Right as reign, p.44
Right as Reign, page 44
Troy smirked. “That’s fine,” he dismissed. “But me being punked can’t take away the fact that I’ve never seen him go hard for you like that.” He folded his arms. “Guess it’s clear that she’s special to him too.”
Marcy rolled her eyes, “Chase and Reign are just friends. You know that.”
Troy shook his head. “Nah, I’m almost certain that not only is he fucking her, but he has feelings for her,” he said, digging the knife in further. “And to keep it a hundred…I don’t blame him.”
Marcy tried to hold a neutral expression, but she couldn’t. She glanced down at the floor, eyes tight, jaw clenched. That can’t be true. Just the mere thought of Chase and Reign being together made her see red.
“Thinking about how the two people we hurt have more than likely found happiness with each other, while we’re miserable?” Troy wondered, cutting into Marcy’s thoughts.
Marcy looked up at him, unable to speak.
“Yeah…me too,” Troy finished.
Marcy glanced off to the side as Troy headed for the staircase.
“Hurry up and find a damn place to live.” He bolted up the steps. “I’ll give you the damn deposit if it’ll get you out sooner.”
Feeling tears beginning to build, Marcy covered her face with her hands.
Chapter Forty-Five
Reign removed the clear plastic wrap from her sandwich. Raising it to her mouth, she paused short of taking a bite. Frowning, she put the sandwich to her nose, sniffing it. She dry-heaved.
“Eww, what the hell?” she tossed the sandwich on the wrap. “Come in,” she called, hearing a knock.
Ava strolled in, smiling bright. “Guess who just killed another developmental editing project?”
Reign looked up at her. “Are you going to do this every time you finish one?”
Ava laughed. “Probably.” She took a seat.
Reign chuckled. “It’s good to know that you love your job.”
“I do,” Ava affirmed. She eyed the glass vase full of fresh, blooming pink and white orchids on Reign’s desk. “Gorgeous flowers,” she grinned. “From Chase?”
Reign squinted at her. “You know they’re from him, you intercepted the delivery,” she reminded, earning a giggle from Ava. Reign shook her head, slightly amused. Ava’s excitement over Reign and Chase becoming a couple had yet to wane. “But thank you, they are beautiful…my favorite flowers.”
Ava leaned forward, grabbing a silver picture frame from Reign’s desk. “How is that book you’re working on, coming along?” Eyeing the five-by-seven photo of the happy couple from their vacation, she smiled. “Awww.”
Reign reached over, snatching the frame from Ava’s grasp. “Will you stop it?”
Ava laughed, raising her hands. “Okay, okay.”
“But to answer your question, it’s going.” Reign set the picture down. “It’s a fantasy novel, so it’s pretty long. But it’s a six-month contract so I have time.”
“Are they still talking about moving you to full-time writer?”
“That’s the plan,” Reign nodded. “Speaking of which, Dennis asked me to start giving you more responsibility.”
Ava tilted her head. “Okay.”
Reign looked at her. “You okay with that?”
“Stop making it seem like I have a choice,” Ava chortled, prompting a giggle from Reign. “But yes, I’m okay with that. Like you said, I love my job.”
Reign gave a nod. Picking up her uneaten sandwich, she proceeded to rewrap it.
Ava pointed to it. “Not hungry huh?”
Reign paused short of tossing it in the trashcan. “I am, but the turkey in this sandwich is spoiled,” she spat. “If I weren’t so tired, I’d take it back.”
“Where did you get it from?” Ava asked.
“The deli around the corner.”
Puzzled, Ava frowned. “Seriously? Their food is usually on point.” she held her hand out for the sandwich. “Let me smell it.” Reign handed it to Ava, who pulled aside the plastic and took a whiff. “Rae, there is nothing wrong with this sandwich.”
Reign took it from her. “Ava, it’s spoiled. You don’t smell it?” she sniffed it again, handing it back to Ava after she nearly gagged.
