“Don't you ever talk to her like that again,” Chase warns Parker. “Stay the fuck away from her and me.”

“You always waste your time defending that nobody. What are you going to do about it?” Parker taunts, provoking Chase.

I just can't take it anymore. Catching Parker off guard, I slap him across the face so hard, I hurt my hand.

“If you so much as lay a hand on her, I'll break every bone in your body,” Chase says and turns towards me. I run to the exit and out through the doors, crying hysterically. I face the wall of the restaurant so no one can see me while I try to compose myself. Once I get myself together, I turn around. Chase is standing behind me.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I'm fine. I'll survive. I have in the past.” But tears start falling again.

Chase walks toward me, lifts my chin, and wipes my tears away. “Don't cry. He's a jerk. He doesn't deserve your tears.” He pulls me into a hug then grabs ahold of my face and kisses me. I feel my heartstrings pull. I feel a heated passion. I feel it all. This moment right now is what I have dreamed about for ten years. The day in the gym when Chase protected me, I wanted him to kiss me so badly… Now, though, as much as I want this, I have to back away. I can't go back. I can only move forward. If one day that means moving forward with Chase, then it will be fate. Right now, however, I need to be alone. I pull away.

“Chase, I have to go,” I whisper to him.

“Hailey, no. Don't go. You have my heart. I think you’ve always had a piece of it.”

I may need his heart because mine is breaking. I run to my car. I can’t look back because it may be too hard to leave.

CHAPTER 33

Chase

I STAND HERE watching Hailey walk away from me. She may need space right now, but I'm not done with her. She will be mine. I'm not going to be stupid like I was last time; I'm not going to have anyone make my decisions for me. I want to run after her, but she doesn't look back.

I decide to follow her home to make sure she gets there safely. I don't care if she sees me or not. I look over the steering wheel and notice that my two fingers look broken. I should go to the emergency room, but I'll be there forever, and they won't do anything for it anyway. I'll see how they are tomorrow.

I park across the street from her house then wait for her to unlock her door and go inside. When she gets out of her car, I can see her pain. I want to take her in my arms. I want to make her feel better. I want to make love to her all night long. It bothers me that I know she's probably crying right now. Parker is an asshole. He crossed the line. If he wanted to take cheap shots at someone, it shouldn’t have been Hailey. I hope he and Megan have a nice life together. They deserve each other.

Suddenly, my dad is calling my phone. I answer right away.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Hey, the newspaper must have gotten ahold of the news,” he warns.

“Nothing's private anymore.”

“Did you see the headlines?” he asks.

“No, I couldn’t care less.”

“It says, Pro Lacrosse Player Quits Team Amidst Rumors of Depression and Anger Issues.”

“Oh yeah, I'm so angry,” I say, sarcastically.

“Well, you have been tense lately, son. Are you okay?”

“I'll be fine. I just found out P slept with Megan and got her pregnant. How would you feel?”

“Chase, I told you about him, not to trust him, but you’re thick-headed.” My dad has always been skeptical of Parker’s intentions. He has said many times that he doesn’t trust him.

“I guess we all have to learn our lessons somehow.”

“Mr. Katz is waiting for your decision in regards to the pharmacy.”

“Yeah, well, I didn't quit lacrosse because I need anger management classes,” I say sarcastically.

“I'm proud of you, Chase, and so is your mother.”

“Thanks, Dad. I have made all the wrong decisions, starting with how I treated someone.”

“A woman?”

“Yes. I'm outside her house now, making sure she’s okay. She won't talk to me.”

“She probably needs some space. If she cares, she'll come around. Trust me. Your mother is a stubborn woman, too. I learned when I can push and when to back away.”

“I won't tell Mom.”

“Now, your sister—she's a different story. I feel bad for the guy who marries her,” he says, joking.

“You're telling me,” I say, laughing. I'm very lucky that I have parents who have stood by me throughout my life. Some people aren't so lucky…

***

It was May 2009.

“I’ve got my final box left to pack,” I said to P as he rummaged through his belongings.

“Man, I can't believe we're graduating college. We have so many great memories here.” He grew silent.

“What's wrong?”

“I don't want to go home. I don't know if I can handle it there,” he said, throwing clothes all over his bed.

“It's only temporary.”

“All my parents do is fight. I never thought it would come to divorce. My dad wants to move in with the side piece. He told me sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Who am I to say what's right and wrong? I'm just the kid.”

“Dude, cheating is wrong no matter what, especially when it’s done to your mom. She’s like a second mother to me.”

“I know, man. I don’t know what to do,” Parker said.

“Don't let it affect you. You have your business degree now. You get to make your own choices. I'm going back home until I can afford to get my own house, but you can come and stay with my family if you want. You know that,” I say, inviting him. My parents knew what went on: they had known Parker’s parents since they were kids.

“I'll see what happens. My mom is going to need someone to stay with her.”

“So he's definitely leaving?” I questioned.

“So I hear. Who knows?”

“I'm here for you always. You're like my brother. We've been through so much together.”

He stared into space like something else was on his mind. He didn't say anything for about three minutes.

“Yeah, let's get back to packing,” he mumbled.

I blew it off. I was eager to finish up and get on with the rest of my life…

***

Present day

I guess P is just following in his father's footsteps. Although it's no excuse, he did have a rough upbringing. Parker was always caught in the middle of his parents’ battles.

Who would have thought, six years later, our friendship would end like this, and, to top it off, that he was hiding a secret when we graduated… He had slept with Carrie behind my back.

With friends like him, who needs enemies?

I pull away from Hailey’s condo, knowing that she is safe. I need a plan to get her into my life.

CHAPTER 34

Hailey

I KNOW CHASE followed me home. I saw his truck through the rearview mirror. I know he means well. I just don’t want to be put in the middle of this entire mess. I should have gone with my gut feeling where Parker was concerned, but I thought I should finally, for once in my life, give in to my insecurities. He actually seemed genuine. I totally had that one pegged incorrectly. It is good that I learned about the true Parker before it was too late.

As far as Chase goes, I have pined for him since I was a teenager. He was always a hero in my eyes. He was there for me when I needed him. He was there for me tonight. I relived pain that I never wanted to feel again in my heart. Chase is always there to pick up the pieces. He has called three times since I left him. I know he is concerned that I am hurting, but I don’t know what to say to him. He even left two messages on my voicemail; the third time, just hung up.