Against All Odds - Angel's Story: Against All Odds (Destiny Series Book 4) (21 page)

“I love you, Brooke.”

“I know. I love you too, Hot Stuff. Have a safe flight and I’ll see you tonight. Oh, and for God’s sake, don’t say another word to upset Angel. She’s had a hard time lately. She doesn’t need this right now.”

I sit there rehashing Brooke’s words. The last thing I want to do is lose my Princess. That would destroy me. Maybe Brooke’s right. Maybe I need to pull my head in.

A few minutes later I knock on Angel’s bedroom door. I can still hear her soft cries, and it breaks my heart knowing I’m responsible for her tears. “Princess, I’m sorry. I’m going to leave, but I just want you to know before I go, how much I love you. Please call me later if you can. I hate leaving knowing you’re angry with me. You mean the world to me, Angel.”

I feel a lump rise to my throat as I speak. I hate when things aren’t good between us. I wait a few minutes for her to respond, but she doesn’t. “Bye, baby,” I whisper as I run my hand gently down the door, before I turn and leave.

I just pray I haven’t done any irreparable damage to our relationship. We’ve always been close. My right hand girl is what I used to call her when she was little. We did everything together. What I wouldn’t give to have things like that again.

Once I’m seated in the car I hired at the airport, I call Claire, my PA, asking her to organise my flight back home.

My heart is heavy. Everything in me wants to go back into the house and try one more time to make things right, but as Brooke said, she needs time to calm down. I do too, I guess.

I pull my phone out of my pocket again, and make one last call. “Hi Mike, it’s Logan. I need you to come out of retirement, and do one last job for me.” He’s the best Private Eye I know. The only one I trust to get me the information I need. He’s never let me down in the past.

“What do you need me to do?” he asks.

“I need you to find out everything you can on a Chase Daniels. He’s a friend of Angel’s, and lives down here in Melbourne.” I scoff at the word friend. Friend my fucking arse.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Angel

My mum calls back about half an hour later to let me know dad is at the airport, waiting for his plane. Only then do I come out of my room. I feel horrible he left with things unresolved between us, but I’m so mad at him right now, there’s no way I could’ve spoken to him civilly.

I’m devastated and humiliated at how he treated Chase, especially after everything he’s done for me. I guess in my dad’s defence he doesn’t know about what happened
that
night.

My only hope is he hasn’t ended things between Chase and I before it’s even really begun. If he has, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive him. I love my dad, I truly do, but I’ve never been as happy as I am when I’m with Chase. He’s my other half.

I contemplate calling Chase, but after everything that happened earlier, I think I need to see him and talk to him face to face.

After discarding our uneaten breakfast, I rinse the dishes and place them in the dishwasher before heading for the shower. The sooner I know where we stand the better.

••••

About an hour later, I pull into Chase’s driveway. I’m not going to lie, my stomach is in knots. Both Pops and Chase’s bikes are here, so I know they’re home. 

Once I’m out of the car, I head towards the garage. It seems to be where the boys spend most of their time. “Is anyone here?” I call when I walk inside.

“Hey, sweet-thing,” Pops says, sticking his head above the bonnet of the car he’s working on.

“Hi. Is Chase home?” He pulls a rag out of his pocket and wipes his hands, walking around the car towards me.

“Yeah, he’s here. He’s sulkin’ in his room, I think. Did you two come to blows or somethin’?”

“Something like that.” I shrug. I’m not about to tell him the reason if he doesn’t already know. One, I’m embarrassed by the way my father treated Chase, and two, I don’t want to cause any trouble for my dad with Pops.

“Come sit,” he says leading me over to the chairs lined up against the wall. “I think it’s time I tell you a few things about my boy.”

“Okay.” I take a seat next to him when he sits.

“Look…how can I put this?” he exhales as he considers his words. “The thing is, Chase doesn’t come from your type of breedin’. No offence, but it is what it is. I kinda get the feelin’ that’s not real important to you anyway.”

“It’s not,” I answer truthfully.

“Good. I like you, and so does my boy. I’m not sure what he’s told ya about his mum, but she was a bitch to him growin’ up. Did a real fuckin’ number on him, on both of us. Kinda’ took all his trust away in women, you feel me?”