“No crazy, it smells like a regular roasted turkey sandwich,” Ava maintained, humored.
Reign grabbed her bottle of water, taking a sip. “Well, I’m not eating that,” she refused. “You can have it if you want it.”
Ava shrugged. “Do you want the sushi that I brought for lunch?”
Reign scrunched her face in disgust.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Ava teased when Reign refused to answer.
Reign shook her head and stuck to her water.
Ellie turned on the kitchen sink; she’d decided to pay her son a visit that afternoon. “You know what I think would be nice?” she asked Chase, washing a dish.
Chase glanced over at her from the refrigerator. “Mom, put the bowl down.”
Ellie let out a laugh.
“Stop trying to find something to clean every time you come over.” Chase shook his head. “One dish in the sink won’t kill you.”
She set the bowl down. “Okay, fine,” she relented, amused.
Chase chuckled as his mother took a seat at the island. “So, what do you think would be nice?” he asked, going back to the original topic.
She folded her arms on the countertop. “I think we should have a big family dinner.”
Closing the refrigerator, lunch meat and cheese in hand, Chase eyed her, trying to suss out what she had in mind. “You mean with our extended family?”
“No, I mean with us and Reign’s family.”
Chase raised an eyebrow. “And just when do you plan on doing this?”
Ellie shrugged. “I don’t know…Thanksgiving maybe?” she answered. “It’s what, a month away?”
Chase began to prepare himself and his mother a sandwich. “Uh huh,” he muttered. “Do you plan on inviting Malcom’s family?”
“For your information, I did ask Ava about it, but she said no.” She chuckled. “I don’t think she’s reached the ‘meet the family’ stage of her relationship yet.”
Chase moved to the island, setting a plate in front of his mother. “Oh okay.”
Ellie studied him as soon as he sat down. “You don’t think it’s a good idea?” she assumed, picking up on his lackluster response.
“I didn’t say that,” he denied.
“You don’t think she would agree to it?” she followed up.
“I didn’t say that either.”
Noticing the look that Chase was giving her, his mother frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked. “Like you think I’m being sneaky?”
“I’m just wondering if there’s a bigger reason why you want to get both families together so soon.” He leaned back in his seat. “Are you expecting something to happen?”
Her mouth fell open. “Son, are you accusing me of plotting to get everyone together in hopes of a proposal?”
Chase pointed at her. “Knew exactly what I was talking about.”
She let out a laugh. “Chase, that’s not what I’m trying to do,” she promised. “I just think that it would be nice to have Thanksgiving with them. After all, they’re family too.”
Chase shook his head in amusement. “You almost sound convincing.”
“I’m serious.” Ellie gave his arm a light tap. “I know that you two have only been together six months, and though I know where your heart is, I don’t expect you to propose that soon.”
Chase looked at her, tilting his head. “You think that six months is too soon to propose?”
“Absolutely not,” Ellie answered, honest. “If you know it’s right, it doesn’t matter how soon you do it.”
Chase nodded as his mother took a bite of her sandwich. “I agree.” He paused for a moment. “Which is exactly why I already bought a ring.”
Ellie’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She took a sip of water to push the rest of her food down. “Wait, you what?”
Chase smiled, “I bought an engagement ring.”
Ellie clasped her hands together in delight, tears of joy filling her eyes. “Oh my God,” she gushed. “I’m so proud of you.”
He chuckled. “For what?”
“Just for…being a good man.” She dabbed her eyes dry with a napkin. “I would say more, but I’ll just embarrass you.”
“Thank you,” Chase replied, sincere. “I have no idea when or how I’m going to propose, but it won’t be on Thanksgiving…sorry.”
“Son, you do it whenever and wherever you feel is best.” Ellie grinned. “Just make sure you call me right afterwards.”
“I will.” He sighed after a moment. “Plus…I want to make sure that she doesn’t think it’s too soon.” He broke eye contact, staring off to the side. “Part of me wonders if she might think it’s a bit crazy to get engaged already. I mean yeah, we’ve been friends for years, but a relationship is another level, so…I don’t know.”
