Page 59 of The Heartbreaker (Chandler Brothers 3)
She immediately felt relief. “Mmm. You’re a godsend, Chase Chandler.”
He chuckled. “I’ve got some water and Ibuprofen for you too.”
“I think I need to wait a few minutes before lifting my head,” she mumbled. “What time is it?”
“Seven A.M.”
“I hope Kendall doesn’t feel as bad as I do,” she said, recalling last night more vividly.
She’d come up empty on their search for Samson, but her heart felt full with the memory of making love with Chase. A man she wanted all to herself, yet the harsh truth remained. He didn’t desire the same thing and the existence of the other woman in his life, the one named Cindy, merely validated her belief. Sloane was only a diversion for Chase Chandler until they went their separate ways.
But she didn’t want anyone or anything between them now. With the compress covering her forehead and eyes, she didn’t literally have to face him and it seemed the perfect time to ask. “You said Cindy wasn’t simple to explain, but the longer we’re together, no matter how temporary, it bothers me that you’re involved with someone else.”
“I ended things with Cindy.” His voice sounded clear and strong, shocking her with the admission.
Sloane swallowed hard. “You did? Why?” she asked, still not opening her eyes.
“I should think that would be obvious.” Leaning forward, he touched his lips to hers.
At that moment, more memories of last night resurfaced and she recalled thinking that she’d fallen in love with him. It hadn’t been a drunken thought but rather one from the heart. Opening her mouth, she greeted him with all the passion, desire, and love swelling inside her.
But his ringing telephone interrupted them, and with a groan, Chase grabbed the cell off the nightstand by the bed. “Chandler.”
Sloane waited, her head still pounding as hard as her heart, but for different reasons now. She’d fallen for this Chandler man, one who wanted no family, no future with any woman because he’d already had his fill of responsibility. He’d lived life out of order and Sloane would have to pay for that by letting him go and live his dreams when the time came.
“Mom’s in the hospital?” Chase’s voice halted her more selfish thoughts.
Raina was sick? Oh no. Sloane had sensed as much but Rick and Chase had insisted it was a ruse, a game to get her boys to settle down. It wasn’t, and she should have insisted he look closer.
“I’ll be right there,” he said, turning to face Sloane. “I have to go.”
She’d already figured that out. “What happened?”
“Mom had severe chest pains in the middle of the night and called an ambulance.”
* * *
The truth slammed into Chase’s chest with brutal force. Raina had called him first, but he’d been otherwise engaged. With Sloane.
For the first time ever, he’d been too busy to check ringing phone, and stellar newsman that he’d become, he’d been too preoccupied to check this morning.
Family had always come first, until now. And look at the end result. He stood and grabbed for his pants.
“Let me go with you.” Sloane sat up higher in bed and groaned, reaching for her head with her hands. “God, it’s like a drummer took up residence.”
He was better off going alone so he could concentrate. And regroup. “You stay. I’ll call and check in,” he promised.
“What happened? I thought your mother’s heart condition was fake?” she asked, her concern all too genuine.
“According to Rick, it was real this time. She reached him and he’s been there all night.”
“Why didn’t he call?”
“He did.” He buttoned his pants and pulled on a sweatshirt. “I was too busy to answer.”
She winced, obviously catching his meaning. “I’m sorry.”
“No big deal,” he lied. He’d already given her too much insight, too much power over his feelings and emotions. The time had come to rein himself in.
He grabbed for his keys. “You sleep it off and I’ll update you when I know more.”
She nodded. If she was hurt by his withdrawal or affected by his need to shut her out, she didn’t show it. And despite his deep need to fortify his defenses and keep her out, a part of him wished for the emotional reaction he struggled not to give.
He wanted to hold her and let her hold him one more time before heading over to the hospital. Instead, he waved and walked out the door.
* * *
The door slammed shut behind Chase and the sound of the truck’s motor quickly followed. Then silence ensued. Any blossoming hope Sloane had held since hearing Chase admit he’d broken up with Cindy crumbled around her. He’d withdrawn and it didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out why.
She’d known the Chandler brothers for under a week but she already understood their family code of honor. Family first. Always. And Chase had defied that code last night. He’d ignored the cell because he’d been too wrapped up in Sloane. And now he felt guilty. He probably always would. She’d be better off concentrating on her life and her problems and leave Chase Chandler and his family to their own.
