Chase (Resisting Love #1)(4)

“Who is ‘we’,” I ask him.

Kade lifts an eyebrow. “Does it matter?”

“I guess not,” I mumble sulkily.

“Come on, don’t be shy. This is your house too,” he tells me in a serious tone.

“Okay,” I say, exhaling hard. I jump out of bed and walk out with Kade. When I only see James sitting on the deck, drink in hand, I turn and give Kade a look. He gives me an easy smile in return. I sit down, and James hands me a beer.

“Done hiding?” James teases. I blush. “Oh come on Layla, I’m just playing. You don’t need to hide from us,” he says. I’m about to respond when a girl walks out onto the deck. Short white shorts and a white net top, I can practically see her breasts. She takes a seat on Kade’s lap.

“Eve, this is Layla, she lives here with us,” Kade introduces us.

Eve pouts. “She lives here... with you?” She repeats slowly.

“Yep,” Kade replies, popping the P.

“I don’t like it,” she replies after a few moments.

“You don’t need to like anything,” Kade says before taking a sip of his beer.

I glance over at James who is text messaging someone. I stand up and head for the kitchen. “Where you going Layla?” Kade asks instantly, thinking his girl is running me off.

“To the kitchen, I’ll be back.”

He nods.

I walk into the kitchen and decide to bake some brownies. I’m just putting them into the oven when Eve walks in. She steps into the kitchen like she’s on a mission, and stops right in front of me, trying to intimidate me. It doesn’t work. Here is the thing about me. I don’t like confrontation, and I don’t like to fight. I don’t like to get involved; I like my life drama free. But that doesn’t mean I won’t fight back. I don’t let anyone disrespect me. People tend to mistake my kindness for weakness. Their mistake.

“Listen here; if you even think of putting moves on Kade, you will regret it. He is mine and just because you live here, and you’re convenient * for him, you aren’t going to have him,” she spits out at me.

“What exactly are you going to do about it?” I goad. I have no intentions on doing anything with Kade, but this girl is asking for it.

“I will get Kade to kick you out, you whore!” She screeches.

I’m about to tell her exactly where she can shove that threat, when Kade walks into the kitchen, rage flashing in his eyes.

“Get out Eve, and don’t bother coming back,” he growls.

“What? But Kade, I...”

“You have the f*cking audacity to talk to my friend like that? I don’t need that shit. Leave now, Eve,” he demands.

Eve stomps away, shouting a few curse words at Kade before slamming the front door as she departs.

“You don’t put up with any of that shit okay Layla,” he tells me, his voice now gentle. “You live here, you be comfortable here. You get first priority. Anyone says shit to you, or you don’t like something, come to me or James, we will take care of it,” he says as he gently tugs on a lock of my hair.

He is so damn sweet.

“Thanks Kade,” I say softly.

“No need to thank me, you can just share whatever your baking that smells so damn good,” he says, his eyes twinkling. I laugh.

“Of course I was going to share; I baked enough for a small army.”

Thirty minutes later, I bring out the brownies and vanilla ice cream. We all sit out on the deck eating.

“This is f*cking good Layla,” Kade growls, “The woman can bake.”

“It seriously is,” commends James. “Wait, I thought you said you couldn’t cook?”

I stifle a laugh and say, “Baking is not cooking.”

Kade glances over at me and grins, “I think we are gonna be the best of friends,” he says before shoving a huge spoonful of brownie in his mouth.

I laugh.





Chapter Three





My third night in the house was fun. Kade and James make me feel welcome, so it’s not as awkward as I thought it would be. We end up watching a few movies, and playing more PS3. It turns out I’m pretty good at Call of Duty, and Kade kept muttering ‘wifey’ comments every time I played well. We order Chinese for dinner, and when I try to pay, Kade and James almost have a fit. I ordered my usual honey chicken and fried rice, and the guys ordered enough to feed an army. When they finished everything, I must say, I was impressed.

The next morning, I wake up when I hear noises in the kitchen. I walk out wearing a pair of track pants and a tank top.

“Hey James,” I mumble sleepily.

“Mornin’ Laylay,” he greets.

“Laylay?” I repeat disbelievingly.

James just grins.

“Oh come on! Find something better than that please!” I beg.

“Hmmm I quite like Laylay. How about princess?” he asks.

“Princess Laylay?” I must look horrified.

James bursts out laughing.

“Maybe. I do like star wars,” is his reply. Ugh. That’s princess Leia not Layla. But whatever.

“What are you doing today?” I ask after I put two pieces of toast in the toaster.

“Got some shit to do in a bit.” James, always so vague. I’m not going to lie, I’m curious as hell about James. He is so laid back, calm, easy going and sometimes very quiet. The saying ‘It’s the quiet ones you need to look out for’ reminds me of James. There is something there under that gentle exterior.