Chase (Resisting Love #1)(49)

“She’s a cyclone!” I grumble.

“At least I found out something that bodes well for me,” he says with a smirk.

“What?” I ask, suddenly suspicious.

“You’re still going to be a babe at forty five.” He chuckles.

I slap him on the arm, causing his chuckle to turn into a throaty laugh.

******

I walk into the restaurant, looking for Ryder. He’s sitting in a booth in the far left corner; I can see his dark brown head of hair. I walk over and give him a kiss on the cheek, before jumping in the seat opposite him. It was time Ryder and I had a talk. I know while it wasn’t really his business about my relationships, but he truly loved me and was thinking of my best interests.

“Layla.” Ryder greets, looking happy to see me. He looks handsome in jeans and a white shirt. His hair is a beautiful chocolate brown, and curls behind his ears. Both of his arms are covered in tattoos, and he even has one on his neck. His smoky grey eyes have been known to break many hearts.

“Hey Ry,” I give him a crooked smile.

The waiter comes over and we both order.

I hear Ryder sigh, and shake his head sadly. “Ok, I’m just going to get to the point. Are you still with him?”

I look up and nod. “Yes, Ryder, I am.”

He looks thoughtful. “You know you deserve much better, right?”

“Ry..”

“No, listen, Layla. I’ve known Chase a long time, and while he’s a good friend, I’ve seen what he’s like with women,” his eyes plead with mine.

“Ryder, I’m a big girl. I know he’s got a bad track record, but he’s changed.”

“I know you can take care of yourself, but you’re family. He’s going to hurt you.” He runs his hands over his face as he says this.

“Ryder, I think I love him,” I whisper, almost reverently.

He says nothing for a while, just stares into my eyes, searching.

“And I love you, Layla, so if this is what you want... I won’t say anything more. But for the record, I don’t think this is a good idea. If he hurts you, tell him I will kill him,” he growls the last part.

“Okay,” I say, a faint smile on my lips.

We make small talk the rest of lunch, talking about work, and how the family is doing.

“So, I haven’t seen Nikki around lately. What’s she been up to?” he asks nonchalantly. I know Ryder, I think he has had a thing for Nikki for a while, but for some reason, he seems to be hiding it. Kind of like with Kade. Men are so confusing!

“She’s good,” I tell him, “still balancing school and partying. Her and Kade have some weird non relationship thing going on.”

“What?” He hisses.

“Yeah, something is going on. I keep asking her about it, but get no answers.” It was getting frustrating.

Ryder’s jaw tenses, and I can see his knuckles go white as he tightens his grip on the table.

Ryder changes the subject, and we chat some more. We finish lunch and Ryder pays, scowling at me when I offer to. He walks me out to my car and opens the door for me.

“Text me when you get home safe, baby cuz,” he says.

“I will. Thanks for lunch, Ryder.”

“Anytime beautiful,” he kisses my forehead. “We will catch up soon,” he says before walking to his car. He waits for me to drive off before he does. Always a gentleman, my Ryder.

Later that night we are all sitting on the deck, the men are drinking beer, and I’m drinking a margarita.

“Can I ask you all something?” I blurt out.

Three pairs of eyes pin me, and I clear my throat. “The sharing girls’ thing, what’s the deal.” Kade and James look at Chase, who is still staring at me.

“I won’t get mad, I swear.” I promise.

Chase shrugs nonchalantly. “Girls just come to the house, or girls we’ve picked up. They don’t care which one of us they are with most of the time, and we don’t care either. Those girls don’t belong to any of us, so if they want to hook up with all three of us, we could care less.” He watches my reaction intently, for any signs of me getting upset.

“They use us as much as we use them, trust me, and they know what they are in for, we don’t make any false promises. We are upfront that we don’t want anything serious.” James adds.

“Really,” I say purposely checking out Kade, exaggeratedly.

Chase growls and I can’t help a throaty laugh.

Kade smirks. “Can’t handle the competition anymore, bro?” he taunts, earning his a slap on the back of his head.





Chapter Twenty Seven


It’s the night of the party and people are already piling in. I’m stressed out. Loud music is pumping, scantily clad women everywhere. I’m pretty sure there are two women for every male here; no wonder everyone loves Kade’s parties. I see Chase standing at the breakfast bar with Kade and James. Kade has a woman standing on either side of him, an arm wrapped around each one. James is talking to some blonde bombshell. Chase glances up and sees me, his eyes lighting up. I’m wearing black skinny jeans, a tight black top and bright red pumps. I didn’t want to dress up too much, considering the party is at our place, and I don’t plan on socializing for long.