Lindsey

What the-!

I'm being manhandled inside this freaking bar. By Taylor! She grabbed my arm and started dragging me through the crowd toward the bathroom. She insisted I come with her- which is not something we do. We're both perfectly able to go to the restroom without backup, unlike some people. That's how I got cornered by Val in the first place, by going to the restroom alone.

But what the hell is she doing right now? I know if anyone cornered Taylor, she'd wipe the floor with them and make them regret everything they've ever done wrong in their lives.

Why does she all of a sudden need me to come with her?

I try to object, but it's pointless. Taylor is on a mission, and I'm part of it, apparently. She turns to me as we get closer to the women's room.

"Lins, I need you to trust me, okay?"

I wrinkle my forehead and cautiously ask, "ummm, why?"

I know Val's in there. I saw her walk this way not thirty seconds ago. Does Taylor think I'm gonna help her kick Val's ass or something? Oh, hell no! I'm not trying to get arrested! Nope, no way!

She levels me with a stern look. "When we go in there, I need you to be absolutely quiet. And go hide in one of the stalls until I give you the sign."

Okay, now I'm more confused. "What?"

Taylor huffs and starts pulling me closer to the door. "Just, please do that for me. I promise it will all make sense when this is all over."

I stare at her for a moment, and something tells me to go along with it. What the hell. "Yeah, okay. Fine. I'll go in and hide in a stall. I won't say a word."

She smiles briefly, then moves to open the door. "Wait! What's the sign?"

"You'll know when you hear it, Lins. Trust me."

I don't have any time to complain because she immediately opens the door wide and pulls me inside the restroom. Val is still in her stall as I find an empty one to hide in.

I'm so anxious right now. I don't know what the hell is going on, but whatever it is has me standing here holding my breath. It's like I'm hiding from a serial killer in a horror movie, and if I breathe or move, I'll be found and murdered. My pulse is beating erratically as I just wait for whatever it is that's about to happen.

I hear a toilet flush, then the sound of running water from the sink, then paper towels being crumpled. The click-clack of heels moving closer to the exit make it only a few feet before stopping.

The next thing I hear is Val's voice. "Um, do you need something?" She sounds annoyed and extra bitchy.

I hear Taylor respond. "You know, Valerie, I really didn't think you could get any trashier, but you did it. Congratulations."

Val scoffs, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know, eavesdropping on someone else's conversation is pretty low in itself. But what you did with that information is pretty fucked up. Even for you."

Val laughs, "Ohhh, you mean your conversation with Chase about his secret garden date with wimpy McGee? Yeah, thanks for that, by the way. All those little details you got Chase to spill really sealed the deal. That little bitch bought every word I fed her."

What-

Taylor responds, "so, you admit it. You never knew about that place. Chase never took you there! You were just so jealous of Lindsey and Chase's relationship that you'd say or do anything to split them up!"

The-

Val's snarky reply registers in my ears just barely as this information starts hitting me like a semi-truck. "Duh! That little slut doesn't deserve him!"

Fuck!

"You're wrong, Val. They're perfect for each other, and you won't keep them apart. I'll make sure of that."

I'm still reeling from everything as Val snarkily replies. "Sorry, sweetie, not even the big bad Jenna Taylor can fix this. The damage is already done. Those two are toast!"

I've heard all I need to hear. I can't take it anymore. I don't know if Taylor gave the sign or not, but right now, I don't really give a shit. I'm seething right now, I probably look like a crazed psychopath at the moment, but I don't care. I unlock my stall and step out, right behind Val.

Taylor looks over Val's shoulder at me, then back to Val as she smirks. "You sure about that?"

I see her tip her head my way, making Val turn around to face me. Her eyes grow ridiculously wide, and all the color drains from her face.

I think I blacked out for a second because the next thing I did was so unlike me; I wouldn't believe it actually happened if Taylor hadn't witnessed it. I stomped right up to Val and slapped her, giving her the full force of my rage. And let the words tumble from my mouth.

"You fucking bitch!"

