Her Escape

Chapter 21

Takeover

"Emotional pain cannot kill you, but running from it can. Allow. Embrace. Let yourself feel. Let yourself heal." – Vironika Tugaleva

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"Alright, we need to talk." Chase said, plopping down on the couch next to me and propping his feet on the coffee table.

Of course Chase wasn't just going to all of a sudden develop a concussion and forget everything I told him about Ben.

I lifted an eyebrow, glaring at his feet. "About?"

"Your hair scrunchies and coffee mugs and – and blankets are taking over my apartment." He widely gestured around. "Now, I don't have a problem with you living here, but I swear to God if I find another fucking hair scrunchie on the bathroom sink or on the kitchen counter – I'm throwing all that shit out."

"What do you have against my hair scrunchies?" I narrowed my eyes, pulling my leg out from under me and twisting to fully face him.

"And this morning," He continued, his jaw clenched. "I found red hair in my fucking cereal!"

Oops.

"I'm sorry." I bit my bottom lip, trying to mask my laugh with a cough.

"I'm glad you find this amusing." 

Giggling at his murderous glare, "I do actually." 

Chase continued to study my face for another brief moment before shaking his head and standing up. "Women." I heard him mutter under his breath as I tried to stifle another laugh.

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't taken the term make yourself at home a little too literal lately.

I'd been meaning to finally go out and start looking for a new place now that I had more money than what I started out with when I first got to Philadelphia, but I couldn't deny the safety and comfort I got from this place. From being around... well, Chase.

But perhaps it was time. I couldn't keep living with him forever.

.........

"Lexie, you don't talk much about your childhood." Scarlett said, taking a large bite out of the eggroll she was devouring. I felt the air chill as I stretched my leg out from under me. From the corner of my eye I saw Chase was pointedly staring at me and he had visibly tensed.

"Scarlett," Darius nudged her, and I didn't miss the slight head shake he gave her.

"What?" She asked.

"It's none of your business." He muttered, but I could still hear him.

"Darius, it's fine." I forced a smile.

The four of us were sitting on the floor in Chase's living room eating Chinese food.

Chase had me sparring with Darius for a change while he was off doing whatever it is he does in his spare time, and after we locked up, Scarlett ordered food. She took it upon herself to declare at least one night after work Team Building Activity Day – a fancy term for the four of us just hanging out together.

Not that I was complaining. I was actually looking forward to our after-work hang-outs.

Until now, that is. 

"Not much to it." I shrugged, my eyes focused on the piece of chicken I was pushing around on my plate. "I grew up in San Diego. Bounced around a few foster homes. After high school, I took a few classes at San Diego State. The usual."