Chasing Leah (Journey #1)

I hobble towards the building and glance over my shoulder as I pull the doors open. Chase is still sitting there to make sure I get into the building without wiping out. I roll my eyes but feel a tug at my heart as I head in for a long day.

After a few hours that it takes to finish my four exams I’m finally free for winter break. The material covered on each exam was all something that I had studied pretty well, so I was confident that I did well. It also didn’t hurt that my study partner, Remy, had already taken two of the exams but we didn’t need to pass that information along to any of the instructors.

I make my way back to the front lobby to pull out my phone to let Chase know I was finished when I felt a strong pair of arms wrap around my waist from behind. I lean back and let the broad chest and firm body behind me take in my weight as my hair was pushed aside and open mouthed kisses were feathered up and down my neck.

“Ya know I don’t think my boyfriend would really approve of this,” I say as I close my eyes feeling the warm breath on my neck.

“Oh yeah you have more than one boyfriend? Does he get you all hot and bothered as easily as I do?” He whispers in my ear as he traces his fingers over the goosebumps running down my arms.

“Nope you’re the only one that has that effect,” I say as I twist my body around and run my fingers through his hair.

“Mommy I thought I was your boyfriend,” Caleb says as he wraps his tiny arm around my cast free leg. “Chase doesn’t get to be.”

“Oh sorry buddy I totally forgot. Yup you are my one and only boyfriend,” I reply with a wink at Chase who has an offended look on his face that’s quickly replaced by a wink of his own.

“So did you finish up your shopping early?”

“Yeah I only had a few last minute things to pick up and I figured I could meet up with ya out here,” Chase says as he grabs my bag from me. “Sure, you were probably just trying to get here quick enough so you could carry me out of the classroom.”

He barks out a laugh as we make our way to his truck, “You know me too well baby.” He opens the door and I slide in as he places my crutches under my feet and straps Caleb in. “Didn’t you say you needed to do some shopping too? We could make a few stops while we’re out if you’re not ready to go back to the apartment yet.”

My face lit up at the thought of actually going out. The apartment was nice and I loved spending time with Chase but I really needed to get out. “That would be awesome but I do need some time alone to get a few things for you and Caleb. Think you could handle him on your own for a little bit longer?”

“What do you think little dude, more guy time sound good?”

“Guy time!” Caleb shrieks from the back seat. Pretty soon he wouldn’t want any more time with me! Obviously guy time was so much cooler.

“How about I drop you off at the mall, I need to run over to the dealership and sign some paperwork that we missed and then we can meet up for a late lunch?”

“Sounds good.” I reach over and interlace our fingers. I can already see one good thing about Chases new truck. Nothing in the way, so I can squeeze tight next to him and rest my head on his shoulder.

Chase drops me off at the mall after helping me out of the truck and a quick goodbye kiss to each of my “guys.” After going through the main entrance I instantly regret my decision of shopping. People were jam packed throughout the mall, trying to get in last minute shopping. The experience was made even harder with a pair of crutches but I was able to make it to the few stores I needed to. Caleb was pretty easy, load him up on some toys and books and he was set. Chase and his family ended up being a little harder to buy for.

Ally and I had exchanged gifts before she left town. I had put together a scrapbook of her and Skylar together with some of my free time I had and a pair of tickets to a concert I knew she really wanted to go to. Luckily I had already purchased them before the accident so I had some extra money. She had replaced my coat that had been pitched after all of the damage with a new gray wool one and a dark red matching set of gloves and a hat.

I texted Chase when I was all finished up and we made plans to meet at one of the restaurants in the mall. That was real fun and made me wishing maybe I should of just stayed home after Caleb dropped down onto the floor of the crowded restaurant and preceded to kick and scream because he didn’t want to sit still that long. Luckily Chase handled it well by throwing him over his shoulder and having a nice quiet talk with him about how to behave. We headed back to the apartment to grab a few things before going to his moms house for the next few days. Caleb had passed out with a full belly and being worn out from all of the running around.