Chase and Company

Chapter Twenty Five: To Love and To Lose

I felt his warmth settle in my pores when his body enveloped mine and I breathed in his scent deeply. I never realized how much I depended on him. I swiped at the tears under my eyes, hoping that I didn't look like drowned raccoon. "I think you're ruffling my feathers," I sniffled out, laughing slightly. Aiden laughed back, his smile brilliant as he tucked a chestnut curl away from my face.

Aiden's point of view

               I moved some of her curls back so I could see Shay's face better.

               "You look absolutely breathtaking," I told her outright. Shay blushed immediately and I settled my hand against her cheek so I could feel its warmth. Aside from the dress, which was undoubtedly of amazing design, Shay's hair and makeup piqued my interest, a rare occurrence for any guy. Her hair had been curled to a glossy perfection, the front locks formed into some sort of pin-up. And while her milky smooth skin and bright pink lips enticed me greatly, it was her eyes that I couldn't look away from.

               An intense black, the color softened at the edges, only to be defined again with an even darker eyeliner and a starkly contrasted thin silver streak. Her bottom lashes were intense but the white line above them made her eyes look larger than normal or possible. Her brows had a seemingly perpetual furrowed look and her eyelashes fluttered softer than, well, feathers.

               "You look amazing yourself," Shay said breathlessly. She bit down on her bottom lip and I almost moaned as my eyes zeroed in on the action. Sure I kissed her this morning in Jillian's apartment but that was barely anything. Since the endless hours with Shay at the Hampton house, I had gone completely cold turkey. Now, with her pressed snugly against me, I was fully aware how much kissing we would have to do to catch up for all those weeks missed. "Aiden?"

               "Yes?" I said distractedly. I focused on the brown of her eyes, accentuated by the dark makeup.

               "I thought you weren't going to come," Shay said, holding eye contact with me.

               I smiled at her sheepishly. "I know. I'm so sorry I was late." I scratched the back of my neck before lowering my hand to my side. Shay grabbed it and slipped her fingers between mine.

               "Where were you?" she asked.

               I looked away from her. "With Brody," I said.

               I felt the heat of Shay's body leave and I pulled her back close. She pressed her hands against my chest as she tried to push away. Panicking, I tugged her along with me, not caring about the stagehands watching us weirdly. I opened a private bathroom and threw the two of us in there, which is a hard task to do, considering the bulk and weight of her dress.

               "Shay, listen first—"

               "If I talk to the guy, it's the end of the world, but it's perfectly okay for you to?" she asked harshly, huffing as she struggled in my grip. "Think, Aiden, how twisted is that?"

               She finally pulled away and I instantly regretted saying anything. "We weren't friendly whatsoever," I growled lowly.

               "And you thought Brody and I were?" Shay yelled, making me wince. When I said I loved to argue with Shay, I didn't mean serious screaming matches like the ones that we've been having recently. "I swear to God, if you went back to beat the crap out of him, that's even more idiotic."

               "No," I said, scowling. I forced myself to breathe deeply to keep my cool. "I told him he needed to cancel his show, or else I'd tell Cappello how badly he treats his coworkers. Cappello's our rival, but at least he knows what respect is and where the boundaries are."