BRIAN

“Yeah, so she can fuck you in the meantime? I’m not stupid Brian.” Kate spat at me as she walked down the beach.

I was as a loss for words. I know it wasn’t the smartest idea in the world to allow Aubrey to stay, but I couldn’t turn her away. I saw Zacky run over to me and I looked down at my feet.

“Dude, what the hell?” He asked me.

I couldn’t stand anymore. My whole body just gave up and I fell to my knees. I put my head in my hands and sat still.

“Brian, what the hell happened? You two were getting along great, what did you do?” He asked. He put his hand on my shoulder and shook me slightly.

I sighed and looked at him.

“I told her the truth.” I said. Zacky raised his eyebrow and moved his hand.

“The truth about what exactly?” He asked. I closed my eyes and pulled myself up.

“I told her that I’m letting Aubrey stay in our house.” I said quietly.

Now, I’ve seen Zacky mad, but I’ve never seen him like this. His face turned red and his eyes squinted and held mine.

“Are you fucking serious?” He said slowly. His voice had a dark edge to it that actually made me back up.

“Yes. What was I supposed to say? Her ex used to beat her and she had nowhere else to go.” I explained to him. Zacky shook his head and looked up at night sky.

“And you believed her? You actually believed that lying whore?” Zacky spat at me. I blinked and tilted my head.

“What are you talking about? Why would she lie about that?” I asked him. Zacky walked over and tapped on my head like he was knocking on a door.

“Think, where have you heard that story before? Oh right, you’re fucking girlfriend! Whose ex really did beat her. Doesn’t it make sense that Aubrey, who tried to get you to sleep with her, is making this up to gain your sympathy so she can trick you into cheating?” Zacky said to me.

I shook my head and started pacing.

“No way, why would someone make that up?” I said. I stopped moving and looked at Zacky.

His mouth was agape and he shook his head.

“Are you listening to yourself? Why are you defending her Brian? Better yet, why aren’t you going after Kate?” He asked me.

I shook my head. Why wasn’t I going after her? Probably because I didn’t want to fight anymore, or see her look so upset.

“What am I supposed to do Zacky, throw Aubrey into the street?” I asked him. Zacky nodded.

“Yes, so she can sleep in the gutter like the trash that she is.” He said seriously, then he turned on his heel and walked back up to Matt’s.

I groaned and started walking..the opposite direction that Kate went.

KATE

I was numb. I couldn’t feel anything. I looked down at my feet and wondered how I was still walking in these heels in the sand. I sighed and took them off since I would have hellish blisters later if I didn’t. Before I knew it, I was at Brian’s. I walked up the patio and slid the glass doors open and poked my head in.

“Any whore’s in here?” I said loudly.

No answer. Good. I wasn’t in the mood. I walked into the house and dropped my heels in the kitchen. A glance at the clock told me it was past midnight, but I didn’t want to stay here. I went into the bedroom and packed a small bag and slipped on my flip flops then walked out the front door.

I just kept walking. I didn’t really know where I was going, until I got there. I knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

“Kate?” A sleepy, shirtless Chase said from the other side of the door.

I couldn’t help but stare. Chase was completely chiseled. He had rock hard abs and defined arms and shoulders. For the first time, I noticed a tattoo on his shoulder. It was a cross. I shook my head and sighed.

“I’m sorry, I know it’s late but can I come in?” I asked him. He blinked and nodded and stood back so I could walk into his apartment.

“I’ll make the coffee.” Chase mumbled and I sat down at the table.

A few seconds later, the delicious smell of coffee filled the apartment and it made me smile a little. Chase poured us both a cup. After taking a large gulp, Chase looked at me.

“Okay, what’s going on? I thought Brian was coming home tonight?” Chase asked.

My eyes filled with tears and I turned my head.

“He did. He also informed me that the slut from tour was moving in.” I said.

Chase shook his head and slapped his face.

“Wait, wait. The chick who tried to get him to cheat, is moving into your house?” He asked me. I nodded and took a sip of coffee.

“Yep, that’s what he told me. Supposedly her abusive ex was in town and she has nowhere to go. I think it’s bullshit.” I said. Chase reached over and took my hand.

