Chapter 52 CHLOE

Chapter 52 CHLOE
“What do you mean by ‘too’?” I asked, stalling. He’d already found my room, and I wanted to keep my next one private. Plus, I knew he’d definitely raise a brow at the idea of me in the penthouse — because it was far above my pay grade.

“You’re going to meet him?” 

I frowned, confusion all over my face. Meet who, for crying out loud? 

“I think you should sit,” I said, watching him begin pacing the length of the room — not that there was much to work with.

Taking my advice, he sank onto the edge of the bed. 

“Now, you were saying?”

“Are you leaving to meet Derek?” he asked, staring deep into my eyes.

“Of course not,” I said, affronted. I mean, yes, I tended to gravitate toward men and all that — and yes, I was drawn to Derek more than I thought was healthy — but that didn’t mean I’d lost my brain cells. Who started something with her ex’s brother anyway?

‘Definitely you, bitch’ my inner self whispered annoyingly. 

No. We’re not going down memory lane… or alley lane. Not now.

I blinked sporadically and bit into my toast. It was dry and flavorful — just how I liked it. 

Jason looked at me like he didn’t believe a word I said.

“Jason,” I began, already exhausted by the turn of events. “I brought Tiny with me because—” 

Why had I brought her again?

“—because I wanted her to keep me company. That’s all. Really.”

His eyes shifted to my crossed legs and back.

“That’s all?” he asked. “You didn’t see Derek, did you?”

I rolled my eyes hard. “I already said no, didn’t I? Though I have no idea why I’m explaining myself to you.”

“Chloe.” He stood up, coming to sit on his haunches beside me. “If you didn’t because of my brother, why then did you leave?”

Somehow, that question lit a fire within me. How dare he act all confused as if he didn’t know why I left? I shot to my feet and stomped to the door like a petulant child. 

“I don’t even know why you came into my room after I made my point clear earlier, but it’s time you left.” I held the door open. 

“If you won’t tell me what I did wrong, how then do I apologize?” he asked, still in his spot.

“Because I’m fucking tired, Jason!” I yelled, surprising both myself and Jason. I was not a screamer at all. “Look at that. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. I’m fucking yelling.” A sob broke out from my throat, and I buried my face in my hands to stifle it. 

“Babe.” Jason was on his feet, hurrying to pull me into his arms. “Please, don’t cry.”

Sinking into his embrace, I let him hold me for a minute before pulling away. 

We sat on the bed side by side, my toast now forgotten. 

“I don’t think we’re good for each other — no, let me finish,” I said when he made to interrupt me. “We’ve been fighting since we came here. You don’t think it’s a red flag?” I asked, cocking my brow in a classic Derek move.

He didn’t say anything, just kept staring off into the distance. Then he spoke, his voice low and eerily calm. “I think we’ve had it easy throughout our relationship. This is just a phase that’ll pass, babe. The reunion is over now; we can head on home.”

Ah, yes. The reunion…

“A phase? Is that you kissed Stancy?” I asked, a frown creasing my forehead. 

Jason groaned, his hands scrubbing his face. “This again? I did not kiss Stancy, Chloe. I swear. Where did you get that idea? Is that why you left?”

My scowl deepened. Was he trying to gaslight me? I knew what I saw!

“I saw you at the bonfire, Jason. Don’t lie to me.”

His eyebrows furrowed, almost meeting each other in the middle. Then they relaxed, and he smiled.

What the hell was funny?

“I didn’t kiss her, babe. Or anyone else, for that matter.” 
I side-eyed him, distrust all over my face. Because was he saying I’d been getting worked up over nothing?

Reading the expression on my face, Jason continued, “Okay, can you recall exactly what you saw?”

Yes, in fact, seeing as I’d relived that scene a million times. 

… Jason standing in the circle with Stancy in front of him…

…Everyone chanting kiss! Like they hadn’t just seen me on his arms earlier at the dinner…

…Stancy caressing his face intimately like a lover would…

… and …

I backtracked once, twice, but no. I never actually saw them kiss. I’d turned away before then.

“Exactly,” Jason murmured softly, correctly reading the expression — or realization — on my face. “I did not kiss Stancy,” he said, his voice firmer. “It’s why I realized — too late, unfortunately — that you’d left. Because I’d gotten drunk off my ass on the amount of drinks I’d chugged down each time I refused a dare.”

Well, when he said it like that, I kinda felt a little foolish. Not. It didn’t excuse the way he’d made me feel during the dinner.

“What explanation do you have for treating me like shit at the party then?”

His eyes shut briefly. “None. I know I haven’t been the best partner to you, Chloe, but please believe me when I say I’ll do better from now on. Just—” He dug a hand into his left pocket and brought out something shiny — my ring. “Please take it back. Put it on, please.”

I shot to my feet, shaking my head decisively. “No. No, that’s so fucking easy, isn’t it?” Without waiting for his reply, I powered on, now wearing a hole in the hardwood floor. “You explain, apologize. Wham, bam, and that’s it? I won’t put myself in that position where I’m the third wheel in your ‘relationship’ with Stancy.” I was getting agitated with each word, but I just couldn’t help it.

“Stancy—”

“You heard what she said downstairs; you were standing there for a while,: I continued, more to myself now. “But you still asked her if I was lying. Imagine that!”

“Babe—” 

“If you two had something before, I totally understand. And I won’t hold it against you, I promise. So you can just stop telling me what you think I want to hear, bec—”

This time, he cut me off. And he did it with a motherfucking kiss.

‘I’m mad at you… I’m still mad at you,’ I thought dully, as his lips wreaked havoc on my every sense.

But I must have been so strung up, because despite everything, my hands were curling around him.