Chasing Me (25 page)

“Yep, let’s go all flashy, shall we? Someone needs to get naked and I’d prefer it not to be Hunter.” Mack suggests, turning his eyes to Daisy, Cam and me.

“Dream on Super Dumbass.” Daisy snorts.

“Duh… duh duh duh.” Cam teases, bumping my fist.

Jazzie sits coloring while Cam, Daisy and I, sit across from Gray, Hunter, and Aiden. Henry and Mack pace around us while we sort our tiles, Luke sits watching from a chair in the corner. I know he and I are going to have to hash this shit out; but, right now, I want to have fun. The inevitable drama of that conversation can wait, for all I care. “Ladies first,” Hunter says sweetly.

“The Big Bad Wolf rears his ugly head.” Daisy teases laying down her tiles.

“Little Red, Little Red, that’s a mighty fine ass you have.” He purrs, winking at me.

“The better to tease you with, my dear.” I taunt him making every one laugh.

“Hmm,” Henry says looking at Daisy’s tiles. “F-U-C-K.”

“That’s gotta count,” Mack replies while Henry calculates the score. “Even though it isn’t very creative.”

“If you can’t get creative with the word ‘F-U-C-K,” Aiden says, while looking at Jazzie, being careful to spell out the word. “Then, my friend, you’ve got problems.”

“Alright cumstain, allow me to tickle your pickle.” Grayson chuckles, lining up his word.

Luke leans up and eyes the board, raising an eyebrow. “L-U-B-E.” He nods his approval. “I’d say that’s essential.”

“Yeah, yeah maybe if you’re packin’ like I am.” Mack says sitting beside me. He tosses his converse covered feet onto the table and wraps his arm around the back of my chair.

“Just because the ladies in produce tell you that honey, doesn’t mean anything. It is right next to the geriatric section they don’t see much of the under sixty crowd.” I reply, shoving his feet off the table to look at my tiles.

“Damn, someone call nine-one-one to put that fire out!” Daisy teases.

“Y’all come on, be nice to the Silver Shagger.” Henry laughs.

“Hey, sorry I’m late.” Katheryn says, walking through the doorway. “Didn’t think I was comin’ back tonight.” She tosses out, no doubt still pissy about the conversation this morning.

“Nah, you’re just in time for X-rated scrabble, with triple X-rated wagers.” Henry says, wrapping an arm around her.

“Yeah,” I add. “When we win, boys, you’ll have to strip at the
Spurs and Studs
club downtown. All three of you, tomorrow night after the concert is over.” Leaning in I meet Hunter’s eyes. “Full frontal this time babe.”

“Really, now that’s a juicy bet.” Katheryn replies, smiling brightly letting me know she’s bit the bait. If she truly is the one giving up details to the tabloids and that damn website, she’s cashing in on this one.

“Holy shit,” Aiden argues. “No fuckin’ way.”

“Scared you’ll lose?” Cam taunts. Daisy makes clucking noises, earning us an entire table full of middle fingers.

“Okay, fine.” Hunter shrugs. “No biggie, since my losing streak is over. When we win, you ladies will be struttin’ your stuff at that joint instead of us. Chase’s stripper name could be
Scarlett Pullmyhaira
.”

“Get ready to eat those words, babe.” I growl, my competitive nature kicking in.

“Oh, Tiger Lily, I’m dyin’ to eat somethin’.” He spits back playfully.

“Well, that’s enough sexual innuendo about my sister to make me impotent for life.” Luke groans covering his face with both hands.

“B-I-T-E,” I say laying down each letter, not taking my eyes from Hunter. The heat from his gaze raking over my body makes me burn for him.

“Chase, I’m thirsty.” Jazzie says shaking me from my thoughts.

“I, um, I got this.” Luke stutters jumping from his chair like he has been granted a stay of execution. “I brought you something too. Chase says you like princesses.”

“Yes!” Jazzie jumps up and down. “Can I, Daddy?” She asks turning to Hunter.

“Yeah, Luke’s good people Jazzie.” Hunter says, making my heart melt. After everything that has happened between them, Hunter can be the bigger person. They may never sing songs in the moonlight or whatever Hunter said, but they can be civil.

“Let’s go Dollface.” Luke says leading her from the room.

“Daddy bought me a wiener.” Jasmine says, excitedly. “It’s in a cage in the basement, wanna see?” Luke’s eyes fly back to mine at the end of the hall and I can’t help but laugh at the shock on his face.