“It probably is. She’s probably just looking to get in his bed.” He said softly.

I closed my eyes and a few tears slipped out. I heard the chair scrape against the floor and then Chase was beside me. He put his arms around me and held me close to him. I breathed in his scent and put my arms around him.

“I’m sorry you’re going through this Kate. I really am. And for the record, he’s an asshole for thinking that this was okay.” Chase said. I laughed a little and looked at him.

“Thanks Chase. Is it alright if I crashed here tonight?” I asked him in a sniffled voice. He smiled and wiped my tears away.

“Of course.” He said with a smile.

He stood up and walked into the hallway. A few seconds later, he returned with a blanket and pillow.

“You can have the bedroom, I’ll sleep on the couch.” He said. I shook my head and stood up.

“No, this is your place. I’ll take the couch.” I said. Chase crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head.

“No way. My momma raised me right. You’re taking the bed.” He said. I rolled my eyes and he led me to the bedroom.

It was pretty small, but neat. The bed was made and there was a t-shirt and sweats at the foot of it.

“I put these out in case you wanted to change.” He said. I smiled and nodded.

“Thank you Chase, for everything.” I said to him. He nodded and rubbed the small of my back.

“It’s not a problem. You can stay here as long as you need to.” He said softly.

I turned and put my arms around his neck and hugged him close. He put his arms around my waist and his head in my shoulder. His breath tickled my neck and I shivered. I felt him smile on my shoulder and he pulled away.

“Sorry.” He said as he looked into my eyes. He was still smiling and his green eyes were brighter than I’d ever seen them. I smiled back and pulled away from him.

“I’ll let you change.” He said.

When he was out of the room, I sighed and sunk onto his bed. I looked at my cell phone, which I’d just recently got replaced from the accident, and saw I had 16 texts and 10 missed call. The texts were from Zacky, Johnny and Val and all of the calls are from Val. I groaned and turned it off. I didn’t want to talk to anyone, well except Chase. Oddly enough he was the one person who didn’t make me upset.

I pulled off my shirts and put on Chase’s huge t-shirt. It went clear down to my knees. Then I peeled off my skinnys and folded them neatly and put them on the dresser with my shirts. As I pulled on the sweats, I thought about how much trouble I went to to make this night great for Brian and he springs this on me. I was so angry with him, I didn’t know when I wanted to go home…if I could ever call it home again.

I heard noises coming from the living room, so I went to see what Chase was doing. He was sitting on the couch watching a movie.

“Can I join you?” I asked him. Chase turned his head and smiled at me.

“Sure.” He said as he patted the spot next to him on the couch.

I snuggled up next to him and he put his arm around me. I leaned my head on his shoulder and we watched Rob Zombie’s Halloween, because he knew it was my favorite movie. By the time it was over, Chase was struggling to stay awake. I smiled a little and stood up so he could lie down. He mumbled something and I giggled as I covered him up with the blanket.

“Goodnight Chase.” I whispered softly. He didn’t answer, as soon as his head hit the pillow he was out.

I crept back to the bedroom and crawled into Chase’s bed and tried to fall asleep.

“What are you talking about, you’re in Huntington?” I heard Chase talking to someone in the morning.

I stretched and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and got out of the bed and went to the bathroom.

“No, I don’t want to see you. You’re a lying manipulative bitch and I hope someday you get what you deserve!” Chase shouted then I heard him slam the phone down.

I changed back into my clothes and went into the kitchen. I raised my eyebrow at him and he sighed deeply.

“Kate, sit down. I need to talk to you about something.” Chase said nervously.

I swallowed hard and sat down at the table. Chase rubbed the back of his neck and looked out the window.

“I just got a phone call from my sister.” He started. I nodded slowly.

“Okay? What does that have to do with me?” I asked him. Chase closed his eyes and drummed his fingers on the table.

“Kate, please I didn’t know I swear. If I did I would’ve said something.” He said. I shook my head to show I didn’t understand and he sighed and stood up.

“Kate, my sister’s name is Aubrey.”