Chase (2 page)

******

I’m sitting in my room, surfing the internet. I’m seriously bored. I have nothing to do; I’ve already organized, cleaned and called my parents and Nikki. I have no idea what James and Kade are doing, but I heard a few voices out there and I’m feeling a little shy to just walk out there. I pull out my kindle and start reading some J.R Ward when there is a slight knock on my door.

“Yeah?” I call out.

“Can I come in?” It’s Kade.

“Sure.”

He opens the door and sticks his head in, taking a look around.

“What can I do for you Kade?” I ask him.

He chuckles. “You are asking for a sexual innuendo right there.”

I roll my eyes. “What’s up?”

He walks over and sits on my bed, making himself comfortable.

“Well, it seems you have been hiding in your room all day, so I wanted to tell you to stop being a snob and come and hang out with us. We’re having drinks on the deck.”

“Who is ‘we’,” I ask him.

Kade lifts an eyebrow. “Does it matter?”

“I guess not,” I mumble sulkily.

“Come on, don’t be shy. This is your house too,” he tells me in a serious tone.

“Okay,” I say, exhaling hard. I jump out of bed and walk out with Kade. When I only see James sitting on the deck, drink in hand, I turn and give Kade a look. He gives me an easy smile in return. I sit down, and James hands me a beer.

“Done hiding?” James teases. I blush. “Oh come on Layla, I’m just playing. You don’t need to hide from us,” he says. I’m about to respond when a girl walks out onto the deck. Short white shorts and a white net top, I can practically see her breasts. She takes a seat on Kade’s lap.

“Eve, this is Layla, she lives here with us,” Kade introduces us.

Eve pouts. “She lives here... with you?” She repeats slowly.

“Yep,” Kade replies, popping the P.

“I don’t like it,” she replies after a few moments.

“You don’t need to like anything,” Kade says before taking a sip of his beer.

I glance over at James who is text messaging someone. I stand up and head for the kitchen. “Where you going Layla?” Kade asks instantly, thinking his girl is running me off.

“To the kitchen, I’ll be back.”

He nods.

I walk into the kitchen and decide to bake some brownies. I’m just putting them into the oven when Eve walks in. She steps into the kitchen like she’s on a mission, and stops right in front of me, trying to intimidate me. It doesn’t work. Here is the thing about me. I don’t like confrontation, and I don’t like to fight. I don’t like to get involved; I like my life drama free. But that doesn’t mean I won’t fight back. I don’t let anyone disrespect me. People tend to mistake my kindness for weakness. Their mistake.

“Listen here; if you even think of putting moves on Kade, you will regret it. He is mine and just because you live here, and you’re convenient pussy for him, you aren’t going to have him,” she spits out at me.

“What exactly are you going to do about it?” I goad. I have no intentions on doing anything with Kade, but this girl is asking for it.

“I will get Kade to kick you out, you whore!” She screeches.

I’m about to tell her exactly where she can shove that threat, when Kade walks into the kitchen, rage flashing in his eyes.

“Get out Eve, and don’t bother coming back,” he growls.

“What? But Kade, I...”

“You have the fucking audacity to talk to my friend like that? I don’t need that shit. Leave now, Eve,” he demands.

Eve stomps away, shouting a few curse words at Kade before slamming the front door as she departs.

“You don’t put up with any of that shit okay Layla,” he tells me, his voice now gentle. “You live here, you be comfortable here. You get first priority. Anyone says shit to you, or you don’t like something, come to me or James, we will take care of it,” he says as he gently tugs on a lock of my hair.

He is so damn sweet.

“Thanks Kade,” I say softly.

“No need to thank me, you can just share whatever your baking that smells so damn good,” he says, his eyes twinkling. I laugh.

“Of course I was going to share; I baked enough for a small army.”

Thirty minutes later, I bring out the brownies and vanilla ice cream. We all sit out on the deck eating.

“This is fucking good Layla,” Kade growls, “The woman can bake.”

“It seriously is,” commends James. “Wait, I thought you said you couldn’t cook?”

I stifle a laugh and say, “Baking is not cooking.”

Kade glances over at me and grins, “I think we are gonna be the best of friends,” he says before shoving a huge spoonful of brownie in his mouth.

I laugh.

