Chasing Us (Dark Love, #2)

by Kat T. Masen

Yet, I did work hard to organize blind dates with the hottest guys in college. I mean, the ones that if Rocky weren’t my husband, I’d have ridden them faster than a rollercoaster at Disneyland.

That was just the tip of the iceberg until that beautiful jerk walked back into Charlie’s life. Lex Edwards—billionaire extraordinaire.

He had some hold over Charlie, and without a shadow of a doubt, every time he was near her, her vagina celebrated like it won the Super Bowl. Bottom line here—I loathed him.

My best friend was fucked up royally over what he did to her, and you always got to have your girl’s back when the going gets tough.

“That man loves you. He’ll do anything for you. Stop being a selfish little bitch and grow up.”

The pain she endured was nothing that I’d wish on my greatest enemy, but I also understand the enormity of being a parent. If anything does go wrong, how easy you can blame yourself. The responsibility of parenthood far outweighs anything else I’ve ever experienced.

That soul mate bullshit doesn’t just happen for everyone. Sometimes it does if you’re lucky, but you have to work hard at getting it right. It doesn’t always fall into your lap so perfectly.

It’s also the moment I realize my best friend is in a very dark place. I no longer take sides. I no longer act in defense. I’m going to hold her hand, walk along this dark path, and remind her that no matter what happens in the end, I’ll forever be by her side.

“Charlie, you look like a truck ran over you. Tell me what’s been happening. So, your love life has gone tits up?” Tits up? I’m confused but assume she means upside down.

I think. Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels have become my companions of late.

I no longer want to play this sick, twisted game.

“And one day, you’ll fall in love with someone you’ll love and will love you back just the same. I know he’ll treat my princess the way she deserves to be treated.”

I missed the girl I used to be.

They say if you love someone, you’re supposed to set them free. What if it’s the other way around? They set you free. Am I supposed to fly back? Or am I supposed to leave it up to fate? There’s a high chance fate isn’t on my side, my wings having been clipped, and without them I can’t soar.

“In the end, Char, it will all work out. I promise you.”

I sit on my bathroom floor beside Nikki in a catatonic state staring at the three pregnancy tests, each a different brand, all lying side by side marked with the two blue lines which have decided my fate. “Charlie. Three tests can’t be wrong. They’re all positive.”

“Charlie, you’ll always have us. Rocky, myself, and Will. We’re your family. Even when you have lost hope and think you’re walking through this pain alone, remember, we are here for you no matter what you decide.”

She was mine all along, and once again, I, Alexander Edwards, vow not to stop, not until she’s mine again.

“Remember what I said…” he reminds me as I pull away, “… this is your choice, your decision, your destiny. You want something… then you go for

When your heart won’t stop loving, then it’s not ready to give

Sometimes in life you wonder how you ever got through something, a moment when life meant nothing. The past month has been nothing short of hell.

“And if all else fails, just look at his crotch and hope for a wave hello or the one-eyed salute.”

I almost need a dose of holy water to wash away the sinful thoughts lingering in my mind while standing here in the church.

The crowd, again, let out a laugh, my mother beaming as my father continues, “As for her third marriage attempt, now this one will last. Elijah,” he says, raising his glass toward him. “I have never seen a man so in love, so taken with a woman as much as I have seen you with my little girl. You’re the light in her day, the contentment in her night. You have given her so much joy and happiness, and anyone who can make my little girl smile the way you do, well, that’s the only thing a father can wish for his daughter. So, to a lifetime of happiness. Please raise a toast to the newly-wedded couple.”

“They say love is a noble act of self-giving, offering trust, faith, and loyalty. The more you love, the more you lose a part of yourself, yet you don’t become less of who you are, you end up being complete with your loved one. This couldn’t ring any truer as I tell you the story of how I watched their love for one another unfold…”

Not many people can say they held onto their first loves, not many people can say that it was only ever one person who has captured them.

