Jesse's POV
I pace up and down the living, urging Chase to come out of his room with my mind. He's been locked in there for the past two days. He hasn't even come out for food and it's honestly been hell. I've had Shawn and both our brothers call him as well as Aerial and Chloe; but still he remains locked away, completely ignoring us.
Maybe I should ask Diego to call him? I immediately dismiss that thought; I can't meddle in his love life. Chase would be crushed if he found out that the only reason Diego called him was because I asked him to. I plop down on the couch and lean my head back, looking up at the ceiling in dismay.
I've never seen Chase quite so responsive to anyone. When he met Diego at the hospital, he literally couldn't stop smiling. His smiles over the last few weeks have been so scarce but Diego seems to have a knack for drawing them out. I smile at that because I genuinely think that Diego might be good for him. As a plus he's Bryan and Dean's best friend, so he definitely has some good referrals.
Shawn is always talking about how amazing Dean is and how he takes such good care of him and Bryan has been the absolute best; patient, kind and sweet. I let out a wistful sigh. I really miss him.
"Hi Jesse." Chase's voice startles me despite the fact that it is barely above a whisper.
I shoot up from the couch and instantly hug him. I thought I would go crazy not knowing why he decided to trap himself in his room. He never even gave me a hint as to why he did it and I'm not sure if I did something to upset him. The only thing that kept me sane while I waited for Chase to come out of his room was Shawn and Bryan's reassurance.
Chase returns my hug and squeezes me tightly. "I'm sorry, Jesse. I'm sorry I locked myself away in my room and I'm sorry I yelled at you." He mumbles as I feel his tears hit my shoulder.
I release him and sit on the couch tugging him down with me. "It's ok, baby bro. What happened? Did I-"
"No! Jesse no! You didn't do anything! I was just... I just needed some time to think." Chase interjects, drying his tears with the corner of his bright yellow T-shirt.
I tilt my head at him curiously and he continues. "I was thinking about dropping the case and I know you would want me to prosecute them so I didn't want to feel like a failure and let you down."
Of course I want him to prosecute Mike and those other fiends. But I also know that the process isn't a walk in the park. So I can understand why he would be having second thoughts. "Chase, I'm not the one that has to tell them what happened in court. I'm not the one that constantly has to go over details of the case with the police and lawyers. Of course I would like it if you prosecute them but not if it breaks you. So if you honestly don't think you can handle it, drop the case. You're not a failure and I won't be disappointed."
"Really?" Chase's hopeful eyes gleam at me.
"I won't be disappointed," I repeat, giving him a reassuring smile.
I'm not upset or disappointed with Chase for not prosecuting them, I know it will take a lot out of him mentally. But I need some sort of retribution. Maybe I can pay someone to beat up those guys every few months for the next twenty years. Murder might be a bit much on my conscience. Besides, this way they get to live in a state of constant fear.
"Well I am going to press charges so you can stop planning to murder them in your mind," Chase says, releasing a tiny giggle.
I flash him a guilty look. "I'm sorry! I won't pressure you to press charges but I really can't let them go completely unpunished!"
Chase giggles harder and reaches out to hug me again which I return. Once he releases me he says, "Well I can't have my brother doing anything illegal can I?"
I flinch internally at his words. I can't have him put himself through more hell just because of me. "I'll forego my revenge if you don't want to press charges. I don't want you going along with it for my sake." I try to convey my sincerity through my words. As much as it will pain me, I really will try to forget about it if that's what Chase wants.
"I'm doing it for me. Diego helped me realize that avoiding my problems would only make it worse in the long run." My eyes bulge out of my head at this revelation. Diego called! Oh my gosh! I'm so happy for Chase! I have a million questions but I can't bring myself to interrupt Chase's flow.
Chase has a look of pure determination on his face when he continues. "So I'm going to face them head on. I know I can do this." He smiles and reaches out to squeeze my hand. "I have you, Mason, Justin, Shawn and," Chase pauses and giggles before saying, "Diego."
It seems like he has finished his mini monologue and I can't contain my excitement any longer. "Diego called!" I screech and Chase giggles and nods his head vigorously.
Chase spends the next hour gushing about Diego and relating in excruciating detail everything that Diego said on their phone call. I can tell that he's already starting to fall for him by the pure joy radiating off him as he talks about Diego. I'm of course excited for him but I'm also terrified that Diego will hurt him or that he won't accept him once he finds out about the assault.
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We scroll through Uber Eats looking at all the delicious food, trying to determine what to order. Chase looks at me with a questioning look when we hear the doorbell ring. We definitely aren't expecting anyone.
"Mason?" I ask opening the door to let him inside. "What are you doing here?" I implore as we walk back into the living room.
"Mason!" Chase says excitedly, jumping up from the couch and rushing over. "Is Aerial okay?"
Mason chuckles and nods. "Yes, she's fine! She's at home with the baby. Justin and Chloe are there right now keeping her company. I saw how excited you were about your backyard camping so I brought snacks and ready made skewers!"
Chase squeals excitedly and a smile spreads across my face at his reaction.
