Against All Odds - Angel's Story: Against All Odds (Destiny Series Book 4) (15 page)

He pulls out of the kiss, resting his forehead against mine, sighing heavily. “Good night sweet-cheeks,” he whispers, before turning and making his way down the front steps. I just stand, rooted to the spot. I don’t move until he drives away. My hand comes up to touch my lips. I feel them curve into a smile beneath my fingers. What in the hell just happened? For the first time in a long time, I feel hope fill my heart.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Angel

Monday morning comes way too soon for my liking. I’m not ready to go back to Uni, even though Riley won’t be there. I’m also sad my mum is flying home today. I’ve loved having her here. It’s times like this, that everyone needs their mum.

My dad is missing her though; he hates being apart from her. It’s like he’s lost when she’s not around. He’s called her at least ten times since she arrived, and it’s only been twenty-four hours. Last night I could hear them talking on the phone into the early hours of the morning. It’s really nice they’re still so in love after all this time.

I love how much he loves her.

After mum and I have breakfast with Dana at the coffee shop, I drop her at the airport. “Keep me informed, sweetie,” she says when she hugs me. “I hate having to leave you with everything that’s going on, but I’m grateful you have Chase looking after you.”

“I hate that you have to go too, mum,” my eyes filling with tears as I speak. “Promise me, you won’t mention Chase or what happened to daddy.”

“As hard as it is for me to keep something like this from him, I will for now, but, if the situation changes, I’m going to have to tell him.”

“Okay. Fair enough.” I know she’s right. I have no idea what’s going to happen when Riley wakes from his coma. I may just need dad’s help to get out of this mess I’m in.

“Now,” she says cupping my face, “I need you to promise me something.” I nod, even though I have no idea what she’s about to ask. “Promise me you won’t let what happened with that pig, get in the way of what you feel for Chase.”

“What?” I’m surprised by what she says. I’ve never told her how I feel, or what happened between us. She has no idea that the guy I cried on her shoulder about, when I went back home for a week was him.

“Come on, baby. You care about him just as much as he cares for you. I can see it as plain as day. What you two have is special. When the time is right, let it happen.”

“We’re just friends, mum.”

“For now you’re just friends,” is all she says as she kisses my forehead. “You two are perfect for each other,” she adds before letting go of my face. “Trust me on this.”

I smile at her. He
is
perfect for me. I’ve known all along. I’m glad someone else can see it, too.

••••

On my drive back, I go over my mum’s words in my mind. Although Chase and I agreed that friends only is best for us, in my heart I want more, so much more.

My mind wanders to the kiss Chase gave me last night. I hope things aren’t weird between us now. He did text me this morning to see if I needed a ride to school, which is a good sign.

When I told him I was taking mum to the airport, he arranged to meet me in the car park before our first class. I’m glad he’s not running from me again, because I need him now, more than ever.

When I drive through the main gates of the university, my stomach’s doing flip-flops. I’m not sure if it’s because of Chase, or what happened with Riley, probably a mixture of both.

I spot Chase straight away. He’s sitting sideways on his bike, legs crossed at the ankles and his arms folded over his chest. He looks as hot as sin. When I pull up beside him, the first thing he does is give me a beautiful smile as he removes his aviator sunglasses, tucking them into his jacket pocket. Standing, he walks towards my car.

“Morning, sweet-cheeks,” he says as he opens the door for me.

“Morning.” He reaches for my hand, helping me out of the car. It makes me smile. For a rough-and-tumble biker’s son, he’s such a gentleman.

“How did your mum go at the airport?”

“Good. I will admit, I’m sad to see her go.”

“I’m sure you are. It must be hard being so far away from your family.”

“It is,” I reply honestly. I miss them all so much.

“Look on the bright side, you’ve still got me,” he chuckles, draping his arm over my shoulder as we walk towards class. He’s never done that before. I like it when he’s affectionate with me.

“Yeah, I guess you’ll have to do,” I reply jokingly, making him laugh. I’m so happy we’re okay again.

“How are you feeling today?” he asks as he stops walking and faces me.

“Nervous.”

“Don’t be. I’ll be by your side all day. I promise.” I smile at him gratefully when he reaches up and gently pinches my cheek, just like old times. Honestly, I don’t think I’d be able to do this on my own.

••••

Chase

I’m still revelling in the fact I kissed her last night. Dumb move, but fuck me if I didn’t enjoy the feel of her lips against mine again. It took everything I had to walk away and not take that kiss further. When she grabbed hold of my shirt and pulled me in closer, I nearly fuckin’ cracked.

This ‘friends only’ thing is going to be harder than I thought. I’m not even sure if it’s what I want anymore. My heart says one thing, but my head says something completely different. I hate feeling like this. I’m so damn confused.

Before her, my goals were so clear. Finish Uni, get a great job, and seek pleasure when required. No commitment or feelings involved. Why does she make me want more than that?

••••

The day goes by without much incident. Sure, there’s a lot of funny looks and whispers floating around campus, but basically people leave Angel alone. I’m grateful for that. I’m sure seeing us both together again doesn’t help matters, but I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. The only person I care about is her.

A few people asked if she knew what happened to Riley, but she told them no. She played it cool. I on the other hand, received a few dirty looks from some of Benson’s mates, but that doesn’t worry me one fucking bit. Any friend of his is no friend of mine.

