Chasing Day Series: Chasing Day & Catching Day (15 page)

Day kept her mouth tightly closed as they rode up to their floor and walked to their room. Chase unlocked the door with the keycard and held the door open for Day to step inside. He carried in their bags and placed them on the bed. Chase took a deep breath and turned to her.

“Look Day, I didn’t mean to start off the trip like this.” Chase sighed.

“You act as if you were the only one hurt. Like you didn’t do anything wrong.” Day immediately went in on him now that they were alone. “You
fucked
some random girl!” Day’s voice rose up.

Chase looked shell shocked. She had never really yelled at him before. But this was an argument two years in the making.

“But she didn’t mean anything. I didn’t want a relationship with her. Unlike you, who went off and started dating the first guy you met when you got to college!” Chase argued back.

“Maybe I would’ve tried working things out with you if you hadn’t of slept with another girl!” Daylen tossed back.

“Are you fucking kidding me?! You were psyching yourself up to break up with me the moment you answered the phone that day. Would I have even found out if I hadn’t called you to tell you the truth?” Chase shouted out the question.

“Of course I would’ve told you! I had just talked to Drew and he’d asked me to make a choice because I was keeping him in the friend zone. I would have done whatever it took to stay with you. Even when I was lonely and missing you till it hurt.” Day pressed her hands to her still aching chest, reliving the worst days of her life. “But then you told me that you fucked someone else. I couldn’t come back from that, Chase. You made my choice for me.” Day looked away, not wanting him to see the moisture in her eyes.

“It didn’t
mean
anything!” Chase exclaimed lamely.

“And that makes it so much worse. That you would risk our relationship for someone that didn’t even mean anything to you. It’s a piss poor excuse, Chase.” Daylen reprimanded him.

“I’m so sorry, Day.” Chase’s shoulders slumped dejectedly. “It was the biggest mistake of my life.”

“And now you pull
this
stunt! Asking for a single room with only
one
bed?!” Daylen railed on, not ready to give up the argument. No matter how pitiful he looked. The alternative would be to address the feelings that were pumping life into her veins. Her skin felt charged, goosebumps pricking her flesh from being in such close proximity to him after all this time.

“It was stupid. I had just hoped…” Chase let the thought trail off.

“Well, you hoped wrong. If I had the money, I’d pay for a separate room. But you know what? That’s okay, I’ll sleep on the couch.” Day grumbled.

She shoved past Chase and grabbed her suitcase. She lugged the heavy case over to the couch and flopped down angrily.

“You can take the bed, Day. I wouldn’t feel right if you slept on the couch since it’s my fault.” Chase offered, contrite.

Day closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She audibly exhaled through tight lips. She could feel his presence surround her like a familiar lover, and he wasn’t even touching her.

“Win or lose, this is supposed to be a weekend filled with celebrating.” Day turned to look up at Chase. He looked so unsure of himself with his hands shoved in his pockets like he’d done since he was a kid. “I know the Heisman is a huge accomplishment and I’m so proud of you, Chase. Let’s just bury the past where it should’ve stayed…in the past. At least for this weekend.” Day offered amiably.

“Deal,” Chase said in relief. “Thanks, Day.”

Day called her mother and Drew to let them know they had arrived safely. Chase talked to her mom for a few minutes and she wished him good luck. Then they spent the next half hour silently unpacking their bags and hanging up their clothes to get the wrinkles out. It was a big suite, but it still wasn’t big enough that Daylen and Chase didn’t bump into each other a few times. After an innocent touch on the arm. The brush of a muscular thigh against her ass, as he reached past her to hang a shirt in the closet. An accidental caress over the side of her breast, when he turned too quickly as she passed him. Was all enough for Day to want to cry ‘uncle’.

It was as if his simple presence had awoken her long dormant body. Drew was great. He gave her warm fuzzies. But Chase… Chase gave her a nuclear explosion. Her innards liquefied under the heat. Day realized too late that spending the weekend alone with him, was a huge mistake.

“So do you wanna grab some dinner?” Chase asked after they were done. “I know we’re both poor college students, but I’m sure we can grab a famous slice of pizza or a Papaya’s hotdog for cheap,” he suggested.

