Chapter 32-3

David sat on one of the armchairs and Spencer was perched on the arm of it. A hundred thoughts were going through my brain right now. I felt like my legs were about to crumble any second. As if reading my mind, Chase puts a hand around my waist and leads me over to the empty sofa. He sits down with me on one side and my mother was on the other. I rest my elbows on my lap and lean forward to the phone. "Hi, Xavier." I greet him while staring at the screen, not daring to look at anyones faces. I try to keep my voice from cracking but it doesn't work, "What's up?" "Hey Hayden. I thought it would be a good idea to have everyone around you right now." Xavier explains as I hear some paper rustling on his end and I gulp. My mother places a hand on my back and rubs gently, letting me know she was here for me. They were all here for me. "Xavier, what happened?" I question, my heart not being able to deal with any of the suspense. "I promised you I would keep that son of a bitch behind bars, from the very start I held that promise. You remember that right?" Xavier explains and I could hear my heart beating in my ears. I hum in response and he continues, "Well, that's where he's going to rot for the rest of his life because his appeal was heard and refused, Hayden. We got him." Everyone gasps in surprise and shock. My brain and body and entire spirit went numb for a few seconds as I stared at the phone. "Oh thank fuck!" I breath out as my legs split and my body drops down in between them. The relief that washes through me was overwhelming and I could feel myself shaking.  Mom wraps her arms around me as she presses her cheek to my back, and I could hear her quiet cries. Noah was clapping and cheering as well as Michael on the bed. "Now, I've already started on the lawsuit. We're going to milk those motherfucking lawyers for everything they've got." Xavier explains from the phone as I sit up and wipe the tears from my eyes, "I'm also going to try my damn best to get Luke for coconspiring with the firm. I bet you're feeling pretty relieved right now, you and Chase?" Chase scoffs from beside me, "You think?" "I'll see you guys back in Holden Bay and I'll run over the lawsuit with you." Xavier explains as Chase's hand wraps  around my thigh and stays there, reminding the both of us that we were here together. "Enjoying the rest of your evening—or well, morning." "You too Xavier." David says as he picks up the phone, "Bye now." As David hangs up the phone I sniffle and sag back against the couch. I stare up at the ceiling and wipe my eyes while everyone stays quiet, all watching and waiting for me to do something. "I don't even know why I'm crying. I shouldn't be crying over this asshole." I grumble while blinking the tears away. Vera appears behind the couch and leans down as she wraps her arms around me. "You're allowed to cry, Hayden. Wail in relief and sadness, we're all here for you." Vera explains as everyone draws near until I was surrounding by so much love and I start crying again. Penn sits at my feet and rests her head on my lap, sharing in my sadness as well. ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ After spending a good two hours in Mom and David's room, we eventually left. I spent most of the time hugging everyone. We ordered a bit of room service and just spread out around the room. Noah and Michael just ate all the food he had smuggled out of the gala. Hayley, Vera and Penn all climbed onto the sofa with me once Mom and Chase had moved. When our little cuddle sesh ended, Noah and Levi took up their spaces and both of them hugged me together. It was obvious the last thing they wanted was for me to bare all of this on myself and made it their mission to share the heaviness with me. They were so sweet. Eventually we all decided to leave and head back to sleep. We were all leaving tomorrow and wanted to get on the road early. Chase and I were quiet as we walked back to our room, hand in hand. When we enter the room, I was expecting to go to the bedroom part of the suite but Chase pulls me into the bathroom. He runs the antique stand-alone bathtub. "If we lie down now, you're not going to be able to sleep." Chase mumbles as he steps towards me and runs his hands down my arms, "Let's just relax for a little." As the bathtub runs, Chase helps me undress before lifting me up and placing me in the hot water. He slips in behind me a few moments later. I sigh out as his knees come up on either side of me and I recline back into his chest. "I feel like I can finally breathe again." I whisper as I run my fingertips over the surface of the water. "You're safe now, Jones." Chase mumbles as he kisses my shoulder gently, "And I won't let a fucking thing hurt you again." "Me too." I mumble as I lift my arm and wrap it around his neck. I tilt my head as I glance up from his lips to his eyes, "I'll protect you from everything as well." Chase smiles at me before leaning forward and kissing me. After a few seconds of enjoying each other's lips, I scoot further down the bathtub so most of my body was submerged and rest my head back against him. Chase was a little too quiet, meaning he was thinking deeply about something but I don't bother him. I was just too happy right now. I've missed this feeling.