Page 61 of His Last Chase

Would Johnny show? He’d texted and made all the arrangements, so my part was done. Now, itwas all up to Johnny.

And if he did, would all hell break loose?

Would Chase ever forgive me for this?

Fuck, what had I done?

You had the best intentions with your boy’s heart in mind. I did my best to reassure myself.You just wanted him to be happy.

That was a given. I’d move heaven and earth for Chase.

Tonight, Embrace played at the MGM Grand in the Grand Garden Arena. We arrived back in Vegas early enough that the drivers dropped those of us who lived here at our respective homes. Easton and Jeremiah scheduled the guys a two-day break, for which I was thankful. I was nowhere near ready to say goodbye to my little songbird.

Chase had absolutely blown me away with not only his performance skills but with his ability to command a crowd, and massive crowds at that. But two nights of having him to myself would never be enough.

Depending on how tonight went, I may be ready to ask a very important question.

Jesus, I was as nervous as a teenager on prom night.

I started a load of laundry and put in a grocery delivery order then when we got home tonight there’d be food. The plan was to not leave the house until the bus picked my boy up.

And he left, without me.

Listen to me, I’d turned into a whiney man. Not a good look for sure, especially on a seasoned Daddy.

“Whatcha doing, Daddy?” Chase asked from the dining table where he was currently coloring. He dove right for his toys the second we walked in the door. Decompressing was at the top of his list.

“Just making sure we have everything we need for the next couple of days, Little Songbird.”And pacing and psyching myself out.

“You’re a good Daddy, you make sure your Songbird is always taken care of and that’s why I love you.” His sweet words turned my frown around.

“Thank you,” I kissed the top of his head as I passed the table. “This Daddy loves his boy to the moon and back.” Chase giggled when I repeated the words he’d once used on me. “Here’s a juice box.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” He popped the straw in and took a sip. “Nummy, fruit punch. My favorite.”

I’d stocked up the first time he’d mentioned that. At least those hadn’t expired while we were away.

“Songbird, what do you think about leaving more of your things at Daddy’s house so they’re here when you are?” Subtle? Somewhat, but a good lead into the question I hoped to ask him tonight.

“Songbird wants to live with Daddy. I think all my stuff should be here.” His eyes didn’t leave the page as he colored away, but little Chase never held back and for that I was beyond appreciative.

“Songbird, are you being serious?” I knelt beside him, on the verge of tears.

“Yes, Daddy,” he kissed my nose. “I’m not happy when I’m away from you. You bring the songs to my heart. Oh yeah, I forgot something.”

Chase scurried down the hall and returned a few minutes later and handed me a piece of paper. “Songbird wrote a song for his Daddy.”

The Beauty Within

You found me when I was lost

When no one knew I was gone

You took your time and allowed me mine

No need to rush when we had forever

You saw me for who I was and not who you wanted me to be