We head over to Dana’s coffee shop at the end of the day. She’s happy to see Angel. Me? Not so much. I hope she warms to me in time because I’m not going anywhere. Losing Angel a few months back made me realise just how much I need her in my life. Losing her again isn’t an option. Dana’s going to be seeing a lot of me, whether she likes it or not.

We don’t stay for long. Just long enough to finish our drinks; Angel’s fancy tea thing she likes, and my extra fucking strong coffee that’s going to keep me awake for the next week. I like it strong, but Christ. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to drink that shit her friend makes me, but if she thinks I’m gonna cave, she’s wrong.

I walk Angel towards her car once we leave. “What would you like to do for the rest of the afternoon?” I ask.

“You really don’t have to hang around if you don’t want to, Chase. I’m sure you have better things to do than babysit me. Just because my mum—” I place my finger on her lips to stop her from talking.

“This has nothing to do with what your mum said. Hanging with you is no hardship, believe me. To be honest, there’s no place I’d rather be than with you.” Fuck me if I don’t mean every word too.

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” Her face lights up when I say that.

“Okay, can we go for a run?”

“Sure. Our usual place?”

“No. I prefer the beach if that’s okay? I’d rather stick close to home.” Again, her need to be close to the safe haven of home worries me. I’m not sure what to do or say; girly shit has never been my thing. I suppose all I can do is be here if she needs me.

“Alright, beach it is. Will you be okay to go home on your own? I need to call past my place and grab my running gear.”

“Of course,” she replies. “I’ll see you in a bit.” She smiles at me before getting into her car.

“I won’t be long,” I tell her as I close her door. I do have to grab my stuff, but I also want to have a quick chat with her friend, Dana. Maybe she can help. She needs to open up to someone. She can’t keep it all bottled inside. I wish I could be that person, but I wouldn’t know how to go about it. She’d probably feel more comfortable talking to a chick anyway.

••••

Angel

I smile all the way home. I can’t believe he said there’s no place he’d rather be than with me. Sure, he seems happy when we’re together, but I thought he was hanging around me more out of pity than anything else. Truth is, there’s no place I’d rather be than with him either.

So much is going through my mind when I pull into my driveway, I don’t even notice the man standing on my front porch until I approach. My stomach drops and my heart starts to race as I get closer. The look on his face tells me this isn’t a friendly visit.

“Can I help you?” I ask as I walk up my front steps. My gut is telling me to walk the other way, but I know Chase isn’t far behind.

“Depends. Are you Angel Cavanagh?” he asks.

“Yes I am. What’s this about?” In my heart I know it’s about Riley. I can already feel the panic starting to rise within. I just want this whole mess to be over.

Why won’t these people just leave me alone?

“I want to know what happened to my son, and I want to know who is responsible?” Oh crap. He’s Riley’s father. That makes me almost have a full on panic attack. I don’t want this man, or anyone related to Riley Benson, anywhere near me. For Chase’s sake though I try my best to keep it together. If I lose it now, he’s going to know there’s more to my story.

“As I told the two officers who came here the other day, I don’t know anything,” I lie, trying my best to act calm.

“I don’t believe you,” he snaps. I don’t like the cold, murderous look in his eyes as he takes a step towards me. Although they look nothing alike, their eyes are exactly the same. Images of Riley and the way he was looking at me during the attack overtake me.

Jesus, I think I’m going to pass out.

“Well it’s the truth,” I state, trying not to let him intimidate me, but God he is. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s nothing more I can tell you.” After fishing my keys out of my bag, I try to move past him. I need to get away from him before I completely break down.

“I don’t think so, bitch,” he says as he grabs hold of my arm. “I’m not letting you go anywhere until I get some fucking answers.” I feel my knees buckle from underneath me as he yanks me backwards. Now I see exactly where Riley gets his charm from. I can’t believe these Benson men think it’s acceptable to manhandle women like this.

“Let me go. You’re hurting me,” I cry as I try to free my arm from his death grip.

“Not until you tell me who fucking did this to my son,” he screams in my face. “I know you and that scum Daniels are involved in this. Now fucking tell me the truth,” he demands, grasping my shoulders and shaking me violently.

I cry out as pain shoots up my arms. “Please, there’s nothing more I can tell you,” I whimper. Riley’s dad lets go of me with a shove, making me fall to the ground in a heap.

“You haven’t heard the last of me. The truth will come out when my son wakes. Then you’re really going to pay. You both will,” he spits through a clenched jaw. I’m relieved when I hear him walk away, but I can’t move from where I’ve fallen. I just lay there and sob my heart out. What I really need to do is to get inside the house where I’ll feel safe, but I can’t move.

••••

Chase

My talk with Dana went better than I expected. At first she gave me
a lot
of attitude, but once I explained to her what was going on, she was pretty good. She was horrified when I told her what Riley had done. I thought from Angel’s puffy eyes the other night, she’d confided in her friend. Apparently she’d told her something had happened, but no specifics. I hope I haven’t overstepped the mark by telling her the whole story. What I saw of the attack anyway.

“Please don’t tell her I told you. I honestly thought you knew everything. I’m just worried about her. I was hoping you could have a talk to her. Get her to open up. Maybe if we work together we can help her get through this.”

“It almost sounds like you care about her,” she snipes sarcastically.

“I do. I care about her a lot.”

“Why did you fuck her and then ignore her for months?”