Page 93 of The Heartbreaker (Chandler Brothers 3)
“After she’d seen Chase Chandler in action. She’s seen you with your family, seen how you put Mom first. If I had to guess, she’s seen you step up in a crisis and pull away in the aftermath.” Rick slanted his head toward Chase, awaiting an answer.
“What the hell makes you think you know me so well?”
His eyes opened wide. “I grew up with you, the model of perfection. You never once bailed on a responsibility. But when you’re alone and quiet, you withdraw. I’m sure that wasn’t easy for Sloane.”
“Yeah, well, she loves me in spite of it,” Chase said defensively.
“Yet she’s in D.C. and you’re here. What gives?” His brother raised an eyebrow, his challenge obvious.
“She doesn’t believe I love her. Oh shit, that’s not true.” Chase kicked the wall, grateful afterward he was wearing sneakers and caused no damage. “She believes I love her; she just doesn’t believe I want those things you mentioned.” He paced the floor. “Can’t a man change his mind? Women do it all the time and we’re forced to accept it.”
“Women are their own breed. They can do whatever they want and, like you said, we men accept it. It’s our lot in life.”
“I heard that,” Kendall called from across the room, making Chase realize she and his mother had grown silent, listening to Chase’s problems instead.
“And I love you even when you’re eavesdropping,” Rick called back, then faced Chase once more. “Did Sloane have a reason to believe you changed your mind about marriage? Women need proof.”
“Would you quit lumping us all into one broad category?” Raina suggested, getting involved for the first time. “Every woman is an individual. I’m certain Sloane needs proof because she doesn’t want to feel she trapped you into marriage.”
Chase slapped his head with one hand. “When did this become a family conversation?” he muttered. “I have nothing to prove. I love the woman. I want to spend the rest of my damn life with her and she thinks the need will wear off! Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous in your life?”
Raina put down the magazine she’d been thumbing through. “She must have a valid reason.”
He glanced at his mother, annoyed with her attempt to be the voice of reason, and he gritted his teeth. If it weren’t for the fact that dissecting his life took the focus off waiting on Charlotte, he’d walk out on this farce of a conversation now. Hannah, thank God, had gotten engrossed on her phone and wasn’t paying attention.
“She must have a valid reason,” Chase mimicked. But when he let himself think, he was forced to admit the truth. “She does,” he admitted aloud. “Sloane thinks I’ve got this white-knight complex. That I feel guilty I wasn’t there when she got shot.”
“Do you?” Kendall asked softly.
“Of course I feel guilty. But I wouldn’t saddle myself with a wife or even consider having kids just because I think I failed her.”
“I hope not,” Raina said.
He glanced at his mother, a woman on the verge of getting her first blood-related grandchild and saw a glimmer of hope in his dim future. “If you mean that, put your matchmaking skills to work and help me get Sloane back,” Chase said to Raina, picking up on the idea he’d had the other day.
“I can’t.” Raina glanced down at her hands, obviously unable to meet Chase’s stare.
“Why the hell not?” he asked in shock. “You’ve spent how many years playing matchmaker against our will? And now when I’m asking … no, begging you to help me out, you’re saying no?”
She nodded, eyes still lowered. “That’s right. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m getting married and I’m going to have a life of my own.”
From the doorway came the sound of applause. Eric clapped, obviously proud of Raina and her new leaf. “I just wanted to let you know, Charlotte’s doctor said it shouldn’t be much longer.”
Raina glanced at Eric, and her cheeks glowed. Chase’s gaze traveled between Kendall and Rick, and he witnessed the same adoration. Goddamned envy consumed him. Yeah, he was happy for his mother and siblings, but his entire family possessed what he desired. With Sloane. And he’d struck out.
He turned back to his mother. “Can’t you learn this lesson after you help me?”
“I’m sorry, son, but she’s out of the matchmaking business. And as soon as I get my ring on her finger, where it belongs, I’m going to keep her too busy to meddle. That much I can promise all of you.” With a wave, Eric took off for the delivery room once more, the only person with access other than Roman, who wouldn’t leave his wife’s side.
“Shit,” Chase muttered.
“Would you watch your language?” Kendall asked, placing her hands over her sister’s ears.
Hannah laughed. “Like I don’t hear worse in school?”