Your strength and unity as one never cease to amaze me. Your trust in each other, most importantly, has gotten you to this day, the day that if anyone deserves it, it’s the both of you.

“Today, you both become complete with one another and let this be a lesson to others. Place your trust in those you love and accept their trust with the greatest of appreciation. Love like there is no tomorrow, live like today is the end, and have faith that tomorrow will come. Sometimes we are given the easy road, sometimes the most challenging, but if we can end up being as happy as both of you today, then any road taken is well worth the journey.”

Apparently, tea solved the world’s problems.

But our baby, what happened to the baby?

“I remembered the day it all finally came crashing down, the darkest day of my life, and the day I screamed your name hoping that somewhere you would hear me and pull me out into the light.”

“They say for every death there’s a grieving process, but when you are put in that position, it’s the loneliest experience.

It doesn’t matter how many people are around you, suffering like you are, you only feel your own pain. And the grief, it comes in waves, shattering you, breaking every part of you which is barely holding on.

Something was wrong, very wrong. The blood was a sure sign. Panicking, I walked to the nurses’ station, the look of horror on their faces as they saw that I was covered in blood. They immediately began paging the doctors, and I was rushed to maternity when the nightmare officially unfolded.

“I was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix,” she says, barely a whisper.

Wiping away the snow, she leans in and places her hand on it. In the darkness of the night, it confirms what I had just thought, what I had feared. “He died when I delivered. There were too many complications. He was too small, too fragile to even fight.” Alexander Mason Edwards Sleep my baby angel, always and forever in my heart.

“I held him… you know… for a few moments. I saw his tiny face, and I knew he deserved a name, so I named him Alexander, after you. He was small… so very tiny.” She’s sobbing, her shoulders rising and falling beside me.

“It’s him, he’s done this before, you know, told me he’s okay. He is being taken care of. This is the only reason I was able to live my life. To place trust in God that this little boy lives on, and that although he is not here with us, he’s still loved and is in a happy place.”

“Well, now you’ve just scared me because I don’t want our daughter trying to be picked up by every player, and I don’t want our son having every hoochie-mama hanging off him.”

“Hmm… bugger all, I haven’t gotten laid in like two months. I believe I’ve been re-virginized.

Now time to hear the heartbeat.” She turns up the dial on the monitor, and I wait, holding my breath until the loud thumping sound echoes through the room. It’s like music to my ears, the tell-tale sign that our baby exists, but this time I treasure this moment. This unbelievable life-changing moment consumes me so much I’m ready to burst into tears.

“I love you. Obsessed together forever,” he whispers, rubbing his nose against mine. “Obsessed together forever.”

I knew she wouldn’t talk, the stubborn bitch, so I decided we needed some Eric and Charlie pamper time.

“So, how do you explain a cufflink with the initials LE engraved on it that was lying on the floor underneath your desk?” “Uh, he was… um, fixing my chair.” “More like slurping on your lady door.” “Eww, E, did you just say ‘slurping on my lady door?’” “Well, he was, wasn’t he? Don’t deny it, girl. You’ve been tapping his ass nonstop since then, I can tell.”

Plus, I could smell sex like a mile away. Hmm, maybe this was my gift. “Not in front of the…” she continued to spell out the word manicurist. “Um, Charlie, you know they can spell, right? So, how was it, and how big is he? My guess is huge ‘cause you haven’t worn your really high pumps all week.” “Holy shit, Eric, do you have some sort of sex radar? His size is… well, it’s… perfect.” “Damn, girl, you got it bad.” “I do not!”

Monday morning rolls around faster than you can say ‘doggy style.’ Fuck, I need to get laid.

He ends up leaving, and I spend the night on the couch watching Pretty Woman with my mom.

I snuggle into her side as we both sit quietly and watch a whore turn into a princess.

When it comes to cheerleading, it’s a secret obsession.

Money can be a curse rather than a blessing.