Home / Romance / Thrill of the Chase / CHAPTER 61: PARTY STORE DASH

Share

CHAPTER 61: PARTY STORE DASH

Author: Memoree
last update Last Updated: 2023-11-10 08:48:09

Looking at her, I realized something even more profound: even if Max and I don't make it through, I've gained valuable lessons from this experience. If our story ends prematurely, I'll still be okay, and everything will be fine.

"Of course not, Mom. Come here," Alex said, shifting his arm to make room for Mom to snuggle in beside him.

Once she settled in, she reached for my free hand, interlocking her fingers with mine as she kissed the back of my hand. Alex planted a kiss on her head and then on mine.

"You two will always be the most important women in my life," he whispered contentedly. "Please, never forget that."

The three of us eventually drifted into sleep, reliving cherished memories with smiles on our faces.

"Why do we always leave decorating to the last minute?" Henry groaned as the ten of us headed towards the two cars we were taking to Party City. Alex, Isaac, Caleb, Samuel, and Henry would ride in Alex's car, while Noah would drive Avery, Kalix, William, and me in his car.
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 62: COUNTDOWN

    "Alex, it's your turn to take out the trash!" I call out, struggling to be heard over the blaring "Can't Feel My Face" resonating from the speakers in the expansive Fayers' living room. My brother strolls into the kitchen moments later, snatching the pre-tied trash bags located next to the now-empty trash can."You missed something," he informs me, and I scan the kitchen to double-check if I overlooked anything. Even though my group and I aren't responsible for post-party cleanup, we're not exempt from helping out during the event."No, I didn't," I assert confidently after ensuring I've taken care of everything."Yes, you did.""Okay, Sherlock. What did I forget?""Yourself," he smirks, and I roll my eyes before ushering him out through the back door.As Alex heads toward the trash bins in the alley, I join the bustling living room just as Caleb pairs her phone with the speakers via Bluetooth. Besides our close-knit crew and their families, the Fayers have invited residents from both

    Last Updated : 2023-11-10
  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 63: PLAYFUL CHAOS

    Bonnie's impromptu plan pays off just about ten seconds later when Kalix tumbles backward onto the bed. However, instead of just having Bonnie in his arms, he inadvertently pulls Avery down with them. With both girls under each of his arms, all three of them burst into even more laughter, prompting the other kids in the room to hush them so they can hear the movie playing on the flat screen.Using our indoor voices, the five of us arrange ourselves on the bed, spending the next few minutes goofing around and chatting. I personally seize this opportunity to tease Bonnie and Elena about their earlier conversation with Kalix."So... which one of you likened me to a dirty lollipop?" I inquire, raising an eyebrow. I hide my smile when Elena's eyes suddenly widen."It was Bonnie, totally Bonnie," she immediately throws her best friend under the bus, causing Bonnie to look at her with a gasp."I did not!" Bonnie protests, turning to Elena in disbelief, who responds with a sheepish, apologeti

    Last Updated : 2023-11-14
  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 64: TEQUILA TRUTHS

    Does kissing Max's photo on my Home screen count?Nice one."I don't know. It'll be spontaneous as always," I reply with a nonchalant shrug. I immediately notice Avery's, Alex's, and Kalix's lingering gaze, but the others seem oblivious to the suspicious act.As the conversation in our little circle picks up again, I seize the opportunity to slip into the kitchen, craving another drink and, more importantly, some solitude."Desiring and needing are entirely different, though, Slayer," Buffy chimes in as my internal dictionary, right before I hear someone enter the kitchen from behind me."If it's Avery, I just need a minute. If it's Alex, you have nothing to worry about. And if it's some random stranger who's crashed the party, the bathroom is just down the hall and to your right," I say before downing my shot of tequila in one gulp."What if it's the best friend of the pain in the ass you've been missing like crazy lately?" I turn around to find Kalix leaning against the kitchen arch

    Last Updated : 2023-11-14
  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 65: APOLOGY

