Something between Us

Chapter 42.

Henry always knows how to throw a party, his house is packed out with people and honestly I don't recognise many of them. 
Lola's eyes dart to leggy blonde who's eyeing her up from the corner of the living area, I roll my eyes and laugh, this is the part where she slowly edges away and puts her chat up lines to use on the pretty girl. 
She looks at me first for approval, "go I'm fine," I smile meaning it.
Lola's been my rock the last few months I want her to have fun and enjoy herself rather than worrying about me constantly. 
"Have fun" I pause, "she's hot." Lola laughs and agrees. 
"Why has that turned me on?" 
I shove Lola away she's an absolute dork sometimes. I scan the room unsure what it is I'm actually looing for. Or who it is. 
I decide to play a game of beer pong because why the heck not.
"Have you got a partner yet?" A nervous voice comes up to me, I'm slightly buzzed from the  shots of vanilla vodka I've had to give me party courage. It takes me a few beats of the backing song to realise it's Tate. 
I frown pretending to consider his offer. 
"Come on Ally, you're ruining my rep here," he teases and I smile, it's nice to be at a place with Tate where we aren't desperately trying to avoid each other. No matter what happened, Tate isn't a bad guy, I've met bad guys and I know he's not one of them.
"You know I'm only agreeing to this because you're an athlete and I hate losing," I tease him right back and we're in a moment of two people having fun at a party together. No drama. 
"Come on Ally you're terrible," Tate laughs as I down my third drink of tequila mixed with beer. 
"I'm going to hurl," I warn him as he slaps my back gently encouraging me to down this disgusting mixture. 
Tate throws the ball and it goes straight into the cup, I jump in excitement as we finally seem to be catching up.
I jump up and hug Tate in my excitement, I'm surprised when it doesn't feel strange but I'm sure it's just the alcohol. 
Lola runs to me and drags my arms "hey," I yell stumbling as she pulls me back.
"We should head out," Lola's eyes are wide and I'm too drunk to even try and work out what drama she's caused this time.
"She's having fun Lola, she's fine..."
Tate speaks for me.
"Yes, but we need to leave." Lola look at him with knowing  eyes, "now."
"Okay get the hell off me," I shove her off me annoyed now. 
"Can you guys-" the game of beer pong has crushed my sober mind now, I can't form a coherent sentence. 
"Pp pis - piss off speaking for me," I'm one hundred percent slurring my words.
I point in Tate's face, "I can talk for myself Mr hot shot douche," I tell him and I'm sure he looks shocked but my eyes aren't fully focused yet. 
"Ally," Lola is insistent and then I see why. 
When my eyes regain focus I see what's concerned her so much. 
"What the fuck" I yell and I feel Lola's grip on my arm tighten. 
"Let's go Ally," She repeats and I shake my head.
"It's totally cool. Chase can date Meldem all he likes." I know he miss prounouced her name, yes, I'm petty like that.
Fuck he's coming over. I don't know what possess my next move, but I have to act fast. 
I told Chase I was cool with him dating and when I'm sober yeah I can pretend to be. When I'm drunk there's no stopping my petty ass scolding him for moving like he should be. 
I act on reflect, I act on impulse. Before I know it I'm grabbing Tate, face to mine. 
I'm fucking kissing my ex boyfriend who I broke up with to be with the boy who has just walked over to me with his new girl on his arm. 
Make room for me in hell because I'm on my way there.
Tate kisses me back, the kiss isn't passionate, it's familiar. It's nice. 
Lola drags me back and looks me square in the face, "what the hell Benson,"
shit, she only uses my last name when she's pissed at me. 
I look at her sheepishly and burst into hysterical laughter. I look at Tate and mouth, I'm sorry. 
I'm waiting for him to yell at me for using him. He doesn't. 
"That felt different." He admits and I pout. 
"Not bad, you're still an amazing kisser. It's just-" he pauses feeling uncomfortable.
"You felt nothing?" I ask and he nods, "me too." 
Lola looks at us like we've grown another head, "you guys are fucked up."
I laugh acknowledging how true that statement is, I look behind Tate and Chase is no longer there, Meldrid is. 
"Don't you dare," It's like the moment Lola noticed Melrose stood alone she knows what I'm thinking.
"We said no drama tonight," she reminds me. 
In my drunk state I put my finger over her lips hushing her. 
"You worry too much," I peck her on the lips and wonder in the direction I'm almost certain he'll have gone. 

