I myself am having a hard time believing what happened, but it’s all over me. My cheeks are still flushed, my lips swollen, and not to mention the freaking hickey on my neck! I would murder Chase, but I have to admit I kind of like having a reminder of him on my skin. It’s absurd, but I can’t help the way I feel. I run my fingers through my hair and wish I’d packed some makeup or something in my bag. The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind since I was only going to a pool party.
I know staying hidden away in the bathroom is only a temporary thing. I’ll have to come out eventually. Chase made it clear when he changed his sweatpants and pulled on a shirt, he’d be letting his mom know someone was here. I hadn’t missed the wet spot on his sweatpants before he took them off. Out of curiosity, I head into his closet to find the discarded pants.
Am I really about to do this? It's too late. I’ve come this far. I’m already in his closet with his pants in my hand from out of the laundry basket. I examine them. Okay, don’t judge me, but I might even smell them. A gasp leaves me. He definitely came in them!
Why do I suddenly feel the need to do some victory dance? I’m mad at Chase. He’s a jerkface who showed up at a party and made me leave. I’m an adult and can do whatever I want. I do have to admit that it was hot, though, when he scared that one guy from dancing with me and then shoved the other into the pool.
No, Emily, I chastise myself. That is in no way okay, I lie to myself. I’m really crossing some lines this morning with what is wrong and right. I’m going to blame it on those drinks I had last night. I don’t have a headache or a sour stomach, so I’m guessing I’m not hungover. Pretty sure the only reason my stomach is turning right now is because I’m about to go face Rebecca. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her, and I kind of feel bad for just dropping off the face of the earth. She was an important part of my life.
“Babe!” I hear Chase call. Did he really shout babe through the house?! Slowly, I creep down the hallway.
“You have a girl here?!” I hear Rebecca hiss at him. “You better be teasing me, Chase Landon Silverstein. We talked about this. You said you wouldn’t be using this place as some shag pad.”
“Shag pad?” Chase barks a laugh. I want to turn and flee back down the hallway. Chase must have some kind of reputation that his mother isn’t happy about. “You scared her. Emily, come out here.”
“Emily?” Rebecca gasps. I step out from the hallway and give a stupid wave. Rebecca stares at me, shocked. That makes two of us.
“Chase gave me a ride last night. I drank too much. You know. Graduation blowout party. It was really sweet of him.” Rebecca folds her arms over her chest at my explanation. For a woman that is only a few inches over five feet with short, wavy reddish-brown hair and glasses, she somehow can come off as very intimidating. She’s not buying what I’m selling, which doesn’t shock me.
“You want to try that again?” She lifts a brow.
“Okay. In all honesty, your son kidnapped me from a party while I was dancing. Then he tossed someone into a pool before he made me eat and put me to bed.” I smirk, glaring over at Chase, thinking maybe he’ll be in trouble too. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Bossy Man.
“That sounds about right. Now when did you get the hickey?” I reach up and cover it up with my hand. I swear I can feel the embarrassment creeping up my neck. I’m gonna murder Chase when she leaves.
“That was me. A few minutes before you got here.”
“Chase!” I shout. He did not say that to his mom.
“This isn’t what you think.” I rush to clear things up. “We woke up, and things got a bit out of hand.”
“Well, I’m sorry I interrupted.” She turns to Chase. I gape at both of them. “Will you two be going to the party together tonight?”
“No!” I can’t stop shouting for some reason. “I have a date.”
“If you do, he's a dead man walking,” Chase says dryly. Rebecca laughs. She actually laughs. What is happening here?
“I should go. I was only dropping off your tux.” She motions to a garment bag draped over the leather sofa. “I have a million things to get done before the party. I’m actually meeting up with Grace.”
“Oh God, please don’t tell her about any of this. Please,” I start to beg.