Working Boy

Chapter 12

[A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy New Years everyone! How's everyone doing? I certainly hope you guys got everything you wanted for Christmas. Anyways, deeply apologize for the late update- had to put down the little tablet computer for the holidays to spend time with the fam. But anyways, here's Chapter 12. Read and review!]

It was around 2am yet Chase was still in Samuel's house. He was in Samuel's bed, the jock's arms wrapped around his waist as he slept. However, he couldn't sleep. Other than the dulling pain of being drilled a couple of hours ago, there were just so many things weighing on his mind. He knew he should've just left hours ago, but it was far too late now. Antwon was probably worried sick along with his coworkers. s**t, he didn't even call in sick.

Even though he kinda trusted Samuel, he couldn't help but feel dirty. He wasn't ready to go all the way, but it just sorta... happened. What was alarming was how he refused to sleep with a girl, but his legs spread so easily for some guy he didn't even want to be with. He was straight, wasn't he? He was so confused.

Come to think of it, he pushed a lot of things onto him. He didn't ask for all of those things that happened in the locker room.

He took a glance back at the sleeping blonde. He didn't know what to think or feel. Did he even care about his thoughts and feelings? Or was it just lust?

He sat upright and lightly tapped Samuel on the shoulder. He needed answers.

"Samuel."

"Mmm," he groaned before smiling. "What's up babe?"

"Get up."

"Hm?" His eyebrows furrowed out of confusion as he sat upright, groggily wiping his eyes. "You okay?"

"...I need to ask you something."

"Yeah, sure thing. What's going on?" He nodded with a smile.

"Samuel," he started. "How do you feel about me?"

"How do I feel about you?" He repeated, chuckling. "Well, you're amazing. Not to mention gorgeous. And I really like you," he lay his head on his shoulder. "I mean, what more can I say?"

"Sometimes I feel it's only a s*x thing with you," he responded with a frown.

"Well I mean... we do mess around a lot, no denying, but-"

"Not to mention, you don't even bother getting to know me. Yeah, you know a bit, but you don't know my interests, what I like, my habits, or any of that."

"Chase," he was fully alert now. "Where is all this coming from?"

"I just need some time to think," Chase got up, changing out of Samuel's clothing into his own.

"Think about what? Look, alright," he got off the bed, facing the other and taking his hand into his. "I know this is moving a bit fast for you. And I'm sorry if I'm making you feel uncomfortable-"

"Samuel, please," he withdrew his hand to put on his shirt, making his way downstairs.

"Chase!" He followed him downstairs. "Where the hell are you gonna go at this time of night?"

"Home," he put on his shoes, quickly tying them before slinging his messenger bag over his shoulder.

"Chase that's dangerous! At least let me drop you off-"

"No Samuel. I'll be fine."

"Chase!" He went to grab him, but was pushed away.

"Just let me go, okay!?" He snapped, giving him one last look before leaving.

He finally made it to his little adobe-like house and, as he thought, the lights were on. He took a deep breath. He had no idea what state of mind Antwon was in. Neither could he explain why he came in the house so late.

Taking another deep breath, he put the key in the door knob and turned, letting himself in the house.

"Where the hell were you?" He could hear Antwon's booming voice from the kitchen.

Oh boy.

He took off his jacket and dropped his bag off by the coat rack before creeping into the kitchen. The light was blinding- he had to squint to see his uncle sitting at the table.

"TEN times I called, Chase. TEN TIMES."

"Sorry-" he mumbled, shuffling his feet.

"Where the hell were you!?"

"I was at Jace's," he lied. "I fell asleep at his house and just lost track of time."

"Really now?" He pulled out his cellphone, dialing his number.

Chase cringed internally. He silently prayed that Jace would be on board.

"Hello?" He could hear Jace's voice croak through the phone.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but this is Antwon, Chase's uncle. I just called to ask if Chase was at your house earlier today and all through the night."

"Uh, yeah," his voice, although firm, had hints of uncertainty in it. "He just, uh, fell asleep. Had to wake him up."

"Okay, thank you. Sorry for waking you up."

"That's okay. Good night," he hung up, prompting Antwon to put his away before flashing Chase a stern look.

"Don't you EVER do this again, understand?"

"Mmhmm!" Chase nodded, stifling a smile. Good ol' Jace. He's gonna have a hell of a lot of explaining to do tomorrow.

-The Next Day-

Chase walked into the lunchroom, briefly locking eyes with Samuel before taking his spot across from Jace. Samuel was hanging out with the rest of his little douchebag friends. Go figure.

The blonde jock flashed a light somber, yet annoyed look his way before returning back to his usual, rambunctious self.

The Trini turned his attention to Jace who was staring at him with one eyebrow raised. He could instantly tell the question that needed to be answered.

"So... last night. What was up with that?"

"Well," he trailed off, searching for the right words to say. "Remember when I told you that I was gonna apply to become a bouncer at the club?"

"The club that you're too young for? Yep, I remember," the albino retorted with sarcasm.

"Well...let's just say I got an even...better job?" He spoke, drawing out his words with caution.

"Which is?"

He looked around before leaning in to make sure no one heard him.

"A stripper."

"A STRIP-!" Chase instantly covered his mouth. He anticipated this reaction.

