Chapter 11

KATE.
My eyes widened in shock, "I kind of figured that out. "
"No, I mean... " he ran a hand through his hair, cursing under his breath.
I ducked my head trying to meet his eyes, "You mean what? "
He closed his eyes briefly then opened it, "I mean I want you. Exclusively. "
I stared at him, trying to figure out if he was joking or not. When I found out he wasn't, I was even more shocked. "Oh wow. You want us to be in a relationship? "
The word wasn't even out of my mouth before he yelled, "No. "
I drew my head back, confused, "Then what are you saying? "
"I'm saying I want to fuck you. Just you. And I expect you to do the same. "
I gaped at him. What the hell was this guy saying? "That's what a relationship is. "
He shook his head vehemently, "No, it's not. We're not going to go out like couples do. Just fuck whenever. "
"Oh my God. I cannot believe you. " I scrambled off his lap to put space between us so that I wouldn't give in to my urge to slap him for even suggesting something like that.
He slooked confused, "I thought you'd be happy about this. "
I narrowed my eyes, "Happy that you'd call me whenever you get horny? No thank you. "
He got up and started pacing, seemingly frustrated, "Then what the fuck do you want from me? "
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. " I crossed my arms, glaring at him, "You know what? I'm in a relationship anyway. So I don't need this crap. "
He froze, then turned to me slowly, "What did you say? "
His eyes glinted with something dangerous and I realized that this was a side of him I'd never seen but knew existed.
I squared my shoulders and met his eyes, "I said I'm in a relationship. "
"With who? "
"That's none of your business. What matters is that I'm in a relationship. "
He stared at me as if I just told him I had male sexual organs, "What the hell are you talking about? You kissed me five days ago. "
I rolled my eyes. Like that meant a thing, "I know. I was there. "
"So you kissed me even though you were in a relationship with someone else? "
My eyes drooped and I stared at my feet, unable to answer his question. I knew what he thought I was. A cheat.
"Answer me. " he snapped and I found myself doing so even when I didn't want to. What was it with the orders?
"Yeah, I did. And I guess that makes me a bad person. "
He shook hi is head then took off his suit jacket, flinging it on my couch, "No, you're not an bad person. You're a confused one. "
I felt a smile making it's way to my face, "I sense a compliment in there somewhere. "
"That's because there was. " he snapped, eyes blazing with green fire. "Who is this guy anyway? Why have I -" his eyes flew to mine, pinning me on the spot, "Is it the guy at the bar? The one you flaunted in my face. "
I swallowed, "Yes. "
He looked past my shoulder, "So it's serious then. " he asked softly.
The change in his voice floored me.
"Yes. " I said simply.
I could tell he was hurt by this because he couldn't meet my eyes and I figured he did that whenever he was hurt and didn't want to show it. It killed me that I was doing this to him -hurting him. I imagined myself in his place, finding out that all this while he was in a committed relationship with someone. I couldn't even finish the thought without feeling pain.
Wait a second. "Who's the girl you were with at the bar that night? "
"No one. " he shrugged. And I believed him. Just like that because I could tell he was telling the truth. I knew he kissed her that night to hurt me because I hurt him first. His confrontation told me there was nothing else there.
I wanted to go to him and hug him. I was a big hugger and cuddler. And was it strange that I hadn't thought about my parents since he came here?
He picked up his jacket then headed for the door. I stood still, watching him. Is he just going to leave? Would you blame him though? No. No, I won't.
He stopped then turned to me and I waited for him to say anything, my heart in my throat, "I'm sorry about your parents. "
The dissapointment that washed over me was ridiculous. I had no right to be dissapointed! Even if I hadn't been in a relationship with Trent, I still wouldn't have agreed go his ridiculous proposition.
"Thanks. " I watched as he closed the door behind him. Well, wasn't this interesting.
Then a thought occurred to me, I should talk to Bailey about this.
I sat on my couch, drawing my legs up and laid my head on the exact spot Drew rested his, letting his cologne wash over my nostrils. I dailed Bailey's number and she picked up on the third ring.
"Hey. " Bailey answered.
"Bailey. Can I... Are you free right now? " I knew she was at work so I couldn't just talk to her without asking if she was working.
"Oh, this sounds serious. Yeah, give me a second. " I heard her telling Cassie to take the counter. She'd gotten a sales girl when the place started getting too much for her to handle. I was truly happy for her. I heard the sound of a food opening and closing, "Okay, you can talk now. "
I told her everything, exhaling when I was done and feeling a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I was truly glad I had a friend like Bailey. I waited and waited but she still hadn't said anything. Pulling the phone away from my ear to make sure she hadn't hung up on me, I saw that the call was still connected.