Ellie fixed her son with a serious gaze. “Honestly Chase, I don’t believe that she would,” she said. “After being with someone who didn’t know what they had—someone who wasted her damn time, I’m sure she appreciates being with someone who knows exactly what they want and is not afraid to show it.”
Chase just nodded, though he was still unsure. He knew that Reign loved him; he had no doubts about that. But he wasn’t sure if she’d be ready for marriage after only six months. Would she feel that it was too fast? Would she believe that he was ready? “Thanks Mom,” he answered, despite the questions swirling in his head.
Ellie smiled.
“I’ll talk to her about Thanksgiving,” he promised.
“Ooh, they have pumpkin cheesecake,” Vivian beamed, picking up a box. She showed it to Reign. “You want to try this?”
Reign glanced at it. “Not really, but don’t let me stop you from getting it.” Her voice was tired.
Vivian set the pie box back into the freezer. “Eh, no need in buying this big ol’ cheesecake if I’m going to be the only one eating it.” She peered at the items in her shopping cart. “Your father doesn’t like pumpkin and Cynthia hates cheesecake.”
“Makes sense, I guess,” Reign replied, unenthused.
Reign’s quick visit to her parents’ home had turned into an impromptu trip to the grocery store with her mother. “How much stuff do you need?”
“Not much,” Vivian answered. “Am I holding you up? I can take a cab home if you have to go.”
“Mom don’t be silly, I’m not leaving you.” Reign patted her mother’s shoulder. “I wasn’t trying to rush you.”
Vivian glanced at Reign while she pushed her shopping cart down the aisle. Her daughter was rubbing her face with her hands. “Are you okay?”
Pulling her hands away, Reign pushed her hair behind her shoulder. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t feel good today.”
Concern fell upon Vivian’s face. “What is it? Are you coming down with another cold?”
“I don’t think so, I’m just feeling…off,” Reign tried to explain. “Like, physically just off.”
Vivian grabbed a few items from a shelf. “It’s not stress, is it?”
Reign shook her head. “No, I don’t have anything to be stressed about. My job is great, my relationship is great…” she shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe I’m just having an off day or something.”
Vivian nodded slowly. “You just started feeling like this today?”
“I doubt you’re going to figure out what the issue is, so you can stop the twenty questions,” Reign chortled.
Vivian twisted her lips. “It hasn’t been twenty, smarty pants,” she threw back; Reign smirked. “And I’m not trying to be nosey, I’m just concerned.”
“Okay fine.” Reign sighed. “It’s not just today. I’ve been feeling weird for about a week or so.”
“Or so?”
“Mom— Yes, or so,” Reign huffed. “I’m sure I’m fine, so can we drop the subject please?” Grabbing a bottle of syrup from the shelf, she skimmed the label before turning to her mother, “Hey, have you ever had—” She paused; her mother was eyeing her skeptically. Reign frowned. “Is there something on my face?”
“No,” Vivian answered.
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
Vivian took the syrup from Reign, placing it in the cart. “We should stop by the pharmacy section.”
Puzzled, Reign squinted. “Why?”
“To get you prenatal vitamins.”
The confusion had not faded from Reign’s face. “For?”
Her mother grinned. “For your baby.”
Reign’s eyes widened. “Mom—” She put a hand up, “It’s cute that you’re no longer hiding your desire for a grandchild, but you’re crazy. I am not pregnant.”
“You’re sure about that?” Vivian questioned.
“Yes, I am sure,” Reign ground out. “Just because I don’t feel well, doesn’t mean that that is the case. Relax, okay.”
Vivian put her hands up in surrender. “Okay.” A hint of a smile remained on her face.
Reign narrowed her eyes. “What are you smiling for Vivian?”
“No reason,” Vivian answered, innocently.
Reign folded her arms. “Um hmm.”