"Quiet down!" He hissed between clenched teeth.

"Wait!" Jace took his hand off his mouth, still wearing that shocked look of his. "HOW!? You don't even like changing in locker rooms! You always move to the private stalls!"

"But-!"

"And you always complain about how big your butt is for a guy!"

"Jace-!"

"And about how your n*****s always gets hard when-!"

"SHHHH!" Chase covered his mouth again, his eyes wide.

The cafeteria was silent now and Chase could definitely sense some people stifling a giggle.

"Everything okay over here?" Mr. Barr strided over to their table, his arms crossed.

"Yes, everything's fine," Chase flashed him a fake smile. His cheeks were literally burning with embarrassment.

"Alright, just making sure," he went back over to where he was at. Chase waited until he was all the way back where he was before speaking again.

"Jace what the hell is wrong with you!?" He lightly slapped him in irritation.

"Well excuse the hell out of me for not expecting my best friend to become Mr. Playgirl!" He scoffed, sassily.

Chase fell silent. He couldn't stay upset at Jace, though. How could he? Besides, he did owe him one.

"Thanks for helping me," he murmured after a while.

"No problem... Mr. Playgirl."

"Oh STOP it you!" He flushed a deep shade of red, drawing a chuckle from Jace.

-Break-

Chase stood by his locker room waiting for Jace to finish speaking to his teacher. He was texting on his phone before he looked up, taking a glimpse at Samuel who was coming down the hallway.

Fuck.

The Trini let out an irritated groan, turning his body the other way. He didn't even want to see him. It's enough he's been walking around with this limp that probably won't go away for three days. Not to mention, he has a game tomorrow. Great.

He could hear the footsteps growing louder as the damn blonde came nearer. He finally sensed him right behind him.

"Can I help you?" He grumbled, not even bothering to turn to face him.

"Can you just talk to me?" Samuel retorted with a frown.

Chase let out an exasperated sigh before rolling his eyes, finally turning to face him.

"I don't even know what I did wrong," he continued. "I really do like you Chase, I do."

"Mm," he returned his attention to his phone.

"Look," he took Chase's hand into his, staring intensely in his eyes. "If you ever felt that I pushed anything on you, I'm sorry. Really, I am."

"You don't even know me, Samuel," he shook his head. "You never even cared about getting to know me. You never asked. Hell, you didn't even ask me on a date before we started all of this."

"To be honest, none of this was supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to fall for you-"

Chase c****d his head to the side. He was staring past Samuel, locking eyes with Jace as he came out of the classroom. The albino boy flashed him a quizzical look upon seeing Samuel.

"I'll see you at peer mediation," he spoke.

Samuel gave him a lasting look of irritation before leaving, making his way to the courtyard.

"What was that all about?" Jace furrowed his eyebrows, watching him leave.

"Nothing. He was just telling me something about peer mediation," he responded with a yawn before smiling at Jace. "Ready?"

"Mmhmm," he smiled back before going through the front door and out the door with his best buddy.

-Peer Mediation-

"Alright boys, today we're gonna do trust exercises!" Mr. Barr exclaimed just as the two boys took their seats. "On the bleachers. So let's go out into the field."

They sighed before picking up their things and following the older man out into the football field where they will be holding their Saturday game.

"We'll start easy. CHASE! Get on the first row. Samuel you stand about two feet away from the bleachers directly behind him then Chase I want you to close your eyes and fall back. Samuel, you better catch him or you won't be playing in the game tomorrow. After each fall and catch go up another row and fall again until you reach the top. Then I want you to switch places and start from the bottom," the coach said.

"Mr. Barr, do we really have to do this?" Chase whined.

"Yes, all 8 rows. Now go."

Chase hesitated before standing on the first row, waiting for Samuel to take his position behind him. There wasn't a doubt he'll catch him... right? Despite Samuel being upset at him, he was certain that he wouldn't let that jeopardize the game.

"Alright, start!"

Shutting his amber-colored eyes tightly shut, he fell backwards, feeling himself drop into Samuel's arms. This kept going all the way to the last row.

He hesitated, looking down at the rather steep drop.

"C'mon Chase, let's go!" He heard Mr. Barr call out to him.

'This fucker better catch me,' he thought, casting all of his doubts aside.

He shut his eyes and fell back, his heart pounding a mile a minute. It felt like he was falling in slow-motion. It was as if all of those doubts had come back to haunt him.

He wasn't going to catch him.

He's gonna walk away and let him hit the floor.

Then he's gonna laugh, because he didn't give a s**t about him and never will.

Suddenly he was greeted with warmth. The harsh pain he imagined was broken by a pair of sturdy arms.

He opened his eyes to glance at Samuel.

Was he smirking?

"What are you smiling about?" Chase scowled.

"You didn't think I was gonna catch you."

"Yeah so what?" He sprung out of his arms and dusted himself off. "You wouldn't be able to play if you didn't."

"Okay Samuel, you're up!"

With a nonchalant shrug, Samuel stood on the first row while Chase stood behind him.

The Trini crossed his arms. He should just let him fall back. He's the quarterback anyways.

"I hope I can trust you just as much as you 'trust' me," Samuel snorted before shutting his eyes.

Chase groaned as he caught the pretentious jock from hitting the floor.