Fields of Iris

Guilty Conscience

Chase's P.O.V

It was much later than I intended as I left Dinner with the Mayor and his associates. Their plan to tell the community about expansion and change to Brooksedge was happening on Friday and I was almost on track with the sales. As I drove back to the hotel, I was ready to crawl into bed and sleep until I remembered the guest who showed up unannounced. Coming by my mom's today was a big mistake on my part. I should have been more clear when I told Cammie to stay in the car.

As embarrassing as it was to watch, it was even harder to look at Iris's reaction as I ran off from the stables to do damage control. I was so used to having her there to cover for me, it made me forget her feelings. My phone suddenly rang and as I looked down, I noticed Iris's number pop up, making me raise my eyebrow at what she would want at this hour. "Hello?" I asked, hearing loud music in the background.

"Uhh... hi," she muttered, clearly feeling awkward on the other side. "Cammie's here at Bucky's," she stated, slamming on my brakes, almost dropping my phone.

"What!?" I yelled much louder than I intended.

"Yeah and she's a little tipsy and you should probably come get her before Wayne asks her any more questions about your city life and what your doin down here," he said as I groaned and whipped my wheel around, speeding down the road.

"I'll be there in 15," I remarked, hoping to make it to 10.

"Ummm.. okay," she said.

"Wait!" I remarked, hearing her breath still on the other line. "Could you... watch her.. Just till I get there," I asked, feeling bad as I even said the words, but it wasn't like I could call anyone else and ask them to keep Cammie from opening her mouth about me and vice versa for that bum, Wayne.

"Sure...," she responded before clicking off and letting me race down the road, arriving at Bucky's in just under twelve minutes. I hopped out before walking in, I took off my tie, trying to look like less of a prick than they already thought of me. I then headed in, eyes turning to me as I looked around for Cammie. I then walked up, seeing Ray at the pool table, looking towards me with a face full of disdain.

"Hey, have you seen Iris?" I asked, knowing she would be with Cammie.

"Yeah. she's living her worst nightmare by having to take care of your blabbermouth girlfriend," he spoke aggressively. Just as I turned, Ray grabbed my arm and narrowed his eyes. "Why don't you stop torturing her and just go home already?" He remarked before turning back to the table and aiming his stick.

I clenched my jaw, an aching feeling hitting my chest. I shook my head, having no time to dwell on my evil deeds. I knew I wasn't a good guy. There was no need to remind me. I walked past and back to the bathrooms, opening the door to see Iris holding back Cammie's hair. She turned back to me, looking clearly upset as I stepped in.

"I'm sorry about this," I said before helping Cammie up. "Cammie, let's go," I said as she groaned and straightened up.

"You are so boring, Chase. You used to love to party!" She remarked as Iris raised an eyebrow, clearly remembering my party days herself.

"Yeah well, I thought I told you to stay at the hotel," I said as we moved out of the bathroom.

"It was boring there. And besides, these people were like your best friends as kids. And I met the orphan girl you told me about," she said as I mentally smacked my head, Iris's eyes falling to the ground. She then darted away, seeming to not want anything to do with me as I sighed, wanting nothing more than to go after her and explain.

"Well well, look who it is," I heard as I looked up to see Wayne standing there.

"You know, your girl here says you're living all nice and lavishly in the city. It makes me wonder why you're trying to buy out the whole town. Even trying to make my daddy's bar into some... some..." he stuttered as Cammie raised her finger.

"Cocktail lounge," she remarked as I huffed and shook my head. I wasn't going to explain myself to these people because I was just one part of a huge organization buying out this town.

"I think I should get her to bed," I said, going to walk past him, as he stepped in my way.

"Aw, how about we play a game of pool. Like the old days. Or have you really gotten that soft? With all that typing and walking around you do," he remarked as I rolled my eyes, not even feeding into his gaslighting. I couldn't admit that it irritated me a bit but I had to get Cammie out of here before she spilled anything else. I walked out of the door leaving them behind, not having time to deal with their immature comments.

It wasn't long until I got back to the room and put Cammie on the bed. "Your friends are so hillbilly. I thought things like that only existed in movies!" She harped as I rolled my eyes, hating that word.

"I hope you didn't tell them too much about my business. Your dad would be..."

"Blah blah. You know I think that hick girl is nice though," she blabbered as I remembered her calling Iris an orphan. I needed to apologize for that one. But more than anything, I needed to go back and make sure Cammie didn't permanently ruin any business deals for me. As I finished putting her to bed, I turned around and went out of the room, going back to the bar, not excited to see Wayne again. Maybe it would be fun to kick his ass in some pool though.

I arrived back at the bar and before walking in I looked through the window to see Iris spinning around with Billy Frank, a smile on both of their faces. Billy never mentioned having a thing for Iris when we were growing up, but by the way he was holding her while dancing, and looking at her, it was clear that he had one. Iris also looked just as happy. It was the first time I had seen her look at someone the way she looked at me, and I had to say... I didn't like how it made me feel.