Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11)(148)

Ben was very quiet.
“What?”

“You have changed. I’m looking forward to seein’ you. Drive safe.”

Immediately after Chase hung up he called Elroy.
“You’d better not be calling me to bail you outta jail, McKay,” Elroy barked.
“Good morning to you too, sunshine. I’ll keep this brief. I have a family emergency in Wyoming and I’m taking off right now.”

“Wait. Hold on. You’re leaving Wichita? Chase. Did it escape your notice that you’re in first place?”

“No, it didn’t, trust me. But it can’t be helped.”

Elroy sighed. “You’re looking at your first event win in over a year. On your first tour stop after the suspension. How can you walk away from that?”

“My family needs me.”

“That puts us in a helluva bind, especially after the stuff you spewed on live camera tonight.”

“Not my problem. I said my piece, I meant what I said and I won’t issue a retraction. If the PBR wants to add a disclaimer that I spoke on my own behalf, and not on behalf of the organization, that’s fine.”

“You sure you’re not making a calculated move? Leaving abruptly to build the buzz? And adding to the speculation you’re involved with Ava Cooper since she wasn’t at the event with you?”

Chase counted to twenty before he spoke. “That bullshit PR spin stuff is suited for your devious mind, Elroy, not mine. I’d rather get on a bull tomorrow afternoon, win the event and pick up a big, fat check than spend twelve hours in my truck driving home to deal with family issues. As far as Ava, she’s not a topic of discussion. Ever.”

Elroy laughed. “The one time you’ve actually got a decent hook-up that could be worth great press for months to come, you’re telling me…no?”

“I’m telling you f*ck no.” Chase hung up. He stopped at the first convenience store and loaded up on Rockstar Energy drinks and sunflower seeds. When he saw the bag of red licorice he automatically threw it in the pile, like he always did, only realizing when he reached the truck his licorice-eating copilot wasn’t there.
It’d be a long goddamn drive without her.
No, it’ll be a long goddamn life without her.
Chapter Thirty-One

Chase pulled into Ben’s driveway at eleven a.m. Ace and Deuce greeted him with wagging tails, bumping into his knees expecting to be petted.
Ben opened the door and the dogs beat him inside. “Coffee’s on.”

“Good.” He adjusted his duffel. “Lemme shower and I might feel almost human.”

He was down to one clean pair of jeans and one clean shirt. Maybe Ben would let him throw in a couple loads of laundry. The last time he’d washed clothes was with Ava,
During the drive he’d rehearsed everything he wanted to say to her. And he’d say it to her face. In California, depending on what shook loose from this family meeting.
Ben sat at the enormous bar, staring into a mug of coffee. Chase poured himself a cup and joined his brother.
“So you honestly have no idea what’s goin’ on?”

“No. But I’m thinkin’…wouldn’t it suck if Dad found out he has cancer right after he retired?”

“Yeah. My thoughts ran along those same lines.”

They drank their coffee in silence.
“So you and Ava Cooper, huh?”

“Seems impossible, don’t it?”

“Not really. I knew you were done for when you listed all the great things about her and then swore you weren’t gonna drag her to bed the first chance you got.”