Andrea smiled slowly and responded, “Nope. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.”
“Well, let’s go. It’s melting while we stand here talking about it.”
Laughter replaced the worried eyes as Chase tossed Andrea on his back for a faster commute to the truck. Jena followed them, searching the crowd for Todd. She knew him to be stubborn. He hated to lose, and Jena knew this wasn’t over. Todd would see her as a challenge.
Relief washed over her as they reached the truck. She inhaled deeply trying to calm her nerves. Jena had to admit despite the run in with Todd, she had a great day. The visit, also, cleared some things up for her. Jena knew without a doubt Chase loved her. She couldn’t deny her feelings anymore either. Maybe she wasn’t ready to admit she loved him, but she wanted to give them a chance. She was tired of regrets. She decided to make the move to Clearwater. There was no use denying Andrea would be happier here. Even if things didn’t work out with Chase, Andrea loved him and she would do what was best for her niece—as her sister had done for her.
Chase broke into her thoughts. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. I owe you a thank you.”
He winked at her before saying, “Love doesn’t keep score. Get in. Let’s go fill up on ice cream.” He opened his door and motioned for her to climb in.
They made their way to the ice cream shop as Andrea burst in the backseat with excitement. Jena knew the feeling. Now that she had made some decisions she couldn’t wait to share them with Chase, but she would wait until they were alone.
They ordered and Chase handed money to the clerk, ignoring her protests. “I’m traditional. I always treat on a date.”
“Are we on a date, Uncle Chase?” Jena laughed at Andrea as ice cream dripped down her arm.
“See why I don’t let her eat in the truck?”
Jena pointed at him shyly. “You have, um, a little there on your chin.”
Andrea broke out in a fit of laughter. “You do, Uncle Chase!”
“What are you laughing at?” He feigned anger. “You wear more than you eat.”
“Now, children…”Jena joked while wiping Andrea down with a napkin.
They talked and laughed, seemingly putting the experience with Todd behind them. At least that’s what Jena thought until they started the drive home. Chase was quiet and Jena wondered what he was thinking. She stole a glance from time to time and he appeared to be brooding. Andrea fell asleep and Jena was tempted to ask, but lost the nerve before the words formed on her lips.
They pulled in the driveway just as the sun was setting. This was Jena’s favorite time of the day. The frenzy was usually behind her and she had time to unwind with her own thoughts. Jena’s excitement was hard to contain. Tonight she would tell Chase she was moving to Clearwater. Maybe even tell him she wanted to give them another chance.
He maneuvered Andrea out of the backseat without waking her. Jena unlocked the door and followed them both up to Andrea’s room. She watched from the doorway as Chase gently laid Andrea on her bed and covered her, placing her favorite teddy bear beside her. He would make a wonderful father. She allowed herself the daydream of wondering what their kids might look like. She smiled inwardly. She had only made the decision to give their relationship a try and now she was picturing their kids. She joined Chase as she kissed her niece goodnight and followed him from the room.
“I think we should talk,” he said before he reached the steps.
“Okay.” Her stomach rolled with worry. He sounded upset. “Can I make us some tea?”
“No stalling, Jen. I need to get this resolved.” He stepped aside to allow her to go down the stairs first.
Wasn’t that her luck? He was going to tell her to hit the road just when she decided to uproot her life and take some chances. It was probably for the best. “So, what do you want to discuss?”
“Your friend, Todd,” he answered calmly. “Come sit with me. I have a few things to say.”
Jena dreaded what was coming, but she lowered herself to the couch and folded her hands in her lap. She couldn’t look at him.
“Are you upset with me?” he asked.
Her head snapped up. “No, why would I be?”
“It looks like I lost you your job today.”
“I would think you would be happy about that. I have no way to take Andrea back without a job.”
“You are mad.”
“No. It doesn’t matter. After what I found out today I could never work with him anyway. I was so stupid to think I could keep the two relationships separate.”
“I thought you said there was no relationship.”
“I thought it was a friendship,” she sighed. “I made a real mess of things.”
“Don’t blame yourself. He has an over-inflated opinion of himself.”
