CHAPTER 106

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As we stepped inside, the warmth of the house wrapped around me. Chase handed me a fresh towel his grandma had fetched, and I quietly thanked her.

"You boys need a hot drink," she said, already moving toward the kitchen. "Change into dry clothes first before you catch a fever."

Chase looked at me. "You shower first. I'll get you some clothes."

I nodded. "Okay." Then, I walked toward the bathroom.

The warm water hit my skin, washing away the cold and the tension I didn't even realize I was holding. I sighed, running my fingers through my wet hair. My mind wandered back to earlier—how close Chase and I had been, the way his lips felt against mine, the way my heart pounded so hard I thought he might hear it.

Was it okay to feel this way? When... That wasn't the first time we that did that.

I shook my head and finished up, stepping out of the shower. I wrapped a towel around my waist and opened the door slightly. "Chase?"

"Yeah?" His voice came from just outside.

"You got the clothes?"

"Yeah, I left them by the door."

I reached out and grabbed them, pausing for a second. His shirt. His shorts. His scent still lingered on them.

I exhaled deeply before changing, trying to ignore the warmth spreading in my chest.

After I dressed up, I exited the bathroom. Then, I saw Chase, with a towel on his shoulder, his damp hair sticking to his forehead.

"You done?" he asked, his voice casual, but his eyes lingered on me for a second too long.

I nodded. "Yeah. Your turn."

He gave me a small smile before heading into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. I stood there for a moment, running a hand through my hair. The house was quiet except for the distant sound of the rain still falling outside.

After I dried my hair, I placed the towel on the chair and headed to the kitchen.

Grandma was there, setting the table while a warm aroma filled the room. She glanced up and smiled when she saw me.

"Oh, Austin, dear. You should be resting," she said, pouring tea into two cups.

I shook my head. "I’m fine, Grandma. Let me help you."

Grandma chuckled softly. "Alright, then. Can you get the rest of the plates?"

"Of course." I grabbed the plates and utensils, bringing them to the dining table. The aroma of warm soup and freshly cooked rice filled the air, making my stomach grumble.

Just as I finished, Chase walked in, his damp hair slightly tousled from his shower. He was wearing fresh clothes, looking more comfortable now.

"Smells good," he said, flashing a grin at his grandma before turning to me. "Feeling warm now?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for the clothes."

"No problem." He smiled and patted my shoulder before turning back to help his grandma set the foods on the table.

I watched him for a moment, feeling something unfamiliar stir inside me. It was comforting—seeing him move so naturally in this home, with his grandma, with me.

"Come, Austin, sit down," Grandma said warmly, pulling me from my thoughts.

I nodded and took a seat. Chase placed a bowl of soup in front of me before sitting down across from me.

"Eat up," he said, grinning. "You need to warm up after getting soaked."

I let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, thanks."

As we ate, the warmth of the food and the quiet atmosphere settled around us. I found myself stealing glances at Chase, wondering if he knew just how much he made me feel at home.

—

After we ate, Chase washed the dishes. I wanted to help, but he didn’t let me.

“You're the guest,” he said with a grin. “Just sit and relax.”

I leaned against the counter, watching him. "I don’t mind helping, you know."

He shook his head. "Nope. My house, my rules."

I sighed in defeat, crossing my arms. "Fine. But you're not thinking that I don't know how to wash the dishes, are you?" I raised my eyebrows.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "No, of course not. I just think you should rest."

"Tss." I just shake my head. "Whatever. I'll go talk to Grandma then."

"Yeah. You should." He smiled.

I left the kitchen and headed to the living room, where Grandma was seated, knitting something with a warm smile on her face.

"Hi, Grandma." I greeted her as I sat beside her. 

"Oh, hi, Austin. I'm almost done." She then showed me the thing she was knitting. "I made you a handkerchief."

I blinked in surprise, reaching out to touch the soft fabric. "For me?"

"Yes, for you."

I smiled, feeling warmth in my chest. "Thank you, Grandma. You didn’t have to."

"It’s a small thing, but I wanted to make something for you."

I held it in my hands, running my fingers over the neat stitches. "I'll treasure it."

"Now, it's time for you to sing a song for me." She chuckled.

I laughed a little. "Right. Right, as I promised. Do you have a favorite song?"

Grandma tapped her chin, thinking for a moment. "Every woman in the world. It was the song that my husband sang for me when he courted me. Do you know this song?"