“Yes. I think I understand.” It answers a lot of questions I had about his mum.

“You’re the first chick he’s ever really taken a shine to, since he came to live with me. I’m not one to get in the middle of other people’s business, but I don’t want his insecurities about himself and his past, fuckin’ this thing up between you two. He’s a good kid.”

“I know he is. I haven’t told him this, but I think I’m in love with him. I’m scared to tell him how I feel. Last time I told him I cared, he freaked out.”

“Well…ummm,” he clears his throat. “I’m real pleased to hear that, darlin’, but if he’s anything like me, he’s not good at expressin’ shit like that. You’re good for him, sweet-thing. Just give him some time to adjust. I couldn’t ask for a better girl for my boy. I think you’re perfect for each other.”

“You do?” I ask with a smile.

“I do.”

“I think so too. My mum said the same thing.”

“Well ya mum sounds like a pretty fuckin’ wise woman.”

“She is,” I chuckle. “Thanks for the talk. It’s helped answer a lot things that have been worrying me.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. “Chase is lucky to have you.”

“Well…ummm…good,” he says, and I swear I see a slight blush creep over his face. He clears his throat again and stands. “Go rescue my boy from his one man fuckin’ pity party will ya.”

“Okay,” I laugh. I grab hold of his hand before he walks away. “Thanks again, Pops.”

“You’re welcome, sweet-thing.”

Once I leave the garage, I walk across the back lawn, making my way up to the house. I open the back door and go inside. Shit, I should’ve asked Pops which room was Chase’s.

As I head down the hall, I hear music coming from one of the bedrooms. Bingo. Must be his room. As I get closer I also hear that unmistakable voice, as he sings along to the music. I wonder if he realises just how breathtakingly beautiful his voice is.

I stand outside his room for a few minutes listening. Unfortunately, I can’t quite make out the words of the song through the closed door.

I raise my hand and knock. “Fuck off,” he says, and my heart sinks. Then he adds, “I told you before, Pops, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“It’s me…Angel,” I say hesitantly. Within seconds the door flies open.

“Sweet-cheeks. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to apologise for the way my dad treated you earlier.”

“Really?” he asks. “I honestly didn’t think I’d see you again after that.”

“What? Why?”

“You know…all that stuff you told me about your dad sabotaging all your relationships. I thought maybe he’d forbid you from seeing me.”

“He can try, but it won’t work. I’ve let him get away with it for too long. I’m not going to let him stand in the way of us, Chase. You mean too much to me.”

“So you’re not going to break up with me?”

“Of course not.”

“Thank fuck for that,” he exhales as he pulls me into his arms, almost squeezing the life out of me. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“Shit. Sorry, Angel,” he says, releasing his hold on me. He takes a step back, gazing into my eyes. A huge smile graces his handsome face. He reaches up, gently tucking some stray hair behind my ear. “I’m just so fucking relieved to see you.”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d want to see me,” I tell him honestly.

“Well I do. I don’t want to lose you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“I don’t want to lose you either,” I say. He pulls me into his arms again.

I wrap my arms around his waist. “I love you, Chase.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, his body goes rigid before he releases his hold on me, stepping back. He lowers his head, looking down at the floor. Even though I meant what I said, I wish I could take those words back.

Memories of our first time together overwhelm me. It was me telling him I cared about him that day, which caused him to walk out.

“Chase,” I plead, as my hand reaches out for his.

“You love me?” he whispers. When he looks up into my eyes again, I’m shocked to see they’re watery.

“Yes I do. With all my heart.” He may not want to hear it, but it’s the truth.

“Nobody has ever said those words to me before. Never. Not once.”

“Oh Chase,” I say as I pull him into my arms. It breaks my heart that nobody has ever told him that before. “Pops loves you.”

“I know he does,” he says, “but he’s never actually said the words. You’re the first.”

“Not even your mum?” My parents tell me they love me every day.

“Nope.”

