Chasing Day Series: Chasing Day & Catching Day (27 page)

Chapter 8

Once the plane landed in Chicago, Day didn’t waste any time getting off the plane. She quickly made her way to baggage claim and waited impatiently for the luggage to make its way up and around the carousel. Once she had her bags, Day rushed outside and ran up to the first taxi she saw.

“Where you headed?” The man asked once they both got in after putting her luggage in the trunk.

“Aurora Medical Center,” Day told him.

“Aurora? Do you know how far that is and how much that would cost?” The cabbie turned to look at her like she was crazy.

“I could care less. Where I’m going, I won’t be needing a rental. Besides, the rental line was a mile long and I need to get there as soon as possible. I have to see my mother,” she said near desperation.

“Alright, ma’am. Whatever you want.” The cabbie shrugged.

He turned back around, started the car, and pulled away from the curb out into traffic. Day tried calling her mom’s cell, but there was no answer. She didn’t have any messages from Sandra or her mother. She didn’t even have a text or voicemail from Rhys, considering the last message she’d sent him, which, of course, was telling.

She wrung her hands and bounced her leg the whole ride down to her hometown. It only took forty-five minutes, but it felt like hours. They finally pulled up to the hospital around lunch time. Day practically jumped out of the cab, after paying the driver and tipping him extra. The cabbie popped the trunk and Daylen had her suitcases out before he could even help her.

“Thank you for driving me so far out.” Day had enough manners to say before heading towards the sliding doors.

“Good luck, Miss.” The driver called out, and then drove off.

Day wheeled her suitcases inside and walked up to the front desk.

“Hello. I’m here to see my mother, Patricia Daniels. I need to find out what room she’s in.” Day said to the woman behind the desk.

“Hmm…let me see.” The woman typed on her computer and clicked several times before finally finding what she was looking for. “Got it. She’s in room three-oh-one. It’s on the third floor. Make a right after you exit the elevator,” she instructed.

“Thank you.”

“Um…what is the luggage for because you’re really not supposed to bring in anything like that inside? Other than an overnight bag.” The woman asked.

“I literally came straight here from the airport in a cab. I live in London.” Day informed her, on the brink of losing her patience.

The woman must have seen the crazed look in Day’s eyes because she nodded her head in understanding.

“That’s fine. Go on up to see your mom,” she said kindly.

“Thanks. I appreciate that.” Day said before walking towards the elevators.

She followed the woman’s directions and quickly found her mother’s hospital room. The door was cracked slightly, so Day pushed it open further. Her mother laid in the bed, looking so small and fragile. She had tubes and wires coming from everywhere. Day’s eyes instantly filled with tears.

“Mom,” her voice wobbled.

Pat’s eyes blinked open and a weak but happy smile spread across her face. “Hi, baby,” she said gruffly.

Day pulled her suitcases into the room and then flew over to her mother’s bedside. She bent down and kissed her cheek though she really wanted to wrap her up and sob on her shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Day asked, wiping at her damp eyes.

“I’m doing alright. I’ll be up and moving around sooner than you think.” Pat reassured her.

“How did this happen? And to a nurse?” Day asked in disbelief.

“Too busy taking care of others and not myself, I guess.” Pat sighed.

“Well, that has to stop right now.” Day demanded.

“Child, you think I don’t know that?! Trust me, I’ve been scared straight!” Pat exclaimed weakly.

“Are they treating you alright?” Day asked, looking around the hospital room.

“They have no choice. That’s the perks of being a nurse. I can call them on their crap.” Pat grinned slyly.

“Yeah, you are doing alright. If you’re being sassy to the hospital staff.” Day teased, internally sighing with relief.

“Have they fed you yet?” Day asked, wanting her mom to be as comfortable as possible.

“I have someone bringing me food as we speak,” Pat said right as the door was pushed opened.

“Alright, Mrs. D. I’ve got you some mystery soup and the standard hospital Jello.” A familiar deep voice said.

Day whipped around in her seat at the same time Chase looked up from the tray he was carrying. Their eyes collided and held for several tense seconds. Day felt like she’d been hit with a wrecking ball of emotions. Joy, passion, pain, and an all-consuming fury.

“Day,” he whispered.

“What are you doing here?” Day asked angrily and then turn on her mother before he could answer. “What is he doing here?” She asked her mother.

“I told Sandra to call him too,” Pat answered.

“Why would you do that when you know how I feel?” Day asked dubiously.

“Day,” Chase said as he sat the tray of food down on the adjustable hospital bed table.

Daylen ignored him as if he wasn’t there, waiting for her mother to answer.

“Because he’s like a son to me and deserved to know I’d had a heart attack,” Pat informed her wearily.

“Day.” Chase tried again.

“What?!” Daylen shouted as she turned to look at him, her eyes shooting daggers.

“Don’t be mad at your mom. She told me I didn’t have to come. It was my choice to come out.” Chase said gently as if she’d break if he spoke too loudly.

Day didn’t say anything. She just turned away from him and looked at the wall instead. She knew that she was being unreasonable. But she’d just had the shittiest several hours imaginable. First the argument with Rhys that confirmed he was cheating on her. Then finding out her mother had had a heart attack. The exhausting and worry-filled flight overseas. Relief that her mother was going to make it. And now this. She just couldn’t take one more fucking emotion or her head would explode.

Plus, he looked good enough to eat. If she looked at him a second longer, she’d jump off the edge of the bed and into his arms. Before she’d turned away from him, she’d gobbled up his every feature.