"Ok, let's get this party started!" Mason says, doing the raising the roof gesture.
"Do you mind if I sit this one out?" I ask tentatively. If Mason is going to be here, then maybe I can spend the night with Bryan!
"Go see your boyfriend!" Chase exclaims, seeming to know exactly what was going through my mind when I asked that question. He smiles and sticks out his tongue at me and I grin in return.
I contemplate calling or texting Bryan in advance but I already know that he's hanging out with Diego and Dean at his house tonight. So I head straight to his place once I'm finished getting dressed.
I jam out to some Fall Out Boy on the way to Bryan's house but when I actually park the car outside of his house, I can't help but think that this might have been a bad idea. Maybe I shouldn't have just shown up without informing him. I don't want to ruin his 'boys night' as he called it and it's rude to show up unannounced.
Nonetheless, I get out of the car and lean against the car door. I'm already here so I might as well find out if he's free. I pull out my phone to text Bryan:
Me: Bryaaaan! I miss you!
I immediately see the three dots as he starts to reply to my text.
My Sexy Vampy: I've been missing my sweet, blushing tomato all day. Are you free? Do you want to come over? I will definitely kick the boys out!
Me: You will? Great! Because I'm outside! ;)
My Sexy Vampy: Wait! WHAT???
Less than thirty seconds later, Bryan's front door flings open and he rushes over and scopes me up into his arms. I laugh gleefully as Bryan spins us around. I missed him so much. I wrap my legs around his waist, once he stops spinning and lean backwards to look at his face.
He is wearing the most breathtaking smile that I have ever seen and his face is the epitome of happiness. I run my hands through his wavy dark brown hair and marvel at its silky texture. He rubs one of his hands gently up and down the outside of my thigh, eliciting a tiny moan from me as I feel the heat rushing to my groin. I want him so bad. Even the tiniest touch from him is enough to drive me crazy.
"I missed you," he whispers before pressing his lips to mine. I smile into the kiss and let out a contented sigh, melting against his lips. I can't believe this sexy beast is mine.
I hear someone clearing their throat from behind me and Bryan pulls away and glares at them. "I thought I told you to leave," Bryan whines, setting me back on my feet.
"Hey boys," I greet Dean and Diego with a smile, trying to sneakily readjust my pants to hide my erection. One of the reasons I just showed up is because I was hoping to run into Diego.
"Diego, may I please speak with you?" I ask sweetly and I see his nervous gulp before he nods.
Once we are out of earshot of the other guys, I turn towards Diego.
"Before you threaten me about not hurting Chase, Bryan and Dean already beat you to it," Diego says, running his hand through his jet black hair before he continues. "I really like Chase. I know I haven't known him for very long but I already know that he's exactly who I need. I will treat him well, comfort him, be there for him when he needs and most importantly I'll be patient. I already know he isn't ready for a relationship and I have every intention of waiting for him to be ready."
"Patience runs out," I state matter-of-factly. I honestly don't know how long Chase will need in order to feel like he can start dating again. But I do know that Chase is already more invested in Diego than I initially realized. If Diego runs out of patience waiting for him to be ready, I'm scared that Chase might never get over it.
"I really do like him and I will never do anything to hurt him. I can wait as long as I have to." I don't know Diego well and I'm still skeptical. Saying you'll wait is all good in theory but in practice, it might be totally different. However, I can hear the sincerity in his voice and see in his eyes that he means every word that he said. So I should at least give him the benefit of the doubt.
I exhale loudly before nodding. "Ok, I'll trust you for now. I think you make Chase very happy and that's what matters to me. Thank you for talking to him earlier on the phone. It meant a lot, to both of us."
I let out a tiny shriek as I feel strong, warm arms wrap around my waist and I hear Bryan chuckling next to my ear. I shudder at the vibrations travelling through my body from his deep chuckle. "Are you done with your conversation?" Bryan's husky, lust filled voice sounds in my ear, adding fuel to the fire. When he starts nibbling on my ear, I let out a sinful moan and my eyes flutter close.
"Um we're going to leave," Dean says and my cheeks instantly heat up. I momentarily forgot that they were still here.
"You should already be gone," I exclaim before I quickly turn around and bury my face in Bryan's chest and I hear all three of them chuckle. Shortly afterwards, I hear Dean and Diego retreating but I stay hidden in my vampy's embrace.
"They're gone, my sweet tomato," Bryan whispers, pressing his mouth against my ear. I moan as a shiver runs down my spine and my erection returns full force.
I lift my head and wrap my arms around his neck. I smirk at him and slowly and seductively run my tongue over my lips. "Fuck, you're so hot," Bryan whispers, releasing an aroused growl. My gasp at him roughly groping my butt instantly turns into a smile. I jump up into his arms, making him stagger at my sudden movement and he chuckles. He wraps his arms around me and walks towards the house.
While he is carrying me into his house, I repeatedly press soft kisses to his lips, pulling away every time he tries to deepen the kiss. "Stop teasing and kiss me properly," he whines, slamming the door closed behind us.
"Ok," I breathe before smashing our lips together and letting him lay claim to my mouth.
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