    Max's words snap me out of my lingering gaze, which may have lasted a bit longer than I intended. "Stare all you want, Isabella, but I assure you that it's me. Your vivid imagination isn't playing tricks on you," Max asserts, pulling me back from my reverie."Max, what are you-""Admitting what I should've confessed twenty-one nights ago," he interjects with a determined look. "I've been a damn fool, Isabella.""Well, I won't argue with that," I concur as I close the door behind me. He shoots me a pointed look that practically says, "Now, of all times, you choose to be a smartass?" "Alright, go on," I gesture for him to continue."Thank you," he sighs, resolve returning to his face. "I've been a damn fool because I didn't appreciate one of the few good things in my life," he echoes Kalix's toast from earlier, his hands slipping into his jacket pockets to shield them from the cold. "You decided to give me, us, a chance even when I wasn't ready to share everything about my past, despite

    Last Updated : 2023-11-14
  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 66: SURPRISE VISIT

    After we finally conclude our passionate reunion, we break away from the kiss, our foreheads touching as we exchange smiles."Happy New Year, Isabella," Max whispers."Happy New Year, Max."And cue the fireworks all over again."So, uh, we might have a slight issue," I mention to Max while playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.After the fireworks show, Max and I had settled on the swing that still adorned the Fayers' deck, with Max pulling me onto his lap. We remained nestled together for a good half-hour until a rather crucial detail crossed my mind. Amidst our reunion, I had completely forgotten that the party inside was still in full swing."What's that?" He inquires, planting a kiss on my exposed shoulder. Having been in Max's embrace for the past thirty minutes, I hadn't even considered going back inside to grab a jacket, completely oblivious to the cold."Well, there's an entire party happening inside, filled with neighborhood friends, and not to mention close relatives

    Last Updated : 2023-11-14
  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 67: LATE-NIGHT CONVERSATION

    I enter my room, finding Max sitting on my bed, clad only in pajama bottoms. A puzzled expression crosses my face as I realize where I am. "You're still up?" I inquire. "And in my room?" I add, somewhat bemused. Max glances up from his phone, sporting a sly grin."Let's just say your mom is the only parent I know who'd allow her daughter and her boyfriend to sleep together in the same bed, all under the same roof," Max gets straight to the point. "Or maybe she just didn't want her daughter's first boyfriend to sleep on the downstairs couch," he adds with a shrug."That's all she said?" I question, somewhat skeptical. "No warnings, no precautions, nothing?" It strikes me as hard to believe that my mom, while open-minded, would be so casual about the situation. After all, I've never brought a guy home before, let alone to my bed."She basically said I'm welcome to sleep here as long as the rest of the house can't hear us," he smirks knowingly. "Seemed like a fair deal to me." Now that d

    Last Updated : 2023-11-14
  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 68: CHEESECAKE

    "Why are we hitting up the mall again?" Max inquires as we stroll hand in hand into the Old Orchard Shopping Center, heading toward The Cheesecake Factory."Because we can't exactly tell my family that our extended absence is due to the fact that we've been otherwise occupied for the past two hours," I reply, raising my free hand to gesture towards the restaurant's sign. "This is our cover." He gazes up at the red, illuminated sign, a mischievous grin playing on his lips."What?" He asks, clearly amused. "Do you think cheesecake will make them forget that I just had a rendezvous with their youngest family member in the back seat of my car at the end of their street?""No, you fool," I retort, giving his arm a playful smack, to which he chuckles. "It's a diversion, remember? Besides, once they see the cheesecake, they won't be too curious about our prolonged absence... I hope." Eager to get inside, I pull him into the restaurant."Well, that just put a dent in my bank account," I comme

    Last Updated : 2023-11-14
  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 69: HOT SEAT

    Henry repeated his question, "Señor Blackwell, what are your intentions?"Max began to answer, "Well, to date—" but was abruptly interrupted by Samuel, who mimicked a buzzer sound to indicate a wrong answer."That's incorrect," William took charge immediately, elaborating, "Our Isabellarita is like an unopened bud, waiting to bloom. She deserves love, care, and an abundance of happiness to blossom into a beautiful rose.""Unless your 'bad boy' persona turns her into a weed faster than your pull-out game," Caleb interjected, leaving Max and me dumbfounded."What?""What?" William echoed our simultaneous question, ignoring the peculiar looks we gave him. He quickly brushed off our expressions and continued, "My point is, make her flourish, not wither. Alright, next." Max and I didn't get a chance to respond because Avery seized the opportunity to finish her initial question."Before I was rudely interrupted," Avery said, "I was going to ask you to list the first three things that come t