As always, Chase’s green-flecked light brown eyes pierced her soul. His sandy blond locks were short on the sides with a little length on top. Just enough to run her fingers through. He was thirty now, so the faint lines beginning around his eyes and mouth made him look even sexier. Like most men in their thirties, he’d filled out a little more as well. He was a six-foot-three wall of muscles. He’d lost all signs of the boyishness he used to have. He was all man now…and she was in hell. Actual hell.

“I’ll just go to the waiting room.” Chase said quietly and quickly walked out.

“Daylen Marie Daniels! That was incredibly rude. I know I raised you better than that.” Pat said as she tried to push herself up on the bed.

“Mom, don’t strain yourself.” Day said shamefacedly.

“You two are best friends no matter what. Nothing should change that. You got married too, ya know.” Pat scolded.

“But he married the girl that made my life a living hell growing up!” Day railed. “That was lower than low. He
knows
how I feel about her. Which is why I think he did it on purpose to hurt me.”

“You both need to work this out. You all have been too good of friends to keep this up. You know better than anyone that that boy doesn’t have anyone left in this world. I know you both have hurt each other, but your bond is deeper than just romantic. Which is why I had Sandra call you both. I knew you’d both come. It’s time to get over this impasse.” Pat preached.

“But mom!” Day pout.

“Don’t but mom me! You need each other. You always have. Now give me my food. I’m starving over here.” Pat grumbled.

~~~

Chase nervously cracked his knuckles as he sat in the waiting room. He’d known that Day was coming, but he had no idea that she’d be quite as angry as she was. When he’d walked through the door and saw her sitting there, he’d wanted to drop the tray of food and wrap her up in his arms.

She looked as gorgeous as ever. Her full curvy body, round face, and plump rosy cheeks; all gift wrapped in caramel coating, was enough to make him forget that he had a life somewhere else. With someone else.

Day’s hair was cut in a long bob, with side-swept bangs that sexily covered one eye. Like Jessica Rabbit. And for the first time that he’d ever seen, it was dyed with butterscotch highlights.

As far as age went, she looked exactly the same at twenty-nine as she did at twenty-two. The only difference was that she had a confidence and self-assurance about her, that she hadn’t had before.

From the first moment he’d looked at her, Chase wanted her so badly, he could taste it. But the overriding feeling that he felt was an all-consuming love. Seeing her again made him realized that he desperately missed her. His best friend. But she wanted nothing to do with him. He was in hell. Actual hell.

Several hours and several magazines later, Day finally walked out of Pat’s room. She looked exhausted like she’d fall over if a good stiff wind blew by. She grudgingly looked at him and sighed.

“My mom is pretty tired and the nurses are kicking us out,” She said wearily. “She said that you have a rental car and can take me to the house.” Day gritted out as if she hated to ask.

“Yeah, I’d be glad to. Let me just say goodbye really quick.” Chase stood up and stretched his stiff limbs.

He saw Day’s eyes glance at the skin that peeked out from under his t-shirt as he stretched his back. She quickly looked away and bit her lip. Chase smiled slightly.
At least I know she’s still attracted to me.

Chase strode past Day and into Pat’s room. He smiled warmly at the older woman, and then leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

“Have a good night, Mrs. D. See ya tomorrow,” Chase said.

“See ya tomorrow, Chase.” Pat said and then whispered her next words. “And good luck.” She winked at him.

Chase stepped away and gave Pat a secret grin. Day walked past him and leaned over to kiss her mother’s forehead.

“Get some rest, mom. I love you,” she said emotionally.

“I love you too, baby.”

Chase grabbed Day’s suitcases to wheel them out for her. She looked as if she was going to stop him but then decided to keep her mouth shut. They remained silent on the elevator ride down and as they walked out to the parking lot.

They got in Chase’s rental and as he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street, Day continued to remain tight-lipped. Chase had no idea how to get her to open up to him, so he started with the obvious.

“Are you ever going to talk to me?” He asked.

“When did you get in?” Day asked. Chase wasn’t sure where her line of questioning may lead, but he’d run with it.

“A few hours before you did,” he answered.

“Where are you staying?” Day inquired further.

“Uh…your mom said I could stay at the house.” Chase hesitated, unsure of her reaction.

“Do you really think that’s such a good idea?” Day grumbled.

“I can check into a hotel if that would make you feel more comfortable.” Chase capitulated, willing to do whatever it took to get her to warm back up to him. He needed his best friend back.

“No, it’s fine. If my mom said you could, I’m not gonna go against her wishes.” Day gave in reluctantly.

“Thanks, Day.” Chase glanced over at her.

“Don’t thank me, thank my mom.” Day said, informing him in no uncertain terms that she’d prefer it if he dropped off the face of the planet.

Chase decided to keep quiet the rest of the ride to the Daniels’ house. He didn’t want to die in a car accident. From losing control of the car, after getting smacked upside the head by an angry woman.

A few minutes later, he pulled up in the driveway. Chase looked over at his father’s house and shook his head sadly. The place looked like a dilapidated shack next to Pat’s well-kept house. It was obvious that nothing had changed there. Chase thanked his lucky stars that because of a few people, least of which was sitting next to him, had given him the strength to fight for his life. Or he’d be right where his father was.

They got out of the car and they both looked at their treehouse, sitting eerily in the night between their two houses. The memories of shared secrets, pain, and laughter hit them both hard. Day turned away first and walked towards the trunk for her luggage.

“Don’t worry about your bags. I got it, Day.” Chase offered sweetly.

“Thanks.”

Day took out the house key that she still had on her London key ring. She walked up the front steps and Chase followed closely behind with her suitcases. Day flipped on some lights after they walked inside. Chase looked around and everything was pretty much how it had looked before though everything felt so much smaller. Or maybe he had gotten bigger.