“So moody,” Vivian teased. “You should stock up on ginger tea too, it helps with morning sickness.”
Reign rolled her eyes. “Yeah, okay, don’t make me rethink leaving you here,” she bit out, earning a loud snicker from her mother.
Reign rubbed her tired eyes before returning her hands to her keyboard. Her fingers moved at high speed as she focused solely on the words on the screen. She glanced at the time on the monitor; eleven-fifteen PM. Reign had been in her home office writing for approximately three hours. Hearing her cell phone ring, she grabbed it, smiling at the name on the screen. “Hey baby,” she crooned, cradling the phone between her ear and shoulder.
Chase smiled at the endearing greeting. “Hey yourself.”
“Why are you still up?” she asked, typing.
“I guess I should ask you the same thing.” Amusement laced his voice.
She smirked. “I’m writing.” she told. “I couldn’t sleep, so figured I’d get some work done.” She leaned back in her seat, stretching. “You?”
“Well, I’m definitely not writing,” Chase chortled, earning a giggle from Reign. “But I couldn’t sleep either, so I’m just sitting out on my deck.” He grabbed his glass of iced tea, taking a quick sip. “Figured I was taking a chance by calling at this time, but I wanted to check on you to see if you were feeling better from earlier.”
Reign rubbed her forehead; Chase was aware that she had been feeling a bit run down.
“A little,” she answered. “That nap I took after I left my parents’ house, seemed to help a bit…which would explain why I’m still up.”
“Well, that’s good.” He breathed a sigh of relief. “I’d hate to think that you were coming down with another cold or something.”
“No, I doubt that’s what’s going on.” She sighed. “I probably just need another vacation or something. I’ve been writing nonstop on this new project these past few weeks.”
“We could go to Colorado for a few days next month… You want to see snow, right?” Chase proposed, excited.
Reign smiled. God, I love how he listens to me. “Yes, I want to see snow.”
“Then it’s settled, I’ll make the plans.” He ran a hand over his head. “Do you plan on going to sleep any time soon?”
Reign saved her document. “Probably not, but I do need to give the imagination a rest for the night,” she replied. “Sitting out on the patio sounds like a good idea, I’ll probably go sit out on mine. It’s about time that I give that fire pit that I spent all of that money on, a test drive.”
Chase took another sip of his tea, chuckling in the process. After a moment, he sighed, the humor leaving his face. He knew the real reason why he was having trouble sleeping; he wasn’t sleeping next to Reign. It was getting harder for him to not wake up next to her every day.
“Would you like company?” he offered.
Reign tucked some of her hair behind her ear, a smile building. “Yes, I would.”
Beaming, Chase stood from his chair. “Okay, I’ll be there in ten.”
Reign wrapped a small fleece blanket around her shoulders as she watched Chase set the fire pit alight. She smiled at the flames rising up.
Chase glanced at her. “I take it by the size of that smile, that you’re pleased with your purchase?” he asked, amused.
Reign giggled. “Yes.”
Chase walked over, taking the cushioned seat next to her. Reign grabbed a mug of hot chocolate from the table, handing it to him.
“Thank you, baby,” he replied, taking a careful sip.
“You’re welcome.” Reign picked up her own mug; it tasted perfect. “It’s nice out.”
“I know right,” Chase nodded, setting his mug down. Inhaling the fresh night air, he surveyed Reign’s backyard.
Over the past few months, she’d traded her metal table and chair set for a cushioned patio sofa with matching chairs and table, plus a larger patio umbrella. She’d also added a grill, the fire pit, outdoor lighting, and had landscaping done.
Reign caught his eyes roaming. “Are you looking for that rabbit?” she teased.
A deep laugh erupted from Chase. “Still won’t let me live that down, will you?”
“Nah,” she laughed back. “At least not for the next fifty years.”
He leaned back, putting his arm around her. “Well, at least it’s nice that you’re still planning on putting up with me for the next fifty years.”