"Bailey? Are you there? "
She coughed, "Yeah, I mean. Give me a second to get my bearings here. You're saying Drew told you he wants you? "
"Yeah. " I nodded.
"And you freaking said no? " she yelled.
I deflated, "Um... Yeah. "
"What the hell is wrong with you, Kate? "
I had to admit I felt bad that she was taking it this way. "Shouldn't you be on my side on this? You've seen how he treats me and then he just comes in here today telling me he wants me and he expected me to just jump onto his arms? "
She sighed, "I'm sorry I forgot all about that. "
"Obviously. He actually made me feel bad today. He hurt me, Bailey. " I admitted, brokenly.
"I'm sorry. "
"I'm just so confused. I feel bad that I actually considered agreeing to the ridiculous proposition in the first place without for a second thinking of Trent. It's so crazy. "
"Okay. Let's be honest here. You knew you didn't really have feelings for Trent before you started dating him. "
I blinked, lost. "What? "
"You don't have feelings for Trent, Kate. I think this was more of you proving to yourself that you don't have any feelings for Drew. "
"That's absurd. " I whispered but deep down I knew there was some truth to it. Bailey was right. I'd done this without putting any consideration to Trent's feelings.
"Think about it, Kate. You were so devastated over Drew and then Trent came along and you guys just hit it off. Aren't you surprised you guys are moving so fast? "
"I moved fast with Drew too. I mean, we met just once and I couldn't seem to get over him. "
She sighed, "Drew is different and you know it. "
"No, he's not. " He is.
"So what? You're saying you went from having zero feelings for guys to having feelings for two guys at the same time? " she snapped.
"Shit. I think you're right. "
I could picture her rolling her eyes, "I am right. "
"Fuck. " I cursed, then I remembered I was at work, "What am I going to do now? "
"Simple. You explain to Trent you never had feelings for him, then go get yourself some man candy. I mean Drew, in case that wasn't clear. "
I couldn't believe I had actually hoped to get helpful advice from Bailey. She was the most unhelpful person ever.
"What do you mean explain to Trent I never had feelings for him? Don't you care about him? "
She sighed, "I do and I can tell he's..... Obsessed with you. Which is why I think this is going too fast. You should end this before it gets out of control. "
"Fuck. " this was so hard.
"Indeed. That's what you and Drew should be doing right now. Help reduce some stress. It'll put you in the right state of mind to deal with Trent. Calm as -"
"Goodbye, Bailey. " I hung up.
I didn't want to do this to Trent. He was such a nice guy, one of the B-Day out there and I shouldn't be giving him up for Drew. But I had to.
DREW.
Rejection. One of the worst feelings to experience in this world. Knowing you're not good enough for someone and maybe, never will be.
I was in the most pathetic state of my life. I couldn't even drink -just sat on my office chair, staring into space. At first, I didn't understand what was happening. I thought she was going to be happy with me but then she'd shocked me. Technically picked someone else over me. Fuck.
The one time in my life I sought out a girl and she told me no. Rejected me. Her rejection actually made me feel..... Lacking. I mean, it made me compare myself to the so called 'boyfriend' I'd seen at the bar. Was it his skin? I knew I had a tan but it was nowhere near as dark as his. Was he wealthier? I doubted. Was he more good-looking than I? Or was it just him, the while package she liked? If it was, then I couldn't compare.
But I wanted her. I wanted her so much. Just now in her office, I'd barely stopped myself from kissing her, but that was before she told me she wanted someone else. She wouldn't let me kiss her but she'd let him kiss her whenever? How was I going to survive this? Just the thought of them kissing made me want to commit suicide.
Hell if only I'd made a move sooner. If I'd made her mine that night on the dance floor. I wouldn't be going through this. But there was no need flogging a dead horse. The deed was done.
My work phone rang. I sighed, picking it up. Distraction. That's what I needed right now.
"Drew Rutledge. "
"Good evening, sir. You just got an invite to a fundraiser party. " my assistant chirped. I couldn't see/speak to her after the little stunt she pulled.
"Who's hosting it? " I asked absently.
"Mrs. Ruth Becker. " Oh. The woman was constantly organising charity events. Couldn't complain though, she was a big help to society.
"Okay. "
"I..... Have a good day, sir. " she was obviously smart for not completing shay she was going to say.
"You too. "
I pulled my car out of the underground garage, about to drive off when someone honked behind me. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw it was Chase. I contemplated if I should just drive off or stay, but my fate was sealed when I saw him coming down from his car.
I got down from mine and was shocked to see Chase chatting with Kate who looked like she was just leaving. Jealousy scathed me at how comfortable she looked talking to him. She saw me walking towards them then she hastily ducked into a taxi. Given Chase's confused expression, she probably took of mid-sentence. She hated me that much?