    Last Updated : 2023-11-14

Latest chapter

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 127: THE END

    Isabella "Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of our very own Isabella Vega and Max Blackwell," Father Raffaele begins as soon as the choir finishes off the song. Words can't describe how I felt when I first heard it playing behind the closed doors. Max has really outdone himself this time."In the years they have been together, both on and off - we all chuckle to that - "their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife." A few 'about time's' fire through the crowd, making us chuckle some more.Soon after, Father Raffaele announces that Max and I will be reciting our vows to one another, motioning for Max to begin with his. My man clears his throat ever so vigorously, earning his overdramatic ass another round of chuckles from the rest of us before he briefly turns to Father Raffaele."Sorry in advance, Father," Max warns him, and then he turn

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 126: CHAPEL DOORS

    MaxI only saw her ten minutes ago, but damn, my jaw still drops when the chapel doors open, revealing her in all her glory. I proudly watch as my mother-in-law and brother-in-law join her on each side, slowly walking her down the aisle. What makes me smile even more is the moment Isabella's already beautiful face lights up in recognition at the song I've chosen for the processional. She's absolutely breathtaking, in every sense of the word.I could go on describing the details of the goddess walking towards me, but given that my dick is already as solid as a rock and we're inside a church, I'd rather spare all the witnesses here the image of me ejaculating on the spot. So, for the sake of all the guests, especially Father Raffaelem, who happens to be standing closest to me, let me just stop at she's absolutely breathtaking.Her arrival at the altar can't come fast enough. As the agonizing distance between us gets shorter with each ascending step, I take a moment to revisit some of ou

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 125: JUST A WEDDING

    Isabella"Come on, Isabella, get a grip!" I scold my nerves, taking another swig of the bottle without letting any tequila spill on my expensive dress. I wipe the liquid from the side of my mouth with the back of my hand. "Why are you so nervous? It's just a wedding, and it's Max. He'd laugh if he saw you like this."Girl, if you don't calm down..., Buffy interjects, breaking through my nervous thoughts. Your back-and-forth pacing is giving MY conscience's conscience a headache. I take a deep breath before another swig. Pull yourself together! Max is probably as calm as ever while you're freaking out for no reason!As I'm about to bring the bottle to my lips again, a determined knock on the door interrupts me. Damn it! Where's a packet of Sour Patch Kids when you need one?"It's unlocked," I call out, turning around to take one last gulp. The door creaks open and closes, but the visitor remains silent. Then I hear the lock turning, slowly."Alex, if this is one of your lame attempts t

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 124: OLD HOUSE

    Isabella "Are you alright, bro?" I inquire as I approach Alex on the porch swing of the Carters' old house."I've never been better," he replies, patting the seat beside him. "I just wanted to talk. Even though we FaceTime every night, it's never quite the same as being together in person.""I completely understand," I say, taking a seat next to him and resting my head on his shoulder. He rests his head on top of mine, and we stay like this for a while before he breaks the silence."Do you remember that time when you tried to be Spider-Woman and fell down the stairs?" He asks suddenly, instantly bringing a smile to my face. "You scraped your knee, but you didn't want Mom to find out because you knew she would scold you for not being careful. So instead, you came to me, begging me to fix the cut before she came home.""Yes," I chuckle softly. "I think I was around seven years old, right?""Seven and three months," he responds with a soft chuckle of his own. "And then there was the tim

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 123: FIVE YEARS

    ~Five Weeks Later-MaxAfter five years of living on and off with Isabella, you might think I'd grow tired of waking up before her, but no, not at all. Despite both of us not being morning people, the days when I'm up before noon are special because I get to wake up my fiancée. The mere thought of our new reality makes me smile like a lunatic.With that smile on my face, I grab a coffee tray filled with Isabella's typical breakfast and head down the hall to the master bedroom. Once inside, I place the tray on a nightstand before slowly hovering over Isabella's sexy sleeping figure. Knowing she doesn't wake up when I initially touch her, I let my fingers graze her waist as I slide the silky covers off her bare body.She's always been breathtaking, from the moment I first laid eyes on her. Starting with her right leg, bent at the knee, I position myself over it and begin to kiss every inch of her, starting at her toes.My lips move up her sole to her heel, gradually reaching her calf, t