BINGO.
"You don't really get parties do you," I tease as I find Chase exactly where I knew he would be, he's in the same room he and Tate had their huge fight in. The same room where he kissed me and I knew his feelings were real. 
He doesn't say a word to me though, he doesn't turn around to face me, he's looking out the bedroom window onto the people in the pool drinking and enjoying the party. 
Ergh, I really should be out there. 
"Earth to Chase," I walk closer to him and he moves away still not looking at me. 
"You know," I ignore the fact he's clearly not in the talking mood. 
"Your date Mildred must be getting bored if you've left her out there alone."
"Fuck you Ally," Bingo, that's got his attention. 
When he turns around he looks pissed. I've seen Chase pissed at me a hell of a lot over the years. But this time it's different. 
"Someone is a little bit of an angry goose," I slur my words laughing so hard and I don't even know why. 
I'm laughing so much that I stumble over and fall on the bed.
"Fuck off Ally." 
Wow, he is pissed. Fuck you. Fuck off. Who does he think he's speaking to like that.
"You don't get to speak to me like that Chase," I'm still laughing, maybe if I keep laughing he'll join in with my hysteria and get out of his grump. 
"But you get to kiss Tate right in front of me?" 
BINGO, we're at the real issue here.
I  fumble to my feet, he's finally giving me eye contact now.
"Oh but you get to bring a date to a party you know I'll be at?" 
I cross my arms over my chest trying hard to portray some level of drunken authority. 
"You ended it Al," he reminds me in a hushed voice.
"You're dating, so why do you care who I kiss?" I may as well join in stating the obvious and get some clarification while I'm at it.
"Tate's a tool,"
"Melod isn't right for you." 
I guess we knew we'd end up here again, jealous and angry despite being so sure we're finally in a good place.
"Oh yeah, and who is?" Chase stalks towards me like a hunter with it's pray in clear view. 
"I'm not playing these games Chase." I say with attitude. 
In a flash he's eyes lock in on mine, his face inches from mine. My heart is pounding out of my chest. 
I'll never know how this boy has this affect on me. His gaze is sobering.
Chase brings his index finger to my chin tilting my head to face him, our bodies are touching and the heat is crippling me. 
"Say you want this Al, tell me you're ready for us and I'm yours."
His words hold so much meaning, so much urgency. 
"What about Meldrid?" I choke and Chase laughs softly.
"Melody.." he corrects me and I screw my face.
"I prefer the name Meldrid," I pout and this rewards me with the most breath-taking smile.
"She's not my date," I look at him confused. Why has he let me believe she is if she's not.
"Melody is into Lola." 
God I'm an idiot. "So why did you let me believe she was your date?"
Chase flashes his half smile, he's so sure of himself. The arrogance is turning me on. 
"You wanted to make me jealous. Didn't you."
I push him away but he doesn't let me, he holds me in place. 
"Tell me you're not ready and I'll respect your decision Al, because I'm ready."
He leans in to kiss me and I let him, just like I always do but I pull away quickly. 
I pull away before his lips intoxicate my whole thoughts. 
"I do love you Chase. But-" I pause.
Chase takes a step back, "it's fine I get it Al."
"I let you down and you saved yourself. You're thriving and you don't need this drama back in your life." I swear he's holding back tears but he doesn't let a single drop fall. 
"I love you Al."
He kisses my forehead and walks away, leaving me alone in the same bedroom that hold our past dramas.