I stopped walking, bristling with anger and a new hatred for Chase.
"Where have you been? I've been trying to reach out to you all week. " I shrugged. "Look, I don't want to talk here. You know we can't be out in public anyway. " I nodded, seeing he had a point.
"Let's go to Ivy's. " I suggested.
As we rode there in our separate cars, I remembered I hadn't asked him why he came to see Kate that day. I made a mental note to ask him.
When we got into the bar, I saw a couple sitting at the exact table Kate and her boyfriend sat that day. I couldn't even think the word 'boyfriend' without wincing. This was going to be hard.
Chase walked ahead of me, picking a seat at a secluded corner where we wouldn't get noticed and was about about go sit when a guy came over.
"This seat is taken. "
"By whom? " Chase asked.
"By me. " he stated, standing taller.
"We didn't see you here. " Chase argued.
"Doesn't mean the seat isn't mine. " he bared his teeth.
"Chase, sit. " I said, impatient as I took the other seat. Chase was about to sit.
The next thing I saw was Chase flat on the ground, with the man on top of him, landing blows everywhere -his face, ribs, chest. What made me pause was the fact that Chase wasn't fighting back.
The scene was all too familiar as it reminded me of a time back when we were kids. Chase used go get bullied. He would never fight back, just took all the beatings and taunts. I'd always end up scaring the boys away.
Seeing as I was already know a bad mood, my temper red-lined. I got up, grabbed the man by the back of his shirt and immediately he looked at me, landed a punch square on his face.
Sound of bone crunching filled the air. He flew back, landing on a table and causing the occupants to flee. I turned to Chase, who was dusting his suit, and saw a cut on his lip and an injury above his eyebrow. I became angry all over again. I stalked to the man and pinched him again. I wanted to do damage to the man. Fuck him up so bad his own family wouldn't recognize him.
I felt hands pulling me, "That's okay. "
I shrugged his hands off, advancing on the man again.
"Stop, Drew. You're going to kill him. "
"That's the plan. " I snarled.
"Not anymore. "
I inhaled several breaths to calm myself, then glanced at Chase. But he wasn't looking at me. His eyes were trained on the man lying helplessly on the ground. He walked over then planted his foot on the man's stomach. He groaned, curling into himself. He groaned, curling into himself, his hands clutching his middle.
I found myself getting amused. So he had a dark side.
The manager's eyes were wild and frantic, "Security, takd this man out, now. " he turned to me, "Mr. Rutledge, I am so sorry for the inconvenience. I assure you it would never happen again. Do you need medical... "
"Mr. Rutledge? " the man wheezed, eyes wide. Apparently, he hadn't known who we were.
"We're fine. " Chase told the manager although he was anything but.
We sat again and my gaze would go to his injury every now and then, "You need to put ice on that. "
"Yeah. " he winced. The area surrounding his brows were now turning purple.
"Why don't you ever fight back? " I wondered out loud. He shrugged. "What are you doing with Kate. "
"No big deal. " he shrugged again. But it was. It was a big deal. I'd sell half my shares in Rutledge Towers to spend thirty minutes with her. And here he was, acting nonchalant about it.
"Hey, Drew. "
I looked at him.
"You remember Big Brandon? " a small smile played on his cut lips.
I smiled, remembering. Big Brandon was an overweight kid in eleventh grade at the time.
One day, Chase was getting bullied by a group of four boys in the tenth grade and as usual, he didn't fight back. I'd stepped in to fight them away but I was no match for them at that time. Out of nowhere, Big Brandon came running towards us and scared the boys away, then proceeded to sit on the unlucky one who couldn't run away fast enough. We became a clique from that day onwards.
I laughed. "I wonder how he is now. "
"He's actually running a gym now. Partnered with some other guy. "
I raised a brow, "You kept in touch with him? "
"Nah. I saw a flyer somewhere. "
I nodded. I was truly happy that he had something doing. He was one of my few friends.
"Three o'clock. " Chase said all of a sudden.
My eyes automatically flew to my right. There was a couple sitting there who looked to be having a serious conversation, but there was nothing unusual about them.
"What? " I asked Chase.
"Look closer. " he smiled.
I turned again, and this time, I saw they weren't talking, just had serious expressions. I caught movement under the table and that's when I understood. I laughed.
"They're obvious as hell. "
"You'd so something like that though. " he wiggled his brows, suggestively.
I grinned, "Yeah...... But nobody would know. "
Chase laughed, shifting slightly on his seat.
The jokes and Chase's presence was soothing somehow. In a way that made me forget my problems for a little while.
I knew I barely had time for anything else in my life other than work but it wouldn't kill me to put in a little time for Chase.
I missed my brother.