Chapter 67

CHARLOTTE

I don’t know what has gotten into me. I shocked myself when I told him to stay behind and talk to Natalia. If this is what maturity is, then I’ll take it in small doses.

I don’t wander too far from the kitchen because, let’s be honest, Natalia has her way of making Chase do things. I trust him and know he would never do anything to intentionally hurt me, but it’s her I don’t trust.

I see a girl chatting up Darren, and he looks like he is ready to make a run for the hills. I wave to get his attention, and he spots me. Excusing himself from the conversation, he comes my way.

“You seem interested,” I tease.

“Not a chance in hell. Thank you for the save, I didn’t want to hear another story about her cat. If it was about the kind of cat I can play with, then, by all means, talk that talk, it just wasn’t.”

He tosses his arm over my shoulders.

“When will you settle down?” I scan the crowd, spotting each guy either flirting with a girl or girls making out with one. Except for Austin. He looks like he is trying to convince the DJ to let him spin.

“When I find the right one.”

“So, you haven’t found her?” I look up at him. “So many girls blessed your bed in the last four years and nothing?”

“I want a girlfriend who doesn’t want to bless my bed right off the jump. In some crazy way, I want to find the love you and Chase have.

“You two fit together, balance one another, you two make each other want to be better, and that’s what I want, amongst other things.”

“Aww, Darren, it will happen.” I wrap my arm behind his back.

“I know it will, but for the time being, I’m giving Mr. Reed all the kittens he wants.”

“Is Mr. Reed your?” I trail off.

“Yes, it is.” He smiles down at me.

“Good God, why are you this—ugh, you’re gross.”

He laughs, and I take a step away from him.

“Charles, we have about five months left of college. I’m going to have all the fun I can. Once we graduate, we have a business to run. Damn, saying that part out loud hits home.”

I’ve almost forgotten about the hotel that they’re building.

“How is that going?”

“If you want to know, did Chase finally get his funds to help out…yes, he did. He was the acting CEO, and it came with perks and pay.”

“Was? You said was?” I give him a questionable look. “Did he quit?”

“There’s my favorite lady.” Chase walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Glad to see you’re still here.”

“Where else would I be?”

“On a plane to LA.” He kisses the top of my head. “What did I miss so far?” I don’t answer because I know that question was directed towards Darren.

“Wolf stopped by.”

“And?”

Darren looks at me before whispering in Chase’s ear. I’ve been trying to find out for the last hour what happened with Wolf, but the guys were so tight-lipped about everything about Wolf.

The music cuts off, and Austin’s voice is loud and clear.

“Attention, attention! The moment we’ve all been waiting for...I would like to introduce you all to Mr. and Mrs. Chase Tucker!” He points at us. I turn in Chase’s arms, burying my face into his chest.

“Will you ever not be shy around people?” Chase whispers in my ear.

“In a minute,” I mumble. I need to calm my nerves before speaking. Everett gave me a speech to memorize before the party.

He said it would be nice to speak to everyone, and since he knew I wasn’t going to say anything, he wrote me something.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate our Drunk in Love party. Charlotte—”

I quickly turn around in his arms, facing the crowd.

“I am thrilled to share the rest of my life with Chase and all the memories and kids we’ll make along the way. I don’t know any of you personally, but it means a lot that you all are here to celebrate this special night with us.”

I smile and look back at Chase.

He winks at me. “Once again, thank you all for coming.”

Tristan whistles and claps, getting the crowd to join in. Chase spins me around planting a slow seductive kiss on me. “You want to go upstairs?” he asks as the music turns back on.

“Not yet, I want to dance and hang out with the guys before Monday.”

“What’s happening Monday?” Darren asks. Crap. I forgot he is standing right there.

“Huh?” I play dumb.

“Still can’t believe Croakington’s finest is off the market,” Everett says in a girly voice. I look over to him and chuckle. “Are you two about to go christen y’all’s rooms?”

“What did I just walk into?” Vincent screws up his face.

“Nothing,” Chase answers.

“No, it’s something. I think Charles is leaving.” Darren raises his eyebrows at me and Chase. “I don’t think they were going to tell us—”

“What? Shut up, D, are you lying?” Miguel says.

I don’t want to deal with this right now. “Guys I just want to have fun tonight with all of you. Can we just do that and talk about everything else tomorrow?”

“Guys come on, let's just give her some space. It’s not what you all think. She had dreams and plans before living in the frat house. Respect it.”

Chase walks us a little bit further into the crowd, and we dance—dance until I can’t dance anymore, dance until the party comes to an end.

The last of the partygoers are leaving, and all the guys are moping around the living room.

“Can you guys not do this?” I lean against the door frame.

“So, it’s true. You are leaving.” Austin sighs. “I guess we can book flights to visit you in LA.”

“You can find other cooking schools out there. We’re going to miss you.” Tristan pouts.

Chase is leaning against the wall laughing, and I smile at him.

“You two think this is funny?” Vincent snaps.

“Guys, I’m not leaving you for good.”

“Charles, you’re our baby sister. This is hard to know. You are moving across the country.” Everett runs his fingers through his hair.

“Please put them out of their misery before they start crying. Because it will happen... I’ve seen it before, and it’s not pretty.” Chase crosses his arms at his chest.

“A dorm room is available, and I’m staying just across campus.” I smile and they don’t return it.

“What? Why don’t you just stay here?” Miguel asks.

“Chase and I spoke about it, and since he will be in New York for some time, I should go to a dorm. Being here without him is just too much.”

“But he’s staying, did he not tell you?” Darren looks at Chase.

“You’re staying?” I look at Chase.

“And you’re leaving.” Everett chimes.

“Yeah, I am,” I say. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re coming back for good?” I ask Chase, pushing myself off the wall walking towards him.

“Ooooh, Chasey is in trouble,” Tristan says. “We will leave you two to it.” The guys get up walking out of the living room.

“Asshole, you did that on purpose!” Chase shouts.

“I was going to tell you tonight and hope to change your mind about leaving. I didn’t know I was coming back for good until today.

“Jasper and I found someone to take over for a few years. Then Jasper will take over. Cupcake, I was going to tell you, I promise.” He pulls me into his warm embrace.

“I believe you.”

His eyes widen. “I have to get used to this new Charlotte... so mature... and sexier.” He bites down on my bottom lip. “Does this new Charlotte come with some new bedroom tricks?”

“No, she doesn’t. But you do know, eventually I want to know what you and Natalia talked about.” I kiss his lips.

“I know.”