Chapter Three

My third night in the house was fun. Kade and James
make me feel welcome, so it’s not as awkward as I thought it would be. We end up watching a few movies, and playing more PS3. It turns out I’m pretty good at Call of Duty, and Kade kept muttering ‘wifey’ comments every time I played well. We order Chinese for dinner, and when I try to pay, Kade and James almost have a fit. I ordered my usual honey chicken and fried rice, and the guys ordered enough to feed an army. When they finished everything, I must say, I was impressed.

The next morning, I wake up when I hear noises in the kitchen. I walk out wearing a pair of track pants and a tank top.

“Hey James,” I mumble sleepily.

“Mornin’ Laylay,” he greets.

“Laylay?” I repeat disbelievingly.

James just grins.

“Oh come on! Find something better than that please!” I beg.

“Hmmm I quite like Laylay. How about princess?” he asks.

“Princess Laylay?” I must look horrified.

James bursts out laughing.

“Maybe. I do like star wars,” is his reply. Ugh. That’s princess Leia not Layla. But whatever.

“What are you doing today?” I ask after I put two pieces of toast in the toaster.

“Got some shit to do in a bit.” James, always so vague. I’m not going to lie, I’m curious as hell about James. He is so laid back, calm, easy going and sometimes very quiet. The saying ‘It’s the quiet ones you need to look out for’ reminds me of James. There is something there under that gentle exterior.

“So tell me about the illusive landlord. I’m curious as hell.”

“He comes and goes, you might only see him once a month or so,” James says.

“And?” I want more information than that.

“And he’s here now. But I think he’s leaving today.”

“Doesn’t he want to meet his new tenant?”

James just gives me a small grin, and doesn’t say anything else.

“I’m gonna run out and give out some applications. Know if there are any salons close by?” I ask around a mouth of toast.

“Um, I only know of one I pass on the way to University. On Cedar Street.”

“Cool, thanks. I’ll go there then.”

“Good luck princess Laylay.” James grins at me cheekily.

I cringe at the new nickname.

I make my way to my room and hear noises coming from the master bedroom. I guess the man who owns this house, is here today. Not thinking anything more of it, I close my bedroom door and get ready. About thirty minutes later, I hear feet stomping out in the hallway, and then murmurs. I then hear a girl’s voice raising. I quietly make it to my door and hear, “What the fuck, I’m good enough to fuck but you won’t even offer me coffee?”

My mouth drops open. I can’t help a small giggle.

Then another voice, one I don’t recognize. A deep voice.

“I said to get out. You know the rules. We come home, we fuck, and you leave. You should have left last night.”

“Fuck you, everyone was right. You weren’t even that good in bed!”

“Good, that means you won’t come back for more. Get.” I hear the front door slam shut. Wow, I wonder if all one night stands end like that. Awkward much. A few minutes later, I hear the door shut again. I finish getting ready and make my way to the kitchen to grab some juice before I leave. Kade and James are both standing there chatting. I walk out with a huge question on my face.

Kade smirks, “Just our landlord trying to get rid of his latest conquest.”

James laughs, “Yeah that man gets all the nut cases. Lucky you missed it.”

“So when do I get to meet him?” I ask as I pour my juice.

James and Kade glance at each other. “Probably won’t. It’s rare he’s here. But when he is here, he’s usually not alone. So you might hear more of that.”

Oh great. I’m living in a man whores house.

“Hey, the drama could be entertaining,” I say with a smirk.

“I’ll see you guys later!”

“Later Laylay.” Both guys chime behind me.

I cringe. At least they haven’t thought of saying ‘Layla I wanna lay ya’ yet.

When I arrive home a couple hours later, I am an employed woman. One less thing for me to worry about, and I’m glad. Kade and James are sitting at the table when I walk in.

“Laylay! You’re home. Come play cards with us!” James says.

I grin. “Give me a sec.” I go into my room and put down my hand bag, change out of my high waisted skirt and blouse and put on my leopard print onesie. I walk out and the boys burst out laughing. I roll my eyes and sit down ready to play cards.

“What the fuck is that, Layla?” Kade asks with a smirk.

“My onesie? Just the comfiest thing ever! Now what card game we playing?” I ask eagerly.

“Is that outfit meant to put us off our game? I think it may be working,” James muses.