“Don’t be rough with my wiener, Luke.” Hunter says slapping the table. “That shit doesn’t get old.”

“Let’s focus on this damn game. I’ve got some naked men I wanna see shakin’ it to the
Thong Song.”
Daisy giggles, drawing our new tiles.

Two hours and three arguments later, the last tiles are being placed down by Hunter. On the end of Gray’s previous word, A-N-A-L, Hunter sits P-L-U-G. Smugly, he sits back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Ready to show me those titties?”

“That doesn’t count asshole.” Daisy argues. “You can’t add a word onto a word someone else put down.”

“You’re a cheatin’ shit.” Cam adds.

“What does it say in the rules?” Hunter snaps at Mack. “Don’t be a pussy whipped bitch, find me a loophole.”

“Stop flappin’ your twat at me Hunter. I’m lookin’.” Mack blurts, his eyes scanning the rules. “Bro, it’s allowed. You’re good.”

“Fuck you!” Hunter shouts, jumping from his chair. “That means the guys have it by how many points Big Man.”

“Three points.” Henry chuckles. “You win by three points.”

“Hell yeah! The mighty Daisy, oh how you hath fallen!” Hunter shouts, climbing onto the table. “Best day of my life. First my girl pranks your pregnant ass, then I beat that ass!” Jumping down on our side, he shakes his jean clad ass in her face. “Kiss my grits baby momma.” Daisy just turns away from his ass, her face in a full on pout.

“I hate you.” She deadpans, making Hunter laugh.

“Oh, you loooooooove me!” He sings gyrating his hips.

“It’s just scrabble, calm down.” Mack says rolling his eyes. “No reason to turn into a ghetto frat girl and twerk that ass in everyone’s face.”

“I’ve been losing to this chick for months. Everything and anything man; I’ve been due for a win.” Hunter says stopping mid ass shake to glare at Mack. “I’ll shake my ass if I want to. I could run naked across the front lawn next with ‘Victorious’ written across my chest and you won’t say shit about it.”

“Dream on asshole, none of us are gettin’ naked on a stage.” Cam snaps.

“No reneging on the bet, baby.” Aiden says grinning wickedly.

Gray and Aiden join in the ass shaking from the other side of the table. I can’t help laughing because, while the guys are so excited, Daisy and Cam look like they’ve drank spoiled milk. Hell, I’m just happy I finally got to play instead of hearing what I miss while they’re on the road.

Hunter grabs my arms, pulling me to my feet. “What are you smilin’ about? You lost.”

“I don’t think I did.” I whisper kissing his lips.

“Well, that was fun.” Katheryn sighs, interrupting the celebration. “Henry, why don’t we go to your room for the night? It’s getting late.”

“Yeah sure,” Big Man replies then shoots a glance at the guys. “See you later.” He adds before they disappear down the hall.

“Come on, I need to wrestle that little diva into the bathtub.” I say grabbing Hunter’s hand. “Then, while you’re reading her a story, I’ll have a much needed talk with my meathead brother.”

Hunter and I say an early goodnight to everyone and head down the stairs to the basement. Hunter looks at me suspiciously when we reach the bottom of the stairwell. “It’s quiet.” He whispers, taking in the empty space.

“Too quiet,” We say in unison. Both of us have learned that when Bits and Jazzie are quiet, they are usually up to no good. The only light on is coming from Jasmine’s room. With Hunter behind me, I slowly push open the door. Luke is asleep on Jazzie’s bed while a movie plays on the television. Bits snores loudly beside him, but Jasmine is up to her usual tricks. “What are you doing?” Hunter asks, making the little trouble maker jump.

“Luke said I could do whatever.” She says holding up her hands that are covered in glitter, markers strewn across Luke’s chest.

“Oh my God!” I laugh loudly, making Luke jump from the bed in surprise.

“I wasn’t asleep, I swear.” He defends. Luke’s face is covered in scribble marks along with his neck and chest.

“Really?” Hunter asks skeptically, pointing to the vanity mirror. “Well, I’ll just say this: pink is really not your color.”

“Luke draws on people.” Jazzie shrugs. “I do too, it’s fun!”

Luke turns taking in his pink glittery face, “Shit.” Scrubbing a hand through his shaggy blonde hair, he pulls back more glitter. “What the hell?”