“Yeah, that sounds good.” Daylen nodded.

~~~

They got giant slices of New York style pizza at a popular pizzeria the hotel doorman pointed them to. The ice finally thawed and broke, as they made fun of each other trying to figure out the New York ‘fold.’ Their natural bond from childhood eased the awkward and volatile beginning of their trip.

Day and Chase finished up their slices as they people watched through the giant windows of the pizzeria. They bundled back up and headed out into the cold New York evening, deciding to walk down Times Square. They both smiled in awe of the bright lights.

“So how’s school going? How’s your mom? She sounded good over the phone.” Chase asked curiously.

“Mom’s great. Kicking ass and taking names, as usual.” Day smiled at him, using the phrase he like to use to describe her mother. “School’s good. I mean…I’m a little frustrated right now because technically, I’m doing everything right. I’m acing my classes and I’m playing well. But all my professors and the college orchestra conductor say that I lack passion.” Day sighed in frustration. “I’m seriously playing better than I ever have. So I have no idea what they want from me.” She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head despondently.

“Have they been saying this all along? Since you started there?” He asked.

“No. Just the last year or so,” Daylen replied.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll find your passion again,” Chase reassured her.

He had a sneaking suspicion that her lack of passion was a direct result of her passionless relationship with her dull boyfriend. But Chase figured that wouldn’t be a really good thing to say at this point. He wanted to keep his head for a little while longer. His bright future as a pro-ball player would be cut short if he was missing kneecaps.

“So what about you? Your last season just ended didn’t it?” Day asked.

“Technically, yeah. But we’re going to the Rose Bowl, New Year’s Day. So that’ll be my last game of my college career.” Chase explained.

“And after that?” Day continued, curious about his plans for the future.

Chase breathed deeply and expelled a white puff of air. “Well, then there’s the draft in the spring.”

“W-Who are you hoping to play for?”

Chase hesitated for a long moment. That was the million dollar question. If he told her the truth, would she freak out? Maybe it was best just to fudge the truth a bit.

“I’m hoping for Chicago. Illinois is home, you know?” Chase gave a half truth.

The real reason was that he wanted to stay close to her. Just in case he still had a chance. He could honestly live anywhere and it wouldn’t matter to him. As long as he was close to Day and could get his mom away from his father.

“Yeah. Makes sense.” Day said, deep in thought.

“What about you? What are your plans after you graduate next year?” Chase asked, praying her plans were still in-line with his.

“Remember when I told you about the Chicago Symphony?” Daylen asked.

“Of course I remember. It was on the first night I’d ever seen you perform.” Chase recalled.

“Well, nothing has changed. I still want to play for them, though it’s really hard to get in. And my college conductor says that I don’t currently have what it takes.” Day said, blinking back tears.

Chase could see the bright lights of Times Square reflected in her glassy eyes. It hurt his soul to see her in pain. No matter if she wanted him or not. She was still his best friend and he was still protective of her.

“Fuck him!” Chase shouted. “Who gives a fuck what some stuffy conductor says, anyway? You’re brilliant! But you need to believe you’re brilliant, too. I can’t tell you. And certainly not some douchebag conductor with one of those stick thingys shoved up his ass.” He ended passionately.

“First of all, it’s called a baton.” Day laughed melodically. “Second, you sound like a coach giving a pep talk to your team at halftime.” She grinned brightly at him.

Chase smiled down at her, happy that he could take her mind off of her worries.

“Well, it’s probably because I heard the same speech from my coach. And he was right. He knew I had talent, but what good was that if I didn’t believe it?” Chase said, insightfully.

“True.” Day nodded.

They turned right, down 49
th
street and walked along in companionable silence, both deep in thought. They were going to turn and head back to the hotel but noticed bright lights and several people in the distance. They decided to walk a little further down and was greeted by an enchanting sight, they normally only saw on TV. It was the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the famous ice skating rink.

Chase looked at Day and raised his eyebrows in question. The look said, ‘Wanna give it a go?’ Day scrunched up her face in doubt.

“Come on! You know you want to!” Chase coaxed.

“Are your knees and throwing arm insured, because I know my playing fingers and arm aren’t?” Day said warily as she watched the skaters zoom by.

“No. But when are we ever going to have a chance to skate at Rockefeller Center? Under the giant damn Christmas tree no less?!” Chase said, gesturing towards the huge tree.

“It does look kinda fun.” Daylen hedged.

“That’s it! We’re doing it!” Chase said with determination.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the skate rental. Chase and Day got their skates and locked up their shoes. They took their complimentary hot chocolate and went back outside. They leaned against the railing as they drank the hot brew. They watched as skaters of all levels went around the rink. The beginners stuck to the outside, more often than not gripping the railing to keep from face-planting on the ice. The intermediate skaters sped around the middle, only stumbling every now and again. And the experts were taking up the inside, twirling like it was the warm-ups for the Winter Olympics. Chase had a feeling they’d be getting well acquainted with the railing.

“Ready?” Chase looked down at Day, as she drained the last of her cocoa.

“No,” Daylen responded honestly.

“Come on, Pretty Day.” Chase prodded, using his favorite nickname for her. He saw her swallow hard at the pet name.

Chase took her empty cup and unsteadily walked over to the garbage can on the thin blades. He tossed their cups and then walked back to her. He guided Day out onto the ice and he followed gingerly behind her.

“Remember when we used to go rollerskating?” Chase asked, a huge grin spreading across his face.

“Yeah.” Day said distractedly as she held onto the railing, inching forward little by little.

“This can’t be much different than- Crap, Day! Are you alright?” Chase held back his laughter.

Daylen’s legs had slipped right from under her and she landed hard on her gloriously round ass.

“Ow! Seriously?! I haven’t been on the ice for more than three minutes!” Daylen rolled to the side and rubbed her butt.

“Do you need help with that?” Chase chuckled, wanting nothing more than to massage her backside.

“No, thank you!” Day said prudishly.

“Suit yourself.” Chase shrugged, before reaching down to help her up.

He gripped the railing tightly as Day tried to get her footing. Her feet slipped back and she fell into him, propelling him backwards. Now it was Chase’s turn to land on his ass though this time Daylen landed on top of him.

Chase gripped her soft, thick waist to him. He gladly took the pain of busting his ass, just for a chance hold her for a few seconds. Even through the thick layers of their coats. Day’s large coffee brown eyes gazed up at him, and Chase could’ve sworn he saw longing there before she turned away.

Daylen awkwardly pushed herself up and Chase rolled over onto his knees. They both grabbed the railing and hoisted themselves off the ice. They worked at their skating a little while longer until they felt comfortable enough to let go of their safety net. Chase held onto Daylen’s arm, supporting her as they slowly made their way around the rink.

As they wobbled along, big fat snowflakes started falling, creating a lace curtain made of ice.

“It’s snowing!” Daylen breathed excitedly.

Chase was catapulted back to the night he realized that his best friend would forever be the love of his life. Just like that night three years ago, Day raised her face up to catch the delicate flakes on her beautiful face. And just as before, Chase felt a kick to the gut.