{17}
CHASE's POV continued
I pull into O'Kings and see Ryan pulling in at the same time.
I'm glad someone wants to help me.
She doesn't sound like she wants to leave, I know this won't be easy.
"Hey man." Ryan sighs getting out of his truck. "Hey." I say rubbing the back of my neck.
"This isn't gonna be fun." Ryan says. "No it ain't. But I called you because I thought you would know what to do since you have known her longer than I have."
"I bet she is in there playing pool. Guys beside her trying to get her." Ryan says. "Hell no." I say and walk faster inside with Ryan trailing behind me.
I look over and find the pool table. A tipsy blonde dominating the game.
"I bet your sweet ass will get this one." A man says and rubs Katie's back.
Nope. Not today son.
"Do that again and I swear to God I will punch you." I growl and push the guy away from Katie.
"Chase!" Katie gasps. "Who are you? Her boyfriend?" The guy scoffs.
"Yes, I am. Touch her again and I swear-" "Chase, calm down." Ryan says and pulls me away.
"You're think you're tough because you think you look like Chase Elliott?" Another guy scoffs.
"For your information, I am Chase Elliott." I grimace. The guy shuts up and I turn my attention back to Katie.
"Katie, we need to get home." I say and grab her hand. "No! I won't go back there till you get your bitch sister to apologize! I was just trying to look out for her like a best friend would! You have to admit she is moving too fast!"
"Katie, please don't call her a bitch. She is my sister, please respect that. I think it would be best for you two to settle it together." I suggest.
"Chase, I don't want to talk to her." "Katie! Don't be so stubborn! Let's please go back!" I say and she rips her hand out of mine.
"No." she says and downs a beer.
I look at Ryan for help and he nods.
"Katie. I think it would be best if we all went back to talk this through." Ryan says in a calming voice.
"Only if you will be there too." Katie says. "Okay, I will be. Let's get out of here." Ryan smiles and she gets up out of the chair.
We all go outside and she decides to ride with Ryan.
It was a long ride home, and a quiet one at that.
Compared to the explosive day we are about to have.
JO's POV
"We will be back tomorrow. Bye sweetie. Love you!" Mom smiles and leaves with dad.
I sigh and sink down in the couch.
I have a sick feeling and I don't know why.
A few minutes into watching House Hunters, the front door flies open.
"Fuck you Jo! Fuck you!" Katie yells lunging towards me, Ryan holding her back.
I jump up and hold my hands out.
"My God! What's happening?!" I yell. "I wouldn't ever call you a whore, and you go out and call me a bitch! Don't ever twist my words again McGuire! Or should I say Elliott?" Katie spats.
"Then what do you call "you're moving too fast, you should slow down?""
"I call that looking out for a friend damn it! I don't know what else you want me to do?! I'm just calling it as I see it!" Katie yells.
"Okay Katie. I get it." I say sighing. "I'm sorry Jo." Katie says. "I'm sorry too." Katie comes over and hugs me.
"Wow okay. That went well." Ryan laughs. "Glad that's over." Chase laughs along with Ryan.
"I'm going to go. See y'all this weekend." Ryan says and leaves.
We all sit on the couch, and crack open some beer.
"Can I tell y'all something?" I ask. "Go for it." Chase says.
"I think I'm going to break up with Joey soon." I say. "Really?" Katie asks wide eyed.
"Are you sure Jo?" Chase asks. "Yeah. I've been thinking about what you told me earlier Chase. You told me not to lead him on, and that's what I feel like I'm doing. I still love someone else." I say.
"Wait. You still love Brad?" Katie asks. "I think so." "Even after all the shit he put you through?" Chase asks.
"I guess love doesn't give you limits on how many chances. I somehow believe that one day everything will be okay with us." I smile.
"I sure hope so because if not, I may kill him." Katie laughs.
"So is that your final decision?" Chase asks. "Yeah. I really think so." I smile.
"Katie, I won't be moving too fast, will I?" I smirk. "Jo, shut up. No you won't." She laughs.
"Y'all go do whatever. I'm going to call Joey over." I say and dial Joey's number.
About 20 minutes later, Joey shows up.
We sit on the front porch, and I feel really bad.
"So Jo, what's up?" Joey asks. "I've been thinking lately about us." I trail off.
"Did I do something?" Joey asks sadly. "No, you didn't do anything, I promise. You've been an amazing boyfriend, it's just that I feel like I am leading you on when I don't have feelings for you anymore. I think we work better as friends. Please understand Joey."
"I get it Jo. You still love Brad don't you?" Joey asks. I nod and look down.
"Hey don't feel bad. You've been with him for a long time, it's understandable. It's okay. You're still my best friend." He smiles and hugs me.
"So you aren't mad?" I ask. "No. I'm not mad." Joey smiles.