“He was always respectful and so kind. I never saw that side of him before. I thought he understood we were friends.” Shaking her head, she couldn’t believe he said those things to her today.
“You ready for some honesty?” He tugged gently on her hair.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly nodded. Here it comes.
It was nice knowing you, but…
“I’m jealous,” he announced.
Her eyes widened. Had she heard him correctly? “You’re what?”
“Jealous,” he sighed.
“Of …Todd?”
“Yeah, of Todd. He’s shared your life. He’s what I can never be. He’s country club and I’m tavern. When you talk about your day, he would understand what you’re talking about. I could never be that for you. I’m just a traveling musician.”
“Don’t,” she whispered shaking her head.
“You said it yourself, Jen. You change the world. What do I contribute?” He ran a hand through his hair.
She recognized the frustration in his movement. “I was wrong to say that. I was mad. You challenged me, so I fought back. You have an amazing talent. You have the ability to take people away from their reality and give them an escape. Through a song you give them joy, hope, understanding. You’ve probably saved lives.”
“You’ve never even heard me sing, Jena.” He sighed as he leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “I love you. I want what’s best for you and I’ve realized I might not be it.”
“Huh.” Jena looked down sadly at her entwined hands. She held them tightly so they wouldn’t visibly shake.
He glanced over at her. “What are you thinking?”
She stood, remaining silent.
“Jena?”
Turning away from him, she closed her eyes and put a hand over her face. She needed to think. Should she tell him what she decided? Or did she play it safe? Should she choose honesty or pride?
She faced him, crossing her arms in front of her. “So, you think I would be better off with him? A person who called me a slut?”
“No, Jen, not him, but someone on the same level as you. I’m not a country club guy.”
“Yes, so you’ve said.” Jena quietly observed him for a few moments. She couldn’t tell if this was an excuse for him to walk away, or if he really believed he wasn’t good enough. Both scenarios made her angry.
“Do you know what I was going to tell you tonight?” She didn’t wait for an answer. This was too important to chicken out. “I was going to tell you I’ve decided to move here. I was going to give us a chance.”
He stood up slowly, the disbelief in his eyes. “You’re going to stay?”
“I made the decision tonight… a little too late, as always.”
“And you think I don’t want you here?” He said the words slowly.
“Well, I believe you gave me the goodbye speech.” She sniffed and wiped a stray tear from her cheek.
He grinned widely and took her face in his hands. “You’re staying? And you’re going to give us another chance?”
She lifted her chin in protest. “Well, now I’m not so sure… I belong with a country club guy who calls me names.”
“Say it,” he demanded.
“What?” she replied softly, her confidence waning.
“You’re staying. Say it.”
“I’m staying.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Baby, you don’t know how happy you just made me,” Chase said with a smile that lit her world. “I’ve waited ten years to hear those words.”
Although her excitement at the possibilities matched his, she was a realist. “I can’t make any promises. I can only try.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t be so negative. We’ll make this work.”
“You doubt yourself in my world. That’s nothing compared to the doubt I’m feeling. Chase, the night at the restaurant when your…” she paused, “
friend
showed up at our table I never felt so out of place in my life. She dripped sex appeal. She’s gorgeous and I’m…plain.”
“Jen, do you own a mirror? Seriously? I’ve never met a more beautiful woman. You have what Mia will never have…intelligence, grace, class.” He shook his head and smiled. “Oh, and let’s not forget your smokin’ hot body.”
“Right.” Her cheeks burned.
“Jena, I love my music. I’ve taken comfort there over the years. I guess you could say that’s where I hid. Yes, I lived the lifestyle for a while, but it didn’t take long to figure out it wasn’t for me. I want a family…kids…grandkids…a dog.” He laughed. He took her hand, taking a serious tone. “If it takes giving up my music I’ll do it without looking back. Nothing is worth a damn if you’re not there to share it with.”
Jena swallowed back tears. “I don’t want you to give up your music. If, someday, this band makes it big we’ll figure it out.”
“Well…”
“Chase?”
“Jena, I don’t want you making a big deal out of this,” he stammered.
