for a while and I would move in next month. He wasn’t happy about the arrangement, but he knew I needed time to gather the few items I had and find a way to be comfortable with relying on him.
Besides, he only stayed there a few nights a week. And that was only because I begged him to do so. He still kept his room at the hotel and every night after our shifts were over, Chase would lay with me until I fell asleep. Sometime during the night, he would escape up to his room or if it wasn’t too late, to our new house.
Avery was thrilled that I was moving out. I guess I should have been upset, but I knew she was just happy for me. Chase had even agreed to allow her to live in the guest room too when I would move in. I couldn’t let go of Avery, she had given up so much for me. I needed her too, just as much as I needed Chase.
With a new house, a wonderful relationship, and a best friend that I could finally help now, I finally felt like my life was coming together. Little did I know everything was about to come crashing down.
CHAPTER 24
“What time does the movie start?” Avery asked, as she checked the time on her phone.
Looking around the casino lobby, I searched the crowds for Chase and Jax. We had made plans to go see a new comedy movie that was playing at a local theater. Jax and Chase were scheduled to get off at seven and the movie started at seven-thirty so we would have to hurry.
“Don’t worry, it’s only one minute after seven,” I said.
Checking ourselves in a large mirror, I smiled at my outfit. Avery had dressed me in a cute pair of skinny jeans and a shimmering black top. She was wearing a cute jean skirt and a pink off-the-shoulder loose-fitting shirt.
Standing there looking for our guys, I couldn’t help but think maybe tonight would be the night Chase and I explored more of one another’s bodies. It was time for me to give him more of myself.
Without warning, a sound cut through me like a knife and I internally cringed.
“Elizabeth?” a familiar voice rang out, as I stepped into the casino.
Oh no, I thought as my body froze. I knew that voice. I had left that voice behind. Allan, my boyfriend who still thought that I had died the night of the fire was screaming my name as I now stood unable to move or react. Everything had been so smooth and perfect, I should have seen this coming. My mind should have predicted what happened next. Life wasn’t supposed to work out the way I wanted it to. Everything I had endured up until this point should have taught me never to let my guard down. Happiness just wasn’t in the cards for me and I was foolish to believe otherwise.
Seeing my scared expression, Avery turned my way. “Are you alright?” she asked.
Speechless, I pointed my finger to Allan who was now trying to fight his way through the crowd to get to me.
“Elizabeth!” he yelled again, this time his voice was louder and had more anger lacing each syllable of my name.
“Oh shit, is that Allan?” Avery asked, as the fear and terror finally found their way to her heart.
“Yes,” I whimpered, as I began to feel tears breaking free. As the wet drops rolled down my cheeks my fight or flight instinct took over. “I have to get out of here,” I said as my legs found a way to move again.
I began to run. Racing toward the back exit, I pushed people out of my way as I began to dodge everything in my path. With Avery closely behind me, we were running recklessly from our past, and the horrible idea that if Allan finds me, he could disclose my secret and everything I had worked so hard for would come crashing down on me.
Still running, I passed by Chase who was screaming my name. He threw the man who he had been restraining from a fight that was being broken up by a group of security, away from him and began following behind me.
“Lizzie!” Chase called, as he raced toward me.
This was all too much. I was being called by two very different men who both meant two very different things in my life and heart. The exit was so far yet so close and I wanted nothing more than to become invisible.
Finally catching me, Chase grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. “What is wrong Lizzie? What happened?” he asked, as his body grew tense and his eyes began to wander around the room. It was clear he was looking for a culprit to blame for my tears and fear.
I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn’t form the words to say. Running up to us, Avery was out of breath but was able to speak the words I couldn’t. “Chase, there is someone here who knows us. We need to get Lizzie out of here now,” she said, as she looked back behind them.
Pulling me to him, Chase tried to console me as he pulled out his phone and dialed Jax’s number. I tried to struggle and get away from his grasp, but Chase wouldn't let go. I needed to keep running, to get away from Allan. Instead, Chase’s refusal to let me go would cause Allan to catch up with us. As much as I wanted to believe that Chase could protect me from anything, he was just about to cause me more harm than he could ever imagine.
“Jax, I need you to get down here now. I am in the casino near the bar,” Chase spoke rapidly into the phone. He said a few more words and hung up.
“Elizabeth. Why are you running? Is that really you?” Allan asked, as he made his way to us.
Stepping in between us, Chase became a shield, protecting my past from my present.
I couldn’t look at Allan. I couldn’t face what I had done and what Allan finding me here and alive could mean for my life now.
“Allan, I need you to leave. I will explain everything, but let's get out of here,” Avery said, as she stepped around me and tried to interfere.