Page 22 of Chase
“Oh yeah, Ethan?” Paige pretends to drool, and I instantly want to throw up. “Is he single and willing to go with someone a little younger?”
“Stay the hell away from him,” I warn her. “The man is a fucking psychopath. He’d eat you up and spit you out without a second thought.”
The ridiculous girl merely raises her brows as though I’ve just given her a challenge. She’s been reading one too many dark romances. Ethan is dark, but nothing else.
“What about the American?” Brook says. “He is damn fine! He outsexes any actor I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh, hell yes! I’ve seen him, don’t know his name though. Oh, Aunt Iz you should totally hook up with that guy; you’d make the most gorgeous babies.”
This time, Jamie gives her the evils, so she kisses his cheek to placate him before surreptitiously giving me a knowing look. I can’t help but laugh over their ridiculous relationship.
“I’ve gotta say, the dude is hot,” Will says casually from beside me, “could probably have his pick of anyone here.”
“He can have me,” Paige says, sitting up straight and pushing out her chest before giggling over the top of her drink.
“Oh, please, you teenage girls are all the same!” I tut like some kind of matriarch. “See a pretty face and think he’s Prince Charming with nothing but love and hot sex. He’s probably got five different girlfriends on the go, or he’s already married with three different wives and umpteen million kids. Don’t be fooled; not all attractive men are good or worthy of your attention,” I lecture, which only has them rolling their eyes and theatrically scoffing at me. So, to drive the point home, I go for what they might relate to. “And he’s probably totally shit in bed too!”
I laugh, only to notice the rest of the group have gone discernibly quiet. Apart from Jamie and Carl, who are now sniggering from behind their hands.
“I’m guessing from everyone’s silence and the chuckle brothers over there, that the mystery American guy is standing right behind me, isn’t he?” Penny nods with a wince taking over her face. “Well, Mr Chase, are you shit in bed?” I call out without even bothering to turn around.
“Perhaps you should put me to the test and judge for yourself?” his low growl of a voice says to me. And when I say growl this time, it’s the smooth sound of a highly trained player, like the sound of a double bass. I smirk before finishing off my final glass. I then take my time to place it on the floor beside me and finally stand to face him.
We look at each other for a long moment or two, taking in how the other has changed over the years. How many has it been? I have to admit, he’s absolutely stunning and looks unfairly edible in his suit, filling it out with tanned, toned muscles. He totally outshines any other guy here, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to look at all interested.
“Excuse me,” he says, now looking around at the gang of teenagers who are watching us with extreme interest, “would you mind if I take Aunty Izzy for a quick chat?”
They either nod in awe of him or snigger under their hands. I, however, cross my arms and widen my stance, refusing to move in any way. I don’t need anyone else coming into my life to try and control my every move, especially someone who left me to rot.
“I mind,” I retort, forcing him to look back at me. “I’m quite happy here, actually.”
“Don’t make me force you, Isobel,” he says with warning in his voice, now walking toward me like a cornered animal.
Hearing that name upon his lips - his deceitful, forgetful lips - I see red. I close the gap between us with three big strides, then put my face as close to his without touching.
“Don’t you dare call me that…ever!” I sneer, before marching off in the opposite direction. However, before I can reach the gate, he grabs hold of my arm and slings me over his shoulder where I waste no time in thrashing against his back. “Let go of me, you prick!”
He says nothing, just continues to walk away from the pool with me hanging over his back, all the while Penny and her friends whoop and holler over his caveman display.
Chapter 8
Izzy
After an uncomfortably bumpy ride over Theo’s broad shoulder, I am unceremoniously chucked down on top of a wooden deck chair. He then begins pacing with his back to me and his tell-tale frustrated motion of running his hand through his hair. I don’t know whether to laugh, cry or rage, so in the end, I do nothing. It is best not to show them anything, to wear the mask that keeps them guessing, to stop them from sticking you in a box so they can keep you prisoner. It is far better to keep the pain from their eyes; pain is but a weakness they can exploit you for.
When he finally turns to face me, I merely shrug my shoulders and look to the side, if only to stop myself from remembering those last few days with him, when he had lied to me. I relied on those memories for far longer than I should have. They kept my hope alive, which was folly on my part. However, my eyes fall upon someone else I didn’t expect to be here, not with Theo.
“Nonna? Why are you here?” I ask with suspicion, which I do not even attempt to hide from my voice. “And why the hell is he manhandling me across my sister’s wedding?”
“I’m worried about you, dear,” she announces for all to hear. “I have been for a long time.”
“Hey, I’m fine!” I snap, leaping to my feet to get back to the kids and their recreational treats. Anything to avoid this shitshow. Alas, my wrath gets the better of me when I hear Theo’s audible scoff of disbelief from behind me. I turn back to deliver a murderous glare in his direction. “What?! What now?”
“Yeah, you’re fine alright, hanging out with teenagers, smoking weed, and drinking booze by the pool at your sister’s up-market wedding,” he says with judgment radiating from him. “Or perhaps picking fights with groups of sleazy men in the middle of a nightclub. And let’s not forget announcing you’re a stripper to half the wedding party.”
“Deary, what is it you do for a living again?” Nonna asks, like the cheeky old bird that she is.
“You know what I do,” I huff, crossing my arms like a petulant child.