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 122: SUITE

    ~At the Penthouse Suite~IsabellaUpon returning to the penthouse suite with our bags of groceries, Max poses a question."What did the savage mother say to her son when he informed her that his girlfriend was pregnant?" he inquires as we enter, closing the door behind us."You should've used protection?" I jest."Good one, but no," he chuckles. "She instead apologized, asking him who the father was.""Daaammmnnn," I laugh, conceding that it was one of the better jokes. Surprisingly, our banter, initiated at the grocery store, continues to be amusing. "Alright, my turn," I say, placing my bags on the expansive kitchen island. "To make this scenario work, I'll play the mother, and you'll be the son. We'll engage in a short conversation about you seeking permission to hang out with your girlfriend. Other than that, your responses won't impact mine much, so feel free to unleash that creative mind of yours.""Sounds good," he chuckles, depositing his bags on the island. "Ready when you ar

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 121: BILL

    After a few seconds, Caleb thanks Max for something simple, even though my boyfriend just stated the obvious. Hopefully, Caleb won't feel the need to hide himself after tonight."You can thank us both by asking that Jaxon kid out," Max suggests, handing Caleb a hundred-dollar bill."Okay, forget what I said about Caleb being irresistible; he's beyond that. I can't find words to describe the guy I'm sitting on, who doesn't realize he's making Caleb's night."Caleb, feeling shy and surprised, tries to return the money. He thinks it's too much, but Max insists and places it in Caleb's shirt pocket."I wasn't asking," Max states firmly, ending further discussion.Caleb breathes out in disbelief, scratching his head in embarrassment. "Thanks, man. I mean, I don't know what else to tell you," he says, shrugging helplessly.Max smirks, silently signaling Caleb not to worry. With a nod and an appreciative smile, Caleb goes back inside, probably to find Jaxon and ask him out.Turning to Max, h

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 120: REAL HOUSEWIVES

    Later That Day"Five more minutes, I promise," I call back, securing the last bobby pin to keep my wild hair in check. I'll be surprised if they manage to hold anything given where we're headed tonight, but hey, I'm too lazy to take them out now."Take your time, I'll be in the living room!"Once I've tucked away the last bobby pin in who knows where, I check myself in the mirror one final time before joining Max."Sorry I took so long," I grimace when I find him on the couch engrossed in Real Housewives of Atlanta."No worries, ba—" His words vanish into thin air the moment his eyes land on me. I can't help but smile when they're replaced with a groan as he bites his fist."How does it look?" I ask, walking over to the door to slip on my white Converse."Like I'm not going to last long tonight," he replies smoothly, turning off the TV to stand up and join me at the door. "Holy fuck, I'm the luckiest motherfucker alive."Melting in his arms when he kisses my forehead, I thank my lucky

  • Thrill of the Chase   CHAPTER 119: VALENTINES DAY

    ~Friday, February 14, 2025 - Valentine's Day in Santa BarbaraIsabellaMax and I reached Santa Barbara last night, opting to reserve a penthouse suite for a private Valentine's Day weekend. Yesterday involved exploring the city where our paths first crossed, but tonight promises an entirely different level of intimacy.The evening kicks off with the comical Valentine's Day cards we exchange..."Why am I not surprised?" I chuckle at Max's card, shaking my head at his cheeky sense of humor."Oh, please," he retorts, "like yours is any better." He displays the card I gave him, eliciting another round of laughter."Touché, touché," I concede, winking as I delve into the heartfelt note inside.Here's my love, take it.Here's my soul, use it.Wait a minute....Completing the remainder of the message, I smirk as my initial suspicion is confirmed.I glance up to find Max beaming at me proudly."What? Did it render you speechless with its brilliance?" He playfully raises his eyebrows."You cam

DMCA.com Protection Status