It's Always Been You

chapter eleven

Riley

Four years ago

"I'm so glad today is over."

I'm massively hungover.

My choices yesterday weren't wise and now I'm paying the price. However Chase has been amazing as usual. Waking me up this morning, getting me numerous coffees throughout the day inbetween classes, and now he is cooking me dinner in my apartment.

Although he has been there for me all day, he hasn't spoken much and I'm worried I did something. I know we slept in the same bed together last night, I briefly woke up sweating in the middle of the night and realized he was spooning me. He is honestly like a human radiator.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

I ask him again for the tenth time today.

"Yep. Dinner is nearly ready."

***

"This place is cool. I like it."

We are trying out a new club tonight as it's been a while since all three of us were out together.

"Here's to girls night!"

We all cheers and down our shots before heading onto the dancefloor. It's packed in here tonight, but that's what you get for a Saturday night in London. I suddenly feel a pair of hands on my hips and I spin around to see who they belong to.

"Heyyy sexy. Nice ass!" An older drunk man slurs at me.

"Ew, back the fuck off." Loren pushes the guy away as we make a break for it to the bar.

"I know we said find a guy tonight Riles, but not him." Evie laughs pulling a face.

"I told you, I'm happy being single."

"No, what you mean is that you fancy Chase." Loren raises her brow at me.

Since filling the girls in on what happened the other day, they have been teasing me about Chase. I wish I'd never told them.

Speak of the devil.

My phone starts ringing in my pocket with Chase's name flashing on the screen.

Before I can answer it, Evie snatches it out of my hand and starts chatting away.

"Sorry Riley can't come to the phone right now, she's getting with some hot older guy who is going to show her a good-"

"Evie!" I pull my phone from her hand and make my way to a quieter spot to hear his voice.

"Riley? Are you there?"

Shit. He sounds mad.

"Chase, what can I do for you?" I warily chuckle awaiting his response.

"What the fuck Riley? Where are you? Who are you getting with?"

"What?"

"Riley, I swear to fucking God you better not be fucking some random guy in a club."

My mouth drops to the ground at his accusation. I was definitely not expecting that.

"I don't know who you think you are telling me what I can and cannot do! Is that what kind of person you think I really am?"

Hurt is bubbling in my stomach. My chest feels tight thinking how angry his voice is right now. He cannot speak to me like that.

"Forget it."