"Of course, Grandma. I know this song." I smiled at her. "I'll sing it for you."

Her face lit up with excitement as she settled comfortably in her chair. I took a deep breath and started singing Every Woman in the World softly. My voice carried through the room, blending with the gentle sound of rain still drizzling outside.

*Overnight scenes, dinner and wine*

*Saturday girls*

*I was never in love, never had the time*

As I sang, Grandma closed her eyes, swaying slightly, a nostalgic smile on her face. I could tell she was reliving old memories—perhaps moments with Chase's late grandfather, the love they shared, the days when he sang this very song for her.

*Laughing myself to sleep*

*Waking up lonely*

*I needed someone to hold me oh oh oh*

*It's such a crazy old town*

*It can drag you down*

*Till you run out of dreams*

*So you party all night to the music and lights*

*But you don't know what happiness means*

*I was dancing in the dark with strangers*

*No love around me*

*When suddenly you found me oh oh oh*

*Girl you're every woman in the world to me*

*You're my fantasy, you're my reality*

*Girl you're every woman in the world to me*

*You're everything I need, you're everything to me*

*Oh girl*

When I finished, she opened her eyes and clapped her hands together. “Oh, Austin, that was beautiful. You have such a wonderful voice.”

I chuckled, feeling a little shy. “I’m happy you liked it, Grandma.”

She reached out and patted my hand warmly. “Your voice has so much emotion in it, just like my husband’s did. You must be in love, dear.”

Her words caught me off guard, and I blinked at her. My gaze instinctively drifted toward the kitchen. 

I felt my breath hitch as our eyes met. Chase stood by the doorway, a faint smile on his lips, but there was something in his gaze—something warm, something knowing.

“Were you listening?” I asked, clearing my throat as I shifted in my seat.

He chuckled, stepping forward. “Maybe a little.”

Grandma patted my hand and gave me a teasing look. “I think he enjoyed it too.”

I chuckled awkwardly. 

"All right. It's time for my bedtime," Grandma said, stretching a little as she stood up.

"I'll walk you to your room," Chase said as he walked towards his grandma.

I watched as Chase gently guided his grandma to her room, his voice soft and full of care. A small smile tugged at my lips—this side of him always amazed me.

Left alone in the living room, I exhaled, leaning back on the couch. The rain had finally stopped, leaving only the faint sound of water dripping from the roof outside. The warmth of the house, the scent of tea still lingering in the air—it all felt strangely comforting.

—

**CHASE's POV**

I walked Grandma to her room, helping her settle into bed. As I pulled the blanket up to her shoulders, she looked at me with a soft smile.

"Son," she said gently, "I love you no matter who you are."

I froze for a second, my hands pulling the blanket over her. Her words were soft but held so much meaning that they hit me right in the chest.

"Grandma…" I whispered, unsure of what to say.

She reached for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I may be old, but I’m not blind, Chase. Just know that whoever you love, whoever makes you happy, that’s enough for me."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling warmth spread through my chest. "Thank you, Grandma. I, uh..."

I hesitated for a moment, sitting on the edge of her bed. My hands fidgeted slightly, and I let out a shaky breath.

"I was going to tell you... about me. About Austin," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Grandma just kept smiling, her eyes filled with understanding. "I already know, Chase," she said softly. "A grandmother always knows. The way you look at him, the way you talk about him—it reminds me of how your grandfather used to look at me."

A small, breathy laugh escaped me. "Was I that obvious?"

"To me? Yes," she teased. "But to others? Maybe not so much."

I shook my head, smiling. "I was scared, you know. That maybe you wouldn’t accept it."

"My dear boy," she said, squeezing my hand gently, "love is love. And if he makes you happy, then that’s all that matters to me."

My throat tightened again, but this time, it wasn’t from fear—it was from relief. "He does make me happy," I admitted.

"Then hold onto that," she said firmly. "Don’t let fear take it away from you."

I nodded, swallowing hard. "I won’t."

She smiled, giving my hand one last squeeze before settling back into her pillows. "Good. Now, get some rest. And tell that boy of yours to take care of you, too."

I chuckled. "I will, Grandma. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Chase," she murmured, her eyes already drifting closed.

As I stepped out of her room, I exhaled deeply. My heart felt lighter, my chest less heavy. And for the first time in a long while, I felt like everything was going to be okay.

—