The Bachelors: a tiktok story

107: Chaden Take 2

*CHASE'S POV*

Josh had picked everyone up for the movie and dinner so you all headed to the same car... except Jaden who had met you all there. So as the girls loaded up in his car, Jaden tugged at Chase's arm and nervously asked:
"Do you maybe wanna go for a drive and talk?"

Chase looked back at the car to find Emma nodding to urge him on and quickly said his goodbyes:
"I think I'm gonna get a ride with Jaden but text me later."

He climbed into Jaden's car and was surprisingly nervous to be alone with him.They had been alone a few times but rarely intentionally and it'd always led to the same outcome. They had been texting all day but that was really it since they'd declared they would just be friends. He'd claimed the same thing about his best friend next door but that was crashing and burning the more time he spent with her and her boyfriend. He couldn't figure out why though because he had really meant it that he was happy for her.

He tried to let it all go and just enjoy his night because the truth was he had laughed more in this 15 minute car ride with Jaden than he had in a long time and he hadn't even been trying. They listened to music and talked about the movie Chase and Josh had been forced to sit through.

Jaden: "So what do you think of him?"

Chase: "Josh?"

Jaden led sarcastically:
"No the lead in that crap movie the girls made you watch... yes, Josh."

Chase: "He's actually perfect for her."

Jaden: "See? That's what I said. Way better than I would been. Besides. I don't think she's who I was meant to be with at all."

Jaden pulled over and parked across the street from Chase's house. Chase didn't know how to respond to that so he welcomed thr change of subject. Jaden turned the car off and turned to Chase:
"I really had fun tonight. I'm glad I decided to come when Emma invited me."

Chase reached across to pick a piece of lint off of Jaden's jacket as he answered:
"I'm really glad I decided to get in this car."

The chemistry between them was growing as Chase's hand lingered on Jaden's arm. After a few moments of silence, Jaden couldn't take the heat building and leaned in slowly. Chase felt his breath catch in his throat.

Jaden paused:
"I know you're scared..."

Chase remained speechless until Jaden finished:
"...and if you aren't ready then I will keep waiting..."

Chase: "But?"

Jaden leaned in closer with each word:
"But I'm going to count to 5 and if want to stop me then you're just going to have to get out of this car. 5... 4... 3... 2..."

Chase interrupted his countdown by pushing his lips against Jaden's to even his own surprise. For once he didn't have a single thought of who might be watching and just acted on what felt so right.

*END CHASE'S POV*

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This chapter had a glitch that it didn't save the changes I made while editing. So for the 17 of you that saw it before I fixed it, sorry if it was short and didn't make sense. It's all groovy now if you wanna give it another read 🥰

On the car ride home, Josh just smiled and enjoyed the way you two always had something to talk and laugh about. Emma was really such a great best friend.

Emma: "I just totally think they make such a cute couple!!"

You: "I just never saw them together, I guess."

Emma: "That's because you've only ever known straight Chase, not totally loves boys Chase."

Josh: "Is this a new out of the closet thing?"

Emma: "Yeah but he's not exactly out with anyone but his closest friends so don't mention it until he tells you."

You were desperate to change the subject before someone accidentally said something that brought up questions you weren't ready for:
"Speaking of closets... I literally would rather hide in mine all night than spend it at my house tonight, ugh."

Emma whispered from the backseat leaning in to the side closest to the door so Josh couldn't hear:
"Don't be so tense. I won't be the one to say anything. I gotchu babes."

You squeezed her hand before she leaned back and added more serious and aloud:
"What if you moved out?"

You: "God, I do miss the privacy and freedom I had at college for sure."

Josh: "What made you move home anyway?"

Emma looked at Josh then you, curious if you'd told him the whole story. Truth was you hadn't told either of them the entire story. Just a less complicated version that included you getting in a huge fight with your roommate. That she'd thought you hooked up with her boyfriend and you'd denied it and the fight that ensued anyway left you wanting to escape university life. The truth was so much worse and you had no intention on telling anyone... ever.

You lied: "I already told you both why."

Emma: "I think he meant like why back home with your parents instead of your own place."

You: "I guess I just wasn't ready to live on my own with everything I'd been through. I just needed a kinda mental reset."

Josh leaned over to kiss your forehead letting you know he understood it was a subject you wanted dropped.

Emma: "If you are serious about getting your own place Olivia is moving out at the end of the week... just sayin."

You: "What? Why?"

Emma: "She left the restaurant and decided she wanted to go back to college next semester, so she wants to move closer to campus."

You: "I don't know... What about Eva? She doesn't like me much better."

Emma: "She's not that bad but her part of the lease is up in a few months and if it doesn't work out I can always tell her I'm not renewing her lease."

Josh: "You're the landlord at 21?"

Emma: "Yeah my parents left me in charge of their condo when they decided to travel to Europe for a job opportunity for my step-dad."

Josh was too stunned to speak as you pulled up at your house. You sighed as you climbed out of the car because the arguing could be heard from the street.