“How about we make this game more interesting?” I ask them.

They both look at me, curious.

“Strip poker?” James asks, looking eager.

“Um... no. I was more thinking along the lines of if I beat you; you never call me Laylay again.” I am brilliant, I muse.

“And if you lose?” Kade replies.

“What do you guys want?” I groan.

They both glance at each other, before grinning evilly.

“You need to learn how to cook our favorite meals,” Kade says slowly.

I try to hold in my laugh.

“And then you cook wearing something extremely skimpy. Like lingerie, or a bikini,” adds James with a grin.

“You guys are perverts!” I scoff, outraged.

They both laugh.

“Okay, deal.” We shake on it.

A few games of blackjack later and I’ll never hear the word Laylay again.

I walk half asleep into the kitchen the next morning, having a craving for a soda. I open the fridge and pull one out, opening the can and taking a huge swig. I can hear someone clearing their throat. I close the fridge and look over at Kade, whose eyes are currently wide.

“What?” I mumble grumpily.

He looks down and nods at my body. I glance down. Oh shit. I’m wearing nothing but a cami and my superman underwear. I put down my soda and sigh. “I’m sure it’s nothing you haven’t seen before,” I say, my face going slightly red.

Kade chuckles, “Not so sure about that princess.” I gasp. He laughs. “You said no Laylay, not princess.”

“Guess you can’t win them all.” I groan. Oh well, princess is much better than Laylay.

“You have a fucking hot body. I don’t mind enjoying this view every morning,” Kade says, his gaze roaming to places it shouldn’t.

“My eyes are up here you perve!” I hiss.

“So since we’ve decided we can walk around the house in our pajamas in the morning, expect to see me naked tomorrow.” He laughs again and walks off. I shake my head and go back into my room, taking my soda with me.

That evening, I walk out of my room and into the lounge area, wanting to watch a movie. Kade and James are sitting there, both with a girl each. I slowly take a step back, trying to leave without being noticed. I think I’m safe when I hear a rumbled, “Princess get over here.” I sigh. Kade. I stick my head inside the room.

“Yes?” I ask innocently.

“Get your butt in here,” he says with humor in his voice.

I groan and walk into the room taking a seat on the lone recliner. I realize the girls they are with are twins, both blonde bombshells. They are both staring at me like they want to kill me. I look from one to the other, then back at Kade, raising a sardonic brow. His lip twitches. I look over at James who is glancing over at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. I ignore them and start watching the movie, which happens to be The Avengers. About twenty minutes later I glance over and Barbie one is kissing Kade’s neck, and Barbie two is playing with James’s lip ring with her tongue. Okay then.

I stand up.

“Well. I’m just going to..” I gesture to outside the door, “Because this is just. Awkward.” I walk out, hearing the boys’ chuckle behind me. Those two!

The next morning I’m in the kitchen, fully dressed, when Kade walks into the kitchen. Butt naked. I scream and cover my eyes with my hands.

“Kade!” I yell.

“What? I warned you,” he says nonchalantly.

“Kade go and get dressed right now! And I better not see your naked ass again or I’m going to be the biggest cock block. EVER!” I hiss at him.

He just laughs gleefully and takes his time around the kitchen. That is it!

Later that night, the Barbie twins come over again. I’m surprised, I’ll admit. Two nights in a row must be the biggest commitment these guys have ever made. They skip the preliminaries, and head straight for their bedrooms. I knock on Kade’s door once but he doesn’t answer. So I start banging on it. He finally answers it, wearing nothing but a harsh scowl. He sees me and his eyes narrow menacingly.

“Hi,” I say cheerily.

“Someone better be dying princess,” he threatens.

My smile gets bigger. “Was just wondering if you wanted to hang out?” I ask innocently.

Kade growls, and slams the door, and I burst out laughing. I knock again and the door opens instantly this time.

“Unless you want to join us, I suggest you stop,” Kade says followed by a long suffering sigh.

I fold my arms against my chest, and say nothing. Kade also folds his arms and continues to hold my stare. I hear a frustrated ‘Kade!’ in the background, and I give him a smug look.

A few moments pass.

“Fine!” he caves, “You won’t see me naked around the house again. Well played Layla, well played.” He chuckles, pats me on the head and slams the door again.