My feet hits the pavement over and over as I run. I push myself to go faster and harder. Kanye West's POWER fills my ears and I continue to run the path. I look down at my watch it's eight-forty in the morning, I've been running for almost an hour. November mornings in New York City, should be a crime but with the freezing cold weather I know would push me to run my best.

Last night still feels like a dream to me. I don't want to believe it. My trust with the guys is all I had if anything, after the whole Raven debacle. When I was younger it was only Raven and I. I wasn't a fan of getting to know other people, opening yourself up to others just to get hurt wasn't how I wanted to live my life. The little people knew the less chances of me getting hurt.

So I thought.

Raven was the ultimate snake. I didn't think someone I was so close too would have it in them to do such a thing. I guess at the end of the day people will befriend you and lie just for their personal gain or benefit. I don't think Raven became my friend with ill intentions, I do however think that throughout us growing up she gained them and just wanted to use me. I forgive her in some strange way, but I'll never forget the damage and pain she caused me.

As the song comes to an end, I take a breather. I lean against a tree and watch as other Central Park runners pass by. Morning jogs here won't be so bad, but the travel is a pain. I didn't know whether I wanted to take the train or an Uber. Seeing how early it was I opt for the Uber and most likely will be taking one back. I take my phone out scrolling for a new playlist. Going for I begin to jog for a few before picking up the pace. Justin Bieber's SORRY song plays next and as if fates wanted this to happen, I spot Chase the same time he spots me.

I look forward and keep running, pretending I didn't see him. Stupid JB song. I don't look to my right...I refuse to look. He has fallen into step with me. I am the type of person who believes music is the key to the soul. Music has always been escape for me at times. While cooking I've always play music because it just does it for me. So running beside Chase with this song playing is a sign. In my eyes.

He doesn't attempt to talk to me and vice versa. We run listening to our own music. I push myself a little harder and he catches up with ease. I jog off the path once more to take a breather and Chase continues to run a little more before jogging of the path as well, bending down to tie his sneaker. The song comes to the end and my head snaps to a voice.

"...how long is she going to be running for?"

I look to see the other six frat brothers off the trail catching their breaths too. Everett elbows Miguel when he sees that I spotted them as well. Miguel looks at Everett and then follow his eyes.

"Hey Charles," he waves. "Beautiful morning for a jog."

I roll my eyes. "Are you guys spying on me?"

"Ummm no. We like to jogging too." Tristan responds in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Right..." I'm not buying it and they know it too. "You don't have to watch over me I am fine."

Vincent scoffs and I raise my right eyebrow at him. Rolling my eyes at him I flip him off. Turning around to jog off I collide with Chase's rock solid chest. His scent surrounds me like a security blanket and I can feel myself being pulled down under. I take a step back and his hand instantly wraps around my wrist. Goosebumps immediately covers my entire body.

"Are we done?" He ask and I don't know how to answer this.

"Chase, now isn't the time nor place to talk about us. I told you I need time." I sigh.

"I'm talking about running. Are we done running?" He clears his throat.

I look to the ground. "Oh," I need to make smooth recovery, but there is nothing. I jumped to conclusions...something I should work on. "Yes, I am done running."

"Guys, we're done." He says and I can hear them rejoicing. For bunch of guys whose supposedly athletic they sure don't act like it at times. It was an hour run. "What are you doing?"

"Uber."

He takes my phone saying there are cars waiting for them, two park exists back. I don't argue this time because I rather not spend my money and I know he would put up a fight if I did so. Chase and I quietly walk behind the guys as we made our way back. Finally, three all black SUV comes into view and the guys fill into two of them. Chase leads me to the empty one. He opens the back door and I slide in. He looks like he contemplating getting in or not.

"Cupcake, I know you are pissed off with the guys and myself...and we are going to give you the space you want to figure out your next move. But don't think that we will never be around to protect you. If you want to jog alone choose an afternoon jog or the building's fitness center. You're safety and happiness is my main concern." He looks me straight in my eyes and the pull is there again. I want—no I need him, but all can't be forgiven just yet. "Have a good weekend Cupcake." He closes the door and I watch him walk to the SUV behind mine.

****

The rest of my day I stay in and read. Jasper surprisingly has soon good reads. Snuggling deeper into the plush couch, a knock on the door stops me from flipping the page. Searching around from something to bookmark my page, I grab the remote placing it inside. I stand up, slipping the robe back on, tying it around the waist.

"Miguel?" I look through the peephole.

"The one and only, now open up." He taps on the door again.

"I said I don't want to see any of you for awhile." Slowly I open the door and then try to close it. "Are you alone?"

He pushes at the door. "Yes, I am alone."

I let the door go and he strolls in, like he owns the place.

"Why are you here? Did Chase or Everett send you?" I walk back to couch. I miss it's warmth already.

"Charles," he plops down on the couch next to me. "I might be Chase's right hand man, but you I would catch a grenade for ya, jump in front of a p—"

"No...a very strong no from me." I pick the book, tossing the remote at him. "What's your deal?"

"Can your favorite chocolate man, not stop by and chitchat?" He looks over at me.

"No he can't. You lied to me just like the rest of them." I tell him.

"No I didn't. I didn't even know the whole situation until last night at the restaurant. I just can't go running my mouth if I don't know the full story—that would have caused bigger problems. So technically I should be forgiven if anything. Chase and I almost fought after that little stunt you pulled." He smiles. "Not saying what just happened with you isn't serious. It is."

