Picture Perfect

Chapter 27: Paparazzi Strikes

          Walking into the house after putting the horses into the stables, Chase and Deagan are greeted by his two black labs, Rex and Sid.

          "Do you want something to change into?"

          "Umm yeah sure," looking down at her semi-wet clothes.

          "They missed you too," Chase smiles, referring to Rex and Sid as they are licking Deagan's face.

          She smiles, hugging the boys back and then following Chase to his room. Stepping into his room for the first time in three years, she notices it looks the same except for a couple of large sliding doors with a screened in porch and bigger bathroom.

          "Looks good," Deagan says referring to the home improvements.

           "Thank you," Chase says smiling pulling on some pajama pants. "You can pick whatever you want from the closet."

           She walks into his closet, looking through the clothes, digging deeper into the closet noticing a little pile of clothes of Chase's on the floor. She can't help but smile when she realizes its the clothes she used to wear of his.

          "You still have all these?"

          "Of course I do," Chase smiles, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

            Looking away from Chase she continues to rummage through them. After about five more minutes of searching, she finally settles on some Nike shorts and rolling them up a little and a tank top that was in a pile.

           "Do you wanna sit on the porch or lay in bed and watch a movie?"

            "Let's sit on the porch. Do you have any wine?"

          "I do," Chase confirms, leaning over and kissing her softly.

          They walk into the kitchen, Deagan picking out a Sauvignon Blanc as Chase pours them both glasses. They walk out to the back patio. Chase grabs a blanket out of the hall closet. They get out to the patio and sit down on the porch swing, Chase moving the blanket over them.

           "You don't see that in the city," Deagan says pulling her legs up and leaning against Chase. The sun setting, casting pretty blues, purples, and orange.

           "No, you certainly don't," Chase says kissing the top of her head. The sun continues to set, both sitting in silence watching the stars light up the sky.

           "Did you miss this?" Chase asks.

           "Yeah, it's kinda nice not hearing car horns and music and people," Deagan answers hearing the faint sounds of crickets and bullfrogs in the distance.

           "I couldn't agree more," Chase says, sliding a strand of hair behind Deagan's ear.

           She can't help but smile big at Chase, wondering if this is finally it. She doesn't want this moment to go away. After Chase slides a strand of hair behind her ear, she can't resist as she leans up lightly pressing her lips against his. She feels him kiss her back, his hand sliding onto her cheek and his thumb slowly running over her cheekbone. After a few minutes, Deagan pulls away and takes a deep breath looking at Chase.

           "You need a refill?" Deagan asks as she nods at Chase's empty wine glass.

           "I got it," Chase smiles taking Deagan's empty glass as well. He stands up and goes back inside.

           While she waits for Chase to come back, she pulls out her phone to check it. Upon looking at the phone, she notices a few missed calls from Corrine and also a few text messages from her as well.

            "Hey D, so who's the new guy you're already making out in lakes with?" Corrine asks the moment she picks up.

           "What are you talking about?" Deagan sighs.

           "There are pictures online of you and a guy, from what I understand the guy in that band with your sister, naked in a lake making out."

          "What?" Deagan says sitting up a little more. "Send me a link."

          "I already emailed it to you."

           After putting Corrine on speaker phone, she pulls her phone away and gets into her email, opening the filed marked: Corrine Daily. Pulling it open, she begins scrolling through the pictures, a lot of them making out in the lake like Corrine says and a few shots of Chase kissing her neck, the photos pretty hot.

           "Shit," she mumbles as she gets to the last one.

           "Yeah," Corrine intercedes, "so what's the deal with this guy? Are you seeing him? Because I've got people blowing up my phone for some comment since we all thought you're dating Troy," Corrine finishes, hearing Deagan sigh. "Deagan you have to give something even if its bullshit," Corrine says after a few minutes.

          "Troy and I haven't talked in weeks. You figure it out."

          "Okay," Corrine sighs as well, "I will figure something out," both girls hanging up.

          Chase walks out, both wine glasses refilled. "So we have a problem," Deagan states, getting straight to the point.

          "What's up?" Chase says sitting down beside her. He takes her phone as she hands it to him, scrolling through the article and pictures. "Well, that's creepy," Chase finally says.

          "It's very creepy," Deagan agrees, taking her phone back.

          "So besides it being creepy, what's wrong?"

          "You're not upset about this?" Deagan asks, surprised by Chase's answer.

           "Well, I'm pissed that they think they can do this to you because who in the hell thinks they can just walk up to a woman and take pictures like that is deranged."

          Deagan can't help but smile thinking its sexy when he gets defensive.

          "What?" Chase asks, cracking a smile.

          "It's hot when you get defensive over me."

          "Well, I can't help it," Chase shrugs his shoulders.

          "You know people are going to be coming to you now too since you are part of a new band," giving Chase a soft peck on the lips, "but even more now with pictures of us on the internet."

           "And?" Chase says setting the two wine glasses down.

           "I'm just saying have you dealt with paparazzi and reporters before?"

          "A little yeah but not full on like what you deal with. Maybe you should help your sister out with this whole thing too because I'm sure they'll be hunting her down soon too," Chase says kissing her temple.

          "I know," Deagan says softly closing her eyes.

           "Why don't we go lay down and get some rest? We have a long day tomorrow," suggests Chase.

          "Okay," Deagan finally says not protesting texting her mom to inform her where she is. They get up and grabbing the full wine glasses as Chase puts them in the fridge. Sliding his hand into Deagan's he starts to make his way upstairs, Deagan trailing behind him. Once in the room, of course, Rex and Sid climbing in as well. They both lay down at the foot of the bed, both of the dogs curled in little balls. Chase and Deagan slowly fall asleep, holding each other.