My Forever

Chapter 10

My breakfast was sitting in front of me and I started eating as Luke finished his call with Declan.

“So Declan is going to email you a few things to work on for today and tomorrow and he said take the rest of the week off.”

“ OK.” I said, taking another bite of my bacon.

“Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?”

“I do.”

“Good.”

We finished breakfast and Luke dropped me back at the house.

“I had a lot of fun. Maybe we could do it again sometime. But a little less drinking ”, he said with a smirk.

“Yeah maybe.”

“Listen, Declan has me really busy for the next couple of days, but if you need anything.”

“Thanks Luke.” I kissed him on the cheek and jumped out of the car.

Once in my room, I stripped down the blankets and took them right to the wash because all I could smell was alcohol. Dressed in an oversized sweater and a pair of leggings, I made my way to Declan’s office and checked my email. I had already completed most of what he wanted me to get done yesterday.

I managed to finish my work for today and tomorrow and made my way to grab some lunch. After eating, I messaged Chase, checking on tonights plans.

He said he would pick me up around 6 and we were just having dinner.

I still had a few hours to kill, so I decided to take a nap. With the scent of alcohol off my sheets, I laid my head down and instantly fell asleep.

It was 5 when I woke and I took a quick shower and got dressed in a pair of tight jeans and a long sleeved tight white shirt.

Chase was right on time and seeing his smile as I got in the car only made me feel even worse. Why can’t I stop thinking about Declan?

I pushed it down and tried to enjoy our time with Lisa and Caleb. After dinner, Lisa and I made plans to hang out after Thanksgiving and Chase drove me home.

“Chase….um what…what are we?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like, do you want to be exclusive? Or do you want to see other people?”

He parked the car and looked over at me.

“We are still new, and I really like you, Harper, but.” He ran his hand through his hair, looking uncomfortable.

“You don’t want to be exclusive?” I felt a little relief but, at the same time, hurt.

“Yeah, I want to date you, but I want to be able to still date others too. I hope you understand.”

It wasn’t the answer I wanted, but last night I slept in another man’s arms. Even if he was only a friend. My thoughts were always going back to Declan.

“I do.” I gave him a small smile and reached for the door handle.

“Harper, I still really like you and want to get to know you better. I have just been in a relationship for the past two years until this summer and I just want to take it slow.”

“I understand. Slow is good.” I kissed him quickly on the cheek and jumped out of the car.

Once in the house, I turned my phone off and made my way to my room. What was wrong with me? I felt like I was just meant to be alone. I needed to stop thinking my happiness depended on a man in my life.

I woke early and made my way to the gym in the basement. After making every muscle in my body hurt, I showered and made my way to the soup kitchen.

As I helped serve others, I realized I had a lot to be grateful for in my life. I had a roof over my head and food in my belly. Money in my pocket and my entire life in front of me. I needed to stop pitting myself and move forward with my life.

Not having a father in my life and a mother that didn’t care had definitely given me some issues.

I was exhausted by the time I made it home that night. I showed and found myself falling asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.

I woke early again the following morning and started working out. This would become my routine over the next week. Declan remained radio silent and only sent me emails about the work he wanted me to complete. Luke had also been radio silent too, making me feel worse about everything. Had I messed up our friendship because I drank too much?

Lisa and I spent quite a bit of time together and I honestly enjoyed having a friend again. Things had been weird between me and Chase since our talk. He had tried to take me out but I kept finding excuses. I knew it was me, but I didn’t like the idea of sharing.

It had been almost two weeks and I had been expecting Declan to return home but yet here I was all alone. Lucky for me, Lisa wanted to hang out. I ordered a large pizza and bought tons of junk food and ice cream. At 7, right on the nose there was knock at the door.

I opened the door to find Chase standing in front of me with a dozen roses. “Hey,” He said, smiling at me.

“Hey…What are you doing here?”

“I might have begged Lisa to let me have her day with you since you have been so busy.”

I smiled and stepped aside to allow him to come into the house.

“These are for you.” He said, handing me the flowers.

“Thank you.” I took the flowers and he followed me into the kitchen where I put them in water.

“Listen, Harper, I know things have been weird but I missed you and I’m sorry if I said I wanted to take things slow. These past couple of weeks made me realize that I do want you as my girlfriend.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” He said, looking down.

“I would really like to be your girlfriend,” I said, smiling. I know I said I didn’t need a man to be happy, but I am also a 17-year-old girl who has never had a boyfriend.

Without hesitation, his lips crashed onto mine.

“Well, I hope you are ready for some avenger movies.” I said with a smile.

“I love those movies.” He said, smiling back.

“Lisa has never seen them and well we planned on a marathon.” Handed him a soda as we made our way to the living room.

As the movie started, Chase put his arm around me and snuggled into him. Half way through the movie, I could feel Chase staring at me. I looked over and as soon as his eyes met mine, his lips crashed onto mine.

I instinctively kissed him back. It wasn’t till his hand tried to slide into my pants that I pulled away.

“I think we should take things slow, Chase.”

He pulled away and looked at me, a slight blush on his cheeks.

“Sorry I just…..”

“I understand, but you just asked me to be your girl. I need more than a few hours.”