Chapter 16

I INHALE DEEPLY as I come to the surface of my slumber. I try to move but am hindered by the heavy weight on my chest. Tilting my chin upwards, my eyes slowly open to see the white ceiling above. Morning light was streaking in through the open windows, and the sheer white curtains were lightly flowing in the wind. I glance down at my chest to see a head of curly brown hair lying on my chest. My waist was wrapped up tightly in his arms as he hugged me into his body. Our legs were entangled beneath the sheets, the sheets being the only material I could feel on either of our bodies. Oh shit. My eyes widen as snippets from last night slowly begin to flood into my brain. How many damn times did we fuck last night? I honestly can't remember, but I'm pretty sure it was more than twice. I was still pretty buzzed from the copious of alcohol I had consumed so some things were blurry. All I can remember his hands and lips against my body, digging up a feeling within me that I thought was dead and forgotten. I remember his lips on mine, on my neck, stomach and thighs and....more sensitive areas. I feel heat spread across my cheek as the memories enter like a damn tidal wave this time. Chase mumbles against the skin of my chest and hugs me tighter. My heart was torn because half of me wanted to stay wrapped up in him for the rest of the morning while the other half new that this was a bad idea. This is exactly what I was afraid of. Ok, plan of attack; somehow unravel from Chase's limbs, get to the bathroom and shower. I always think better in the shower and my shower thoughts are honestly Nobel Peace Prize ideas. Okay...that's a fat lie. My shower thoughts usually go along the lines of 'we never stop clapping, the time between claps just get longer'. I count to three in my head before attempting to untangle myself from Chase. I didn't want to, I didn't fucking want to at all. But I knew if I did stay, I'd ruin Chase. That's all I seem to do. I've seen quotes where it's a guy talking about a girl being his saviour while he's her destruction. But it's the other way for me. For us. After a few minutes of attempting to move, Chase thankfully rolls onto his back and takes his arms and legs with him. I pretend to be asleep for a couple seconds, hoping he would assume that I was actually passed out. I open one eye to check and find that Chase's was still away in dreamland. Sitting up, I press the white sheet to my chest while I glance around the room. Vera's floral robe lay over the armchair on my side of the room. Throwing my legs over the side of the bed, I reach across and pull the floral robe flush against my chest. I hold it there, covering just the very very naked front of my body, and begin to make my way to my suitcase which was in the walk-in closet. However, me being me, I accidentally trip on my converse and almost fall over. But luckily I manage to catch myself. I glare down at the converse before picking up because no doubt I'd trip on it once more. "Jones?" I hear a groggy question from behind me and I'm not sure why it scared me, but it damn well did. I flip around instantly, screaming as I yeet the converse at the bed. It hits Chase square in the face and I quickly run from the room, shrieking like my fucking head was on fire. Luckily no one was in the hallway so I make a beeline for the bathroom. Once I was inside, I close the door behind me, lock it and then rest my forehead against the wooden slab. I try to came from erratic heartbeat and breathing a I close my eyes. After a few moments of silence I push off the door and stumble to the vanity. I drop Vera's robe to the floor as I glance at myself in the mirror. You've got to be fucking kidding me. I could see two love marks on my collarbone, a few on breast and one on my lower stomach. I turn around and push my hair over one shoulder to notice another on my left shoulder blade and one on my mid back. What the fuck did we do? Well gosh, I don't know, each other? I place one hand to the marble top of the vanity to steady myself as I face palm into the other. I sigh out heavily as I tilt my head back, picking up what was left of my damn dignity as I glance back into the mirror when I notice something else. I had gotten use to my scars. I only really notice them if I look hard enough in the mirror. However, I am reminded when I wear a bikini or a small dress because I see other people staring and whispering. Some people have actually recognised me from news articles. Shaking my head, I swallow the fear and disgust that was slowly climbing it's way up my throat and make my way into the shower. I step inside the glass box, turn the water on and slowly slide down against the wall. This is now my box of shame and misery and now I shall live here. ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ I wipe away the water residue from the mirror before throwing my wet hair up into a towel turban. I felt slightly better after the shower but the apex between my legs still ached and so did my back. I always forget how horny my drunk alter ego gets. Damn her. As I leave the bathroom, I slightly startled by a smiling Vera who stood right outside. "So..." She trails off as he smile somehow grows bigger, "Do we need to change the sheets?" "I'll change them." I huff as I slip past her. She follows me to out bedroom, squealing and clapping her hands. "Ah! Spencer and Noah are going to freak when I tell them that the Chayden love boat is smooth sailing down love river once more!" Vera giggles behind me as I flip around just in front of our bedroom door. "V, please don't tell them or anyone for that matter." I plead to her, "I don't want to make a big deal out of this. I mean, I'm not even sure how Chase is feeling right now. It's just so fucking confusing." Vera then drags her finger across her lips as if it were a zip, "My lips are sealed, darling. I will not tell another soul until you're ready." "Thank you." I give her a small smile before hesitantly reaching for the handle of the door. I push it open, thankful that the bed was now empty and all that remained were the sheets that held the shameful memories of the previous night. "I can help make sense of it all though." Vera remarks as she stands in front of the door, holding her inflated belly, "Talk to me, Hay. Let me see what chaos is running amuck up there in that pretty little head of yours." I sigh as I sit down on the edge of the bed, "I just—fuck, this is going to make me sound so stupid." "Hey, hey," Vera rushes forward and crouches below me as she places her hands to my knees, "I'm here with an open mind and an open heart. I just want to help you, my love." "Ok, remember that weekend I was heading to LA to surprise Chase?" I question as she nods, remembering the four hour phone call we had just before I boarded the plane, "Well, I got to the airport expecting to catch an uber to his apartment when I notice someone was waiting for me." Vera frowns, "Who?" "One of his grandfather's henchmen." I answer with a bitter and foul taste in my mouth.... "Hayden Jones?" The man in the fancy suit and hat questions while holding a whiteboard with my name written on it. I pull my headphones from my ears as I frown at him. "Uh yeah?" I question as I let my suitcase stop next to me. "I work for Thomas Everett. Please follow me." The man orders and like the dumb bitch I am, I follow him. Maybe I was tired from the flight but all I really wanted to do was see Chase. I hadn't seen him in a couple weeks and I wanted to surprise him.