"I am sorry about that. I didn't know what came over me. I was going to do one thing with the information and the next thing you know I was responding back to emails and booking a flight. You know I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you or the guys."

"And you know we would never do anything to hurt you." He takes the book from my hand, I protest but he just shakes his head no. He dog ear one of the pages and I think I just died. Placing the book on the coffee he turns back to me. "Let me ask you something Charles, do you love Chase? Like our you in love with him or love the thought of being in love with your childhood crush?"

"How do you know he is my childho—"

"I know almost everything when it comes to Chase. We tell each other a lot. So which one is it?"

"I'm in love with him." My voice cracks and I know if we stay on this topic long enough I'm going to cry.

"How do you feel about Everett?" He asks next.

"Ummm...I care for him just like the rest of you guys. You all are like family to me. I love you guys." I tell him not really sure where this conversation is going.

"Ok, so I need you to do something."

"Miguel, I'm not going to talk to them right now. I need my space." I snap. Of course they must have sent him to get me to talk to them.

"Whoa there spitfire. I wasn't going to say that—well not today anyway. I was just going to say can you cook us dinner and I'll take it back to our apartment. Since you don't have—"

"Miguel! I know you didn't come up here for dinner?" I toss my head back in laughter. "Why are you always hungry?"

"I just didn't come up for dinner...I actually wanted to check in on you too. Stop laughing...Charles seriously stop laughing." He tosses a throw pillow at me.

"Ok...ok..." I smile at him. "The answer to your dinner question is a strong no as well."

"Charles, seriously?"

"Yes. I'm not rewarding Chase nor Everett. If you guys give me my space like I ask for the rest of the weekend, I'll consider having a sit down with Chase and Everett on Monday." During my morning jog I came to the conclusion that I would speak to the guys on Monday.

"Are you expecting somebody?" Miguel asks.

"Huh?"

"Someone just knocked on the door." He stands.

"Oh no you don't. I didn't here the door and you are not about to let the rest of them in here. No dinner tonight or tomorrow." I rush to the door, before he lets them in. They think they're so clever.

"What are you talking about. The only person know I'm here is Darren and someone did knock." He says.

I don't believe him and open the door. I wasn't expecting for it to be Jasper on the other side. Holding red roses and a box of pizza. He smiles when he sees me, but it doesn't stay there for long when he sees Miguel.

"Jasper, what are you doing here?" I ask.

"I thought you would like to celebrate your first week of work."

Miguel steps behind me and his voice gets much deeper and stern. "Thoughtful of you, but she's good. But I'll take take that." He reaches out and take the pizza. "I don't have any use for the flowers so you can toss them. Have a blessed day."

Miguel is usually respectable and whatnot, but not today. He does the unthinkable next and closes the door in Jasper's face.

"Miguel, you just can't do that! Move out the way. He is my boss." I place my hands on my hips.

"Exactly your boss. Yet he is here trying to weasel his way into your panties. No boss stops by to celebrate a person working for a week. And you didn't even work a week." He pauses, inhaling the pizza. " Let's go back to the couch."

"Miguel," I push him out the way and open the door. "I'm sor—" Jasper was gone, but the roses were left in front of the door. "Miguel look what you did." I pick up the roses and close the door. "I am going to get in trouble for sure."

"I'll take these too." He takes the roses and walks into the living room placing the pizza on the coffee table. "This guy is a real piece of work." He says walking into the kitchen now with the roses, tossing them into the trash.

"Hey! What is your problem?!"

"You seriously can't be this naive Charles. You lived with seven guys for months...you should know game when you see it. He wants to fuck or something in that manner. And he's Chase's brother don't get mixed into that shit." He takes a seat back on the couch.

I follow behind him taking my seat. Miguel isn't usually like this—I don't think I've ever seen him this way. He normally is laid back and chill about everything. So maybe what he is saying has some truth in it or he is just being a very overprotective friend.

"Fine." I grab a slice of pizza as he turns on the tv.

"Don't believe you Charles. It's never that easy with you." He bites down on his slice. "Jasper is crossing the line already with you. I get you resemble Lily but that's not an excuse for him to be doing this. If it's not work you stay away from him?"

There goes that name again.

"Lily, I've heard her name before. What's the story there?" I sit straight up.

"Not my story to tell, but she passed away in a car accident. Jasper and Chase relationship basically ended around that time. I think Chase only talks to his family for his trust fund and Autumn. Just promise me you will stay out of this—whatever it may be." He shifts his body towards me.

"Autumn? Whose that?"

"You should have went to school to be a lawyer or at least a detective...you got a question for everything. Stop being so nosy. I'm not answering anymore question. If you wanna know so bad kiss and make up with Chase and you will get all your answers."

Of course.

"Fine. I will stay out of it." I pout.

"Sadly I don't believe but don't say I didn't warn you." He leans back against the couch and watches tv. "Another mess you will need us to help you clean." He says as if I always need there help. I do but I don't.

"Are you leaving anytime soon?"

"Not a chance Charles." He looks over at me and smile. "I'll be out of your hair when you go to bed for the night. I share my apartment with Darren and Austin. Need I say more." He rolls his eyes. "And I still don't feel comfortable with Jasper's pop up."

"Figures. However, don't you pop up here tomorrow because I'm not letting you in." I joke.

"If you say so, Charles. You love my company—everyone loves my company. I'm lovable like that." He turns back to the tv. Miguel is right—I do enjoy his company out of all the guys. He is so relaxed and chill, but also someone I can confide in. He is like the brother I wished I had from the start.