“Just tell me.” Panic bubbled up in her throat.
“This new band…it’s every bit as successful as the first…maybe more.”
She flinched. “What are you saying?”
“We’re international.”
“You’re what?” She was stunned. The same old feeling of panic clenched her stomach. How could he not tell her this? That one simple sentence changed everything. The sudden dread was more than she could handle. This relationship wouldn’t work. History was repeating itself and she already lived the outcome.
“I’m the same person I was five minutes ago when you thought I played in local bars.”
“No…you’re not. I know what goes on, women throwing themselves at you…wild parties.”
“That’s not how we do things. I promise you there will never be any doubt I’m all yours. We have a benefit concert at Pier 60 next week. I’d like you to come. You’ll see my world isn’t what you think.”
“I don’t know, Chase. Maybe this is a bad idea. I’m…scared.” She closed her eyes at the admission.
“Of what?”
“Of not fitting in. I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“I promise you’ll fit right in. Don’t believe the clichés.”
She had been so sure she wanted to make this relationship work, well, until five minutes ago. Now, the same fears haunted her thoughts. Why did things have to be so difficult?
“Jena?” he coaxed.
There was hope in his face…and love. How could she walk away without trying? “I’ll come, but I can’t make any promises I can be who you need me to be.”
He gently slid his hand behind her neck, drawing her near. “You’re exactly who I need you to be. I will live the rest of my life making sure you never regret this decision.” He lowered his lips to hers as a loud thud hit the front window. Chase released her and headed for the front door.
“Chase, no! Don’t go out there!” she begged.
“Shhhh!” he waved her off. “Stay inside,” he ordered.
Jena was paralyzed with fear as he headed through the kitchen door. She paced frantically as she waited for him to return. The tick-tock of the clock on the wall mocked her. The door opened and Jena exhaled with relief at the sight of Chase. Her joy was quickly replaced by alarm as she saw the look on his face.
“Call the police, Jen. Someone was watching us through the front window.”
“How can you be sure?” she asked shakily.
“Does your friend, Todd, smoke?”
“No, not that I know of. At least, I never saw him. You don’t think…?” She was going to be sick. She knew Todd wouldn’t let this go.
“I found a half smoked cigarette butt, still hot, under the window. Do you still have the detective’s card?”
“In my purse, I think.” Jena grabbed it from the counter, her hands shaking, and rummaged through it. She passed the card to Chase, and he pulled his cell phone out to make the call. Twenty minutes later Detective Burrows was pulling in the driveway.
Chase opened the front door and waited for him to approach as Jena was creating horrific scenes in her head. She took pride in her ability to keep calm under pressure, but ever since she arrived she depended on Chase more and more.
Detective Burrows greeted Chase with a handshake and nodded to Jena who stood off to the side. “So, having some trouble, eh?”
“Looks like someone was taking a smoke break outside the front window.”
Jena bit her lip nervously while Chase appeared the picture of calm. What was happening to her?
“The front window, you say? Let’s take a look.”
“It’s right where I found it.”
Standing at the door, Jena strained to hear the conversation.
“Do either of you smoke?”
“No. No one here smokes,” Chase answered.
Detective Burrows pulled a baggie from his pocket, careful not to touch the evidence. Jena heard him say, “Let’s go back in, so I can ask you a few questions.”
She backed up to let them enter. The detective pulled out the familiar notebook. “Is there somewhere we can sit?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. Right through here.” She led them to the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, little lady. I’m good.” He turned to Chase, “How did you come across the cigarette?”
“We were sitting in the living room. Sounded like someone was coming through the window.”
The detective pulled out a pair of glasses from his pocket and read from his notes. “I checked the computer, the address was familiar. Seems I was here before for an attempted break-in.” He slid his glasses from his nose and looked to Chase for confirmation.
Jena seated herself at the table. “I live here, Detective Burrows. I’m the one that called before.”
“Is that the only other incident?” he directed at Jena.
“Yes, sir,” she replied.
“No,” Chase answered.
“Seems we have a difference of opinion,” the detective chuckled.