Chase (Resisting Love #1)(36)

In a fit of rage, I smash anything I can get my hands on. The glasses that were lined up on the bar, anything. I punch at the glass case, glass going everywhere.

I look over at her to see she has stopped dancing, and is staring at me.

The most f*cked up thing about this whole situation, is that if she wasn’t mine, my Layla, I would have looked at her and thought she belonged up there. Her body is made for sin, and the men seem to agree with me. She would have made this club a lot of money.

Fuck, she’s right.

What the f*ck am I doing owning a place like this? Every girl on stage could be someone’s Layla. I’ve had a f*cking epiphany, but at what cost?

My woman, up there, being ogled by all these perverted f*cks.

What happens next is a blur, but I know I grab her off the stage and get her into my car. She tries to talk to me, but I’m not having it right now. I’m f*cking pissed. At her, but mostly at myself. At what I have reduced her to do. I drop her off, knowing I’m not joining her inside. I feel raw, I need some time alone.

I wait until she’s safely inside, and then drive straight to my apartment. This place is just for me. No one comes here, no women, no one. It’s my place. I make my way inside and pour myself a scotch. I get a text from Layla, but I can’t talk to her right now. I need to fix this shit.

My phone rings, Aubrey.

Fuck.

Luckily, Layla didn’t see her at the club. She was having another f*cking fit, trying to use her job as a way to manipulate me. I could care less anymore. Her hold on me is over.

Nothing matters anymore, except my Layla.





Chapter Twenty


Kade drove me to the University the next day. Chase didn’t come home, and I had no idea where he was. I didn’t ask Kade or James either, although I was dying to know. Kade walked me to my class.

“Meet me by my car when you’re done.”

“Okay, thanks for the ride.” He kisses my head and leaves. I could have driven myself but Kade insisted, because he was coming here anyway. However I have a feeling Chase told him to keep an eye on me.

Class dragged on, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Chase. Afterwards I was walking and texting Nikki at the same time, when I came face first with a wall. Or what felt like a wall, it was actually a hard bodied male. I almost go flying but he steadies me. I look into brown eyes and apologize. I do a double take when I recognize Derek, James and Kade’s friend.

“Layla, right?”

“Derek, hi! How are you, I haven’t seen you since my first night in the house.”

“Yeah, I was there at the party last weekend, but the boys told me you were out of town.” He looks like he was disappointed by that news.

“Well I kind of made an appearance last minute, I had no idea they were going to throw a party.”

Derek chuckles, “The Steele boys always throw parties, so you better get used to it.”

Steele? Oh yeah, James and Kade have a different father to Chase. Kade and James Steele, hot name!

“So are you dating anyone right now?” He asks me confidently. Oh wow. I had no idea he was interested.

“Well, not exactly. It’s complicated; I’m not really interested in dating anyone right now.” It’s the truth. This thing with Chase has me consumed. “I could seriously use a friend though, if you want the position?”

Derek gives me a full blown smile, he’s a handsome guy. “I’ll take any position you offer me.”

I laugh. “No, but seriously. I can do friends. Come on, I’ll walk to you your next class.”

The rest of the day is uneventful, and I walk to Kade’s car and wait for him:

L: I’m ready when you are.



K: On my way.



He arrives a few minutes later. “How was your day?” he asks.

“It was good. I ran into your friend Derek.”

Kade raises his eyebrow and mutters “I bet he loved that.”

“We are officially friends. Trust me; I could use all of those I can get.”

“I was told to keep an eye on you, and you come back, best friends with the campus playboy. Chase is going to love this,” he grumbles.

“Chase and I are over, so Chase doesn’t have to love anything,” I say tonelessly.

Kade sighs, and tenses his hands on the steering wheel. I quickly change the subject.

“Hey! Derek is your friend. Besides, I thought you or James would have the title of campus playboy.”

Kade laughs, “Well, we are friends with him for a reason,” he glances at me and waggles his eyebrows, “Similar interests and what not.”

I laugh. “Trying to seduce women is an interest?”

Kade laughs, “No princess, maybe it’s more like a sport. Or a hobby.”

We both laugh. “Apparently you don’t mind sharing though, do you?”

Kade smartly doesn’t reply. But for me, that is answer enough.

“We should hook up Nikki and Derek. Or better yet, Ryder and Nikki, he’s always had a bit of a thing for her.” I say, gouging his reaction. He purses his lips, but that’s his only outward reaction.

“What?” I ask innocently, even though he didn’t say anything. “She was saying she wanted to get laid.”

Kade tightens his hands on the steering wheel, but still says nothing.