"Thanks for understanding Joey." "No problem Jo." Joey says and leaves.
After i watch Joey leave, I get into my truck and head to the hospital.
When I get there I head to Brad's room and knock on the door.
"Come in." He says.
I open the door to see him sitting on the side of his bed in his clothes with discharge papers in his hand.
"Hey Jo! Doc is letting me go, just after they come back with a psychiatrist appointment sheet." Brad sighs.
"I'm glad you get to go home. Hopefully you won't mind me coming back with you." I smile.
"What?" Brad asks. "I want to go back with you." "Really?" Brad smiles. I nod and wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into a passionate kiss.
"But what about you and Joey?" He asks when we pull apart.
"It wasn't working. We work better as friends than as partners. I just can't let you go, Brad. I can't." I say and he pulls me into a hug.
"I love you Jo." "I love you Brad."
"Brad, here's your papers." The doctor says as he walks in.
"Doc, I won't be needing those. I have everything I need." Brad smiles and we leave the hospital.
"I have to go back to my house real fast to grab my clothes if you don't mind?" I ask. "Of course I don't mind." Brad smiles.
We pull into the driveway and Brad follows me inside.
"Something smells good!" Brad yells when we walk in.
"Its lasagna!" Katie yells walking out of the kitchen. "Brad!" Katie says and gives him a hug.
"No matter how mad I am at you, you are always gonna be my big teddy bear." Katie smiles.
"Thanks Katie." He laughs.
"I'm going to get my clothes, be right down." I say and run upstairs.
After about 50 minutes of packing, I come downstairs with bags.
"Chase, please tell mom and dad that I moved back in with Brad." I say.
"And let's hope they take it well." Chase laughs. "Amen brother. Well, bye y'all." I smile and leave with Brad.
"So, how are you feeling?" I ask Brad. "Emotionally or physically?"
"Both." "One hundred percent better emotionally, physically, this hurts like a bitch."
"Do you think you will be able to race Sunday?" "Yeah, I'll deal with it."
"You know, you're gonna have to talk to Joey about what happened Sunday." I tell Brad as I pull into his driveway.
"I know. I'll call him right now and tell him to come over."
After unpacking for an hour and a half, the doorbell goes off and Brad answers it.
I go downstairs and see Joey walk in.
"Joey, I'm really sorry about wrecking you Sunday." Brad sighs. "I'm also sorry for dating your ex. That's against guy code and I'm sorry." Joey apologizes.
"Are we good now?" Brad smiles. "Yes." Joey says and they hug.
"Aw." I smile. "Oh God. You're everywhere." Joey laughs.
"You know it." "Do you wanna stay for a bit?" Brad asks Joey. "No, you two need to spend time together. But thanks for the offer. See y'all this weekend." Joey smiles and leaves.
"So, what do you wanna do?" I ask. "First of all, can I give this back to you?" Brad asks, pulling something out of the kitchen drawer.
I see the promise ring in his hand. "Yes." I smile and he slides it back on my finger.
"When everything calms down, I promise to ask you to marry me again." Brad smiles. "I can't wait." I smile.
"I'm so happy to have you back." Brad smiles. "I'm happy to be back."
"I'm really sorry about what you did Brad." I sigh looking at his bandages.
"It's not your fault. I'm completely responsible." "I didn't know it was going to end up being this bad without each other."
"Guess you never know what's gonna happen till it happens." Brad sighs.
"Let's not have this happen again. I really really want to spend the rest of my life with you Brad."
"Me too Jo. I can see it now, our children playing with their toy cars on the front lawn, our daughter going through her first heartbreak, me going to kill the son of a bitch, our son discovering racing, our daughter soon after discovering it, then they both get married and have kids. Us being older, sitting on the front porch, watching our children and their spouses playing with their children on the front lawn. That is what I live for Jo. That's what I can't wait for."
"Brad, you're forgetting that I can't have kids." I say. "No I'm not Jo. We have options. When the time comes, we can decide."
"Are you sure you're okay with it?" I ask. "Yes Jo. I'm sure. As long as I am with you, that's all that matters to me." Brad smiles and kisses me on the head.
"Do you see what time it is Bradley?" "1:34 am." Brad smiles.
"That means my brain has shut off and I'm ready for bed." I laugh.
"Let's go to bed honey." Brad smiles and leads me upstairs and we change into bed clothes.
Which for me is an oversized t shirt and shorts, and for Brad is nothing but his boxers.
And I ain't complaining.
we both get into bed, and I snuggle up into Brad's side.
"Love you baby." Brad says and kisses me on the head. "Love you too." I smile.
We lay in silence for about 10 minutes until I speak up.
"Brad?" I ask. "Yes?" He asks back. "I missed you." I say and I hear him chuckle and he pulls me closer and wraps his arm around me.
"I missed you too."