Stronger Together (bxb) ✔

Chapter 47 - Chase

Chase's POV

My tears soak through the collar of Diego's suit as I cling to him, like one of those tight fitting shirts he loves to wear. Diego rubs soothing circles on my back, occasionally pressing light kisses to my hair or neck.

Stronger than the fear of how the case will end and the slight anger at those guys being out on bail, is the crushing guilt at having ruined our date. Why couldn't I just keep it together? Why did I have to let that news upset me? Why am I still so broken?

Diego must be so disappointed.

That thought is like a spiked stake through my heart. "I'm sor-"

"Don't apologise, Chase. You never have to apologise for how you feel. You should never feel bad if you don't want to do something and I don't want you to force yourself to do anything for my sake. That will hurt me a lot more than you cancelling at the last minute," Diego says in a gentle voice as he continues to hold me tight.

Relief floods over me at Diego's words and I try to shuffle closer to him, pressing my nose into the side of his neck. Right here, in his arms, I feel safe and I'm not ready to leave them just yet.

"Can we walk to the bed so that we can sit? Or I can pick you up?" Diego murmurs after a few minutes. Only then do I realize how knackered I am. We've been standing in this position for a while, with me leaning most of my body weight on Diego, so he must be even more tired than I am.

I jump a little and wrap my legs around Diego's waist. He staggers at my sudden action but steadies us before walking to the bed and sitting with me on top of him. My sobs, dwindle and eventually stop, as my boyfriend rubs calming circles on my back.

However, I'm still not ready to face him, so my head stays buried in the crook of his neck as my body relaxes even more and I drift off to sleep.

"Here's your food," a voice that sounds like Bryan's whispers, awakening me from my sleep. "Is he sleeping?"

Diego plants a kiss in my hair before humming a response. There is a moment of silence and I wonder if I should lift my head and greet them. I'm feeling much better now and I'm ready to talk to Diego. That thought flies out the window when I take my next breath, inhaling the familiar comfort that is Diego's smell. They already think I'm sleeping, so maybe I can wait a few more minutes before leaving my comfort bubble.

"What happened?" Bryan asks.

"I'm not sure. He fell asleep before he told me what happened. Can you take out the fries?" Diego responds.

I hear some shuffling before I feel Diego remove one of his hands from my back. This is promptly followed by a chewing motion and a low moan. "Thanks for bringing this. I haven't eaten since breakfast."

"No problem, I was already coming to visit Jesse." Bryan whispers. "Sorry you couldn't go on your date."

"It doesn't matter. I changed all the bookings for two days from now. If he's feeling better by then, we'll go, if not, I'll postpone it again. I just want my little lamb to be happy and if cuddling with me helps, then I'm on board. And you know I'm a sucker for cuddles, I could do this forever," Diego replies, and I can hear the smile in his voice which fills me with joy.

How did I find such a considerate boyfriend! I know I'll be ready to go on our date in a few days and I won't let anything ruin it.

One of his hands continues to rub my back, while I feel the other moving to his mouth.

Bryan releases a low chuckle. "And I thought I was whipped." He pauses briefly before saying, "you're going to wait the two extra days to tell him that you're in love with him?"