CHAPTER 116

CHAPTER 116
AUSTIN's POV

I rested my head on Chase’s shoulder, my breathing still uneven from everything we’d just shared. My body felt heavy, muscles weak, skin still slick with sweat. The aftershocks were fading, leaving only a pleasant ache—and the soreness low in my body that made me chuckle quietly to myself.

“Are you okay?” Chase’s voice was low, warm, brushing against my ear.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I said, smiling. “Just… feeling sore down there.”

He smirked. “Wasn’t I gentle?”

“You were,” I reassured him. “It was so good. Just sore.”

His chuckle rumbled beneath my cheek, and I felt the light press of his lips against the top of my head. “I’ll let you rest then.”

But then it hit me. “Wait—what time is it?” I sat up a little, glancing around for my phone.

“Uh… almost five a.m.,” he replied after a quick look.

My stomach dropped. “Oh, crap.” I was definitely in trouble if I didn’t get home soon.

I scrambled off the bed, my legs still shaky as I reached for my clothes scattered across the floor. My fingers fumbled over my shirt, still feeling the heat of his touch on my skin.

“Why? What’s wrong?” he asked, his eyes narrowing in confusion.

“I have to go,” I said quickly, bending down to grab my jeans. My heartbeat was racing—not from what we’d just done, but from the ticking clock in my head.

His brows furrowed. “Go? Now?”

“Yeah,” I muttered, stepping into my jeans. “I need to get back before anyone notices I’m gone.”

Chase sighed, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “I could at least drive you.”

I paused for a second, my hand hovering over my shirt. "No. You need to sleep. I’ll be fine.”

I slipped my shirt on and grabbed my phone, feeling him watching me the whole time. When I turned to face him, he was leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees, that sleepy but sad look in his eyes.

Before I could say anything, he stood, crossed the space between us, and kissed me—slow, deep, like he was trying to steal a little more time. I let myself melt into it for just a moment, then broke away.

“I’ll text you when I get home,” I whispered.

“Okay. Drive safely.”

“Yeah.”

“See you at university.”

“Yeah. See you.” Then, I left his apartment.

I sped up, determined to make it home in just fifteen minutes. Luckily, it was still early, so there was no traffic to slow me down. When I pulled into the driveway, I quickly jumped out of my car and walked inside, trying to act as casual as possible.

I headed straight for the stairs, but before I could reach them, I froze. My dad had just stepped out of his private room, already dressed for the day. His eyes landed on me, sharp and questioning.

“Where have you been?” he asked.

“Oh, I just went for a run,” I replied, forcing a calm tone.

“A run?” His gaze swept from my messy hair down to my wrinkled clothes. “Wearing that?”

My heart skipped, but I forced a small laugh. “Yeah… I wasn’t planning on it, but I just… went for it.”

Dad raised a brow, clearly unconvinced. “At four in the morning?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” I shrugged, casually walking toward the stairs. “Figured a quick run would clear my head.”

He crossed his arms. “You’ve never been the type to go running at dawn.”

I gripped the stair railing, keeping my face neutral. “Well… guess there’s a first time for everything.”

He stared at me for another long moment, then sighed. “Alright. Go get cleaned up. Breakfast will be ready soon.”

“Got it,” I said quickly, heading upstairs before he could ask anything else.

The moment my bedroom door shut behind me, I exhaled sharply. My shirt still faintly smelled like Chase’s cologne, and my legs ached with a soreness I couldn’t explain if my dad had pressed further.

I collapsed onto my bed, phone in hand, and typed out the message: "Made it home"

Within seconds, Chase replied: "Good. See you."

\-

I took a long, hot shower, letting the steam wash away the soreness and traces of last night. By the time I got dressed, my body felt a little lighter, though my mind was still replaying flashes of Chase’s smile, his touch.

Downstairs, the smell of coffee and freshly cooked food greeted me. I slid into my seat at the table, offering a polite smile to Mom and Dad. We ate in relative silence, just small talk here and there—the usual polite morning conversation.

Halfway through my coffee, Dad cleared his throat. “Don’t forget about the event tonight.”

I froze mid-sip. “Right… the event.” I had almost completely forgotten.

He gave me a look, as if to make sure I understood. “Be ready by seven.”

“Yeah. I will,” I said, forcing a smile.

\-

Currently sitting in class, I tried to keep my eyes on the board, but the professor’s voice was just background noise to me. My mind refused to cooperate. Instead of equations and lecture notes, I kept replaying the memories of this morning with Chase—the way he looked at me, the feel of his touch, the way his name sounded from my lips. It was ridiculous how much I already missed him.

The sound of the professor’s voice snapped me out of my daze. “Your final exam will be on the 21st,” he announced before dismissing us.

As I started to pack my things, Liam leaned over with a grin. “Hey, let’s study together.”

“Sure,” I said without thinking, then remembered. “But, um… can’t tonight. I have plans with my dad.”

“Yeah, sure,” he shrugged. “Then maybe another day. With Ash. It’s been ages since we all studied together.”

"Yeah. Been awhile."

We walked out of the room together, heading toward the cafeteria. The hallway buzzed with chatter, but Liam and I were just casually talking when, out of nowhere, Ash appeared from behind and hooked her arms through both of ours.

"Hey, I thought you were already at the cafeteria," Liam said, laughing at her sudden entrance.

"Well, still here!" Ash giggled. "Hi, Austin! How are you doing? I’ve been calling you the other day but couldn’t reach you. I even called at your house, but your maid said you weren’t home. Where were you?"

Oh, right… that was when I was in the countryside with Chase.

I laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck. "Well, I was on a vacay?"

"Vacay? Alone?" Liam raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. I just spent my time with myself," I lied, keeping my tone casual.

"Is that so? So, how’s it? Where did you go?" Ash pressed, her curiosity shining through.

"I went to the countryside. Visited my old hometown," I replied, hoping they wouldn’t read too much into it.

"Wow! I’ve been wanting to go to any place in the countryside. We should go together next time—the three of us," she suggested with a bright giggle.

"Yeah, sure. That sounds good," I agreed, forcing a small smile.

"Maybe after the exam," Liam added with enthusiasm.

"Perfect! So, let’s go?"

"Uh, yeah sure." I wasn’t entirely sure about it, but I couldn’t say no—otherwise, there’d be follow-up questions I didn’t want to answer.

"Yes, perfect! I can’t wait!" Ash giggled in excitement, her energy filling the air.

We kept talking about random things when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I glanced down to check it—it was from Chase.

"At the rooftop."

Just short, but I understood exactly what it meant. Since we had to keep things lowkey, meeting in secret was the only way.

"Uh, guys, I’ll catch up with you later. I have some errands to do. See ya," I said quickly, slipping away before either of them could ask me anything.

\-