CHAPTER 114

CHAPTER 114
AUSTIN's POV

I tried to sleep, but my mind wouldn’t shut up. Tossing and turning did nothing, so I finally checked the time—1 a.m. Great. Still no reply from Chase.

Why hasn’t he texted back? Is he busy? Did something happen?

I unlocked my phone and sent him a quick message. I barely had time to set it down before a notification popped up. My chest eased with relief, thinking it was his reply.

But when I opened it, my eyebrows drew together instantly. It wasn’t a text—it was a photo.

Chase.

He looked completely wasted, head tilted, eyes barely open.

Did he… drink? And more importantly—who’s with him?

I thought he was working. Tss. Why didn’t he tell me he’d be out drinking? Is this what he meant when he said “something came up”?

So what—if my parents hadn’t come home tonight, would he still have canceled our plans? Just so he could go get drunk? Really?

My phone buzzed again. Another message.

"Hey, Austin. It’s Matt. I am driving Chase home. Don’t worry, he’s fine. Just unconscious."

I didn’t even bother to reply. Instead, I tossed my phone onto the sofa beside my bed. The thud it made felt like a release, but the knot in my chest stayed put. I lay back, staring at the ceiling, feeling this heavy mix of irritation and disappointment gnawing at me.

I hate feeling this way—annoyed at him. But right now, I can’t help it.

But damn it—I can’t just ignore him. No matter how irritated I am, my feet won’t stay still.

Before I know it, I’m out of bed, grabbing my coat and my car keys. I head downstairs without a second thought, the quiet of the house making my footsteps sound louder. Then I’m out the door, sliding into my car, the engine roaring to life.

The whole drive feels like a blur, my mind running faster than the wheels.

When I pull into the parking lot of his apartment, I immediately spot them—Matt struggling to carry Chase, who’s practically hanging off his shoulder. They’ve just gotten out of Matt’s car.

I unfasten my seatbelt so fast it nearly whips back at me, and I’m out of my car before it even finishes retracting. My steps are quick, almost impatient, as I head toward them.

"Oh, Austin." Matt’s voice carried a hint of relief when he saw me. "Perfect timing. Could you please take him to his room? My mom—I mean, I really need to go home."

I let out a loud sigh, the kind that says this is the last thing I expected to be doing at 1 a.m., but still… "Yeah."

Stepping closer, I carefully took Chase from him, his weight slumping against me. His head rested limply on my shoulder, and I caught a faint whiff of alcohol clinging to his clothes.

"Thanks. Be careful. I’m off." Matt didn’t waste another second before hopping into his car and speeding away, leaving me alone in the quiet parking lot with Chase half-asleep in my arms.

"You better not wake up. Tss," I muttered under my breath as I shifted his weight and carried him into his room. He was heavier than he looked when he wasn’t walking on his own, but somehow, I managed.

I laid him down gently on his bed, taking a moment to slip off his coat and shoes. His face was flushed, his breathing steady but slow—he must’ve really gone overboard tonight.

I couldn’t help but shake my head. How much did you drink to end up like this, Chase?

Leaving the room quietly, I made my way to the kitchen, found a clean towel, and warmed some water. When I returned, I sat on the edge of his bed, dipping the towel into the water before wringing it out.

With slow, careful strokes, I began wiping his forehead, the warmth of the towel contrasting the coolness of his skin.

I stared at his face, flushed red from the alcohol. Even in this state, he looked… peaceful. But the knot of irritation in my chest didn’t loosen. He lied to me. Tss.

As I pressed the warm towel against his skin, I heard him murmur, barely audible. “Austin…”

My hand stilled.

Then, in a slurred whisper, “I love you, Austin.”

For a moment, my heart skipped, my annoyance wavering like a candle in the wind. I just stared at him, unsure if I should feel touched… or more frustrated.

"I missed you… so much," he added, his voice soft and fragile, almost like a confession carried by a dream.

I just sat there, frozen, the warm towel still in my hands. My mind was caught between the sting of his lie and the ache in his words.

After I bathed him, I set the towel and the bowl of warm water aside, my movements slow and careful so I wouldn’t wake him. Then I slipped under the covers beside him, telling myself I’d just go home at 4 a.m.

Even though I was still mad—still annoyed at the lie—my body betrayed me. I wanted to be close to him. I missed him.

Tilting my body toward him, I slid an arm around him, burying my face against his chest. His steady heartbeat was the only sound I heard in the quiet room.

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CHASE's POV

I woke up feeling a little dizzy, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Yeah… I definitely drank too much last night.

The clock read 3:25 a.m.—too early to be awake. I was about to get up when I felt something heavy on my chest.

I looked down, half expecting to see Matt passed out there, but… no.

It was Austin.

I blinked, rubbing my eyes just to be sure I wasn’t imagining it. How did he even get in here? Did Matt call him? Yeah, that’s probably it.

Carefully, I lifted my hand and let my fingers rest against his head. Then I bent down just enough to catch the faint scent of his hair. God… I’d been missing him the whole day.

Gently, I pressed a kiss to the top of his head. But then, he shifted slightly, and his eyes began to flutter open. I froze for a second, then decided to wake him fully.

He moved his head away from my chest and looked up at me.

“Austin,” I breathed out.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice soft but edged with something I couldn’t quite name.

“Little bit dizzy, but I can manage. I just drank too much.”

“Yeah. You didn’t tell me you were going out drinking.” There it was—frustration flickering across his face.

“About that… it wasn’t a plan. I just…” I exhaled, my mind scrambling for the right words, for something that wouldn’t sound like a lousy excuse.

“What? Was that the ‘something came up’ you meant? You went out for a drink?”

“No. No. No, of course not. It’s just… I… I knew your parents were home before you could tell me. I’m sorry. I lied.”

He froze, his brows pulling together. “You… knew?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I saw them.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s nothing. Forget it. Come here.” I gently guided him down to rest his head on my shoulder and wrapped my arms around him. “I’m sorry. Were you mad?”

“Who wouldn’t?”

I gave a small smile, brushing my hand over his back. “I’m sorry.”

I felt his deep breath against me. “Fine. Forgiven.”

“Thank you. I missed you.”

“Of course, you did.”

I chuckled softly, easing back just enough so I could see his face. His eyes met mine, holding me in place for a moment, almost daring me to break the gaze.

Then, without overthinking it, I leaned in and kissed him. Warm, familiar, and grounding. He kissed me back, and for that brief moment, everything else faded away.

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