That was weird. He didn’t believe for a minute that Gina had suddenly remembered ‘what they’d had.’ A couple of weeks of hot sex months before did not equal a relationship.
No? What about Ella? You knew you had something special with her after one night.One night of sex but afterward weeks of being together without the sex. They’d built on their connection, through friendship, as well as the heat between them they tried to ignore.
As for Gina, he couldn’t help thinking she’d had an agenda. What it was, he didn’t know.
*
Chase found outwhat Gina’s angle was while driving home the next day. Damaris called him.
“What in the hell is wrong with you?”
Annoyed, he turned down his music. “Hello to you too. Nothing’s wrong with me. Why?”
“Have you checked your social media?”
“Of course not. I’m driving home. You know I don’t check it regularly, and sure as hell not when I’m on the road. It’s crazy-making.” In fact, if his agent—make that ex-agent—hadn’t nagged him to set up a page, he still wouldn’t have one.
“Do you have your tablet?”
“Did you not hear me? I’m in the truck on the way home.”
“Use your phone.”
“I’m not pulling over to look at some stupid social media thing. Just tell me.”
The call dropped. Or she hung up. Great. Now he was curious. Damaris was never mysterious. No, she came right out and told you what was up. He checked the gas gauge. He could make it home but it wouldn’t hurt to fill up. He pulled off at the next station. His phone rang while he was pumping gas.
She hadn’t hung up; the call had dropped. Damaris took up where she’d left off. “As soon as we hang up, go to your main social media page. Then call me back.”
Knowing she’d hassle him until he did it, he ended the call and checked, a bad feeling settling in his gut. There, plain as day, was a big picture of Chase and Gina kissing at the door to his hotel room. Fuck. He stared at it. It looked bad. He knew he hadn’t instigated it, or even wanted it, but that wasn’t what it looked like.
He called Damaris back. “Well?” his sister said. “What were you thinking? You’re supposed to be with Ella. I thought you were happy. I thought you were crazy about her. Why would you—”
He broke in. “I didn’t. It’s not what it looks like. I was trying to get rid of her and—”
The damn call dropped again. Of course it did. He was in the freaking middle of nowhere. He had several hours before he reached home and he didn’t want to have this conversation with Ella when he couldn’t be sure the connection would work. He texted Damaris.
Chase:I kicked her out. She kissed me. I was trying to get rid of her. Has Ella seen it?
Damaris:Take a wild guess.
Chase:She pissed?
Damaris:Not sure. I’m pissed at you. You slim.
Chase:I think you mean slime.
Damaris:Not funny.
Chase:Damn it, I didn’t do anything. Texting Ella now.
He sat for a moment trying to think of what to say. If he’d been in her shoes he’d be pissed as hell. He texted Ella.
Chase:It’s not what it looks like. I’ll explain when I get home.
He waited. No response.
Chase:Can’t call. Middle of freaking nowhere. Be home ASAP.