“That’s so sad,” I whisper into his chest. “Well, I love you, and I’ll tell you every day if you want to hear it.” He doesn’t answer me with words. Instead, he pulls my face towards his, giving me the sweetest, softest kiss ever.

Kicking the door closed with his foot, he takes a few steps backwards, taking me with him. When he’s seated on his bed, he pulls me onto his lap. I’m now straddling him.

“Tell me again?” he asks.

“I love you, Chase Daniels.” His lips are on mine in an instant.

“Thank you for loving me,” he says against my mouth, as he pulls my body flush with his.

“You’re an easy person to love,” I tell him, and he is. I’m not bothered that he doesn’t say it back. Sure I want him to love me too, but I want him to say it when he means it, not just because I said it to him.

I can already feel his growing erection pressing against me, so I grind myself against him as I deepen the kiss. He growls into my mouth as he lies back on the bed. His hand reaches out to push the guitar onto the floor before flipping me over onto my back, rolling on top of me.

That must have been the music I heard earlier. I didn’t know he played an instrument.

“I want you, sweet-cheeks,” he breathes.

“I want you too.” He kneels back on his haunches, looking down at me, smiling. He reaches for the button of my jeans, undoing it. After sliding down the zipper, he pulls my jeans down my legs, taking my panties with them.

I sit up slightly, helping him remove his T-shirt, before reaching for the button on his jeans. Within seconds we’re both naked. He reaches over to his bedside table, retrieving a condom. I don’t think we’ll ever make that mistake again.

When he settles down between my legs, he kisses me passionately. This time when we have sex, it’s different from the other times. It’s almost like he’s trying to
show
me how much he loves me, because he can’t say the words.

••••

Chase

A few hours later, we finally make it out of my bed. I’m sitting in the lounge room with my girl planted firmly on my lap, where she belongs, when Pops walks in. The smile on his face tells me he’s happy we’re okay.

“Well I see you two lovebirds have made up.” Angel and I just look at each other and smile. All is right with the world again. I honestly thought when I left her house this morning, I may possibly never see her again. I couldn’t be happier that’s not the case.

“You want me to get an extra frozen dinner out of the freezer for sweet-thing?” he asks.

“Oh, I’ll cook if you like,” Angel offers.

“You gotta taste her cooking, Pops. We can walk down to the grocery store and get what we need.”

“Sounds fuckin’ good to me,” he says.

“Let’s do it, stud-muffin,” Angel says, hopping up off my lap.

“Fuckin’ stud-muffin,” Pops repeats. “I fuckin’ heard it all now. Fuckin’ stud-muffin,” he says again shaking his head as he cracks up. Fucking great. I’m never going to hear the end of this.

••••

Pops, like me, is in love with Angel’s food. He even told her last night he’s thinking of moving her in with us. I can see how much he likes her, and that makes me happy. Those two mean the world to me, so it’s important they get on.

Sweet-cheeks ended up spending the night here. I’ve never had a girl stay over before, so I’m glad I got to experience another first with her.

When I roll over in the bed, I find her gone again. Fuck, I’m gonna have to talk to her about that. I want her to be the first thing I see when I open my eyes. The first thing I touch.

It’s Sunday today, the day of the family barbeque at the club. They hold one every fortnight. I’m happy she’s coming with me, but I’m also scared as fuck. Even though it’s family day, so it’s toned down a lot because there’s kids around, it can still get a little crazy.

It’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so I’m used to it. Angel though, she comes from a different world to me. I hope today doesn’t scare her off.

I slip out of bed and into my jeans. As soon as I walk into the hall, I can already smell the food. She must be making breakfast. I can also hear Pops and Angel laughing in the kitchen. I think he enjoys having her around as much as I do.

“Hey, Pops,” I say as I playfully slap him on the head as I pass, making a bee-line to my girl.

“Morning, stud-muffin,” he responds with a chuckle. Fucking stud-muffin. I knew I wouldn’t hear the last of that.

“Morning, beautiful,” I whisper in Angel’s ear as I slide my hands around her waist, pulling her to me. She’s standing at the stove, flipping eggs in the pan, while Pops sits at the table drinking coffee. Angel turns her head, planting a soft kiss on my lips.