“You’ve been Jazzied.” I snort, doubling over in laughter.

“Never pass out when there’s makers about, man.” Hunter laughs. “Just one thing I’ve learned after years on a cramped up tour bus with those assholes.”

“She painted my damn nails.” Luke groans looking down at his hands.

“Alright my little ink layer,” Scooping Jazzie up in my arms, I head toward the bathroom. “I’m giving her a bath, you two be civil.” I say eyeing Hunter and Luke before I close the door behind me. Hoping like hell they don’t kill each other during bath time.

Sweeten Up The Rough Stuff

Hunter

“Well, let’s have it.” Luke says, walking out to the living room behind me. Grabbing a hand towel off the counter Luke turns on the sink and begins scrubbing away some of Jazzie’s artistic doodling. “Say what you’ve got to say.”

“Good luck getting that all off without a fire hose.” I joke. “She’s covered all of us in it at least once; it’s a bitch to scrub off.”

“She’s sneaky as hell, that’s for sure.” Luke chuckles. “Cute though; she gets away with it in my book.”

I nod. “Thanks and yeah she gets away with a lot. You want a beer?” I ask jerking my chin to the fridge. He simply nods, scrubbing the towel over his face. Walking over, Luke slumps to the couch with a groan. Walking over to the fridge, I grab two beers. “I know you don’t like me.” I shrug, handing him a beer before taking the chair across from him. “Fact is this: I’m in love with your sister. So as long as she wants me around, you’re stuck with me. I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

“Is that so?” Luke asks, taking a pull from his beer.

“Yeah,” I nod, just to drive the point home. “Fact of the matter is, I don’t give a shit about what you
think
you know about me. For some reason Chase loves me, she wants me. I could fight with you about it, but it’s pointless. She’s gonna do whatever she wants and, well, I love that about her most.”

“I suppose if she sees something in you she can’t live without, who am I to stand in the way? Not like she’d listen to me anyway, the stubborn ass woman.” His face is stone hard as he drive his point home. “If you hurt her, I’ll tear you apart with my bare fucking hands.”

“I don’t doubt that for a minute. If I’m ever dumb enough to fuck it up again, I’m not sure I’ll care if you do.” I assure him.

“Hunter, she’s ready for you.” Chase says from the doorway.

Standing to my feet, I walk over to her. Luke is important to her. Those she loves are everything to her, so making nice with her brother is worth it. For her, I’d put up with anyone. Kissing Chase softly, I hand her my beer. “I’ve got a date with a princess and a wiener.”

“That doesn’t quite have the same effect as when I say it, does it?” She winks, walking over to the sofa.

“No, it sure as hell doesn’t.” I mutter to myself before walking into Jazzie’s room.

“Are you gonna tell me a story?” Jazzie asks jumping up and down on her bed. Bits braces himself, holding on for the ride while the mattress shakes and bounces.

“How about I tell you about what happens to a monkey that jumps on the bed?” I ask, catching her mid-jump.

“I’m not gonna bump my head, silly.” She replies when I tuck her into the covers. Bits snuggles against her side, happy for the calm.

“So what story do you wanna hear tonight?” I ask, sitting down beside her on the bed.

“Is Chase gonna be my Mommy?” She asks, knocking the wind out of me.

“Why do you ask that?”

Jazzie shrugs. “‘Cause I like her.”

“Yeah, I do too.” I reply, kissing her forehead.

“Xandra wasn’t a really real fun Mommy.” She says looking at her hands, breaking my damn heart.

“Xandra may not have been the best mom. But, one great thing she did do was give you to me.” Wrapping my arms around her, I kiss the top of her head. “To us,” I correct knowing that Chase already sees Jasmine as hers.

“Yeah,” Jazzie replies, snuggling against me. Brushing the damp hair out of her face, I watch her eyes droop. “‘Night Daddy.” Her voice so quiet I almost don’t hear it. For long minutes after her breathing evens out, I can’t help watching my little girl and laughing to myself. Yeah, Xandra’s loss is definitely my gain.

I walk out into the living room, thinking I have given Luke and Chase enough time to talk out their stuff, but nope. “You’re right and I’m sorry.” Luke says somberly, “I mean that, to both of you. Sis, you’ve gotta do what makes you happy and I’ve gotta admit you’re grown up enough to decide what that is.”