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CHAPTER 73: ROMANTIC STAY AT THE HOXTON
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Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 74: DINNER W/ THE BF
"I'm in a relationship."That's exactly how Mom chose to reveal her new boyfriend to Alex and me on the last day of our winter break: straightforward, direct, and out of nowhere. The two of us were utterly perplexed when those words first came out of her mouth, so you can easily imagine our initial reaction..."Huh?" Alex and I respond simultaneously, struggling to process her announcement."I'm seeing someone," she repeats, as if repeating it would make us any less bewildered."When did you start dating?" I finally ask, just before Alex fires off his own barrage of questions, "Who is he? Where does he work? How did you meet? Does he have children? What's his social security number? Passport book number? Birth certificate number? Tell us, Mom!"Mom lets out a soft chuckle at Alex's protective instincts before becoming serious once more."Well, his name is Noah Matthews," she begins. "He's an English Literature teacher at New Trier Township High School. I met him a month ago when his n
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 75: CHARMING
Considering the circumstances, acknowledging my love for Max came easily to me. However, expressing it to him? Well, that's going to require some time. There are numerous matters we must resolve first, experiences to share, and, especially, his significant undisclosed secret. I need some courage before I can confidently speak those three cherished words to him. Until then, my actions will have to convey my feelings more effectively than words can. Nevertheless, I hope he understands, and I hope he senses just how deeply I care for him."Never mind," Max abruptly decides to dismiss his earlier question. I furrow my eyebrows."It did?""Yup," he says, planting a gentle kiss on my nose. "And for the record, right back at ya."Okay, he's definitely skilled at reading emotions. What's next? Reading my mind?"I'm pretty sure he has every part of your body figured out by now," my inner voice, Buffy, comments with a touch of humor.'Hello darkness, my old friend,' I silently sing to her. "Hav
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 76: CRAZY
The next couple of hours were filled with savoring Mom's incredible cooking. Alex and I might have kicked off dinner, but Mom certainly took it to the next level with her culinary skills. We all enjoyed each other's company just like any other family night. To my pleasant surprise, Noah seemed to be fitting right in, and the life stories he shared with us were just as wild as our own.Among other things, I learned that Noah had a deep passion for soul music in his younger days, to the extent that Jeff Buckley nearly made him question his own sexuality. He pursued a teaching degree at Purdue University after a soccer injury ended his dream of becoming a professional player, a topic that intrigued Alex and Isaac. He also mentioned that, in his ideal world, Kellin Quinn and Andy Black would have collaborated on an entire album by now. Apparently, his sixteen-year-old niece had once made him listen to all their songs, a clever move on her part, and he quickly reached that conclusion.We c
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 77: TRAITOR
"So, you haven't told him yet?""Nope, and before you go all relationship guru on me again, I have my reasons.""I know," Avery deadpans, rolling her eyes but still failing to hide her soft, understanding smile. "I was just asking," she raises her hands up in defense."Mhmm, sure," I draw out, playfully pushing my best friend towards the building of her next class while I head towards mine. I only have to take one visual course for my major, so I decided Art History GC was the way to go. According to Max, the professor who teaches it is super laidback and frankly, I'll take as many easy As as I can get this semester."I'm serious," Avery chuckles, opening the door to the Music building before saying, "just remember, girl, we're all in our own time zones. Don't feel pressured by it because, when the time comes, it'll happen all on its own. Life is all about waiting for the right moment to act." I cock an eyebrow at my best friend's words. "What?" She asks, furrowing her eyebrows."Some
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 78: NIGHTMARES
In life, many things are beyond our control; instead, they choose us. Nightmares are one of those things. Personally, I rarely experience them anymore. However, when I do, even one can overshadow all the peaceful nights I've had until then. My nightmares are far from ordinary; they're extraordinarily vivid, to the point where I can almost feel myself suffocating in my sleep at times.You already know that there was a time in my life when I shut out those closest to me. During that dark period, my existence revolved around darkness. What I didn't mention was that I hadn't had a nightmare like that since then.Max, on the other hand... Well, let's just say that seeing him tremble that night evoked a different kind of pain...."Max," I mumbled, still somewhat coherent. "Dude, quit pushing me." I shifted around, attempting to return to my peaceful slumber. But when he drew closer—this time, wrapping his arms around my waist and clutching me to his chest as though his life depended on it—
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 79: DRAMATIC
Two Days Later"Hey, Terry.""What's going on, Lolita?" Terrence, my coworker, returns my greeting with an equally irritating nickname and an unmistakable scowl. Nonetheless, I can't help but chuckle inwardly as I recall William always using the same moniker. Man, I already miss the gang."Not much, you?" I reply as I head towards the employee lockers."Eh," he shrugs, "my life remains as dull as ever. School and then work, a never-ending cycle of sheer agony.""Bit dramatic, don't you think?" I smirk, and he rolls his eyes, failing to hide a smirk of his own.I stash all my belongings in my designated locker, except for my phone, which I slip into my work apron. Then I return to the front to assist Terrence in setting the chairs back onto the tables.Terrence and I have always been the ones to open on Saturdays, and today is no exception."Any new orders to prepare?" I inquire as I place the last chair in its spot and slide it under the table."Two new ones came in last night. The 10
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 80: ANTICS
"So, you found it just behind your regular work check, right?" Kalix asks, seeking confirmation one last time, his tone dripping with disbelief. I can't blame him, though."That's pretty much it.""And you have no idea how he managed to pull this off?" Avery inquires next."Not a single clue.""So, what makes you think it's him?" Kalix asks, the question I already knew the answer to the moment I called my brother."Because Alex got one too. It had the same amount, bank, routing, and account number, not to mention the same alias in the top left corner," I reply, my blood beginning to boil again, much like when I first saw the damn thing. "He might no longer go by his birth name, but he was still dumb enough to ensure that we both received it on the same day. There's no doubt in my mind it's him."I release an irritated sigh, or maybe it's out of frustration, possibly a mix of both. Or a lot. I don't even know anymore. One thing I do know is that Max is the only one who hasn't said a wo
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 81: LONG BURIED ANGER
Thud. Thud. Thud. The rhythmic noise echoed through the room, an annoying drumbeat disrupting my peaceful morning."Max, could you please get the door?" I groaned, still half-asleep, my face buried in one of his pillows.Thud. Thud. Thud.Max turned to his other side, mumbling, "Isabella, it's closer to your side."Thud. Thud. Thud."Max," I whined, "you're right there."Thud. Thud. Thud.He retorted, "Isabella, you're younger.""What does that have to do with anything?" I snapped, throwing the covers over my head in an attempt to block out the relentless noise. Who in their right mind visits someone before noon on a Sunday? There should be a law against it.Thud. Thud. Thud."Please?" Max pleaded. "I feel like I'll vomit if I get up now."THUD. THUD. THUD."I can't believe you," I muttered, ignoring his "love you, too" comment as I finally gave in to the annoyance and headed for the door.As I swung the door open, I was about to unleash my frustration on the person outside when I fou
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