Val is standing in front of me, speechless, holding her face as tears well up and fear washes over her.

More words spill from my lips. "Stay away from Chase! If I ever see you hitting on him again, or if I find out you try to meddle in our relationship again, I'll do much more than just slap you!"

Val says nothing, and this time, she's the one running out of the bathroom crying.

*

*

*

Chase

I'm trying to listen to the story Drew is telling, but I can't take my mind off Lindsey. She looked away when I walked by, and all I wanted to do was pull her to me and hold her tight, but Taylor waved me off with a warning look.

She told me to trust her. That her plan would take place tonight. She said something about having to do it tonight, or it would be too late. When I asked her what she meant by that, she got tight-lipped and refused to say anymore. I'm anxious as fuck right now. Between Taylor's cryptic comment and Lindsey still not wanting anything to do with me, I'm a fucking mess.

I'm sipping on my beer when all of a sudden, everyone at our table stops talking. We all look toward the restrooms. Is someone in there yelling? I look around, and everyone looks as confused as I am. Who is in there?

I turn my head to the bar and see Lindsey and Taylor are gone. Fuck! Are they in there? Are they yelling at each other?

The next thing I know, Val is storming out of the women's room, holding the side of her face, crying. I watch as she grabs her things and leaves the bar, not even stopping when Jenna D. runs up and asks her what's wrong. The fuck happened in that restroom?

Liam looks at me and opens his mouth, about to say something when Taylor and Lindsey exit the bathroom. Instead of heading back to their spots at the bar, they walk toward our table. Taylor claims an open spot between Liam and T.J., acting like nothing strange just happened.

Liam looks at her, then back to where Val just exited the bar. "Did you do that to Val's face?"

Taylor laughs and shakes her head. "Nope. That was all your sister."

He gives her a confused look but doesn't ask anything else. He turns to look at his sister, who is still making her way over to us.

I can't look away from Lins. She's moving closer to the table, right to where I'm standing. When she's only a couple of steps away, she stops and just looks at me. We're frozen in time; it feels like it's just the two of us. And there is a change in the atmosphere. A good change, like things are going to get better.

I swear I see a faint smile on my girl's face as time unfreezes. Suddenly, she's moving closer. She isn't stopping. Lindsey throws her arms around me and sobs into my chest. Everything else around me fades away. She needs me, and I don't care who sees.

I hold her close, relishing in the feel of her body against mine. Right where she belongs. I stroke her hair as she tells me how sorry she is. That she never should have believed a thing Val said to her.

My head rests on top of hers as I try to calm her. I tell her everything is okay and she has nothing to be sorry about. I apologize for all the hell she's been through because of me, and I promise her nothing happened with Val or anyone else on that rooftop.

We stay there, locked in our embrace, letting everything out that we've been holding onto for the past few weeks. And when we've said all we needed to, I pull back, just for a second to look into her eyes. She smiles up at me, that smile I've been yearning to see for too long.

I don't think; I just act. And so does Lindsey at exactly the same time. Our lips collide, and we are now standing in front of the entire team and everyone else inside this bar, giving them a free show. I register a few cheers from some of the guys as they look on, watching as Lindsey and I finally reunite.

The kiss is short, but it is sweet and full of passion. My forehead meets Lindsey's after we break the kiss, still holding on to one another like our lives depend on it. Our eyes close as we soak in this feeling. I'm so happy in this moment, in our little bubble.

Then I hear him.

"Dude! What the fuck!" Liam sounds pissed.

Oh, no!

I tense as my eyes shoot open. How could I forget about Liam? Lindsey's eyes open, and she stares up at me. She smiles, and her face softens, and I start to feel immediately less anxious. How does she do that?

She squeezes the back of my neck and gives me another peck before saying, "I think we should tell him now."

Just like that, all of my fear melts away. I suck in a deep breath as I prepare to face my best friend. Here we go.

A/N:

If you have made it this far, I hope you are enjoying the book so far! Thank you for taking the time to check out Center Chase. If you are enjoying so far, don't be afraid to vote and/or comment and let me know :)

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