Chase and Company

Chapter Thirteen: Dating Disaster? Was It Really?

                Camille whined like a little girl for me to be her Barbie doll for the night, and so I agreed. All the while, I told her about my night with Aiden and my date with Hudson. I didn't want to, but I felt obligated to be honest with her about all the things I do with Aiden.

                "Sounds magical," Camille said, smiling as she ran her fingers through a lock of my hair.

                I nodded, watching her through the mirror.

                "I'm glad you had a good date," she continued.

                "Yeah, Hudson is very sweet," I told her, hoping she would think the same. "I just kind of wished it was with a certain other Chase boy instead."

                Her smile wavered slightly and I felt my stomach drop. Never have Camille and I liked the same guy before and I was afraid I might have just hurt her.

                "Is it okay for me to like Aiden?" I asked her cautiously.

                She blinked at my reflection. "Why wouldn't it be?"

                I took in a breath. "I don't know. I feel like your feelings and mine will cause problems."

                She looked at me sharply. "I love you, Shay, but I'm not going to put off what I'm feeling for someone because of you. And you shouldn't stop liking Aiden because of me."

                I widened my eyes at her. "Where did that come from?" I asked.

                She smirked. "I know you Evans, and whenever something you want or do conflicts with someone that you respect or care for, unless it's a competition, you immediately back off. You're too willing to give up something you want for other people sometimes."

                I smiled at her and then frowned, conflicted. Here was the person closest to me in the world, giving me what I want but to the expense of what she wants.

                "But if you like him, I want you to go for him," I urged. "It doesn't matter if I like Aiden or not."

                Camille stopped curling my hair and just stared at me. "Shay," she said finally. "How was the date with Hudson?"

                "It was nice?" I said, unsure of what she meant.

                She shook her head, trying to hold back a smile. "No I mean, was it romantic or—"

                "We're just friends," I cut in. "And anyways, I wouldn't go from liking Aiden to going after his brother."

                Suddenly, Camille laughed. "Perfect," she said.

                "Why is that perfect?" I asked.

                "Because that's the Chase I'm chasing."

                 My mouth dropped.

                "It's so fun to play with their last name, right?" she continued. She glanced at my face and laughed again. "Sasha Sydney Evans, did you honestly think I liked Aiden Chase?"

                I clamped my mouth shut. "How was I supposed to know?" I protested. "It's not like you told me you like Hudson!"

                Camille looked at me sheepishly. "I didn't know if you would like the idea of me liking Aiden's brother. Plus, you're pretty close to Hudson."